Employment Pass Rejected

Hi Beppi.

My EP application was rejected due to "adverse records". How can I clear this with the MoM? I have lived here for six years, EP has been granted twice, the last year was on PEP and now applying for EP again. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

""Adverse records" probably means conflicting information was given to MoM in your applications. If this was an error or oversight, contact MoM to correct things!

Thanks Beppi.

My company's HR is scheduling an appointment with the officer to figure out the reason.

hiii beppi..I am from india.would u help me to find out good employment agency in singapore.plz reply name of agent if do u have???

Please read the various posts I made before: Employment agencies in Singapore are of limited help (and many are crooks that will charge you illegal fees and not deliver results). You should apply for jobs directly at suitable employers in your area of expertise!

Hi! I was previously an E pass holder from DEC 2011 - NOV 2013, but only getting a salary of 1400. We were under an agency in the Philippines and was transferred to another Singapore agency when we got here. So i've asked all the persons involved (manila agency, SG agency and our HR) how much did they declare our salary to MOM when they applied us an E pass, they all said 1400. According to the law before, they said an E pass holder should have a minimum salary of atleast 2800. Now i was hired as an assistant manager in a restaurant and they applied an E pass for me and put that my previous salary was 2800 and my salary as an assistant manager will be 4000. I got rejected by MOM and reason was "Salary not commensurate. Please look for other candidate." So my company is thinking if they will reappeal or not. If they put the truth about my previous salary of 1400, you think i will have the chance to be approved? (BTW, the agency said that we are under a special case thats why we got an e pass). My other batchmates never had a problem getting their S pass approved and they also declared 1400 for previous salary.

I have never heard about such "special cases" for EP with too low salary - so I suspect your "agency" is not entirely truthful. This might well be the reason for your rejection!
You may try to clarify things with MoM (but do tell the truth there!).

Thanks for the reply! but if the company put from 2800 to 1400, won't MOM be suspicious?

Yes, it will be suspicious.
It does not pay to work with dubious agencies (well, actually, agencies in general) in Singapore.

Someone can help me..

My SPass is rejected, what I should do? I also tried the SAT, and the result states that my SPass will be likely rejected. So do I need my company to appeal or looking for a new job? Thanks

For info, I am fresh graduate 2014. I was studying in Singapore, but my degree is Australia.

If the SAT says you are not eligible, appealing is a waste of time.
With the current political anti-foreigner sentiment, the best advice I can give is: Look for a new job in another country!

Is there any chance my SPass will be approved even I got offered from another company?
What can I do so that my work pass can be approved?

Thank you for your reply!

It is now very difficult to get a work pass approved without work experience. Ask yourself: What can you offer to Singapore that the locals can't (they must be hired before you, by law). If you don't have any such skills or experience yet, you should get it from elsewhere and then try again!
Just another employer would not help if the SAT tool tells you are not eligible.But you can try it with some other parameters (e.g. higher salary, different degree, etc.) to find out under which circumstances you have a chance of approval - and then work towards that!

I just realized I did wrongly in SAT tools. SAT result shows

Based on the information you have provided, the individual is likely to qualify for an S Pass only.

This does not represent an approval and the result does not take into account:
1) The Employer's Profile (e.g lack of quota for S Passes) and
2) Candidate's Antecedent (e.g previous offence)

These will be evaluated when you make the actual application.

So can I ask my company for appeal? or find another company?

Thanks again!

Appealing does only make sense if you have substantial additional information that was not submitted with the original application. Just saying "Please look at it again" will only yield another rejection.

My company doesn't want to appeal..If i am looking another company, there is a chance my work pass approved right?

I have cousin and uncle who are S'pore PR, can they help me so I can get PR or at least help me so my work pass approved?

Thanks

You won't know unless you try.
But don't hold high hopes!
(Your relatives cannot help at all, it's only between you and the employer.)

I have just spent a few minutes with the SAT and been unable to find a combination of criteria that would allow me to get one of my team an EP at a salary even close to the MOM's published minimum for fresh grads of $3300! This person is currently on an S-Pass (and has been for 5 years) and their salary + $550 levy is just under $3300 so I thought it would make sense to switch and let them put some of the money that is currently levy as savings for their family.
The person is 28, has a degree, is from Philippines, has 10 years work experience and is a sales manager in a small organization with 6-7 other local employees. The SAT says they need to earn $4900/month to get an EP - and my company simply cannot afford so much more per month.

But I also ran the numbers as a 20 year old german graduating last year with a degree from harvard and 1 year work experience (ie: a fresh grad from a presumably 'desireable' combination of country and institution) and the results were the same!!!! Only qualifying for an S-Pass. 

Is the SAT just giving EXAGGERATED salary requirements to put employers off hiring foreigners or is MOM lying about the $3300 lower limit?

I'd like to try and help this person out, but it will be waste our company's time going though the application process if getting an EP for a Filipino with a degree and a $3300 (or $3400 or $3500) salary is outright impossible.

