First Steps To Working In Singapore...

[internationalhardman]

Hi guys

I have a few questions.... hope this is in the right section if not please feel free to move it.

I am currently living and working in the UK. I have been offered a job in Singapore and am going to accept it. However, I have never made a move like this before and I am anxious to get it right first time to say the least!.

Despite working in Singapore I have the option to be paid from one of three offices - Singapore, Aberdeen (UK) and Houston TX. Which would be the best option to go for? If I am paid through the Aberdeen office my salary will be paid in sterling, if from Singapore or Houston it will be in USD. I presume if paid from the UK my tax and national insurance etc will be paid automatically, if I choose to get paid from Singapore or Houston will I still have to pay tax in the UK? Or will I escape the tax man. I imagine the price to pay will be that I have to exchange my money into Sterling when I go back to the UK from USD?

The worki is three weeks on two weeks off working offshore, with 100% travel paid for. I plan to start off travelling to and from the UK then once I know my job is secure I will change to take my leave in Thailand.

I am informed my Visa will be taken care of by the company. Is it true that I wont actually need a singapore work permit as I am not actually working in Singapore? I presume all I will need is an average 30 day tourist visa?

I think that is everything so far... I would be very gratefull for any help you can give.

Thanks in advance.

IHM

[Captain Chaos]

You should be exempt from UK tax as the employment is being done outside the UK (I think that's what you're saying?) - that should not be affected by where you are physically paid from, so far as I know.

Currency wise - all depends where you will be spending your money and where you plan to go after you finish working. If you're going to be spending money in Singapore (rent or whatever) it would probably make some sense to have some of your salary paid in Sing Dollars - otherwise you could be taking an FX hit (or gain of course) every time you use an ATM or your presumably GBP-denominated credit card...

If you plan to go back to the UK later in life, then being paid at least in part in GBP would seem a good idea. If not then I guess it depends whether you think USD or GBP will hold their values better versus the currency wherever you plan to go next.

I think you do need a Singapore 'Employment Pass' in order for the company to pay you from here. However, it's a doddle to get one - can even do the whole thing online.

[internationalhardman]

Many thanks for your reply mate. Looks like I have some decisions to make and then I can move on from there.

[soihok]

Just to add.

A work permit would taken care of by your employer and ,as CC says, is easy to obtain.

Once you have been registered as working here for some time(not sure how long,but not long)you would be able to apply for Permanent Residence ,if you wish to do so. I have been here for 7 years but never bothered.

If you wish to keep up with your National Insurance contributions in the UK you can pay voluntry class 3 stamps whilest not in the UK. I know this as I have just paid 12 years in arrears (ouch) to keep the pension option open.

Also tax here is very low,,a lot lower than the UK....cant say for the US though.

Cheers

[torrenova]

Sorry this is OT but 12 years in arrears ? I though the maximum was 6 years ?

[soihok]

The letter from Newcastle did state that normally the rule is 6 years , however.

Until April 2009 arrears can be paid for the years 1996-7 up to 2002-3 inclusive.

I was surprised also and being informed that these years can also be paid at the same rate as it was then ,,I would have been unwise to have said no.

This leaves me only 4 years of contributions to make to receive a full state pension,under the new rules you only need to make 30 years of contributions.I am only 43 and the retirement age is forecasted to be raised to 68 by the time I reach retirement age.So its a long, long way in the future for me,but while I can afford to do it now its ok.

I really was,nt going to bother , but after talking to British pensioners resident in Pattaya,receiving their pensions there, I decided to pay the arrears..4500 quid.

Sounds a lot but it would be a lot more to pay at the current rate.

[torrenova]

Sounds good if you are staying overseas. Not so good if you are having to work in the UK and will end up paying in about 50 years contributions !