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FAQs

Employments:
Job opportunities are still good. Those with higher education level/experience stand a better chance and command a higher starting pay. Good command of English in resume writing or interview is a huge benefit. The following are the list of available online job sites:
1. Jobstreet
2. Contact Singapore
3. Jobs Central
4. JobsDB

The most effective but expensive method is to do it the old fashion way. Come over to Singapore, and then extend your visa to long term. During your stay in SG, flip through the recruitment newspaper and apply for your job through the company itself. This way, you're almost guaranteed to be in front of the queue from those who applied through Jobstreet. You can also attend their interviews without any delays while you're here in SG.

Various employment passes are available to enable you to work in Singapore depending on your skills and pay. Employers will help you in the application of passes. Your job is however pending on the approval of the pass. Information of types of passes are available through MOM's website. Do not worry of what passes you get. Eventually all will allow you to work in SG. Some do fuss about it due to "status" and extra benefits (i.e: credit card and contract phone applications). Just be hardworking and move up the passes or apply directly for PR few years down the road.

All you need to know about PR application and requirements are available here: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=151&secid=150

Please take note that ex Singaporean PRs who renounced their status without serving the National Service will have their job and employment pass applications greatly degraded.

<Need more information on salary bracket and range in different industries to expand. Contributions greatly appreciated>

CPF and Taxes:
Malaysians working under employment/work passes are exempted from paying CPF. Singapore PRs have to contribute to CPF according to the rates found here: http://mycpf.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Gen-Info/C...es/ContriRa.htm

As for the complicated tax returns, i'll just provide the website so everyone can search under their own categories. http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page01.aspx?id=88

Accomodations:
HDBs everywhere! Prime and new areas should cost around SGD450-600 per room (with or without utilities). You can still find sub SGD400 per room in remote or rundown areas. If you can afford the luxury, apartments and condos are the way to go. SGD800-1200 per room is the current market price. Normally comes with swimming pool and gym facilities.

Below are some useful sites:
http://www.flatsdb.com/
http://www.hdbflat.blogspot.com/
http://singapore.roomsdb.net/
http://easyroommate.com.sg/ (looks more like a dating site )
http://www.sg-house.com/

Transportation:
No need to describe any further. Been compared and discussed too many times between SG and MY. In SG, you can be anywhere in the island just by using public transport. The all too convenient EZ link card can be used in both MRT and bus (even McD yeah!). For places out of reach, taxi is the answer. Don't worry, you won't get touted with expensive fares. They are a bunch of professionals with accurate meters. First entry onto cab is SGD2.80 or SGD3.00. The rest runs on meter plus any surcharges from tolls, airport surcharge or stopping period. If you are travelling in group of 4, taxi is the cheaper option on certain routes compared to others.

Coach: http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ptasingapore.htm

SBS bus maps: http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/iris3/nextbus.aspx
MRT maps: http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/images/tn_networkmap_big.jpg

Malaysians can drive in cars/bikes to work in SG. For SG PRs, you have to drive singapore registered vehicles. More info here: http://www.lta.gov.sg/motoring_matters/ind...oring_guide.htm

Expenses:
This is very subjective depending on the spending power of different individuals. But here are the basic breakdowns on rough estimates:
1. Accoms SGD600 (varies)
2. Food SGD500 (varies)
3. Transport SGD60
4. Entertainment SGD300 (strip it off if wanna save)
5. Shopping $$$

TO CHECK FOR YOUR PR APPLICATION STATUS, KINDLY VISIT THIS LINK
https://ienquiry.ica.gov.sg/index.do

Forummers in SG:

This is not a chat thread.

DO NOT POST IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS

is it easier for Malaysian to applied job in sg co but origin from Malaysia ?

Thanks for all replies. Another reason to get PR is easier to get job is SG?
If I plan to work here around 5 years, then its not recommended to apply PR?

