I was reminded time and time again to open an account asap so I don't think they will do that for me lol!

Tuas Sg ICA has a manual lane for EP holders. If you have not got your EP yet, i.e., only IPA, you got to queue the normal manual lanes.

The auto passport lanes only for Sg citizens, SPRs and long term pass holders including EP. But for pass holders, one has to register first to use the system. But as a new EP holder, once you register at MoM, where your finger prints will be collected and will normally be linked to the Sg e-IACS system. It may take a couple of weeks after registering at MoM that the details is passed on to the Sg ICA.

Read here for more info: Sg Immigration e-IACS

Banks take both the IC and Passport no. Passport also have IC. no. in the front page. Some lazy one will scan only the passport for record. The IC no. is to prevent your same name brother or sister come saying passport expired donkey years ago and his passport is the new one to claim your money.

Guys, now with a child on the way, I am considering of converting and buying a place here before he/she pops out. Problem is, I am wondering if any of you guys converted so far and whether is it worth it?

*FYI I love M'sia and the env (not including the crime and idiots) and I was hoping to return in M'sia one day (thus if I do convert, my wife won't and vice versa).

Why do you need to convert to buy? PR oso can buy resale mah although yes there is ABSD. You're obviously not planning to buy BTO since you want the place within next half a year.

My current rental agreement binds me for one more year to go and additionally, I am considering of raising my kid here until I eventually go back (I hope). Wondering if it would be a better choice to convert myself into a Singkie to get baby bonus/choice of citizenship for my kid/child benefits etc?

*Additionally, I was only a PR since last year whereas my wife has been a PR for years (more than 3), not sure if the new HDB ruling (PR must have stayed more than 3 years) apply to me and my wife or not.

maybe new PR?
BTO hell lot cheaper than resale
baby bonus

Good choice to raise the kids here for safety and education. But you need to sacrifice not seeing them often next time. Your kids won't want to go back Malaysia with you one. I am one of the kids half raised in SG, degree onwards but spent most my secondary school holidays here. Already felt so unfamiliar with MY after I graduate 4 years later. Your SG fully raised kids... MY only a holiday place to them when you bring them back during school holidays. My sis who study JC here hate this place though.

No free lunch one SG gahmen, you want rip the housing subsidy and baby bonus, they ripper you back later. If son he need to do 2 years NS and 10 years reservist. If financially affordable, give him the choice to decide later when he grow up. But if you really need the citizen subsidies then by all means.

if son PR...also kena la

If PR he can at least say "limpeh buay tahan, PR return back, wa run MY." If citizen then die die suck thumb liao.

New PR + baby bonus. BTO-wise, I am still thinking, need to find an agent and discuss what options do I have, but preferably kepoh with you all before I offer myself to the sharks.

It is not firm whether boy or girl yet but my wife is very keen with SG due to the same things that you mentioned, safety and education. I do however think that education is quite okay in M'sia - after all, I think I turned out well as many other buggers that I know of The raising part in SG, I think most of them wouldn't want to return to M'sia also, that's pretty much expected after all the friends/lifestyle in SG but I am worried by converting and raising my kid (if boy) here, would sentencing him to NS for sure. I talked to many NS-bound folks, at least 50% thinks that the 2 years were a waste of time when other folks (M'sian etc) are already working or getting masters etc.

The citizen subsidies are really good to be frank, housing/education/childcare etc are very enticing. It will definitely make my life an easier one, but I am still rather reluctant to give Negaraku for Majulah Singapura. Sigh, starting to consider also if it is wise to raise a M'sian kid in JB while buy a house in SG and continue working here as PR.

Thanks for your thorough reply! I suppose I could only use the manual lane for EP holders once I get my EP.

i am a chemical engineering graduate, currently writing my thesis for master research submission but i have no industry working experience. i would like to ask wad is the best period to look for a job in sg? what is the expected salary to put considering im going to job hunt with my degree?

Anyone know where can i tt myr to sgd? Any good money changer that can offer very good rate? I would like to transfer big sum.

buy later, housing is expected to drop.. convert to singkie, return by msia my 2nd home... get AP n get tax free, buy 7-series/s-class for the price of saga in singkieland

buy condo, dunnit care or pr or watsoever

Resale prices of public flats seen falling 1.3 per cent in Q4: HDB - See more at: http://business.asiaone.com/property/news/...h.C0XpkerP.dpuf

for technical staff usually beginning of the year.. but not as apparent for eng positions

sgd4k

>sgd50k eq? if yes contact keeganz

> Many Malaysians do not want to migrate to SG, most only want to earn S

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3086854

Yup I did it mainly for subsidy and house (housing grant 40k and option to buy new flats cheaper) in fact, Waiting for my new dbss to be ready this year. For new couples there is a new scheme right, for cheap rental flat before house is ready.

Ask yourself will you or do you want your children to go back to Msia to stay? Or go Malaysia just for holidays?

Thanks for the article, good to hear that the price are cooling down, even by a bit. Just called HDB folks, I am not eligible to buy HDB as I am only PR for barely a year.
I want to go back to semi-retire one day, kids wise I do not mind either place as long they don't mind it. I am looking at minimally another 8-10 years before I will make the move back to KL/M'sia unless I go big and earned well enough to retire earlier.

You actually converted to SG? Was it tedious/long-winded and how long did it took you? Only you convert or both you and your wife? No worries fi you not keen to share too much private info publicly, I don't mind PM if you want. Just like to hear out from fellow M'sians before I make my move.

Their HR call me just now.
They will need to check whether they still have the quota to issue work pass.
Hopefully, everything can go smoothly.

Thanks seantang !

This post has been edited by LalaBubbles: Jan 3 2014, 10:49 AM

That's good to hear. Hope it works out for you.

This post has been edited by seantang: Jan 3 2014, 11:24 AM