New EP Requirement

[Old timer]

Does anyone know if the requirement for EP has changed recently? I know that P1 and P2 changed only a month ago but not sure about EP. One of my friends just got rejected without explanations. It was 3 years ago I applied myself (when they still wanted foreigners here) so things might be different now.

And why does the government want to cut down the number of FT's? They are contributing to the society after all.

[jalanperak]

Does anyone know if the requirement for EP has changed recently? I know that P1 and P2 changed only a month ago but not sure about EP.

P1 and P2, along with Q1, are types of employment passes. There have been no "recent" changes beyond those implemented about a month ago, but PM Lee announced in his National Day speech that MOM would be implementing new conditions. Per the MOM website, the qualifying salary for Q1will increase from $2,800 to $3,000, and from $4,000 to $4,500 for P2, effective 1 Jan 2012. The P1 requirement will remain at $8,000.

http://mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/employment-pass/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx

I wouldn't say the government is "cutting down" on the amount of foreign talent. Rather, I'd say they're shifting the emphasis from "foreign" to "talent," and making companies "put their money where their mouth is" when it comes to defining that talent.

[Changes Changes]

Other than the increased salaries for some EP classes, no changes.  Just had mine renewed recently, no issues.

[Old timer]

Thanks, Jalan. I had my terms mixed up, it used to be EP 1, 2, and EntrePass in my time. 

I think Q1 is also a new category.

RE: foreigners, it says in the website:

"These moves will ensure that as salaries of locals rise as they gain in experience and progress in their careers, they will not be disadvantaged by EP holders coming in at lower wages."

[Cut]

They are cutting down on foreigners( including PRs) across the board.  didn't you read the papers?  In relation to the population, 35% are foreigners living and working here.  Which developed country allows this? - the citizens will be in an uproar!  Would you like that in your own country?  Singaporeans have also voiced their displeasure.  Housing prices have also gone up considerably because rich foreigners are willing to pay in order to live here.  Now housing is unaffordable for the citizens and PRs as well.

It's nothing personal, something has to give.  The SP government is managing it to redress the imbalance.  Therefore, they are restricting the no. of people they allow in.  Good luck to all of you.

[Blaze]

They are cutting down on foreigners( including PRs) across the board.  didn't you read the papers?  In relation to the population, 35% are foreigners living and working here.  Which developed country allows this? - the citizens will be in an uproar!  Would you like that in your own country?  Singaporeans have also voiced their displeasure.  Housing prices have also gone up considerably because rich foreigners are willing to pay in order to live here.  Now housing is unaffordable for the citizens and PRs as well.

It's nothing personal, something has to give.  The SP government is managing it to redress the imbalance.  Therefore, they are restricting the no. of people they allow in.  Good luck to all of you.

Interesting post, don't know if you're joking or serious. Foreigners in Singapore have come to work and pay taxes, and contribute to the society. Not like countless immigrants in Europe where they just come for the better life provided by government. And housing prices? Aren't Singaporeans happy that their HDB -cubicles are worth half a million? Imagine what would happen to e.g. rentals if say 200.000 FT's decided to move out. It would corrode the whole system, ending in a massive crash in property prices.

"Good luck to all of you." Hehe, I am happy to give my place to someone else soon. 

[Cut]

I am dead serious.  My Filipino friend has got PR but he can't afford to rent a 2-bedroom HDB on his own ( include housewife with 2 kids) so he has to share with another Filipino on EP ( plus wife and kid).  7 of them in a 2-bedroom place?

As for Singaporeans, unless they own multiple properties, after selling off their only property ( HDB or private), they have to pay for an equally expensive home.  Only those who are selling off their private property in order to downgrade to an HDB will get to benefit from the price difference.

The SP government is crazy - to increase population to 6.8 million as a future target.  There are 5 million at the moment.  There's only Sentosa and Orchard Rd - where else are they going to put the people?  Haven't you seen the traffic on highways and MRT?

Governments in general do not show "gratitude" to so-called foreign talent and their contribution to taxes.  As soon as citizens complain, they are more concerned with being re-elected and they will act accordingly.   

[sillybillys]

Yes the govt. is clamping down. We are shipping out soon. They are clamping down. My wife recently had her application to set up her own co. rejected and then an EP rejected for a job she was offered. After paying taxes here for 8 years on a P1 status that kind of sucks. We are happy to leave because of this and other reasons.

[One man's view]

I only know two people who have left in the past several months, one to the US and one to EU, both promotions to bigger jobs in their companies.  I think the SG gov't is trimming the "marginals" - people here doing jobs that Singaporeans could easily do. 

That's the group of foreign workers that is angering Singaporeans, not skilled managers and leaders of international companies.

[gosh]

Yes the govt. is clamping down. We are shipping out soon. They are clamping down. My wife recently had her application to set up her own co. rejected and then an EP rejected for a job she was offered. After paying taxes here for 8 years on a P1 status that kind of sucks. We are happy to leave because of this and other reasons.

very interesting!!!

[anon]

Its funny how all you foreigners think that just because u pay Singapore tax its a big deal. Have u compared Singapore tax rates to that in other countries? Face it a big reason why foreigners come here is because the taxes here are so low - to then make a big deal of paying taxes in Singapore is simply laughable.