Aloong:
Other getting than getting ur money stuck in the CPF basically no benefits at all.
bros, since he/she is unsure whether to get pr or not, why waste the quota.

mea05key:
Companies contributes that extra percentage to your CPF fund. Unless you can invest your money and make more money using the money you take home, its better to dump the money into CPF. It helps you save and avoid spending unnecesarily also.

Mackiddo:
cpf is extremely useful if you plan to purchase a HDB apartment.

wlcling:
PR more for those who intend to stay for quite a while... but other than the usual stuff like cpf, medisave, etc... u also get lower tax rates..
http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page04.aspx?id=1190

Don't become a PR if the company pays you in cash whatever CPF they would have paid if you were a PR.

Become a PR if the company doesn't contribute CPF unless you're PR.

Extra money is extra money even if you can't touch it until you're 55. Actually getting it in cash doesn't mean that you will (best case) invest it at a better return than CPF can, and (worst case) you could simply blow the money on something useless.

Guys, where's the gathering URL again. I gotta count on google map/gothere/streetdirectory lols.....

i are the join companies factories in the malaysia but hq are the in sg

my companies are the 85% malaysians, hahaha, sg citizenians are the only 5%

i think chances are the better cause once on the time got the transfer from msia forward sg
but the pr give good security feeling.. no?

jump are the workjobs are easier, not need the new ep pass i think

cpf are added no tax give the gov, but not in cpf give allowance in cash will get the tax income i think

55 are blink the eyes past, very faster and also cpf are the can use buy hdb, insurance, aberdeen... no needing the 55... no?

also gooding the SRS to no pay the tax... this 1 the friends teaches me if pr... also other the cheats to no or less taxing income

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney...125-182255.html

Why are you dyslexic when it comes to English all of a sudden?

It was entertaining the first time or two. Now, it's just irritating.

I think he was detached from the internet for too long... few weeks without Internet.

had to read twice to get what he's trying to say

Thanks for the link bunny, now I know rental unit can get tax rebate. Did any one put money in SRS? I get insurance tax rebate even without using the SRS, so how can I benefit from it?

ah.. sux me still not millionaire yet
i agree on mackiddo in this, can ask what industry u in ?

previously when i was on workpass, my co have a voluntary CPF contribution, mean if i decided to contribute my portion the employer match their share, after a 1 year, i decided to stop as i need the money to roll for my studies.
nowadays they return their portion back to u, ...mean if u have a better use of the money else where then nogo

with the tightenin of the work pass every year, PR offer comfort thou, if u P1 level then different story
but if u bordeline in WP/EP and in attractive industries, SG gov might oust u out and give the job to the local or PRC local hehe

maybe he's been spending too much time in /k/. I notice that tendency too, after lurking and trolling in /k/ for a while, your brain suffers a temporary drop in IQ, and you tend to carry over the /k/ posting style to other parts of the forum too

Anyway ... wah the SRS scheme actually pretty cool. Seems like a pretty attractive alternative to CPF for those of us who don't plan on taking PR. Some more only need to spend 10years here then can withdraw liao. Hmmmmmmmm.

http://app.mof.gov.sg/data/cmsresource/srs...-%2018Feb11.pdf

Did some quick calculations, overall over 10-11 years you can save around the region of 10-20% of your taxes to the government, but only if you ensure your withdrawals fit the 50% tax rebate conditions. Otherwise you end up paying a lot more tax.

Any idea what consist of 'attractive industries'? IT, Engineering? Just curious...

solely my opinion, yup those 2 u mention

CPF account get min 2.5% interest, protected from creditors and you can use it to for investement too ( with investment charges).

SRS account not protected by gov and creditor plus 5% penalty if you withdraw (contribution + profit) before 10 years (non SG, PR) or before "retirement age"(now 62, which gov can change anytime) for SG, PR. Then SRS charge admin fee on top of other investment charges. So this is better for those high earning EP holder who has long term and plan to hold EP for >10 years.

2.5% is peanuts, wei....... i think SG inflation is almost double that.....our M'sian EPF giving 5% also people complain liao....howcome SG gov so kiamsiap? CPF loss money in investments?

