JOHN MARCARIAN
Expatland Global Network
EXPATLAND GLOBAL NETWORK
Founded in 2018, The Expatland Global Network is a fully owned not-for-profit social
enterprise owned by the Expatland Giving Back Fund (EGBF).
We are a community of reputable service providers delivering services to expats in
cities all over the world.
Our Expatland teams or E-Teams are city-based experts with the local knowledge to
connect expats to independent businesses that offer a range of important services
located In major cities around the world.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
EDUCATION
BRONWYN SMALL
ED-SG
TWO CATEGORIES OF SCHOOLS
Government Schools
International Schools easy
difficult for visa holders
for visa holders to get
to get admission
admission
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OPTIONS
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OVERVIEW
• Singapore students outperformed the global IB Average.
• Diverse student populations- 80 Nationalities represented
• Sport, Music and Co-curricular activities are resuming-post Covid.
• Island-wide bus services.
• English language support for Non-English-Speaking families.
• Academic Support options for students affected by Covid school closures.
• Bilingual language Options and comprehensive second language options.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SEARCH
Virtual School Visits
• A comprehensive school overview without having to travel to Singapore.
• Assessments and admission processes can be completed online.
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ADMISSION
• Application is simple
• Checklist
✓ Passport
✓ Birth Certificate
✓ 2 years school reports
• Visa is not required in order to make the application.
• School will apply for Student Visa if required.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL VISA
Two Options:
• Dependent Pass - the visa is based on a parent/ legal guardian holding an employment
pass.
• Student Pass - the visa is independent of employment in Singapore. The application is
made by the school on behalf of the student.
➢ Edu-trust schools only.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
PJ ROBERTS
Cognita
Cognita is a global K-12 schools Group with 86 schools in 11 countries across three
continents and 59,000 pupils
Spain(8)
UK (40)
India (1)
Barcelona
Madrid
Hong Kong (2)
Hyderabad
Manaus
UAE (3)
Vietnam (3 )
Brazil (5)
Thailand (4)
Chile (14)
Bangkok
Rio de Janeiro
London
Dubai
São Paulo
Ho Chi Minh City
Florence
Santiago
Switzerland (2)
Zurich
Singapore (3)
Italy (1)
LatAm
Europe & Middle East
Asia
Landmark presence in the largest premium K-12
markets, enjoying long-term pricing and enrolment
growth and government controlled supply dynamics
Historical presence and strong positioning in the UK
and Spanish markets, supported by favourable
regulations and strategic growth investments in the
Middle East
Recent strategic expansion in Brazil and Chile, the
countries with the highest enrolment growth in
private international and bilingual schools in LatAm
Schools
Ave school size: 1,200
Schools
Ave school size: 900
Schools
Curriculum: US, Aus, British, IB
Pupils
Curriculum: British, IB, Spanish
Pupils:
Pupils
13
14k
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
54
20k
19 Ave school size: 1,400
26k Curriculum: Chilean, Brazilian, Bilingual
We have a clear vision to be a global leader in K-12 education
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Who We Are In Asia
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Asia Staff Demographics
COGNITA ASIA STAFF
Headcount as at Jan 2022
Non-Teaching
Teaching
589
330
512
204
370
198
275
207
125
91
Hong Kong
India
Singapore
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Thailand
Vietnam
● ~2,900 staff across Cognita Asia
● 38% of our staff work here in Singapore
● Staff from over 40 different nationalities
● 58% Teaching Staff
● 42% Non-Teaching Staff
We deliver a principles-led framework for education
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Being part of Cognita offers access to a wide range of opportunities for our schools to
connect and to share
#CognitaWay
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Who We Are In Singapore
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
School Profile:
Australian International School (AIS) https://www.ais.com.sg/
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
School Profile:
Brighton College (Singapore) https://www.brightoncollege.edu.sg/
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
School Profile: Stamford American International School
(SAIS) https://www.sais.edu.sg/
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
IMMIGRATION
RONALD CHUN
Echelon Global Services
4 TYPES OF WORK PASS
Singapore has various
★
type of work passes
catered to different
skilled-level of foreign
For foreign professionals, managers and
★
★
Salary of at least $4,500 a month and have
★
Open to all nationalities.
