How long will my work pass (EP, S-Pass, WP) application take

beppi · 2018-04-10T11:41:40+02:00

There have been numerous discussions and questions recently about the time needed to process a work pass application. For the benefit of those inquirers - and to avoid multiple threads about the same topic - I would like to explain the process in detail here: First, let me say that MoM does not disclose their actual internal processes, so the following is based on circumstantial evidence and observations by some users here (mainly Surya and me), plus what other users post about their own application process and results - so please come back here and post yours, to improve the information available on this site. Furthermore, MoM is a law unto itself - and has the right to do whatever they want, including deviating from their own rules and publications. It is their game, their court and their ball. If you don't like this, don't apply! That said, the following are guidelines that apply in most (but not all) cases. In addition, it is the status as of now (Apr.2018) and things can and do change. 1. A Singapore work pass can only be applied for by a Singapore-registered employer willing to hire you. They must submit the offer letter (accepted by you) and full job and salary details. They cannot apply before this is settled. 2. The employer has to cover all work pass application fees (and if they engage an agent to help with the formalities, also the agent's fees - Please note that an agent alone CANNOT apply for a Singapore work pass!). They are not allowed to charge the job seeker for it. Thus all Singapore work passes are free of charge for the job seeker! 3. On submission of an application, MoM first performs a rough check if the application can be entered into the process. The submission will be rejected if - the application is not complete (e.g. missing documents or information), or - the job seeker already has another work pass application running 4. If this check is positive, the application is entered into the system. This means a FIN number is issued (and the employer informed of this) or an existing FIN of the job seeker re-used and the application entered into the EPOnline system with status "pending". It may take a week or so until this is done. 5. Next, the officer in charge will check whether the employer is allowed and able to hire foreigners: - Is the industry strategically allowed to hire foreigners (e.g. due to a lack of local workforce)? - Is the company banned or had problems with foreign employees in the past? - Do they have a viable business model and can pay the offered salary? - Does the employer have space for you in their foreigner quota (S-Pass and WP only)? - Was the job posted on the jobs bank for two weeks, with no suitable local applying? During this stage, MoM may ask for additional documents from the company, and process will resume only on their submission. If MoM then decides negatively, the application is rejected without further checks. This stage may take 1 - 3 weeks, depending on the workload of the officer in charge. 6. After this, your personal credentials are checked: - Are your submitted certificates recognised and correct? MoM may (at their discretion) engage external agencies (e.g. in your home country and elsewhere) for the verifications, which by itself takes 2 - 12 weeks (the timing is out of MoM's control) and can be seen by your EPOnline status changed to "pending input from vetting agencies". - Is your background (education and work experience) suitable for the job offered? (Note: It is basically impossible to get a work pass without experience in a similar job.) - Is there a strategic interest (and benefits) for Singapore to have you working here? - And, last but not least, is the offered salary within the market norms for this job in Singapore? You will be rejected if you earn too little or too much! Again, additional documents and information may be requested during this stage (e.g. a justification why the employer wants to hire you and no other candidate). If not, this may take 1 - 3 weeks. 7. If all these checks are positive, MoM will approve your application, inform the employer of this and send an IPA (In Principle Approval) letter to them. The IPA is your visa to enter Singapore, so you should travel within its validity (usually a month). In exceptional circumstances, the IPA validity can be extended by up to a month (the employer must apply for this). If the IPA expires and you didn't travel yet, you lost your chance to work on this job! 8. After your arrival, a health check is required in most cases. This is mentioned in the IPA. 9. Then MoM will issue the actual work pass (usually on the spot or within a day) and you can start work. From submission to start of work, you should realistically plan for at least two months, but this can be shorter or longer depending on many factors nobody can foresee. Some additional notes: - MoM rarely discloses any rejection reasons, but sometimes the wording in the rejection letter gives a hint. E.g. "This candidate is not eligible for a work pass, please look for another candidate" means you have no chance of getting any work pass at all, often due to misconduct in the past (MoM has a very long memory and good databases!). - A rejection can be appealed against by the employer. For this to be successful, additional information must be included that alleviate the rejection reason. If the reason is not known, it may help for the employer to arrange a personal meeting with the officer in charge. You may come along to such a meeting. - If the appeal also has been rejected, the decision is final and you cannot work on this job in Singapore. - An appeal process can take as long or longer than the original application. - In some, rare cases where the employer has very strong reasons for you to start work before the application process is completed, they can request a temporary work pass from MoM. - In all other cases, there is nothing you can do to accelerate the process. MoM takes as long as Mom takes - and all you can do is wait. There is no point asking on this forum how long it will take (nobody here knows!), or complaining about it. - You or the employer can, however, at any time cancel the application for any reason. This of course ends your attempt to work in Singapore. Good luck! (Yes, al lot depends on this, too!)

