dependent's pass advice?!

[kayh]

I have just moved to Singapore with my partner - we are both British and not married but have been living together for 4 years.  I have been offered 2 part-time jobs which I would love to accept but both employers say I need a dependent's pass.  What are my chances of getting one and does anyone have any advice?

[KS]

Kay,

I have checked up on setting up your own company as promised. I will call you seperately on this but thought others might be interested.

The two women I know who have done this both did so in late 1999, so the rules may have changed somewhat.

Basically if you are not a dependancy pass holder you need to give up your long term visitor pass before applying to set up your own company. You then contact the Registry of Companies and Businesses on Anson Road. There are two forms to fill in. The first form is to apply for a company name. This takes about two days to be approved. The second form is your personal details and what services the company provides (make this as broad as possible) This usually takes about a week to be approved. As a non resident in Singapore you need to appoint a company manager who is resident in Singapore. I do not know if this has to be a Singaporean or whether a work permit holder will do. In 1999 setting up a company cost about S$75 and took about 2-3 weeks.

Once you have a company set up you apply for a permanent work permit under that company and you can contract yourself out on a temporary basis to other companies under this work permit, providing the work you do comes under the services registered for your company.

I suggest you get in contact with the Registry of Companies and Businesses. I do not know their telephone number but it should be listed. Also they aparently have a Web site.

[KH]

RCB
10 Anson Road
#05-01/15 International Plaza

Sorry, can't find the tel. nr. right now - if you go there, I advice to go as soon as they open the doors, as it gets real crowded after about an hour.

[Fiwi]

Hi!

I am currently employed at an International School in the Philippines (I'm a Kiwi).

I am in the same boat as you! My British boyfriend is being posted to Singapore and I want to go with him.  I have been offered jobs at other great schools within South East Asia but ultimately, want to go where he goes.

I am awaiting possible jobs in Singapore but as you may have felt, need to know what my options are now regarding immigration, etc.  

As you are now in Singapore have you found that your options are to just apply to set yourself up as a company or to just live on a tourist's visa and leave the country every 30 days?

I have considerable teaching experience internationally and wonderful references, etc so I know I could find work once in Singapore BUT it is the 'unknown' that is scary for me.

Any advice you could give me or tips, please email me at blandm@ismanila.com

thanks,
fiwi

[Tony]

If you are succesful in obtaining a teaching position at an International School here then the School will apply for a Employment pass for you. Therefore there is no need to worry about dependants passes, long term visas , JB etc.

[Michelle]

Most of the time people on this board talk about registering a sole proprietorship. There is a big difference between a business and a company. Cessation of a sole proprietorship (= a business) costs $15-25 only. Have a look at the RCB (registry of companies and businesses) website:
Form A= approval of name costs $15
Form B= registry of business costs $100 (+ $5 for an extract)
Form D=cessation of sole propr. costs $15-25
Renewal costs $75-105 per year (depending on payment method)

It's very easy to do and gives you the possibility of a lot a taxdeductions. I advice you to go as early as possible to the RCB as it can get very crowded after the doors open.

PS. you can download the forms already from the website.
PS. If you are being relocated, make sure you close you're sole propr. early enough for the tax office to do all the appropriate work.
PS. If you'd like to have more info -> send me an email.  

[This message has been edited by Michelle (edited 17-01-2001).]