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

hi all!! im happy to share here that my spass for the new employer is already approved today!! (applied for EP, but stil happy for spass status)
my timeline:

22 Feb - applied
2 Mar - approved
10 calendar days

6k salary, marketing comms industry, already in SG for 9yrs with same company

btw, i am still currently employed with current job. by right, my existing pass with expiry still on 2022 should be cancelled by my current HR right? when can i officially resign?
if i resign effective 30 march, that's also the day they should cancel pass, correct? and im ok to start with new company by 1 apr? thank you for replying!

Whitesneakers wrote:

btw, i am still currently employed with current job. by right, my existing pass with expiry still on 2022 should be cancelled by my current HR right? when can i officially resign?
if i resign effective 30 march, that's also the day they should cancel pass, correct? and im ok to start with new company by 1 apr? thank you for replying!

All correct. You can resign now without risk. Congratulations!

beppi wrote:

Whitesneakers wrote:

btw, i am still currently employed with current job. by right, my existing pass with expiry still on 2022 should be cancelled by my current HR right? when can i officially resign?
if i resign effective 30 march, that's also the day they should cancel pass, correct? and im ok to start with new company by 1 apr? thank you for replying!

All correct. You can resign now without risk. Congratulations!

Thank you beppi!! Appreciate your generous time in replying. This community has been helpful!

Hi all,

My employer applied for EP on 6-Jan-2021
today my application status got updated to REJECTED 

Employer is saying that MoM thought that they are applying for client. So my Employer will appeal the rejection.

I am worried now. Can someone tell me if you are aware of the similar kind of issue?
how much more time it will take after Employer will appeal?

I see that many guys got approval within a month. Wishing good luck to them.

the salary I am getting is 7.2k SGD with 8 years of experience in IT industry.

Thanks for the kind words in advance

Hi,

So sorry to hear about your situation. Just wanted to wish you luck with it getting approved!

Hi All,
Can HR offer salary more than what mentioned in job portal (without modifying the job post) ??

Don’t think so, and my HR told me that they would need to go through another posting.

Got rejected with 5.6k and 1y exp for financial services, so seems like now is just a tough time.

Hi, if the HR offer you higher salary than the $ they posted, your pass will be rejected, because mine was rejected due to mismatch salary. so either she adjust the salary on the job post then wait 28 days to apply your pass or just post a new job with match salary and still have to wait 28 days to apply your pass

Hi is it 28 calendar days or 28 working days?

Hi everyone,

I would like to share my experience and ask your opinion as well.

I'm still working in Singapore local company under EP. Now I have offer from another company and said company has applied for my new EP. New company offers around 50% jump on my salary because I'm actually underpaid right now.

Nationality: Indonesian
Designation: Automation Engineer
Salary: 7.6k
Experience: 8 years (2.5 years in Singapore)
Company: Food manufacturer (MNC)
Permanent position

Application date: March 3rd
March 4th: pending
March 5th: 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.
Still pending until this moment.

Do you think I have a chance for approval? I noticed that for most Indonesians it will take about 3 weeks to get approval. But I've been rejected before on different occasion so I'm not really sure. I will update my status once I received any news.

tirtanahari wrote:

Hi everyone,

I would like to share my experience and ask your opinion as well.

I'm still working in Singapore local company under EP. Now I have offer from another company and said company has applied for my new EP. New company offers around 50% jump on my salary because I'm actually underpaid right now.

Nationality: Indonesian
Designation: Automation Engineer
Salary: 7.6k
Experience: 8 years (2.5 years in Singapore)
Company: Food manufacturer (MNC)
Permanent position

Application date: March 3rd
March 4th: pending
March 5th: 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.
Still pending until this moment.

Do you think I have a chance for approval? I noticed that for most Indonesians it will take about 3 weeks to get approval. But I've been rejected before on different occasion so I'm not really sure. I will update my status once I received any news.