Last activity 29 November 2024 by aimocomia

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beppiGermany - Singapore Expert11 March 2020 06:09:27

#721

15310

sandyexpat wrote:
Please suggest

Wait.
There is nothing else you can do.
Well, maybe look for another job, just in case of rejection.

happygirl123New member11 March 2020 06:40:12

#722

Thank you Beppi.

No, still no news

Energy123New member13 March 2020 08:52:32

#723

Hi Everyone! Sharing my EP Application experience

EP application submitted: 3-Feb-2020
Query date: 28-Feb-2020
Query: Asking for a copy of JD
Query response sent date- 29-Feb-2020
Query response sent as - Sent Copy of JD

Until now my EP is still on "Pending" Status

I really do hope my EP gets green light soon.

Best of luck to everyone!

Sapphire17Active member13 March 2020 11:30:46

#724

What JD means?

LNL1109Member13 March 2020 14:03:35

#725

Hi Everyone! Sharing my EP Application experience

EP application submitted: 26-Feb-2020 (Pending)
Approved date: 11-Mar-2020

Energy123New member13 March 2020 15:17:23

#726

JD = Job Description

HellomynameisNew member13 March 2020 17:17:45

#727

Hi, just to check
mom give any reason for the rejection?
Or no reason? If so how your employer gonna appeal without having reason?

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert13 March 2020 19:22:23

#728

15310

Hellomynameis: Please spend some time reading existing discussions about the topic before posting the same question again. This has been answered several times on this forum!

Sapphire17Active member14 March 2020 06:21:38

#729

Hi just want to ask (cant find any answers tho)

Is there anyone here experienced this, mom asked for additional documents from employer (coz first spass, small company with 6 staffs only but got quota) WHY? And how long to get approval after submission? My employer submitted the addtl docs last wednesday.

Pending for nearly 1 month

Energy123New member14 March 2020 06:26:38

#730

Energy123 wrote:
Hi Everyone! Sharing my EP Application experience

EP application submitted: 3-Feb-2020
Query date: 28-Feb-2020
Query: Asking for a copy of JD
Query response sent date- 29-Feb-2020
Query response sent as - Sent Copy of JD

Until now my EP is still on "Pending" Status

I really do hope my EP gets green light soon.

Best of luck to everyone!

Hi Everyone!

My EP got approved today. Last night I checked, it was still on pending status. Today it got approved!

I'm a Filipino and will work for the best energy simulation software company.

Good luck to everyone! This thread has helped me a lot

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert14 March 2020 06:43:10

#731

15310

Sapphire17 wrote:
WHY? And how long to get approval after submission?

MoM asks for the additional information because they need it to decide about your application.
From the kind of information they asked for (about the company, the job, or you), you can guess which phase of the evaluation they are in - and from that, how long it may still take. The first post of this thread gives you a rough guide to this.

Sapphire17Active member14 March 2020 11:20:36

#732

Congrats po. They approve on saturday?

Energy123New member14 March 2020 11:35:44

#733

Yes, which is kinda weird. I thought that they only approve applications during weekdays. I last checked Friday eve and it was still pending. Saturday noon, it got approved.

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert14 March 2020 11:41:44

#734

15310

I suppose approvals on Friday are uploaded to the server in the night to Saturday.
But overtime work isn't unheard of at MoM either.

ThuyliveMember21 March 2020 14:39:52

#735

Hi @beppi,

Sorry that you’ve got this questions a lot. My EP was applied on March 17. With this situation, MOM strongly urges employers to defer bring their overseas employees into the country. Do you happen to know if the issuing of new work passess will be affected as well?

Thank you very much.

