Erm, Singapore.... someone educate / help me
Discussion
Afternoon all
Wasn't expecting to be writing this quite just yet, more Jan - March time.
My OH is looking to work abroad for a few years (she is a teacher, and its bloody good for her CV) so is doing the rounds for term begining September. She has just been put forward for a position starting in January!
So, what i need to know, what kind of visa's etc would be needed (and lead time). Also, as I would be looking to move with her, what would I need to seek work out there? I am relatively versatile, but at the end of the day, no keen on my industry, can still do it as its a transferable skill set.
I'm a little on the back foot at the minute, so the more info the merrier! Don't even know the schools name yet :s
Wasn't expecting to be writing this quite just yet, more Jan - March time.
My OH is looking to work abroad for a few years (she is a teacher, and its bloody good for her CV) so is doing the rounds for term begining September. She has just been put forward for a position starting in January!
So, what i need to know, what kind of visa's etc would be needed (and lead time). Also, as I would be looking to move with her, what would I need to seek work out there? I am relatively versatile, but at the end of the day, no keen on my industry, can still do it as its a transferable skill set.
I'm a little on the back foot at the minute, so the more info the merrier! Don't even know the schools name yet :s
XJSJohn said:
ok, two threads for some background reading
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Your wife will be on an EP, you will be on a dependants pass unless you find work yourself.
Your wife's employers will organise this for you (they have to). Her EP will take between 2 weeks and 6 weeks to process, depending on what she is earning (over $9k a month and will be closer to 2 weeks).
If SWMBO is not getting a package significantly more than $9k a month, don't bother, you will not have enough dosh for the lifestyle that you will end up socialising in. Its not that everyone is flashy, just that accomodation, booze and western food are expensive - the SGD is very strong against European and US currencies so most products & travel here cost that much more etc.
I see you work in Shipping / Logistics, there is lots of that here! Work on all your contacts in the UK to see if anyone can put you in touch with anyone here to refer you to a job, or start looking at these companies hiring websites and see if there are jobs being advertised. If you can, get the ball rolling on a job before you even arrive.
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/ will give you an idea of accomodation, but again, get wife's company to provide a serviced appartment for at least a month so that you can get a feal of where you want to live.
Out of interest, School or University level study? I just heard on the radio that Nanyang Technology University has just been ranked as 47th in the world!
finally, don't look at the price of car's - they will make you cry! If you hankered after riding a motorbike but don't have the license, (biked much cheaper here) get your license in UK, its much faster and simpler process!
Feel free to fire away here / PM any more questions.
Hi John, that is superb, many thanks! Will have to have a proper readof the threads and your reply and digest / discuss with SWMBO tonight.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Your wife will be on an EP, you will be on a dependants pass unless you find work yourself.
Your wife's employers will organise this for you (they have to). Her EP will take between 2 weeks and 6 weeks to process, depending on what she is earning (over $9k a month and will be closer to 2 weeks).
If SWMBO is not getting a package significantly more than $9k a month, don't bother, you will not have enough dosh for the lifestyle that you will end up socialising in. Its not that everyone is flashy, just that accomodation, booze and western food are expensive - the SGD is very strong against European and US currencies so most products & travel here cost that much more etc.
I see you work in Shipping / Logistics, there is lots of that here! Work on all your contacts in the UK to see if anyone can put you in touch with anyone here to refer you to a job, or start looking at these companies hiring websites and see if there are jobs being advertised. If you can, get the ball rolling on a job before you even arrive.
http://www.singaporeexpats.com/ will give you an idea of accomodation, but again, get wife's company to provide a serviced appartment for at least a month so that you can get a feal of where you want to live.
Out of interest, School or University level study? I just heard on the radio that Nanyang Technology University has just been ranked as 47th in the world!
finally, don't look at the price of car's - they will make you cry! If you hankered after riding a motorbike but don't have the license, (biked much cheaper here) get your license in UK, its much faster and simpler process!
Feel free to fire away here / PM any more questions.
Couple of things, firstly, she is my girlfriend, not wife... I would guess this would casue potential issues.
Package wise, accomodation and a drver are provided, salary is a bare minimum of 2.5k per month sterling, but reading between the lines and looking at the start date, something could easily be done. Is the 9k SGD for one person or could a couple live on it. Re lifestyle, we arent massive on going out too often, but i guess if the shoe fits etc, you go with the flow (bad analogy granted... not having a great day and a hell of alot to take in). Work wise, I could easily jump into logistics / shipping again, I used to be a port agent and would love to get back into it in a bigger port.
Pets... now this is a question. We have a dog, love her to bits and wouldnt want to leave her. Is it possible to take her, and would you know about the rigmarole etc? I am guessing the heat would annoy her, but are most appartments air con'd?? She is getting on a bit so doesnt ned masses of exercise, just a strol for the morning ablutions and then a walk in the evening.
Cars, ill gloss over that one for now
I do wnt to do my bike test anyway, so that could be the impotus needed to peed it up!She will be School based, and I believe its a UK school that specialise in the Reggio Emillia cirriculem (or teaching method... it doesnt mean much to me, she is the teacher not me
) I think we have a hell of alot to learn, read, research and digest, in a fairly short space of time! I am certain I will have many many more questions, so your help is massively appreciated!
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