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 22 November 2024 by avinashjha

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2116 replies

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kdb64New member22 June 2020 15:22:09

#1001

Hi,

Do anyone of you know if MoM has started processing EP applications for those who are not based in Singapore?

I did read somewhere online that they have. Can someone please confirm? I run the risk of losing my offer and my current job (already on notice) if I don't get it through.

Thanks

mailarunkumarsNew member23 June 2020 04:06:45

#1002

Hi All,
EP Approved today. Currently in SG , switching jobs.
Applied: 10th June
Approval: 23rd June
Domain: IT

All the best for others who are waiting. Be Patience and never Give up.

scipyMember23 June 2020 08:48:26

#1003

I'm not sure they have started application for people not in Singapore. The MoM website says the its 'very limited'. I am also waiting for it to start. Do you remember where you read that they have started it?

kdb64New member24 June 2020 03:47:23

#1004

https://www.mondaq.com/government-measu … -singapore

scipyMember24 June 2020 10:57:09

#1005

Thanks for sharing article. It does mention that processing has started for EP for people not based in Singapore. Would be nice if others can share their experience if new EP application has started for people outside Singapore.

Sapphire17Active member24 June 2020 11:22:47

#1006

“ Employers are urged to defer bringing foreigners into Singapore during this period until further notice.

Approvals for any new applications will be limited. You may continue to apply passes for foreigners who are already in Singapore.”

- indicated in mom website as of today

GuestPoster238Guest25 June 2020 03:16:08

#1007

214245

I am an EP holder for last 3 years. Still located in Singapore. I got an offer from a new company. They applied EP on 20 May. After 2 weeks MOM came back with a note to verify my master degree. My company took a service of MOM accredited verification agency. Verification report submitted 2 weeks ago. But still no response. My company contacted MOM last week. It ensured an outcome will be shared in a weeks time. Still status shows pending. Thoughts?

Nyc_bomNew member27 June 2020 06:52:54

#1008

Have Anyone applied for entry approval on EP?

zoeli1994New member28 June 2020 18:10:34

#1009

My company just applied for the new EP last week and hopefully will turn out to be okay. I am currently outside Singapore. Lets see whether it will be processed this time,

GuestPoster238Guest29 June 2020 02:40:28

#1010

214245

zoeli1994 wrote:
My company just applied for the new EP last week and hopefully will turn out to be okay. I am currently outside Singapore. Lets see whether it will be processed this time,

Hi, please keep us updated on your status. Thanks!

mikomidoNew member29 June 2020 06:04:55

#1011

Hi All!

EP application Applied 12 March.
Still Pending 108 days (Vetting Agencies)
Currently, in Singapore

GuestPoster238Guest29 June 2020 06:15:06

#1012

214245

Hi - Any reason that MOM has mentioned for delay?

mikomidoNew member29 June 2020 06:32:26

#1013

Nothing at all.

mikomidoNew member29 June 2020 06:33:42

#1014

This is my 3rd EP, first 2 applications takes about 2 weeks to get approved.

hyhyhyNew member29 June 2020 14:01:29

#1015

Hey guys can I check if its true that all new applications will be rejected during this period, only to appeal if you are in Singapore?

Thanks!

Sapphire17Active member30 June 2020 05:57:07

#1016

Hi, just want to share my colleague’s timeline:

June 12 Spass applied
June 19 Rejected after (if in sg can appeal)
June 23 Appeal pending
June 30 Approved

Both application took just 1 week. She’s currently in Singapore. Construction sector.

Henem75New member30 June 2020 06:27:47

#1017

From the posts above - its seems that any applications made from applicants currently in Singapore after CB have been processed *a lot* faster than those applications that were filed during the CB.

MY92New member01 July 2020 04:46:02

#1018

My EP application has been pending for 20 days already, and I received email from mom yesterday saying they need 3-4 months to proceed, what does this mean? Anyone received the same email?
I hope the “3-4 months” is a typo, cuz what I see from above are normally 3weeks...

GuestPoster238Guest01 July 2020 06:00:40

#1019

214245

MY92 wrote:
My EP application has been pending for 20 days already, and I received email from mom yesterday saying they need 3-4 months to proceed, what does this mean? Anyone received the same email?
I hope the “3-4 months” is a typo, cuz what I see from above are normally 3weeks...

u are in sg ? or outside ?

goblueforeverNew member01 July 2020 06:27:02

#1020

My EP application was submitted on 5 June, and is still pending. Since the very beginning, the status has been stuck at "We need inputs from other agencies to process this application. In most instances, the outcome will be available in 4 weeks' time. Some cases may take longer."

I'm currently in Singapore on an existing EP, switching jobs. Not really sure what to make of the timeline, but hoping to hear this week since it will have been four weeks as of Friday.

MY92New member01 July 2020 06:40:03

#1021

Same as mine, but they told me 3-4months, which scared me. Hope we all get approved by this Friday!