Just approved, thank God.

I wonder why for Indonesians the pattern is about the same. Most of the time it’s 3 weeks and if rejected it’s faster than that. I read that other countries get the results faster and for some it’s longer. My best guess is because of the vetting agency.

jisellemendoza1 wrote:

Hi is it 28 calendar days or 28 working days?

Hi, 28 calendar days

Hi guys,

EP Applied: March 12, 2021
EP Approved: March 24, 2021
Direct Company (SI)
Senior Network Engineer
1 year and 7 months here in SG.
6 years + experience on IT

All the best to all of you those who are still pending

Hi All,

My EP IPA issued on Aug ‘20 and valid upto 16-Feb-21
I got 1st Extension upto 16-Apr-21

Still Entry Approval not got it

How long before to Apply for 2nd Extension
Does anybody got 2nd Extension for EP IPA

Thank you in advance

imdbsoni wrote:

Hi all,

My employer applied for EP on 6-Jan-2021
today my application status got updated to REJECTED 

Employer is saying that MoM thought that they are applying for client. So my Employer will appeal the rejection.

I am worried now. Can someone tell me if you are aware of the similar kind of issue?
how much more time it will take after Employer will appeal?

I see that many guys got approval within a month. Wishing good luck to them.

the salary I am getting is 7.2k SGD with 8 years of experience in IT industry.

Thanks for the kind words in advance

My EP finally got approved today.
Just to give my timeline, so that guys like me does not lose hope:

6 jan 2021: EP applied. Status pending.
10 Mar 2021 : status rejected.
11 Mar 2021 : Employer made an appeal.
25 Mar 2021: EP approved.

Thanks all and all the best to the guys waiting for EP

krissanfrancisco wrote:

Hi guys,

Wanted to share my status and progress too. Happy to hear your thoughts / and hopefully my story can also help others. I've posted bits and pieces in other threads, but haven't posted on this thread specifically. So here goes...

(Some context:)
1. I've worked and lived in Singapore between 2012-2018. Had 4 EP applications throughout - no delays and issues whatsoever.
2. In 2019, I took masters in the UK and my partner and I lived in San Francisco from end of 2019-2020.
3. I work in advertising/marketing
4. I'm from the Philippines / Filipino passport holder


Application status:
December 22: Immigration agency submitted my application to MOM
January 11: Received direct email from MOM stating they need more time to review my application.

"As we need to carry out more checks, it will take 3 to 4 months to review your application. Each case will be assessed holistically, taking into account applicant-related criteria, input from other agencies, and whether fair consideration has been given to workers in Singapore.

We will convey the outcome or any additional information to your prospective employer directly."

Jan 15: Immigration agency reached out to MOM. MOM reiterated the same thing and that they will liaise directly with my employer.

Current status: Pending. 

So far, no additional document or email of the same kind was sent to my employer. In fact, had I not forwarded to them my email, they wouldn't have known the case. The immigration agency has not experienced this in the past - where MOM reached out to applicant and employer directly givent they were the agency paid to do it.

Some theories I have:
1. In the application form, it was noted that there were 0 locals / PR interviewed for the job. When I asked the immigration agency, she said that even though they weren't interviewed, there were supporting documents showing that they've received many applications including locals. My take is - that should've been submitted as a proactive choice.

2. It's a strategy to force my employer to hire locals.

Any other thoughts?

Hello. Just wanted to update you if you have been on a similar journey.

After 94 days since application, my EP has been approved.

Wishing you luck and patience!

Hello community.

I would like to get your thoughts and advice on the current issue that I am facing. I got an offer from a new company recently and accepted it. But due to the government restrictions, the company can only apply for my EP after 28 days (they just posted the position on jobbank for fulfill my EP application criteria). This means the EP application by the new company will only start in end of April.

As I want to secure the new EP first, I have not resigned from my current company. However, my current EP is expiring in 3 months' time (in July). I expect my HR to reach out to me soon for renewal as the pass needs to be renewed at least 2months before the expiry.

