Digital Nomad in APAC

 Some people find it being a digital nomad is the best option to work. Since Covid-19 Pandemic, remote working, aka WFH is the next best thing for work life. But there are some downside if you just WFH and lack the social skills.

So thus, many opt for the Digital Nomad hot desking at remote locations worldwide. Me too, despite based in London, I am happy in Sunny Singapore, with services and facilities available 24/7 for the most time of it.

Getting to work is one thing, but making sure you comply with the local law is another. Despite many people loving Singapore, they have a strict law regarding immigration as many thought they can do the normal "Visa Runs". Even Singaporeans sometimes run foul of the laws in Malaysia by living there continuously or even daily commute.

Malaysia: They have a new program called DE Rantau by MDEC , which is the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation. However, you may be subjected to Malaysian tax regimes which as a foreigner, is as high as 28% since the Ringgit is very weak *(RM4.70-USD/RM3.40-SGD) and with average pay in Singapore for newly graduate IT Tech Support L1 is about USD29K a year, the tax would be about RM11,000 or USD 2500 *(roughly 10%) vs people like me, will be paying about 20% in Income Tax.

In a professional view, a Junior IT Engineer, will be earning S$5000+ *(S$60,000++pa) have to pay about RM 55,000 *(SG$15,000) in Malaysian tax compared to about S$2,700 in Singapore alone. Assumption is Single without any deductibles available.

Cost in Malaysia is very cheap! RM1500 in JB will get a good guarded condominium with gym etc whereas average like-for-like in Singapore will set you off for $4500 *(RM15k)

But the red tapes...oh my lord...it's never an easy thing. Singapore is digitised. But..they do not really welcome nomads. You need a working permit etc if you wish to stay longer. Else, stay in Batam.

Malaysia on the otherhand, the fees are about RM2000 +RM3000 for the security bond. You can bring your kids too, but all in all, getting a professional visa is far cheaper, when starting a company cost about RM4000++, and the visa fees are similar but you get to stay for 3 to 5 years.

I will go into depth in  another article

Chao!

ازرين بن عبدالعزيز ماجد

The truth about credit reports and credit score.

 I know, being having bad credit sucks, especially if you are a foreign student or just landed in the country. Like me, it's worse off, since I have not had credit for the past 19 years , and because I am overseas, banks do not like me. Even Santander (ABBEY National) when I have been with them for over 20+ years.

No credit, or thin credit is worse off them having poor credit. So what do I have to do to get things started:

1. PROOF OF IDENTITY- Your drivers License. A Learners License (Provisional) would at least get you somewhere as proof. You will need the D1 form and ID + £34. They will need your passport # or Visa Share code. I don't trust them enough...so a trip up to Morriston Swansea is best.
2. Basic Accounts etc still require ID, and it's a chicken & egg situation, thus why your first stop is to get your ID sorted. 
3. Voters Roll - It's to show you are legal there. And yes, a NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER (NINO) is needed, so you are able to work, and link your license too to it. Don't have it? Go get it yourself. Previously, we get this from the DFEE or Jobcenter, and now it's done online. 

Some organisations do let you have a mere basic account, but if you are from abroad, best if you have a HSBC Account and from there, the International Team can help you get an account BEFORE YOU GET HERE. Once you are here, change yr address and it take them 3 months to get your records. 

Do note some stuff with HSBC: CALL THEM AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE TAX LIABLE FOR UK ONLY and NOT DUAL TAXATION. By default, those clowns in Bangalore will say you are tax resident in XXXX and UK, otherwise you won't get any benefits from the account. And you gotta press on with them that you are a Premier customer so that you get the benefits.

For now... I will talk about those credit builder site. Yes. I paid LoqBox to up my ratings and kinda work, cos now my credit utilisation is far better.

In every aspect, it takes alot of patience and time.

Notice of filing for Trademark

 Legal Notice.

We at Azrin.Info, Property owner for Intellectual Mark ( ZYRAZ'S ) and it's variants (ZYRAZ) of Name and the Phonetic Sounding alike , hereby transfer the asset of Malaysia Mark No 07015090 of class 30 (manufacturing) CaseID 2007-07187 to Zyraz Technology and it's subsidiaries, including ZYRAZ Ltd (UK), ZAIRA FOODS Limited *(UK) under UK Property Mark number UK000039333093.

This serves as a legal notice of any parties using our Trade Name ZYRAZ and it's Variants within the laws of UK, Singapore, Malaysia and European Union.

Where have I been...

 I just realised my last post was actually 1 year ago and I was actually quite busy ..that I forgot about things. 

Things Done:
Setup new Entities in UK *(Zyraz Ltd, Zaira Foods Limited) and a few bit and bobs here and that to prepare myself for mini retirement. Looking into things, the UK Market is pretty much screwed when I was there...and blimey... it's really costing a fortune there.

However, it propose a very interesting proposition for me.. getting back into the property ladder. With places like in Newcastle cheaper than my car here in Singapore... heck anything is cheaper than the COE! 

Anyway, I will do some back posts....or when I am free...

For now..it's business as Usual.