Click here for previous thread (v16)

Job Hunting

- Job hunting is more difficult now thanks to the Fair Consideration Framework but still possible.
- Popular Job Search Sites: Jobstreet, Monster, eFinancialCareers

Employment

- There are 4 types of Work Passes for foreigners in SG: WP, S-Pass, EP and PEP. Visit MOM website for more information on these passes.
- The company hiring you has to initiate all the formalities for you so no need to worry too much on what type of pass or how to apply for it.
- Note that different types of work pass have different rights, benefits & restrictions.

CPF and Income Tax

- If you work 183 days or more in a calendar year you are a tax resident and pay the same progressive tax rates as locals.
- If you work less than 183 days you are not a tax resident and pay flat 15% tax or progressive tax rates as locals (whichever is higher). However the following year if your employment spills over into exceeding 183 days you can request IRAS to re-assess you as a tax resident and refund you the difference in tax paid.
- Visit IRAS website for more information on taxes.
- CPF (equivalent of our EPF) is only mandatory for PR's and SC's (Singapore Citizens) at 16% Employee, 20% Employer, capped at first $5k per month.
- Some companies will encash the employer portion for foreigners.
- Visit CPF Website for more information on CPF.

Permanent Residence

- ICA does not have any official guidelines for PR approval (or any points system like Australia/NZ).
- Previously most agencies recommend applying for PR after 1 year if you are on P1 EP, 2 years or more if you are on P2/Q1 EP.
- Visit ICA website for more information on applying for PR.

Accomodation in Singapore

- Accomodation $600-$100 (room) $2000-$3000 (entire flat)
- Typical costs are 1st month rental + 1 month deposit (for each year of the lease) + 1/2 month agent fee (for each year of the lease).
- Foreigners can only own Private Condominiums and are subject to ~18% stamp duty. PR's can own Private Condominiums and Resale HDB's are and subject to ~8% stamp duty.
- Popular room/house search websites: PropertyGuru, FlatsDB, RoomsDB, EasyRoomMate.

Accomodation in Johor

- Foreigners on Work Pass living in Malaysia and commuting to SG can drive MY-registered cars and bikes. Cars incur $35 and bikes incur $4 VEP/daily.
- PR's and SC's living in Malaysia and commuting to SG can only drive SG-registered cars and bikes into the island.
- Visit LTA website for more information on operating a car in SG as a foreigner.

Driving in Singapore

- Foreigners on Work Pass are allowed to drive in Singapore for the first year only using Malaysian Drivers License. For second year onwards you are expected to convert to Singapore license.
- Visit eCitizen site for more information on converting your license.
- Note that foreigners on work pass are only allowed to drive Malaysia-registered cars if you stay outside Singapore. Visit LTA site for more information.

Expenses

This is very subjective depending on the spending power of different individuals. Basic monthly expenditure:
- Accomodation $600-$1000 (room) $2000-$3000 (entire flat)
- Food $500 and up
- Transport $60 and up
- Handphone, bills and utilities $100 and up
- Entertainment, shopping etc $xxxx

This post has been edited by deodorant: Jan 2 2015, 04:10 PM

Meet-Up's and Gatherings

- Next Meet-up/Gathering TBA
- To be added to the Cool People whatsapp group PM MacKiddo

Sports Gatherings

- Next Badminton 8am 14th Dec Toa Payoh Sports Hall
- To be added to the Badminton whatsapp group PM me.


This post has been edited by deodorant: Dec 8 2014, 11:14 AM

Top 15 spammer from v16:

IwanAGP 165
Fiona Chin 140
deodorant 127
alaskanbunny 108
Mackiddo 102
sheng291 89
JohnJon82 70
razo2 64
Tigerr 58
seantang 57
General Fahmy 52
crazy25kid 47
gnc88 43
ThanatosSwiftfire 41
crapp0 39

Oh cepatnya sampai v17. Cos of RM2.63 : SGD ka?

i hardly post also Nō 5. think got flawed in your formula man.
it have been 8 solid years since V1 was started (https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/358174) .

This post has been edited by Mackiddo: Dec 7 2014, 06:56 PM

congratz on V17!

Pertamax.... Yeah

a question to recent applicant, from the moment you sent out your application to securing the job, how long did it take?

1 week plus to get offer letter

One of you guys...working and living in spore...

wah so nice! 1 week after sending in application already got an offer!! so good lah you

reporting page 1

grats on v17 ~
rainy days recently at the east

Reporting in!

