We began the process of gaining legal status with the
country of Singapore a few months ago when the decision was made to move to Singapore
instead of Australia.
One of the most interesting thing we have had to deal
with was the visa process. We obviously need a visa to be in the country for
longer than 90 days, you need it to work here and more importantly you need it
for the movers to ship out stuff! In doing
our research and talking to the folks in human resources, we learned that it
should be easier to get a work pass for Raegen and hopefully Amy in Singapore
than Australia, so we were off to a good start.
As part of the visa process Amy and I discovered that
Singapore required us to show validation of common law status in order for her to get a visa. We found this out in our last few days in Phoenix so we jumped through hoops with life insurance, health care, bank
accounts, notary, etc. So as of 16:41 Phoenix local time 30 Jan 2014 there is a document that shows that Amy and
Raegen are common law married. Please wait until the real thing to send
presents as it’s far too expensive to ship over a new Maserati.
After filling all of the paperwork our applications were
submitted online to the government. In the meantime, we were on our way to
Singapore. Since we had two one-way tickets to paradise (Singapore) and we did not want issues in customs. Therefore we bought tickets to Malaysia in 2 months so we did not appear to be squatters.
Once we got the visas we would cancel these tickets.
A few days later we received preliminary approval of a P1
type EP (employment pass) valid for 24 months and Amy a LTVP (long term visitor
pass) that was valid for the same period of time. We also learned that we
didn’t have to get a medical examination or a blood test (to check for
HIV/AIDS).
Up to this point we believed Amy would get a DP (dependent
pass) versus a LTVP but they did not issue her one. What we found in our
investigating is that a DP pretty much has the same rights (i.e. none) and
Singapore does not recognize any domestic partnerships therefore that’s why Amy
was granted the LTVP, but it’s still better than nothing. Here is what we have determined
the following about the LTVP pass:
- It allows Amy to stay in the country for 24 months without having to
leave every 90 days (Amazing)
- The
pass will allow Amy to go through a different customs process when entering the
country (same as Singaporeans & people with an EP.) And after the last
trip, we can say it was pretty awesome!
- Basically
Amy cannot sign any paperwork for cable, cell phone, etc. It all has to be done
by the EP holder. (Hence the "Can you hear me now?" blog post)
- It is not a work visa. So when she finds a job the hiring company will
have to complete the application for an EP. (Which theoretically should be
easier since she already has a LTVP.)
With the approval of the passes, our next step is to go to
the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) to do our biometric screening.
Sounds really scary, but they just took our thumbprints and photo. Emigra
Singapore met us at the EPSC. Our appointment was scheduled for an hour and we
were in and out in about 15 minutes. (It could have been quicker if we would
not have been joking around with the ladies who helped us.) We celebrated
being approved with a nice dinner…after all how often do you have to go through
a process like that? We then waited about 5 days and we have our physical passes.
It’s official.
So now we both have local cellphones and the next adventure is
getting into a home, having a bed to sleep in and TV to watch. In the meantime,
Amy is on the job prowl. So if you know anyone who is looking for a well-qualified,
LTVP holding American, we are accepting applications.
Until then,
Amy & Raegen
PS- a big thank you to the MI Group Relocation Services and Emigra for all of their help with this process. They
made a complicated and intimidating process a little less painful.
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| Our letters of approval, the official cards and the rep from Emigra and the EPSC who made it happen! |