Meets minimum salary and assessment
criteria.
acceptable qualifications.
★
For mid-level skilled staff and semi-skilled
workers.
executives.
★
Company need to have allocated quota to
hire.
employees. These are
some of the common
S-Pass
Employment Pass
Entre Pass
★
work passes in Singapore.
★
For eligible foreign entrepreneurs wanting
Work Permit
★
For high-earning existing Employment Pass
to start and operate a new business(< 6mth
holders or overseas foreign professionals,
old) in Singapore.
must meet minimum salary.
Biz Plan to be done by applicant.
★
Offers greater flexibility, PEP is not exclusive
to one employer.
★
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Renewal is not allowed.
4 TYPES OF FAMILY PASS
Singapore offers a range of
Dependant Pass
★
Long Term Visit Pass
For spouses and children of eligible
★
Employment Pass or S Pass holders. Minimum
Dependant Passes for
children or handicapped children of eligible
salary of $6000.
family members of a Work
★
Employment Pass or S Pass holders.
Child below 12 years of age will have to submit
their vaccination record prior to application of
Pass Holder in Singapore.
pass.
Letter Of Consent for ICA-issued
LTVP/LTVP holders
Pre-Approved Letter of Consent
These are types of
★
For eligible spouses or children of Singapore
★
citizens or PRs holding an LTVP/LTVP+ issued by
Dependant Passes available
in Singapore.
For parents, common-law spouses, step
citizens or PRs holding an LTVP/LTVP+ issued
ICA.
★
The holder is pre-approved to work in
Singapore.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
For eligible spouses or children of Singapore
by ICA.
★
Pass allows the holder to work in Singapore.
★
The employer must apply for the LOC.
EMPLOYMENT PASS
•
•
Earn a fixed monthly salary of at
least $4,500 (Mid 40s candidates
S$8400).
Employers must advertise job on
MyCareersFuture (MCF) for at least
28days and consider all candidates
fairly
(until 31 Aug 2022)
•
Salary
Education
Job
Posting
Self-Assess
ment Tool
(SAT)
MOM does not accept qualifications
from unaccredited institution
• Applicant need to have their
certificate verified if their institution
is not in MOM’s list.
•
Serves as an indication of whether a
candidate meets the Employment
Pass requirements
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27
EMPLOYMENT PASS
(job posting explanation)
• Job Postings are open to Singaporean and PR.
• Adhere with the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices.
• Advertisement must be open for at least 28 days.
• This is to allow job seekers to view and apply for the vacancy.
• Job advertisements that have expired or have closed for more than 3 months cannot
be used for EP applications.
• Total number of EP applications cannot exceed the number of vacancies in the
advertisement.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
EMPLOYMENT PASS
(job posting explanation)
EXEMPTIONS
• Company has fewer than 10 employees.
• Fixed monthly salary is $20,000 and above.
• The vacancy is to be filled by an Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT)
• Under the World Trade Organization's General Agreement on Trade in Services (WTO
GATS), ICTs refer to those holding senior positions in the organization or have an
advanced level of expertise.
• The vacancy is short-term, i.e. not more than 1 month.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
EMPLOYMENT PASS
•
•
Earn a fixed monthly salary of at
least $5,000-$5,500 (Mid 40s
candidate S$10,500).
Serves as an indication of whether
a candidate meets the Employment
Pass requirements
(new applications from 1 September 2022 & renewals from 1 September 2023)
•
Salary
Education
Job
Posting
Self-Assess
ment Tool
(SAT)
Top Tier Institution / Degree
Equivalent Qualifications from MOM
accredited institution list.
•
Application approval is based
on four foundational criteria.