What I understand is that both the renewal of existing EP and the application for new EP from the new company cannot happen together. If I want to renew my current pass, I will have to do so by May. However, in May, my new EP application process might still be on-going.

So there are few questions that I have with the current situation.

1) Is it a hard deadline to renew the pass at least 2 months before the expiry? If the expiry is less than 1 month left, should the current company re-apply for a new EP instead of renewing the pass? I am hoping to postpone the renewal as much as possible and see if my new EP with the new company can be out before the hard deadline.

2) How quick is the EP renewal process these days? I am thinking if I can get my current company to renew the pass right away and see if the renewed pass can be out by end of April. Then my new company can start the new application process without the overlap.

3) What is the chance of getting or NOT getting a new EP with my background? How long would it usually take to get the new EP out these days?
Nationality: Japanese
Graduated from a Singapore University and been living/working in Singapore for 9 years
Work in Global FMCG with monthly pay of 7k

It's a lot of questions but I hope you can help to answer some of them. Really desperate here as I do not forgo the new job opportunity yet risk the chance of having no valid EP to work in Singapore in the end.

Thank you so much

Keeping your current EP until the new one is approved is a must in this situation - after all, you don‘t know whether the new employer on the jobs bank finds a suitable local (who must be hired before you!) and whether the new EP would be approved.
Good luck!

Hi Beppi,

When I get IPA from successful EP renewal, can the new hiring company start applying for new EP? OR should I collect the renewed physical card from ICA before the new company can start the application.

Do you have idea how long it takes to renew existing EP under the same company and same job?

Thank you for your help in advance.

Currypuff: As far as I know, the EP must be issued (meaning card collected) before another one can be applied for - but I am not absolutely sure.

You can use the same card after your EP is renewed. You need to get a new photo and fingerprints only if renewal is done more than 5 years ago since the previous registration.
Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/docu … rkpass.pdf

This is a good news! Thank you!!

Did you mean they moved you from EP to SPass now, with a 6k salary?

Whitesneakers wrote:

hi all!! im happy to share here that my spass for the new employer is already approved today!! (applied for EP, but stil happy for spass status)
my timeline:

22 Feb - applied
2 Mar - approved
10 calendar days

6k salary, marketing comms industry, already in SG for 9yrs with same company

btw, i am still currently employed with current job. by right, my existing pass with expiry still on 2022 should be cancelled by my current HR right? when can i officially resign?
if i resign effective 30 march, that's also the day they should cancel pass, correct? and im ok to start with new company by 1 apr? thank you for replying!

Anyone got their EP approved lately?

Got my EP approval last week, switched jobs, took about 2 months with some to and fro’s (just additional information asks from MOM).

Congrats! And all the best to you.

Can't believe some would at 2 months.

Shekhz wrote:

Got my EP approval last week, switched jobs, took about 2 months with some to and fro’s (just additional information asks from MOM).

Hi CurryPuff,

I like your username, I just made curry puff at home yesterday. If you are around Bouna Vista, I don't mind passing some to you

ok that aside, about your situation. I was about the similar situation.
You did the right decision to renew your existing pass first. Mine was up for renewal in Apr (i need to serve 2 months notice after resign) but after 2 months, my new EP is still not approved. so the new employer had to withdraw my application so my existing company can renew my EP.

-New employer submit application on 4 Feb, withdraw on 16 Mar.
-Existing employer submit renewal application on 16 Mar, renewal approved 25 Mar, card issued 26 Mar.
-New employer re-apply 26 Mar. Now still pending status.

I still have not resign. waiting anxiously to get approval anytime!

I hvae the exact same story...

the new employer applied,
pass expiring that will cause a problem when I serve 2 months notice,
new employer withdrew the application,
existing employer renewed,
new employer resubmitted pass.

So I don't know if all these routes are causing the lingering approval...

