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 27 November 2024 by sgtechguy81

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beppiGermany - Singapore Expert08 July 2020 07:15:21

#1041

15303

Mycareersfuture is the new name of the government jobs bank for (only) local applicants. Foreigners can only be hired on jobs that were posted there for two weeks with no suitable candidate applying.
Thus your wife's company CANNOT make or announce a decision on hiring her before the two weeks are over.
This is stipulated by law, so treating it as a formality would be illegal.

goblueforeverNew member09 July 2020 06:38:31

#1042

Has anyone seen any movement in the past week? My sense, based on my employer's follow-ups with MOM, is that they are pretty overwhelmed with the large number of applications they are seeing post-CB, and so everything has slowed down. But maybe that's just for me.

hyhyhyNew member09 July 2020 07:23:46

#1043

EP Application Appeal has been pending for more than 7 weeks, anyone encountering long processing time like me?

SacSheMember09 July 2020 09:42:13

#1044

Same here. Approval now pending now for 7 weeks and nothing in sight so far. Crossing my fingers. Good luck

sam1027Member09 July 2020 11:09:52

#1045

Hello Everyone,

Can some one confirm weather MOM or ICA Started the entry permit approval for IPA (EP) approval candiate want to enter in singapore.

My EP approved in March but due to C.B not able to enter.

My agency informed me last week once SG government eases on allowing foreign worker back to SG then they will Mobilise me.

Your input will be appreciable.

Thanks.

Sam

hyhyhyNew member09 July 2020 15:07:18

#1046

Hello SacShe, have you worked in Singapore before?

Marzipan007Member09 July 2020 18:46:31

#1047

My pass renewal has been pending for a week:

- pass will expire by end of October
- currently in Singapore
- essential service (local bank)
- previous approvals took only 2 days to a week

With the backlogs post-CB, the waiting game continues...

raymondong96Member10 July 2020 04:38:32

#1048

Hello everyone!

I am currently holding an EP, working in construction industry for 8 months already. My EP expire on next year Sep 2021 and my contract with my current company ends in end of Oct this year 2020. I have few questions I wanted to ask:

1. I am thinking about switching to other companies, do you think it is a good time to change company within this year?

2. If I want to apply for other company, is there a possibility the next company will not be able to apply EP for me?

3. If I want to apply for other company now, and the company offer me a job, can the company apply the work pass for me while I am still working with my current company? Or I have to wait until my current company cancel my EP then only the next company can apply work pass for me?

Appreciate very much if anyone can answer my questions.

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert10 July 2020 07:06:57

#1049

15303

1. If you can find a job, now is as good as any other time.
2. and 3. They can apply at any time - but of course it is not assured that they can get it.

raymondong96Member10 July 2020 08:05:12

#1050

I see, thanks for the reply.

Just to confirm, does it mean there is no need for my current company to cancel my current work permit in order for my next company to submit the work pass application for me?

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert10 July 2020 08:22:26

#1051

15303

Please read related discussions on the forum to see if your question ws already answered, before posting the same again. We have explained this a number of times!

SacSheMember11 July 2020 09:15:16

#1052

hello hyhyhy - Yes. I have been working in Singapore for 3.5 years. This EP is for a new company.

kdb64New member12 July 2020 03:54:17

#1053

Hi Beppi thanks. When you say they cannot make a decision before the 14 day period, does it also mean they can't send out rejections in case they do not want to proceed with her ?

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert12 July 2020 07:31:18

#1054

15303

Rejections are of course possible at any time.

goblueforeverNew member14 July 2020 01:26:53

#1055

SacShe wrote:
hello hyhyhy - Yes. I have been working in Singapore for 3.5 years. This EP is for a new company.

Can I check what your status is showing as? Is it "pending" or something else?

SacSheMember14 July 2020 01:29:53

#1056

It says "pending"

goblueforeverNew member14 July 2020 01:33:23

#1057

Yeah, mine is stuck at the "we need to check with other agencies" stage. It does seem like MOM is pretty backed up, rather than there being some fundamental issue with our applications. My employer has already followed up a few times and each time MOM tells them to check back in a week, so who knows how long this is going to take. Fingers crossed.

SacSheMember14 July 2020 02:00:43

#1058

How long you have been waiting for?
Same here. My employer has been calling MOM every week and a standard response is we will let you know in a weeks time but no response. My guess is if they wanted to reject then they would have rejected by now but I am afraid that delay in approval should not cost revoking of offer letter. Agree can't do much without crossing fingers at this stage. Update your status in case there you get an approval.

goblueforeverNew member14 July 2020 02:32:28

#1059

It will have been six weeks as of this Friday. My previous EP application process was far more streamlined.

clayderman2109New member14 July 2020 05:14:53

#1060

Your pass is a new application or appealing one? My pass is being appealed and can I still check the status online? Thanks for ur help.

