Part 3: Applying for a Permit
This is Part 3 of my guide to working in SG. Again, to avoid an irritatingly long-er post, the steps were grouped. The list of the steps are in the first post.
4. Get Interviews and Get Offers.
How you do this is totally up to you and your style at getting a job. However, as tips for our particular situation:
However, I leave it to your better judgment as to whether having this concern on your prospective employer would affect your application.
When they do ask how long you have, tell them you only have 2 weeks (or less), and not 30 days. Tell them your return flight. That should help them speed things up. Hopefully.
At this point in time, everything would be a mix of your skills, perseverance and luck. Hopefully, you would get an offer (or several) within 2 weeks. That is the hope. It wouldn’t always be the case.
Some would even reach the end of their 30 days, but without having a single offer. When that happens you might get another chance by trying to extend your stay for another month (that’s the maximum).
<Refer to the other post on how to extend your stay>
When you do get an offer, ask how long you have to consider it. Ask them if you can have at least a week to consider (if you have pending applications elsewhere). Try to negotiate.
5. Sign the contract.
If you have an offer, go sign the contract. However, do think about all your options, especially if you have several offers (or offers to come). I should know, as I had a slight dilemma regarding this before. Lol.
As much as possible try to get all your options/offers, compare them before you pick and sign one. Don’t just consider the basic monthly salary. Ask for the benefits, particularly the bonuses, medical coverage, etc. There are also other important information that isn’t exactly monetary, like career path, job security, and promotion. Well, these are the things that we all should consider for every job offer but since you’re a foreigner – you should be more careful.
Don’t forget to ask them how long it will take for them to process your pass if you accept their offer as well. This is again would cover our concern for the limited social visit pass (i.e. you need about 3-5 days for a medical checkup, if the company requires it).
Have a well informed decision; take your time but NOT too much.
Also remember that negotiations are possible. If you feel like the offers you got is way below your expectation, try to negotiate with them. Do so at your own discretion.
6. Get your IPA.
After signing the contract, your company is SUPPOSED to apply for your pass online, immediately. Ask your HR when they could do it for you, as it would be just easy. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows for online application of pass.
The typical fastest result for this would be overnight. The company files it for you today, and tomorrow, you’ll know if you will get an In-Principal Approval (IPA).
The IPA is a letter that states your connection to the company and the request for a pass.
THIS DOES NOT EXTEND YOUR CURRENT VISIT PASS.
However, with an IPA, you have a very good chance of getting that coveted MOM card (e-pass or s-pass). However, it is still not a guarantee.
Your company would often ask you for a medical clearance first, like the regular routine of medical checkup. Normally, you wouldn’t have to pay for it as it the company shoulders it for you. If this is required (yes, some companies just signs a guarantee that allows you to skip this – like where I work) then have your clearance as soon as possible. If possible do it at the same day as you sign your contract.
Your company would also ask you for your diploma (if you haven’t given them yet), passport, medical clearance and other related documents. This is why it’s recommended that you scan all your important documents. The HR staff would scan it and attach this to the MOM application. Just follow along the requirements and forms to be given to you.
Hopefully, after an overnight of waiting you’d finally get the result whether you will get an IPA. Follow up your HR for this. Once you get an approval have it printed. Well, HR will print this for you.
You will also get a schedule of when you can do the biometrics for your ‘possible’ card. Try to setup a schedule (from MOM’s website) as soon as possible; right at the very moment you find out that you’re IPA is approved. The MOM offices only process a certain number of applications per day. Ask your HR for help on this if they haven’t already done it for you.
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. So, on to the next post!
4. Get Interviews and Get Offers.
How you do this is totally up to you and your style at getting a job. However, as tips for our particular situation:
- Make sure you have your latest, most updated, best-est resume.
- Have your credentials ready (scanned and if need be, printed).
- Have your passport with you (scan it as well)
- Follow up your job application status as soon and as much as you can (just avoid being too annoying).
However, I leave it to your better judgment as to whether having this concern on your prospective employer would affect your application.
When they do ask how long you have, tell them you only have 2 weeks (or less), and not 30 days. Tell them your return flight. That should help them speed things up. Hopefully.
At this point in time, everything would be a mix of your skills, perseverance and luck. Hopefully, you would get an offer (or several) within 2 weeks. That is the hope. It wouldn’t always be the case.
Some would even reach the end of their 30 days, but without having a single offer. When that happens you might get another chance by trying to extend your stay for another month (that’s the maximum).
<Refer to the other post on how to extend your stay>
When you do get an offer, ask how long you have to consider it. Ask them if you can have at least a week to consider (if you have pending applications elsewhere). Try to negotiate.
5. Sign the contract.
If you have an offer, go sign the contract. However, do think about all your options, especially if you have several offers (or offers to come). I should know, as I had a slight dilemma regarding this before. Lol.
As much as possible try to get all your options/offers, compare them before you pick and sign one. Don’t just consider the basic monthly salary. Ask for the benefits, particularly the bonuses, medical coverage, etc. There are also other important information that isn’t exactly monetary, like career path, job security, and promotion. Well, these are the things that we all should consider for every job offer but since you’re a foreigner – you should be more careful.
Don’t forget to ask them how long it will take for them to process your pass if you accept their offer as well. This is again would cover our concern for the limited social visit pass (i.e. you need about 3-5 days for a medical checkup, if the company requires it).
Have a well informed decision; take your time but NOT too much.
Also remember that negotiations are possible. If you feel like the offers you got is way below your expectation, try to negotiate with them. Do so at your own discretion.
6. Get your IPA.
After signing the contract, your company is SUPPOSED to apply for your pass online, immediately. Ask your HR when they could do it for you, as it would be just easy. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows for online application of pass.
The typical fastest result for this would be overnight. The company files it for you today, and tomorrow, you’ll know if you will get an In-Principal Approval (IPA).
The IPA is a letter that states your connection to the company and the request for a pass.
THIS DOES NOT EXTEND YOUR CURRENT VISIT PASS.
However, with an IPA, you have a very good chance of getting that coveted MOM card (e-pass or s-pass). However, it is still not a guarantee.
Your company would often ask you for a medical clearance first, like the regular routine of medical checkup. Normally, you wouldn’t have to pay for it as it the company shoulders it for you. If this is required (yes, some companies just signs a guarantee that allows you to skip this – like where I work) then have your clearance as soon as possible. If possible do it at the same day as you sign your contract.
Your company would also ask you for your diploma (if you haven’t given them yet), passport, medical clearance and other related documents. This is why it’s recommended that you scan all your important documents. The HR staff would scan it and attach this to the MOM application. Just follow along the requirements and forms to be given to you.
Hopefully, after an overnight of waiting you’d finally get the result whether you will get an IPA. Follow up your HR for this. Once you get an approval have it printed. Well, HR will print this for you.
You will also get a schedule of when you can do the biometrics for your ‘possible’ card. Try to setup a schedule (from MOM’s website) as soon as possible; right at the very moment you find out that you’re IPA is approved. The MOM offices only process a certain number of applications per day. Ask your HR for help on this if they haven’t already done it for you.
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. So, on to the next post!
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