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert21 March 2020 14:51:13

#736

15310

Nobody here knows yet how the internal processes at MoM are affected by the current situation. But I won't be surprized if the issuance of new passes is already stopped or will be stopped soon. Better make alternative plans until the crisis is over (IF your employer still wants you then)!

ThuyliveMember21 March 2020 16:17:02

#737

Thank you, beppi for your prompt response. I've read the MOM website and there's no official information about suspending issuing new passes. Yet, like you said, we don't know what happens internally in their office.
It totally makes sense in this crisis that they stop granting new passes. Hopefully life will get normal soon.

Sapphire17Active member22 March 2020 02:50:06

#738

Any update since last week??

venzzNew member22 March 2020 11:05:13

#739

Hi everyone,

Sharing my EP experience here.

IT field
12 yrs exp
From Coimbatore, India
Applied on 2nd March 2020
EP Approved on 16th March 2020

Booked flight on 21st March 2020 but as per new rule (dated 18th March), need to get approval for entry before arrival which got rejected asking to apply at a later date.

Entry Rejection reason:
There is a need to stagger foreigners entry to better manage visitor flow. You should plan the next arrival date for the pass holder and submit a new application. You must get approval before confirming the flight arrangement. The pass holder is not allowed to commence journey without the approval.

My employer is going to try again for April 1st week, hopefully COVID does not make it worse. Waiting to go even after pass approval is crazy!

Sapphire17Active member22 March 2020 11:37:24

#740

Approval of what?

venzzNew member23 March 2020 02:27:26

#741

Sapphire17 wrote:
Approval of what?

All pass holders or new pass people should seek entry approval. Refer here:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-r … ss-holders

happygirl123New member23 March 2020 07:03:48

#742

Hello, still waiting for 7 weeks and no updates. is it connected to the virus situation? and how long more approximately it might take?

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert23 March 2020 07:13:42

#743

15310

Yes, delays might be connected to the virus situation.
Nobody will be able to tell how much longer you need to wait, or whether it will be approved ar all.

happygirl123New member23 March 2020 07:21:49

#744

Does it depend on the fact that I am in Singapore now or no?

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert23 March 2020 07:42:52

#745

15310

In the current situation, nobody knows!

vigneshcokeMember23 March 2020 09:40:19

#746

venzz wrote:
Hi everyone,

Sharing my EP experience here.

IT field
12 yrs exp
From Coimbatore, India
Applied on 2nd March 2020
EP Approved on 16th March 2020

Booked flight on 21st March 2020 but as per new rule (dated 18th March), need to get approval for entry before arrival which got rejected asking to apply at a later date.

Entry Rejection reason:
There is a need to stagger foreigners entry to better manage visitor flow. You should plan the next arrival date for the pass holder and submit a new application. You must get approval before confirming the flight arrangement. The pass holder is not allowed to commence journey without the approval.

My employer is going to try again for April 1st week, hopefully COVID does not make it worse. Waiting to go even after pass approval is crazy!

Dear Venzz,

My EP applied on 06-Mar-2020, still status is Pending

Did you got your Travel Entry Approved?

I have not seen any Query the status is always Pending, is it usual? Can we possible to see the status using Passport Number?

Regards,

Sid1988Member23 March 2020 13:56:10

#747

Hello
My application also applied on 6th of March and till now the status is showing as Pending.
I am also not sure in this situation how they approve or reject.
Just one question is it wise to raise query after 3 weeks

Stay Indoor stay safe to all

Sapphire17Active member23 March 2020 14:02:34

#748

Can you ask your employer if mom asked for additional documents on their side?

vigneshcokeMember23 March 2020 14:09:37

#749

Sid1988 wrote:
Hello
My application also applied on 6th of March and till now the status is showing as Pending.
I am also not sure in this situation how they approve or reject.
Just one question is it wise to raise query after 3 weeks

Stay Indoor stay safe to all

I am checking every moment but still it shows Pending,

Did you got your FIN Number? Is that allotting FIN Number confirms the EP

How did you checking EP status using your Passport Number?

Have you seen any Queries under your EP status, I have nit seen any Queries and is showing Pending since beginning

Regards,

vigneshcokeMember23 March 2020 14:12:05

#750

Sapphire17 wrote:
Can you ask your employer if mom asked for additional documents on their side?