You need to factor in the relative risk, local inflation & interest rate and also the relative long term exchange rate differentials (vs each other and vs a benchmark currency that represents like the USD).

How much is SG's inflation now ? 2.5% looks low .

If u noticed, dividend rates and interest rates in SG is lower than in Msia. I'm talking both borrowing and lending rate.
Further, from macro point of view Msia has higher risk (lower rating) than SG, so the fixed (or somewhat fixed) return rate in Msia should be higher than SG.
If CPF rate matches EPF rate, that would not make sense.
So (assuming ceteris paribus, which is a BIG assumption), it's better to put in EPF/FD in Msia than in SG.

Anyway, that being said, if i remembered correctly ur CPF for the first SGD60K is paid at 2.5% + 2% = 4.5% (I think i saw that on some fund manager advertisement inside the MRT train, i think its aberden asset mgmt)

Not necessary putting into Malaysia's FD will do better than SG's FD. Due to interest rate parity, higher FD rate in MY than SG might be balanced with depreciation of RM against SGD.

Correct. That why the BIG assumption there.
If making $$ is that easy, we would be living in heaven.

Aloong how ? ceteris paribus & interest rate parity
month end soon aldi, want to change money and put ? conclusion is ?
put singapore or malaysia hehe ?

how about putting 50-50 to further decrese/increase the risk??

put in my account lar. I give u 20% return.
I lend people $9 dollar and collect back $13 the next day. My standard rate.
If they dun pay, I spray red paint lor.

but if u long term in Sg then put in SG lor. why risk the exhange rate?
only change to RM for those that u nid to spend in RM lor.

This post has been edited by Aloong: Aug 19 2011, 03:46 PM

ya lor so agreed with u
even thought msia savings rate is higher than singapore
your conversion already makan difference
some more
if u keep more cash in ur pocket
then easier for u to spend it all away
then nothing in ur pocket
and ur gf also ran away
XD

If you've money. Put in foreign FD in SG Banks. Rate much higher than local SGD currency. Especially AUD the highest now.

oic'
if put sgd 10K in AUD FB
then one month can get 30Dollar...
hmmm . . .
so so only lah

Only if you're confident that the AUD will not depreciate against the SGD over the term of the deposit.

---

Added on August 19, 2011, 8:49 pmPut your money into the 2 currencies according to how you will split your spending into RM and SGD.

Or you can take a position... ie. you believe that SGD will appreciate vs RM, then save in SGD. If you believe RM will appreciate vs SGD, then save in RM.

Me... I believe Malaysia is a failed country, and either BN or Malaysia will blow up sooner or later ... possibly both if the majority of Malays cannot accept the fact that bumiputra status means nothing if Petronas doesn't discover oil faster than the growth rate of Malay population and/or faster than the rate of decline of their already dismal productivity and creativity. So, I'll keep the majority of my savings in SGD and SG property. There's a reason why Singapore is (iirc) only second to Switzerland in terms of where the rich park their money.


This post has been edited by seantang: Aug 19 2011, 08:49 PM

The laptop I bough over to Singapore, does it need IDA approval for me to use there?

No. Not require.

One of the main difference between developed and developing countries.

If i am a Singaporean, I will vote for Tony Tan... how bout u guys?

my vote goes for Mr Tan Jee Say

f***ing hell yes(his the one) from his word compared to the others. Unless he was bullshitting ;p

FD in Vietnam = 14%

I will vote for Tan Jee Say. You already have a parliament with 97% PAP, 100% PAP cabinet and an admin service (ie. civil service elite) with 100% PAP cadres. I won't pay $4.3 million for a former PAP DPM to be President. If that's the case, might as well abolish the presidency and appoint Tony Tan as honorary DPM. That would be cheaper. There's absolutely no check and balance.

I will prefer Tan Jee Say too, cos coming from his background, he seems more entreprenurial / bsuiness mindset, which more capitalist and less socialist, hence good for "us".. .