• Applicant require 40 points to pass
COMPASS
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30
EMPLOYMENT PASS - COMPASS
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EMPLOYMENT PASS
(who are exempted from COMPASS?)
COMPASS EXEMPTIONS
• Earning at least S$20,000 fixed monthly salary
• Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee under the World Trade
Organization’s General Agreement on Trade in Services or an applicable Free Trade
Agreement that Singapore is a party to; or
• Filling a role on a short-term basis, i.e. one month or less
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
CONCLUSTION – SINGAPORE IMMIGRATION
•
Work Pass Assessment to be further tightened.
•
Applicants should perform the assessment as soon as possible.
•
Plan ahead - Supporting documents such as education certificates and transcripts
should be readily available.
•
Dependent below 12 years of age should complete mandatory vaccination as soon
as possible.
•
Other passes such as Student Pass and Guardian visas are also available as an
alternative pass.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
MOVING
CHARLIE SCOTT
SIR Move
WHO WE ARE
SIR Move Singapore
• Experienced professionals in the moving and relocation industry;
• We offer international and domestic moving services, international air express delivery,
commercial moving, pet moving among our scope of services offered to expats moving to
Singapore.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
HOW TO BUDGET FOR MOVING YOUR HOUSEHOLD
ITEMS
Currently Shipping Companies (not the International Mover ) provide updated Freight
Rates every 2 weeks, 15th of the qualifying month and 1st of the next month.
Therefore, if you have accepted a quotation dated 10th July and your shipment has been
booked on a vessel dated 28th August, your sea freight rate is only secured up to the
15th of July.
Your International Mover will have to provide you with an updated sea freight rate
closer to your vessel departure date. Currently, we are experiencing an increase every 2
weeks.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
HOW TO BUDGET FOR MOVING YOUR HOUSEHOLD
ITEMS
1. The only way to reduce the costs is to reduce the volume of your shipment.
Do consider selling and donating as means to reduce your volume.
2. You can consider long-term storage in country of origin and wait out this current
crisis. However bear the following in mind:
• There is no timeline when the rates will “normalise”
• Potential increase in storage costs due to limited availability
• Condition of the shipment after long term storage in non-temperature controlled
environment
• Paying for Insurance during the storage period
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
HOW TO BUDGET FOR MOVING YOUR HOUSEHOLD
ITEMS
3. Plan ahead and set realistic expectations, we recommend at least 3 months.
4. Be mentally prepared for the unexpected. International Movers are doing their best
to get shipping lines to prioritise household goods shipments, but in reality the
industry does not have much power with the shipping magnates compared to the
fast moving consumables. Please note that shipping lines reserve their right to
‘bump’ the household goods container to a later sailing, or altogether cancel the
booking to free up capacity for other cargo.
5. Take comfort that you are not alone as every International Mover and Relocating
Customer is affected.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
HOW LONG DOES SHIPPING TAKE FROM THE TIME IT
LEAVES YOUR HOUSE TO THE DESTINATION
ORIGIN
DESTINATION
NO. OF DAYS TO ARRIVE
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Singapore
12 to 36
Americas
Singapore
21 to 42
Asia Pacific
Singapore
3 to 16
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
PERSONAL MOVING CHECKLIST –
ONE MONTH BEFORE MOVING
Pick up a Change-ofAddress Kit from the Post
Office or make your own
up with web-based
templates. Also notify the
address change with
important contacts.
Take a look around the
house. Start to think
about what you don't
want to take with you.
Prepare a list of what you
want to move
Stop by and make
arrangements for picking
up your important
records
Contact your child's new
school and notify them of
your upcoming move to
their area.
Start a new bank account
in your destination
Close out your bank
accounts
PERSONAL MOVING CHECKLIST –
TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Pack your vital
documents in one place
Make arrangements to
disconnect your utilities.
Get refunds for any
deposits made. Have
meters read. Provide
your current utilities
provider with your new
address for them to send
their final bill.
Make arrangements to
connect utilities at your
new residence if possible.