MY92New member01 July 2020 06:40:41

#1022

Currently working in SG

mrdadaNew member02 July 2020 01:34:45

#1023

After a long time waiting my EP was approved yesterday

Timeline :
EP applied: 25/02/2020
Rejected: 09/03/2020
Appealed: 23/03/2020
MOM informed us that they need more time to review: 14/04/2020
MOM ask for additional documents : 03/06/2020
Approved : 01/07/2020

I am currently in Singapore. It was a new EP not a renewal.

For those who are waiting a long time like me, I hope you will have a positive result soon !

LittleFlower96New member02 July 2020 03:03:40

#1024

gratz to you!

davidling96Member02 July 2020 05:33:57

#1025

My EP just gets approved today.

Out of SG, first EP, financial services.

Applied on 11 Feb and rejected.
Appealed on 3 Mar and rejected again due to CB.
Re-submitted on 12 Jun.
Status changed to pending on 25 Jun.
Approved on 2 Jul.

GuestPoster238Guest02 July 2020 05:46:37

#1026

214245

davidling96 wrote:
My EP just gets approved today.

Out of SG, first EP, financial services.

Applied on 11 Feb and rejected.
Appealed on 3 Mar and rejected again due to CB.
Re-submitted on 12 Jun.
Status changed to pending on 25 Jun.
Approved on 2 Jul.

are you sure ur out of SG ? why is there a "singapore" location tag on your post below the timestamp

davidling96Member02 July 2020 06:07:35

#1027

I am currently out of SG. If you look into my account details, it shows I "would like to move to" SG. Hope it clarifies.

clayderman2109New member02 July 2020 09:21:32

#1028

Congrats to those with your approved passes.

My timeline:

Submitted: 16/04
Rejected: 17/04
Appealed: 30/06

Fingers crossed as I’m waiting for the results.

zoeli1994New member02 July 2020 17:12:36

#1029

Wow congratulations! Are you waiting on your IPA now? Do you mind me asking where you are currently based?

zoeli1994New member02 July 2020 22:00:10

#1030

Hey guys, good news to share! My EP is just approved and I am outside Singapore.

New EP Application: 6/24
Approved: 7/3

Good luck everyone!

hyhyhyNew member03 July 2020 06:25:39

#1031

It seems like new applications made after circuit breaker got approved much quicker than those who applied pre-circuit breaker, and appealed. My appeal has been pending for 1.5 months. Should I get my employer to cancel the current application and make a new application to hasten to process?

goblueforeverNew member03 July 2020 06:41:10

#1032

I don't think there's any logic to this. Mine was applied after CB and it's still pending. It'll vary from case to case, based on things like industry of the job, current location, past experience and associated checks required, etc.

Henem75New member03 July 2020 08:10:56

#1033

Tempting indeed - not sure the trick would work though! Let me know if you do and it works.

clayderman2109New member03 July 2020 09:46:13

#1034

Hi Zoe

Congrats! May I know what industry you’re in.

zoeli1994New member03 July 2020 13:48:22

#1035

Hi I work in consulting. Hope this helps. My sense is that after July1st MOM has been more relaxed in terms of approving the visa and borders have been gradually opened.

Osman2104New member06 July 2020 14:09:06

#1036

Hi I am having same issue.How did your case go?

Osman2104New member06 July 2020 14:15:58

#1037

Hi Everyone! Please can you give some info for my case?

I am a work permit holder and currently in Singapore.I got a new job and employer applied S pass for me in 02/07/2020 afternoon. I checked on mom web and status is showing “ we need inputs from other agencies....” You have any idea for possiblity of approving or rejecting S pass for me?How long do I need to wait regarding this status to hear any news by your experiences in these days? New job is an essential service. Thanks.

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert06 July 2020 14:33:17

#1038

15297

Osman: As we have explained several times before (please read existing posts before asking the same again!), the vetting status can take anywhere between two weeks and three months or longer, depending on the external agencies in your home country or elsewhere that MoM asks to verify your credentials - and how quick your schools, ex-employers, etc. reply to them.

MY92New member06 July 2020 14:44:11

#1039

Hi, was told MOM is investigating my case and the whole recruitment process of the company. Will take a long time.

kdb64New member08 July 2020 06:58:30

#1040

Asking for my wife here:

Do companies post on mycareersfuture only as a formality ?

Because the company where my wife is interviewing has not told her any decision, however the role has been posted on mycareersfuture. When checked with the company, they say she is still in the process and have not decided on the candidate yet. I read online that employers post the role only as a formality (in case they have selected maybe another candidate). I wanted to get a sense if they have already selected some other candidate (or) they have selected my wife but don't want to communicate the decision till the 14 day listing period of mycareersfuture.

She is currently contemplating whether to wait for this company's offer or accept the offer of another firm which has already offered a role.

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