I actually think Tan Jee Say will push a more populist agenda, and advocate the current sentiments of the Singaporean public. He will be anti immigration, foreign talent (more so than the other candidates) and pro-spending (ie. use of govt reserves for social and medical welfare).

hopefully singapore won't turned out as socialist and welfare state. singapore is built based on merit, charity and self-sufficiency. that's why singapore is more developed than malaysia. government welfare and affirmative action have bankrupted several developed countries (i.e: usa, greece, spain, ireland)

This post has been edited by quintessential: Aug 20 2011, 04:53 PM

whoever the presidents, they are just a symbol or puppets, the PM lee who have the decision

Hey all sorry for slow response and not following this thread that often as I've been busy with work and life...

Sadly my company do not pay me CPF in cash... but I don't think I'll forever work in SG, current plan is around 3-5 years...
For me PR is good if I plan to change job in future...

lol, having difficulty to understand the full meaning of your reply but if you plan to work here for short term like 3-5 years, will you apply for PR for sake of job security?

I'm in IT industry and borderline of EP... and with current announcement on EP, I'm getting a bit worried...

hey guys, anyone heard of singatac engineer?hows the environment and prospect of this co.?

If it's only 3-5 years, then you'd probably don't want your $50K or so stuck in Cpf for another 30 years before you can get it back.

But of your time frame is only 3-5, would you even be changing jobs?

I just skip his posts, to be frank.

Look, if you're worried your profile is not strong enough for an EP renewal, it's not going to be strong enough for a PR, isn't it?

Implying which those of us who spam here have no work and no life ...

Dun worry you are not alone

Well I decided to send someone a 7 days of english refresher course.

FD in M'sia is worst off if you are earning and spending in SGD. Coz the movement of SGD against MYR will wipe off any interest you have accumulated. My position is that the SGD will continue to strengthen against MYR. On the down side SGD FD is a waste of time as interest <0.5%. WHich is why many people look at other forms of investment like bonds or stocks or porperty.

However, for CPF is completely different matter. That's coz i understand a large % of CPF investment portfolio is invested overseas for better dividedn yield. As such isn't it more appropriate to declare more dividends considering the infaltion was in the region of 4-5%?

Hi guys, I'm going to start work on next Monday.

My company applied EP for me on Thursday evening and get in-principle approval on Friday morning. Very fast and efficient.

Stay in SG and spend RM really expensive hahaha. I have been in Singpore and look for job for about 2 weeks, spend about RM 1k.

This post has been edited by almeizer: Aug 21 2011, 02:04 PM

but it was all worth it, wasnt it?

congrats usually starting off you spend more, subsequent months is less until you live like a local...

Hi Guys,

I've started working in Singapore since last monday... Wanted to check are there any meetups held by the SG Lowyaters ?

Regards,
Ian

merdeka weekend there;s a bbq and on and off they are having gatherings...

Any members here owning a SG car?

Can share what car you got? and how's the installment and downpayment like?, HDB parking rates???, annual roadtax how much? which petrol you pump, SPC, shell, or Mobil?

I heard shell got $10 rebate for every $50 you pump...

I can answer for you for HDB parking rates ... typically 0.50 per half hour from 7am-10.30pm, and $4 flat rate for "overnight" parking for 10.30pm-(next day) 7am, subject do a daily limit of $10.

We are having a BBQ at the end of August and everyone is welcome to join. A good time to make new friends. Majorities are Malaysian working in Singapore. More info at ;

http://www.realmendontsleep.com

Non PR need PR friend as guarantor.
Interest rate is low compared to Malaysia.
Insurance is the thing that kills, was quoted 4.5k with 1 month Singaporean license. 26 years old.
Is possible to get 0% downpayment with 2nd hand car.
HDB open air season car park, 63.5 per month.
Road tax for 1.6 Mazda is 7xx if I recalled correctly.
Petrol, was driving for about 8 month and I only pumped once full tank and 2 times $20 in Singapore, the rest, buatan Malaysia.
Sold my car and now seconded to Vietnam.