Make arrangements for
cleaning.
Arrange to have a
sitter/family/helper
watch your children on
moving day.
Check with your
insurance company
about transferring
coverage to your new
home.
Inquire about your new
destination auto licensing
procedure and auto
Insurance rates.
Inquire about your new
destination auto licensing
procedure and auto
Insurance rates.
PERSONAL MOVING CHECKLIST –
ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING
Dispose or drain any
flammable items
Plan what goes in the
car/airplane with you
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Make travel
arrangements for your
pets.
Purchase your moving
insurance
PERSONAL MOVING CHECKLIST –
THE DAY BEFORE YOU MOVE
Defrost, clean and air out
your refrigerator.
Clean your stove
Purchase traveller's
cheques for other
possible expenses.
Take down curtains and
curtain rods.
Get a simple breakfast
ready for the next
morning.
Pick up ice and beverages
for moving day.
PERSONAL MOVING CHECKLIST –
AFTER MOVING
Explore your new
neighborhood.
Check smoke alarm,
carbon monoxide
detectors, and fire
extinguisher.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
If necessary, install a new
door lock and/or deadbolt.
Update your address
information if you
haven't done so.
TAXATION
BOON TAN
CST Accountants & Advisors
OVERVIEW OF TAXATION FOR INDIVIDUALS
• Singapore is a territorial tax system.
• Investment income generated in Singapore is not subject to tax.
• No capital gains tax.
• No tax on foreign income (even if you remit it into Singapore).
• Paper return due 15 April 2022.
• E-filing due 18 April 2022 via IRAS MyTaxPortal.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
SINGAPORE TAX RESIDENCY
• Tax residents are individuals residing in Singapore for more than 183 days in the year;
OR
• You hold a valid working visa.
• Possible to be a tax resident of Singapore if you are in the country for less than 183
days.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
RATE OF INCOME TAX
• Tax residents of Singapore are taxed on a sliding scale with tax rates commencing
from 2% up to 22%
• Non-residents of Singapore are taxed on their Singapore sourced income at a flat rate
of 15% or the progressive resident tax rates whichever higher.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
COMPONENTS OF YOUR TAX RETURN
Income
• Generally, your income and any allowances derived from your employment will be
subject to income tax in Singapore.
• Benefits-in-kind are non-cash remuneration such as payment for rental of
accommodation or schooling. Taxable in your personal name as ordinary income.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
COMPONENTS OF YOUR TAX RETURN
Deductions
• You are allowed to claim unreimbursed work-related expenses as a deduction.
• Ensure you have a receipt to support the claim.
• Ensure that it is in relation to work (e.g. catching a taxi from home to work is not
deductible).
• Donations made to registered charities in Singapore are deductible at 2.5 times of the
amount donated (e.g. $100 = deduction of $250 in tax return).
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
TAX RELIEFS
Tax reliefs offset the final tax payable.
Common reliefs are:
• Earned relief - $1,000 – general concession for all employees.
• Spouse (married) relief - $2,000 – supporting a non-working spouse or if you are
ordered to pay maintenance to ex-spouse under court order.
• Child relief – $4,000 per child – for children under 16 years of age, but only one
spouse can make the claim, or it can be shared.
• Working Mothers Child Relief – only applies where the child is a Singapore
Citizen, the mother need not be.
• Foreign Domestic Worker Relief – twice of levy paid on one foreign domestic
worker capped at $10,800 – only applies to working women.
MOVING TO SINGAPORE FORUM, 28 APRIL 2022
Q&A
Fireside chat with the
Members of the Singapore
Global Network
Build relationships and connect with people.
Facilitate ideas, thought leadership, talent,
innovation and entrepreneurship
Promoting opportunities in Singapore
Panelist
CHARLES ALLEN
Senior Advisor in Digital
Operations, TPG
Moderator
Alberenee Sim
Regional Vice President (Europe)
Singapore Global Network
Panelist
MARIA PIA BETTO
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