What do you guys think? MacBook Air or Pro?

Wah still cannot get champion spammer.

8 years ago rate should be around 2.2?

Anyone here before the 97 crisis?

Not my formula, is LYN sendiri calculate one


1 week timeframe probably varies a lot depending on seniority, position, industry, company, etc. My current job I think application to 1st day on the job took 2+ months.


MBP IMO. It's still plenty light and portable enough to do poser activities in starbucks and yet powerful enough to get real work done if needed.

Just curious... but with Macs, is there something you can use for MS Office files? And is there a good torrent p2p client? Now that I'm not gaming, that's all I use laptops for... work and torrents.

I'm looking for a new laptop but although I like how the Macbooks look, I have zero clue on Macs... Considering Macs this time around as any Windows laptop with equivalent Macbook form factor and battery life are way more expensive (like Thinkpad Carbon or Sony Z-series).

there is ms office for mac
no idea abt p2p

Initially I was comparing Macs and non-Macs laptop. I gave a "big" picture thought which then led me to get a Mac, reluctantly. Apple has successfully created an ecosystem for its hardware, which unfortunately, I am an unconscious victim. I have a few iPhones and iPads, the ever-confusing iCloud accounts, and potentially AppleTv. I hope the yet to be explored conveniences of staying in the ecosystem would facilitate the crappy iTunes streaming of my devices, seamlessly.

I have since narrowed down to MBP and MBAir. Similarly, my applications are for web surfing, Microsoft office works (light), photo-editing, movies, torrents, pdfs, and lots of pdfs. Proprietary rights (software) are strongly enforced under Apple and I do foresee paying quite a premium for these. This applies to Microsoft office suite but the availability of "Parallel OS", standalone OS, and Microsoft365 will still allow Mac-user to work on office-based projects. The only issue is the price.

Thoughts?

V17 !!!

for Mac on office, there is 2 options; Open Office or Microsoft Office. Open Office is from open source, so its free.
For torrent, bittorrent for Mac just works fine. Works flawlessly. Being using it for ages. Oh, and iirc the last 3 OS upgrade are free; Lion, Mountain Lion and Yosemite.

This post has been edited by Mackiddo: Dec 8 2014, 02:33 PM

Ya... you reminded me... freebie software...

Right now, I'm still like a university kid... looking for cheapo freebie ways to download movies and do stuff like trimming movies, downloading videos from youtube, facebook, downloading MP3 (although these days that's mainly using my Android phone or tab) etc.

Hmmm, maybe a Mac would cramp my style too much.

Does anybody know if a Mac would connect seamlessly to an Android? Does it open in a file manager that lets you access any file or directory on the Android?

Someone mentioned that CIMB (SG) to CIMB (MY) is free ? Is the exchange rate good ? Any caveats to watch out for ?

I don't have both CIMB in (SG) and (MY) and is thinking of opening both if its good. I do have both Maybank (MY) and (SG) but have not tried to transfer yet. Normally I go the cash route to JB to bank in .

I am using MBA for almost 3 years now. Suits me pretty well, I don't play games and my main priority on the move is really enough battery juice to do some simple work and browse. Most of my files are 'cloud' or on portable HDD anyway. I would suggest a bootcamp over Parallel unless you really need to swap between windows and OSX very often. Parallel will slow down your Mac since you virtually running windwos on top of OSX. Parallel also not cheap, where else bootcamp is free. My favourite is still the 'no longer in production' MBWhite, a tough beast, still running in torturous environment under my kid. The other kid is using a MBP
For AppleTV, unless u gonna get a VPN, its pretty limited to AirTV between your Mac devices. With VPN, at least you can get Netflix and stuff. Setting up a WiFi 'VPN secured' network is a new challenge altogether. haha.

This post has been edited by Mackiddo: Dec 8 2014, 02:50 PM

works like a charm with my 1+1. transferring pic, music, videos & document .

Hi all, for anyone of you that work in accounting firms in Singapore, Big 4 or mid-tier.

Are you required to work OT during Chinese New Year? Cos I will be starting my work in January in an accounting firm in Singapore and was thinking whether I go back to my hometown during that few days of holidays in Singapore.

Cheaper alternative for Mac Book Air - Chromebook, 1/3 the price.