Darkages, please pint that website in the 1st page so other forumer can refer to that when they wanna know if they is any upcoming gathering.
we dun want to spam here to get new ppl join us in the gathering.

Omg. 4.5k insurance is more than rm10k. I don't think Im willing to spend that much.

Talk to your parent or wife (sibling cannot) who have NCD in Malaysia. Ask them to transfer their ncd to you and you cover their higher insurance cost. Mine is ~700+ per year.

I got a 3 yr used family sedan when the new advante
with Coe was selling at 50k. Parking about 70/month. Petrol really depend on individual usage. Servicing is much cheaper if you get familiar with car and know how to source part and services. I believe if you take good care of your car, it take good care of your life. So I spend if I have to.

I resisted getting a car until I really need it. I make it a point to buy the place I stay before buying a car.

Surf the local sgcarmart and the mycarforum for more info.
SG carrmart - buy car
Mycarforum -- other car related stuff


This post has been edited by r1v3r: Aug 22 2011, 09:45 AM

I thought HDB parking pretty standard ? mine is $90 for multi-storey car park. Luckily I got free sheltered parking at work. My insurance now is around $1k down from $2.5 when my ncb is totally zero. Road tax is around $600+ per year. I pump the fuel that I play a part to make, so I'm confident that I'm using the best fuel, got 18% discount as well.

This post has been edited by Mackiddo: Aug 21 2011, 11:16 PM

That's because you get staff discount

nope. 18% applies to all with certain credit card & petrol company combo , you just have to look

If the my insurance agent don't know then find another agent. Just need a letter from insurance company to transfer ncd between certain related people as posted. Show the letter to SG insurance company and you get the ncd. Higher insurance premium for age <32 or >65, new license, sport car or model like "wrx".

Use citi dividen card plus esso station discount already 14% off. Check petrowatch.com for detail.
Petrolwatch -- Petrol price and promotion


This post has been edited by r1v3r: Aug 22 2011, 09:47 AM

Currently in SIngapore
tomorrow will do my med check-up
phone reg
sept 1 start work

Thanks bro. My current plan is not applying for PR while growing my profile so I need not to worry about MOM reject my EP if I plan to change job in future.

Oops sorry I don't really mean it...

I am finding rooms in Jurong or Clementi area, if anyone have a room to rent out pls pm me, thx

so wat car u eyeing ? can share some thought, also getting one soon
myself shortlisted a suzuki SX4 or a Airwave, leaning toward airwave

The upcoming Suzuki Swift Sport would be nice. I also quite like the Kia Coupe within that price range. Add another 20-30K, I'd go for any model with the VW 1.4 twincharger and DSG gearbox.

Malaysian can buy car in sg, sg ppl cannot. Btw, car in sg can use only 5 yrs?

---

Added on August 22, 2011, 9:15 amVw golf cheap only 50k and safety is best, many abs there

This post has been edited by Materazzi: Aug 22 2011, 09:15 AM

i'm also eyeing for a new one to replace my aging car. WV Golf GTI have good engine performance but cost a bomb ... haha.

Don't see how that's possible. The COE alone is 50K.

New car COE is 10 years, as the car aged the frequency for car inspection before road tax renewer increse too. At most once a year which cost ~S$100.

before you hit the 10 years mark, you can chose to renew your COE for 10 years or 5 years by paying 100% or 50% of the prevailing COE(average of past 3 month COE). If you renew, then your car is one of those "COE car" else your car will be deregistered and they will ask you to send your car to scrap yard.


bro, the 50k is only for the VW Golf without COE right? check this
New VW Golf
almost RM300k for the cheapest model, like driving a double storey house on the road, one bang on the rear there goes the kitchen I probably buy another house than buying a car when COE is very high... if I have the money to spend.

hey i got it within a day also, very efficient indeed.

btw guys, im looking for room to rent as well around aljunied, eunos, macpherson, png me if you have any, thanks

i've tried the links in the first post, do you guys have better alternative room rental website?

Hi all.