Naturally speaking to MOM reveals NOTHING - they have a script that is both unhelpful and sounds as though it is crafted to provide *maximum* frustration to callers asking questions about the accuracy of the SATs lower limits.

Does anyone have any (recent) experience with this? Either getting a pass or appealing for one.
Thanks for any advice...

Salary is a very important criterion. I suggest no harm in trying for EP at 3300$ or a little higher salary if your company can afford. Btw it's a slow month at MOM I believe. For me, months have passed and I haven't gotten an EP. Try after few months.

In my experience, the SAT reflects MoM's criteria quite well (except, of course, for things the SAT cannot check, like eligibility of the employer or results of the verification tests). You may like it or not, but MoM does not currently give EP to fresh graduates and minimum salary for experienced people increases (at an undisclosed rate).
As you said, there is basically nothing you can do (except voting for a more foreigner-friendly party in the next elections).
But I personally think, rather than complaining you should be ashamed that you so grossly underpay: the average Singapore salary for a degree holder with 10 years experience is above S$10000 and you pay the poor guy only a third of that - most fresh grads earn more than him in their first job nowadays!
If he does good work for you (as I assume, by your willingness to support him), then give him the raise he deserves - S$4900 is still a low pay for his level!

Thanks for the judgement there beppi!! You know nothing about the circumstances of the hire, working hours, job description or *anything* other than an age, superficial education information and country of origin so your assertion that I should be ashamed for anything is completely baseless! In our industry, the salaries you suggest would put the company out of business and leave good people without work. Perhaps if you are doing so well in your industry, you would like to employ my guy at that rate (and me too! since your proposed salary level is well over double my own!)

I would argue YOU should be the one to be ashamed of responding so inappropriately with such little tact to a request borne out of goodwill! It is impulsive comments like that that dissuade people from participating in forums such as this.

Your distasteful remark aside, I thank you and Lovenbliss for your very quick responses.

Harsh words, but I can live with criticism.
Yes, I do not know much about the work situation in your case - but he must be working full-time (there is no EP or S-Pas for part-time jobs) and he cannot be that much outside of the normal distribution of salaries (as published by the Singapore government). Obviously, MoM agrees with me, not you.
(If I were you, instead of complaining I would worry that his S-Pass will not be renewed next time it becomes due.)

I'll have to take a look at the salary document you are referring to. I made a quick search in the job central salary survey from last year, and my guy is paid within the 4th quartile for his job. So its less about MoM agreeing with YOU per-se and more about MoM trying to dissuade companies trying to hire foreigners for certain types of positions, including this *already reasonably paid* position in our industry.

You also repeatedly mention my 'complaining'. I have not complained about the situation nor the SAT - the regulations may not suit me or my team member, but they are what they are; and together with many other regulations I agree and many I disagree with, make Singapore the place I choose live. My only complaint was with the ambiguity in the phone response when I called MoM. Neither did I complain about your brutish claims about my underpaying a valuable member of our team - I simply responded in a civilized manner to dispute your absurd claim.

Nevertheless - I think further argument on this issue is not productive and you have been gracious to accept criticism as well as raising some valid points, especially the one about the renewal of the S-pass. The possibility of having to dismiss a  valued team member because of a change in regulation is one of the many Damoclean swords hanging over small companies in Singapore today.

Good day to you, beppi.

Thanks for the all info Beppi!

how to find a job in singapore

yogeshaborad wrote:

how to find a job in singapore

Such a general question cannot easily be answered in a way that actually helps you.
As has been advised to you before on your several posts about the same: First, READ the information already given on this forum or elsewhere - this topic is discussed at least once a week. Then, apply for jobs at suitable employers in Singapore - it would be good to be in Singapore during this time, as it increases your chances for interviews manyfold. And, when doing this, focus on your unique skills that are rare and in demand in Singapore - you need to convince the employer and the authorities that you are better than a similarly skilled local (who must be hired first, by law).
If you still have specific concerns that were not addressed on this forum before, plea feel free to come back and post them here.
Good luck - you need a good dose of that, too!

My company applied for an EP for a Business Associate.
The EP got rejected saying the salary does not commensurate with the qualifications of the candidate.
I have an MBA as well as a diploma in education and I am best suited to the job as I can teach as well as manage the business. I have 5 years of experience and the company offered me $5000 (4000 + 1000allowances)
The company would like to appeal but I am not sure how much more salary would they need to offer. The company is a fairly new company and wants to expand.
Any help in this matter would be great!

Your company should ask MoM what the minimum salary is in your case.
Or you can play around with various numbers and options in the SAT until you have a good picture of which level might be approved under which circumstances (but there is of course no guarantee).

Hello .. My epass appeal was rejected and i again reappeal .. Plzz tell me how can i check appeal status of e- pass

Normally only one appeal against MoM's decision is allowed, and its rejection final.
How did you get them to accept a re-appeal?
Which information did you include that wasn't part of the original application, or what is the reason did you give for your appeal?

My EP application was done last week
Current Status: Pending inputs from vetting agencies. Expected outcome is 2 months from the Date of Application.