SacSheMember14 July 2020 07:36:13

#1061

Mine is a new application. When did they reject your application? I mean after what of application MOM rejected your application?

weng93Member15 July 2020 09:01:30

#1062

FYR

My ep application,
Date applied: 30th June
Date approved: 15th July

Good luck everyone.
Fighting!

goblueforeverNew member15 July 2020 11:28:35

#1063

weng93 wrote:
FYR

My ep application,
Date applied: 30th June
Date approved: 15th July

Good luck everyone.
Fighting!

Congrats! Was this for a change of jobs or was it a brand new EP?

weng93Member15 July 2020 12:33:37

#1064

Change job.
Previously S pass holder.

Marzipan007Member16 July 2020 15:03:18

#1065

Approved this morning

Marzipan007 wrote:
My pass renewal has been pending for a week:

- pass will expire by end of October
- currently in Singapore
- essential service (local bank)
- previous approvals took only 2 days to a week

With the backlogs post-CB, the waiting game continues...

lingling40New member20 July 2020 02:30:53

#1066

Hi everyone,

Just want to share my EP timelines for reference.

Applied: July 6
Approved: July 17

New application, first job in SG currently outside SG

Best of luck to everyone!

clayderman2109New member20 July 2020 02:54:43

#1067

Congrats hope you don’t mind sharing what industry you’re in. Is it essential? Congrats again.

forest17Member20 July 2020 02:57:46

#1068

Hi all, just wanna share my ep timeline.

Applied: May 18 (Rejected within 8 hours, reason: covid-19)
Appealed: July 6
Approved: July 20

New application, first job in SG, currently outside SG, sector IT.
Good luck

lingling40New member20 July 2020 03:59:32

#1069

Thank you!

Not sure if it is counted as essential but the industry is telco

SilvercodeMember20 July 2020 09:42:58

#1070

Hi Weng,

May I know what was the salary increment when you changed from S pass to EP?

Energy123New member21 July 2020 10:13:21

#1071

sam1027 wrote:
Hello Everyone,

Can some one confirm weather MOM or ICA Started the entry permit approval for IPA (EP) approval candiate want to enter in singapore.

My EP approved in March but due to C.B not able to enter.

My agency informed me last week once SG government eases on allowing foreign worker back to SG then they will Mobilise me.

Your input will be appreciable.

Thanks.

Sam

We have the same situation. Does anyone have an update on this? My IPA is set to expire on Sept 10, 2020 if unclaimed.

sam1027Member21 July 2020 11:00:43

#1072

i am still waiting

Osman2104New member23 July 2020 13:56:27

#1073

Hi Gentlemen,
This question may not related to the title. But i do really need your advice.
I am a work permit holder and recently I got a new job and new employer applied S pass for and it has been approved now. So I made my resignation giving reason personal&financial issues(didnt say I got spass) at current job and they agreed and also said I have to go back my home country as soon as my wp is cancelled. I called MOM and asked advise and officer said that you dont need to go back and your employer need to choose an option “ Woker obtained spass” when they cancel your work permit.
I worry that my current employer wont agree with that and they might keep saying you must go back. What should I do if they said so? Can I go ahead the process to to issue new spass? Is that possible? I am gonna call my current employer in next week and I need your advices. Thank you so much for reading.

beppiGermany - Singapore Expert24 July 2020 07:06:05

#1074

15303

Whatever they say, they can’t (and won’t) lock you up and force you onto a plane home.
Just tell them truthfully that you have a continuous visa and will stay on in Singapore.

Osman2104New member24 July 2020 08:11:37

#1075

Hi Beppi ,Thank you for your reply. I understand that they cannot force me to go back . My concern is just that they would keep saying we will not agree to choose that option and you must go back as soon as your wp is cancelled. Earlier they said they can only cancel my wp when there is a confirmed flight. So they could be holding up cancelling my wp by reason of no flight. Anyway,I will nicely request them to help me. Hope that would work! Thank you for your time.

mikomidoNew member24 July 2020 12:15:37

#1076

mikomido wrote:
Hi All!

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

Hi All!

My EP was approved today. After months of waiting it feels like wins a lottery.

Good luck for waiters!

SacSheMember27 July 2020 01:48:44

#1077

Congratulations Mikomido! Any reason why they kept you waiting for so long? I have been now waiting for 70 days and still no sight of approval. Your outcome is encouraging though so thanks for letting us know.

CeeeeeNew member28 July 2020 03:05:53

#1078

Hello everyone, usually after your pass is approved, the IPA letter will be sent immediately or it might take several days? My pass has been approved from last Saturday but the employer has not sent me the IPA letter. I’m going to surrender my Student’s Pass this Thursday, in case the ICA officer asks me about next plan, if I said my work pass is approved but I don’t have the IPA letter, can they find my application status in the system? Thank you so much!

shanesl2Member28 July 2020 08:39:25

#1079

Hi There

How about the current situation in Singapore about DB/EP approval?
Still considering about only within Singapore

Henem75New member28 July 2020 09:51:28

#1080

Hello,
EP applied on 21/05
Rejected on 22/05
Appealed on 29/05
APPROVED on 28/07
*Already in Singapore
*Tech company non essential sector
Good luck to everyone waiting

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