MOM website , online checking n etc will be closed for Presidential Election Day.

may i know which broadband package are u using? home broadband or wireless broadband? thanks....

---

Added on August 22, 2011, 1:00 pmI think COE now is around $70k for car above 1600cc and $40k for car below 1600cc...

This post has been edited by blinkblink88: Aug 22 2011, 01:00 PM

Using SingTel Mobile broadband. Not too bad actually. 50GB limit but since i do not download torrent, my average usage a month is about 8GB at most.

COE As At Aug 2011

good for u lah
my mobile phone got 12GB i also use until 9GB only ...
and that also until the last week baru use up 8GB

that's so cool..
time to get a car

do you mind to let me know which package are you taking and how much are u paying for it? i m thinking which is the best for me....

---

Added on August 22, 2011, 2:13 pmdo you mind to let me know which package are you taking and how much are u paying for it? i m thinking which is the best for me....

This post has been edited by blinkblink88: Aug 22 2011, 02:13 PM

for me is the 2nd hand sonata or mazda 3... .cheap
10 years for coe validity, can bid and renew again after 10

2nd hand yes, but not for those with family... too small even for asians
new jetta? then mod it with stage 2 chip as powerful as stock gti

65k for CAT B is still too much. Anyway i doubt it will dip down further unless there is another recession like in 09 where CAT E was like 2 bucks i think ? lol

You can have a look at this plan:
http://info.singtel.com/personal/communica...obile/data-plan

From time to time, they changed the package. Mine was a SGD31.45/month 30GB limit, 2mbps. This is pure broadband only. The last I checked though, they seems to upgrade mine to 50GB, 7.2mbps. Anyway, since I am using Galaxy Tab to Thether so technically it can go up to 7.2 but it seems to be averaging 2mbps.

Actually you can start to look at what is your surfing pattern first.

costa sands look nice...the bbq place

Unless you get the 2L Jetta which isn't very common, the chip will have up the turbo boost of the 1.4 or 1.6 way above the standard GTi to come up with the same power output. However, the intercooler, radiator, oil cooler, water pump and oil pump are too small, plus the fact that the turbine is smaller so it'll be heating plenty fast at such high boost ratios. The block, cylinder head are also not made for that abnormal above-GTi boost level. Then comes the gearbox and the brakes.

In a nutshell... chip ups need to be done properly by upgrading everything else. And by the time you do it properly, you could have paid for the higher model already.

Galaxy Tab ? hehe. No one got a HP TouchPad from the recent fire-sale ? I managed to order one at US$101 (imagine it was like US$500 for 16GB version a couple of weeks back ) and shipped it to my US address. Hopefully they won't cancel the order.

This post has been edited by Mackiddo: Aug 22 2011, 02:45 PM

Haha... seems that HP is giving up on their WebOS. The problem is that in the future it might be difficult to get application on the TouchPad. However, if they do a firesale on HP Business notebook, that's a different story...

http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/writeup.php?AID=70

CatA 49k, CatB 65k. Seems to be on a downtrend, last month was 70k / 72k!

u r using galaxy tab, no wonder only reach 9gb per month...I am using laptop, so i scare it will more than 50GB...I saw starhub is unlimited data bundle, but i trust singtel more than starhub, hard to make decision....><

Well, my Galaxy tab also acts as my modem as well. My laptop usually connects to my Galaxy Tab so i do not need to bring the modem everywhere i go. I think it's really difficult to use 50GB if you do not do torrent. Even daily Youtube and listening to music 8 hours daily (96k), I will only use up to about 16 or 17GB.

Well, check the T&C properly. There might be a limit to the unlimited.

It's selling like hotcakes now and I'm sure someone will find a way to make it more interesting, perhaps installing Android on it ? With discount up to 80%, it's worth it even if i use to to read book, check email and surf net

ok..i will think on the new galaxy tab 10.1 package...but may I know will u feel it is very hot on your galaxy tab while u connect to your laptop? thanks for your help...

HP Singapore doesn't seem to have reduced its prices though. Still S$599 for 16gb.