SC Beh wrote:

Hi CurryPuff,

I like your username, I just made curry puff at home yesterday. If you are around Bouna Vista, I don't mind passing some to you

ok that aside, about your situation. I was about the similar situation.
You did the right decision to renew your existing pass first. Mine was up for renewal in Apr (i need to serve 2 months notice after resign) but after 2 months, my new EP is still not approved. so the new employer had to withdraw my application so my existing company can renew my EP.

-New employer submit application on 4 Feb, withdraw on 16 Mar.
-Existing employer submit renewal application on 16 Mar, renewal approved 25 Mar, card issued 26 Mar.
-New employer re-apply 26 Mar. Now still pending status.

I still have not resign. waiting anxiously to get approval anytime!

How often do you guys check your status online? It's driving me crazy, I don't know if it's just me.. or one or all of you are doing the same thing every so often.

very often! often enough and I am in the extreme moodless to do anything else but just waiting for the approval. It is driving my crazy too!!!

Doing some Yoga and meditation to calm myself!

Good to know I'm not the only crazy one here. LOL!

I wonder if MOM can see us checking 1M times a day.

SC Beh wrote:

very often! often enough and I am in the extreme moodless to do anything else but just waiting for the approval. It is driving my crazy too!!!

Doing some Yoga and meditation to calm myself!

Hello SC beh and lululily,

Yeah so I am waiting for my existing pass to be renewed. Anyway I still have some time because the new employer need to wait 28 days before they can start applying for the EP (due to jobbank posting requirement). I also need to serve 2 months of notice upon the issuance of new EP. It will be a long waiting game for me as well.

What are your profiles? Are you quite new to Singapore? Or have you been working here for some time. Maybe the processing time depends on your industry too. I heard it is easier to get the EP approved if you have a specialist job in a more niche industry.

I have been living in Singapore for about 10 years but I do marketing, which may be seen as a generalist role. Not so sure how MoM percieves my profile.

Hello!

My pass just got approved.

Applied March 26
Approved April 12

Congrats lululily!!

Thank you Currypuff! I hope yours come through this week!

been in SG for about 7-8 years, I am in the fintech industry. I think it is quite niche. I never experience the anxiousness of waiting for EP approval for the past many years until this time around. I hope it take times but will come soon or later for all who are waiting!

Wishing everyone waiting for approval the best of luck!

I hope this is the right topic

My wife got her EP and entry permit for Singapore approved in March.
Her company applied for my DP which got rejected. Her HR said they received not reason but after doing some research it seems they always do give you one.

After following up with her HR, they said they will apply again only once she starts working and comes there.

This is very strange. Does anyone have any advice?

This is the first time I hear of a rejected DP - usually approval is just a formality, if the requirements are met. (Are they in your case?)
Maybe you were planning to work on DP with an LoC? That will not be possible any longer from May 1.
To advice any further, we would need the complete details of your case.
But your wife already being in Singapore when her employer applies again will certainly not make a difference.

I also could not find cases, and that's really bothering me. I was not planning to work, we know about the new rules.

Her HR stated that they applied two times now and received no explanation as to the reason for rejection. We can see only one application on her online EP too.

If we could at least know the reason then maybe we can solve it. We got married in March and sent them the international state marriage certificate and her salary is well beyond the minimum for EP.

Your employer should contact MoM and ask for the reason if this puzzling rejection. They should also explain why hiring your wife is essential to their operations (best if local jobs depend on it) and that she would only move to Singapore together with you.
Whether that changes MoM‘s viewpoint is uncertain, but it is your best chance.
As for the rejection, here is another potential reason: Are you currently a freelancer who could work remotely? They may suspect that you want to continue that in Singapore (which is of course illegal without work permit). Or maybe the whole thing is because of COVID - non-essential immigration is currently severely restricted (but that is usually done by the entry permit, which you have to apply for after the visa is approved).