My Employer asked me yo provide Mark Sheet after 3 days and nothing else been asked

My status shows Pending still

Sid1988Member23 March 2020 14:13:29

#751

Mine also the same situation, no query till date and status is Pending since 6th of march.

I am checking using Options 3, and I guess it will take time, but in some cases, it takes less time too. Not sure what factors apart from virus

Hope we will get some good news, and all the best

Sapphire17Active member24 March 2020 02:38:40

#752

Hi, i saw on facebook 1 spass was approved yesterday, so i think MOM still working on this despite of the virus issues.

ThuyliveMember24 March 2020 03:53:02

#753

Hi @beppi,

I got the information from the employer yesterday. The MOM requests to engage an external agency to verify my degree's certificate. I got my degree at a local university in Vietnam so it's not recognizable to the MOM.

Though process will take some more time, it's great to know that they're still processing the work pass applications during this time.

My question is whether they want to verify the degree's authenticity, or assess if the qualification is 'good enough' for someone to work in Singapore.

Thank you.

ThuyliveMember24 March 2020 04:03:39

#754

My status have shown Pending ever since the application was submitted (17/3). But my employer got back to me yesterday with additional requests from the MOM. So I guess some queries are shown only to the employer.

vigneshcokeMember24 March 2020 04:45:58

#755

Thuylive wrote:
Hi @beppi,

I got the information from the employer yesterday. The MOM requests to engage an external agency to verify my degree's certificate. I got my degree at a local university in Vietnam so it's not recognizable to the MOM.

Though process will take some more time, it's great to know that they're still processing the work pass applications during this time.

My question is whether they want to verify the degree's authenticity, or assess if the qualification is 'good enough' for someone to work in Singapore.

Thank you.

I read in the MOM website that Verification of Degree is Employer work, if in case MOM has Query then Employer has to do via MOM Authorised Agency

I am not sure practically they do this or they Verifying all the Degrees?

Please anybody confirm?

venzzNew member24 March 2020 06:50:11

#756

vigneshcoke wrote:
venzz wrote:
Hi everyone,

Sharing my EP experience here.

IT field
12 yrs exp
From Coimbatore, India
Applied on 2nd March 2020
EP Approved on 16th March 2020

Booked flight on 21st March 2020 but as per new rule (dated 18th March), need to get approval for entry before arrival which got rejected asking to apply at a later date.

Entry Rejection reason:
There is a need to stagger foreigners entry to better manage visitor flow. You should plan the next arrival date for the pass holder and submit a new application. You must get approval before confirming the flight arrangement. The pass holder is not allowed to commence journey without the approval.

My employer is going to try again for April 1st week, hopefully COVID does not make it worse. Waiting to go even after pass approval is crazy!

Dear Venzz,

My EP applied on 06-Mar-2020, still status is Pending

Did you got your Travel Entry Approved?

I have not seen any Query the status is always Pending, is it usual? Can we possible to see the status using Passport Number?

Regards,

I'm applying to come to Singapore in April 1st week. Situation is not good at the moment. Those who are waiting for visa, you have no other choice than waiting. Even if you get visa, entry approval is hard now. So, let us all hope COVID slows down in April.

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert24 March 2020 06:53:21

#757

15310

Verification of certificates is done whenever there are doubts, plus on a random basis. MoM usually engages external (vetting) agencies for this.
The quality of individual degrees is not checked - they are either on MoM‘s list of approved institutions, or not (then rejection).

GuestPoster292Guest25 March 2020 13:48:28

#758

214245

Hi, just wanna check. I'm still a uni student in my final term and exam results will be release on May 2020 where can get my full academic transcript digitally via student portal. In the transcript pdf file, it will state the date of conferral. May i know if this is sufficient to pass it to my employer for the work pass application ?? because the degree cert will only be available on Aug which is the ceremony.

Thanks

Sid1988Member25 March 2020 14:13:24

#759

Does anyone know that once e pass got approved what will be the next steps?
Do I need to talk to my company or they will contact once they get IPA, and is it possible to check IPA online.
My status is showing Approved but I can't find out the validity and all.

Application: 6th March 2020
Approved: 24th March 2020

Stay healthy & Stay Safe to all

Sapphire17Active member25 March 2020 14:29:34

#760

Hi, when it was approved?

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