working in Singapore for DP holder

[lohan]

Hi,

My wife is here on a dependents pass.m
She would like to work independently, e.g. do decorations for shops, give cooking lessons and so on.
What are the implications and limitations?

[Lyn]

Legally speaking, she is not supposed to work.  You probably know this as well.

[Bessy]

Good for your wife, remain positve, at least she WANTS to work! There are always ways! Look into starting her own business
access: http://www.gov.sg/rcb/information/  
there is some info' on foreigners starting their own business..good luck!

[lohan]

Lyn, it is not that bad. Here is what MoM says:
"The DP holder has to apply for a Letter of Consent to work at the Employment Pass Department if he/she wishes to take up employment in Singapore, subject to the validity of the DP. The DP holder's prospective employer is required to fill up a Letter of Consent application form which is obtainable from Employment Pass Department."
Thus, there must be SOME legal way to work.

Bessie, thanks for the tip. I will check it out.

[easy]

It is really easy to set up your own business and only costs $115 to register, if she wants to do odd jobs etc, her best bet is to register as a business and it will all be legal! It also only takes approx 2 days for the paper work to go through. Good luck

[Lynn]

Lohan, the best way for your wife is to register her own business (sole proprietorship) at the RCB. Once her business is set up she can then apply for a letter of consent (Minstry of Manpower), meaning she can freelance for other companies after that (which a lot of people do) or start selling things, etc. The following website gives all the info regarding a sole propr.: http://www.gov.sg/rcb/information/

[Lynn]

Forgot to mention: you're wife can also look for a job and have the employer request a letter of consent. The disadvantages are:
1) a lot of employers don't want to do this -they are more eager to employ you if you have your own LOC via your own company
2) with your own LOC you can freelance for multiple employers without any problem.

[kt]

your wife may be interested in starting her own business in the personal and health care area, I have a collegue in Singapore at the moment that would be interested in talking to her. I can be contacted on nuehealth@aol.com for more details.