Yes. Firms will allow u one day leave only. (either 1 day before or 1 day after).

considering this time the CNY is on thurs/fri, taking 1 day leave before will do..
oh...time to jam again

purely lucky .

last year , i sent countless resume yet didnt receive any replies from the company.

seantang
I need some advise .

currently i had already signed offer letter with one of the medium firm ( 1.5 yrs bond) ,btw the commence date start on mid jan 2015.

The question is if I got Big4 SG offer , can I negotiate with the HR to release me without needing to pay for any compensation ? .

Of course you can negotiate... you can negotiate anything under the sun (except of course, what is illegal outright). BUT whether the negotiation will be successful for you, is entirely due to your powers of persuasion.

Thanks. Good rundown. Yup heard of Netflix and it's cumbersome to setup the VPN as well as maintaining it outside of US.

Just wondering, does your MBA heat up easily? Do you need a cooling pad?

Would like to find out what are the working/employer culture like in singapore?
Is it work you till you drop type or more of a professional type?
I got offered a 12 day annual leave gig and find it shocking with so little leaves.
Are employees required to work over time with no replacements leave or financial benefits?

Just overall, I know bigger companies might have better benefits, but SME might not.

http://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices...nual-leave.aspx

It can go as little as 7 days.
Replacement off and overtime pay will depend on your employment contract.

Culture wise.. no comment.

Can't generalize; different companies different industries all have different culture. Some in SG work like dogs others every day go yumcha and 4pm 5pm knock off work liao.

12 days are very generous already. MOM only compulsory 7 days, and if you are expat with 5 digits income they don't even cover you so you are left to mercy of your company. Working culture depends on industries and companies, generally MNC has better benefits. Try ask those in the big accounting MNC see how long their leaves for CNY though. For banks, they have 28 days annual leave and HR will come harass you October November if you have too many leaves not cleared.

Actually its not too difficult to setup a 'secured vpn' WiFi connection in your home. Just get a Asus wireless router with dd-wrt capabilities. Need to flash the firmware. Once setup, you are good to go. You'll probably get a 10mbps speed running through VPN with your fibre optic line, enough for streaming.

I've nvr had cooling pad with my MBA.
The heat pretty much dissipates thru the aluminium unibody.

This post has been edited by Mackiddo: Dec 9 2014, 12:26 PM

Hi,

May I know if I wish to apply for internship in Singapore, what visa I do need?

Thanks.

TEP/TWP.

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/pas...es/default.aspx

Anyway either one also need either company to sponsor or company to apply on your behalf. So first step get the company to offer you the internship first, worry about pass later.

It sounded like rocket science to me but i'll get there.

wow. thats surprising.

Well if earn 5 digit sure damn happy and don't mind working non stop. I guess I need to take into consideration MOM minimum is 7 days and not that I have 24 days now.
Too bad the company is not a MNC or I would gladly go.

2.60 at arcade money exchange

why is it so difficult to get a job in singapore? even the recruitment agents that I've called to enquire on relevant jobs are not helpful at all

Woah! I can't believe we reached version 17! Thanks to those who replied to my queries on renting!

Thanks for the advice

Should I buy medical insurance in singapore? I was introduced to Prushield. The plan seems ok.

Insurance is a complex issue driven by your own needs or what you perceive you'll need. Whatever it is, always talk to more than one insurer to get the best quote and bang for the buck - coverage. Term/endowment will need some weighing and analysis at your end to suit your objectives, risk appetite, and ultimately affordability. That will take some time and consideration. For hospitalization, you might want to get one asap.

Yes you should. Singapore famous for can die cannot sick.

Are you currently in malaysia?
Do you put a very high expected salary?
What are your skillsets?
Most companies stated only hire singaporean and PR first.

It has to. The only AAA-rated economy in SEA by the top 3 credit rating agencies . So once you are successful, you should deserve some bragging rights.

This post has been edited by keelim: Dec 10 2014, 10:14 AM

2.5955 at CCK lot 1 yesterday, plus long Q

2.6 in Bedok....Q is longer than usual

last Saturday I change RM2.60 as well at 1Utama. ^^

oh and no Q.

yes, in JB. but I put a singaporean address and singaporean number on my cv.

skillsets IT Consultancy and Management

No expected salary given in cv, so I have no idea why no response?

Worked in OZ ie have overseas experience too.

Saw a picture from colleague (receipt) that the rate is 2.65 for one of the money changer in Bukit Indah. Not sure true or not.