Now question, in SAT all were good & showing eligible, my Uni is listed, Faculty & Degree etc.. Does it still need to go thru such verification? I was expecting they will ask original certificate at later stage before final Grant/Approval.

Is this is good/bad sign

Yes, it is necessary. MoM just checks with external sources if the details you gave are correct. If you were honest in your submission, there is nothing to worry about (except maybe the longer approval time).

Hello Beppi
My EP application is rejected by MOM due to the adverse record
i have been working in singapore for few company on EP for 5 years. and never had any rejection,
my new company try to Appeal

i have identify few problem but i'm not sure :
1_when i left the country due to my visas expired , it seems i was black listed because exist sg to JB to visit my friend new condo, and back again to Sg from there i flew back to jakarta , i didn't realize this because it was my first time .
2_i realize this when i came back to sg again and the custom at changi rejected me entering because they suspect me misuse tourist visas, they said i can't use social visits visa for jobs interview, so now i encourage all the employers with video conference instead me have to go back and forth to meet them.
3_ i realize my Singpass is deactivated after 3 years not in use ( i don't really know ) passwords & account, because my company always clear my tax, and i pay trough axs ,

is this the reason i got bad record and rejected ?

The things you mentioned should not have an influence on your EP application.
You should contact MoM to find out what these adverse records are!

Edit on reading your message again, I can see two negative issues:
- You changed jobs too often. MoM didlikes job-hoppers and any period below 3 years in one company is seen as negative.
- You are suspected of abusing tourist visa. This is the most likely reason for your rejection. (But attending job interviews is normally o.k. on tourist visa ...)

Hi Beppi,

I've been reading quite a lot on this thread regarding EP rejections. Obviously mine got rejected as well.
We filed for appeal but rejected again. Since we hired an external company I was convinved they knew what to do and what is required to get an approval.

Now we can only appeal once more..

My personal gut-feeling on why it was not approved is because the plan we submitted was way to general:

- simple job description
- our business plan for the company (start-up company with HQ located in Holland, group turnover of USD 500 mill.)
Problem might be however, that we have no locals working. My boss (MD) is a PR from Holland. Might this be a reason for rejecion?
In the first rejection they did mention my salary was too high.. probably because I do not have a university degree but a normal diploma and we did not specify my talents / experience / knowledge. I worked myself up in the company and am more intelligent as what my diploma reflects.

Thus nothing specific about me why I should work here. I've been working at this company for 7 years and within the industry (Sealants and adhesives) I gained loads of technical knowledge, SAP knowledge, etc. etc.

We applied for EP. Base salary is SGD 7.500,00 company pays for housing, health Insurance and pension.

Next steps we are undertaking are:
- go through recruitment process (look for local talent)
- hired a laywer specialised in EP rejections.
- Bulk-up our file --> Commanding letter CEO. Add my CV, specifiy why I am needed in SG instead of simple job description.
- open-up a vacancy for a local which we want to hire as back-office.

Based on your experience, would you think my final appeal would have a chance of getting approved?

Thank you so much for your support.

Regards,

Brian

Without a university degree (which is all that counts in MoM's view), you'll always face an uphill struggle. Your company is well advised to send somebody more qualified instead.
Sorry if this is not the answer you'd like, but you'd better know the truth.

Hi beppi,

I just got the rejection for my S Pass two days ago. The reason is "the candidate is not eligible for getting work pass". Could you guess what can cause this kind of rejection? I have a master degree in computer engineering, but i only have 1 year working experience. Does it really matter? They said they can't re-appeal for this kind of rejection.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Regards,

Adrian

It's of course difficult to be sure from the very limited information you gave, but this is what I suspect:
- with salary at S-Pass level you are grossly underpaid for a Master degree holder and would disturb established pay scales if accepted.
- with just a year work experience it is difficult to imagine you have rare and exceptional skills that no local applicant would have (and then must be hired first, by law).

Hi beppi,

My Ep application had been rejected by last months and my new company was help me to appeal it.
Just wondering that, why MOM rejected my EP? i have match the condition to apply the EP. I am holding a work permit in my previous company due to some working hours and reason the employer who employ me want me to working in every weekend without paying any OT fee and this rules also didn't state in my employment agreement. The employer tell me if I can't make it then i need to quit the company. I only work in the company within a month. This is the problem that MOM reject my Ep application? and also when after resign, my employer didn't issue me a work permit cancellation letter. After a day when I from Malaysia (JB) went back to Singapore i just realize that my company did a wrong procedure to cancel the working permit. They cancel my work permit when i reach Malaysia after that Email me to Print out the letter when I travel out from Singapore, but that time I had been in Malaysia. The next day i trying to bring the letter and pass go through the immigration check point but i meet some problem with that, luckily after describe my problem with the officer and then they check through the system and allow me to enter Singapore again. Is this also an issue to course my Ep application rejected?

Thanks!

It is impossible to tell, from the information you gave, why your EP was rejected.
The problems with cancellation of the WP and subsequent immigration should have no influence, since you did nothing wrong.
But resigning from a job after a short time is considered negative by MoM ("job-hopper").