M'sia side, JB I mean normally have higher exchange rate compared to S'pore. I changed 2.625

got money, no need study so much...

like...
sign up for viewqwest broadband, subscribe their vpn service...haha

2.61 at TPY central ..

Now 2.6685 according to xe.com

Online rate is 2.67 now. I checked KL rate, it was 2.62. Slightly better than SG.

Wanted to change some pocket money for year end trip but snaking queues in Arcade during lunch hours. All these rich people bringing few millions savings go and change. So pro can know now is the peak.

2.63 today on Maybank2u.sg

For the badminton enthusiasts
http://www.greatdeals.com.sg/2014/12/11/yo...gest-selection/

got see out elite deodorant among the crowd in the queue?

got transaction charge?i was about to open CIMB sg account to transfer money to Malaysia CIMB,heard the rate higher than money changer

MBB2U.sg charges $$15 fee for every remittance to a Malaysia MBB account (max $$20K).

When I logged in to CIMB Clicks today, there was an advertisement that they will rebate you S$15 for remitting money back to Malaysia. Normally it's just free remittance to a CIMB Malaysia account. But since I don't have a CIMB Malaysia account, I have never used it. So I have no idea whether they give a better/worse rate than MBB.

$15 is not worth,CIMB is free thats y worth..

Big boss no need queue. His minions queue for him one.

Consider the difference in exchange rate for both banks too if you really want to be precise.

Ummm... $15 for a $20K remittance is only 0.075%. It's not even a tenth of one percent.

Mind telling me where is the money changer?

for CIMB what is the rate today? Any link to refer to?

some in KL offering to take 2.64 already

Reliable reports speculated it will strengthen to 2.70 by CNY next year.

So why change now?

there are 4 money changers nearby bedok mall...
i usually go the one beside sheng siong and the one beside bee cheng hiang

these few days didn't check the rate....don't know still same or not

This post has been edited by aLertz: Dec 12 2014, 10:25 AM

Suddenly everyone become expert reading and writing all those reports.

Did you go convert all your RM to SGD and wait for CNY 2.70 to reverse the flow? That would be around 2% returns for 2-3 months period, not bad you know.

I believe money changer sell SGD price higher than 2.7 ady

Go one more step... sell RM/buy S$ now at 2.60, then buy RM/sell S$ next Chinese New Year at 2.70. How much of your own money will you bank on the reliability of the reports?

CNY speculate 2.7..then u wait
then in jan, speculate mid year go 2.75...u wait again?
then forever no need change liao lo

anyone here from BDO singapore ?

can share any info or experience. ?

last night i get 2.635 in JB. I think today hit 2.64 already lo. RM keep falling

2 out of 3 malaysian working in singapore manage to purchase properties worth a total of RM1.5m

5 years working experience as Piping Engineer can ask for how much pay in Singapore?

$5k minimum

It seems that manufacturing/operations in SG is getting less and less..really worried if engineer can find a way out here..

Its inevitable. Almost all developed country bar maybe Germany has a negligeble manufacturing industry. SG is no different. You want to be a developed country, then you have to have high value economy i.e. services

for cimb sg exchange rates, where to check? i only able to find a calculator web for it and after conversion is 2.43.

If O&G, better try Middle East, USD mar....
My friend that working in Qatar Gas taking USD. From beginning of the year of rm3.2 and now rm3.5, each USD can yield extra rm0.3 and he just transferred USD30000 back to Malaysia.
Middle East countries now prefer people that have experience + paper, I think with your post easily can get USD4000
I only work as security's supervisor also can get about USD3000 as I got no paper

This post has been edited by supersound: Dec 14 2014, 01:18 PM

5k is above MOM median pay leh. Better off than half already. You want "apa lagi kamu mau?" appear in Strait Times?

yea, if wanna in technical also should go for R&D, but maybe not applicable in SG

haha..5 yrs working should can aim for higher gua..especially in offshore
5k like peanut for you only leh..

Lucky me then, live n work in spore, earn usd and always outstation in KL...still can taste nasi lemak, teh tarik etc..plus accommodation n transport provided..

This post has been edited by meonkutu11: Dec 14 2014, 08:29 PM

So, the dumb and stupid multi million dollar question is, how many fellow can be as lucky as you?

Another one here, based in SG, alternate week in SG and MY. When in MY I work at my home. Kind of tired flying every week though. Not lucky, worked hard to get into this position. Lower pay than my peers but more time with family so its ok.

But mine is work 5 weeks off 3 weeks