EP Processing time Mar 2021

EP-APR8 wrote:

Hello All
             Thought of adding my data point as well as I read the posts here.
Been in Singapore working for the same company since 2013.
Got an opportunity and applied for a new EP on April 8th.
Masters from the US and MBA from France
The previous EP approved in 2 days.
Status pending since 8th April. No communication yet.
Current Salary Basic 10K + 30% ++ variable
Current Domain: Software sales
Offered Salary Basic 15K + 30 % ++ Variable
Offered domain: Hardware sales
Posted on Jobs bank for 30 days.
Total-experience 17 years.

Both the opportunities are into sales and I am moving up the value chain and the requirements are related.

Not sure if the domain Sales, BD causes the process to slow down or the bump in the pay. My colleague's husband applied for EP on 15th April and approved on 26th. The domain is Data science and it is a technical role.

Post 21 days will ask the immigration team to reach out to MOM and see if anything see can be done from our side.

Will post as and when I hear.
@ all others that are still waiting, can you state your domain so that we can see if anything correlates to the slow process?

Cheers Stay positive and safe. It is just a waiting game.

Exactly 21 days Approved just now. Thanks a lot guys for all your support. I will also keep supporting this forum as much as possible.

Patience is a virtue that is hard to find. So guys do not lose hope.

Recap on my case:

Applied 26 Mar
Status pending and never change to vetting or any other status
Financial industry
salary 200k++
been in SG more than 8 years and EP since then.
new employer advised wait can be up to 3 months
Nothing can be done other than wait.....

sagacity wrote:

Recap on my case:

Applied 26 Mar
Status pending and never change to vetting or any other status
Financial industry
salary 200k++
been in SG more than 8 years and EP since then.
new employer advised wait can be up to 3 months
Nothing can be done other than wait.....

As Surya, Beppi, and many others have said, all we can do is wait. But if you have applied online, you can ask your employer to ask MOM what's taking time? You can as well try writing to MOM, sometimes they may reply. Never know.

I know it is hard, but there is no other choice.

I personally empathize, tough times for everyone all over the world. It is always advisable to get work permits/ visa's finalized before resigning. 3 weeks isn't what the MoM outlines anywhere, not sure who gave you that intel. The normal work pass approval time is 8-12 weeks, could be sooner if there are no objections, additional info requests.

Wish you luck, hope your pass gets approved and you get settled in SG soon.

Yes, never resign before the EP approval. I have been in SG for more than 8 years, applied 2 EP before and I resigned before new EP approval but that was back in 2013 and 2016, the approval took much lesser time too.

My case this time, applied on 4 Feb, withdrawal on 15 Mar due to current EP renewal, 26 Mar resubmit application and now status is pending.  All I can do is wait patiently and have not quit my current job until I get the new EP approved. Best of luck to everyone waiting!

Jia&Juan: I wish you good luck, and that after EP approval you actually get the (COVID) entry permit!
An alternative route, if this one fails (and I also mention it to other readers in a similar situation) is marrying and getting an LTVP. This is easier - and you can work on LTVP after getting an LoC!
(Shekz: 3 weeks EP approval time was mentioned on the MoM website before. It has been removed now.)

@beppi- yes, (the 3 weeks) that’s not the current norm, hence asked. As an applicant, one should go by what’s current and accurate- else this is having wrong expectations from MOM.

Shekz: Of course you are right. I just stated it to show where such expectations may come from. The 3 weeks were still mentioned on the website when actual times were already much longer.
By the way: Thanks for contributing so much on the forum, where so far Surya and me were the main contributors. I hope you will stick with us!

@beppi- Happy to share whatever information I have on me with others, it is always a pleasure to help anyone in need.

Thanks for the support , just doing my bit by giving back to this forum where few older posts came in handy when I was looking for help/ advice.

Here is my story,

EP applied on 15th April 2021.
16th April - status is Pending.
17th April - status  changed to "we need input from other agencies..."
4th May - status changed back to "Pending" and still pending.

Background:

Total 5 years of experience. Currently holding EP and working in a local bank in IT with 4.4K base salary. I have studied here and is under MOE tuition grant.

New Employer is a global bank with 7.5k base salary.

Foamy_Skill wrote:

Here is my story,

EP applied on 15th April 2021.
16th April - status is Pending.
17th April - status  changed to "we need input from other agencies..."
4th May - status changed back to "Pending" and still pending.

Background:

Total 5 years of experience. Currently holding EP and working in a local bank in IT with 4.4K base salary. I have studied here and is under MOE tuition grant.

New Employer is a global bank with 7.5k base salary.

That’s a big increment! Congrats on the job offer and hope you get the EP approval soon!

I would like to check how often the employer can follow up with MOM on EP that is pending for weeks. My employer has requested MOM to expedite the process last week and there is no change in the status yet. When can they follow up with MOM?

Timeline is as follows:

15th Mar - EP submitted
7th Apr - MOM requested additional documents (Degree verification and latest tax assessment)
19th Apr - Requested documents submitted
3rd May - Agency called MOM and request to expedite

Cyber security with 13 years of experience and 4 years in Singapore.

It is a great forum and I am grateful to the community. Thanks!

I do not think you need to worry at all as everything is done . You will get a positive reply definitely. Can be 3 weeks to 6 weeks from what I read or earlier if lucky. do not worry at all enjoy.
Will greatly benefit if you can please advise which verification agency you used for education background check

I wouldn't have worried if I am with a valid EP but I am on STVP with three weeks left, so I am worried every single day.

JayInSG wrote:

I wouldn't have worried if I am with a valid EP but I am on STVP with three weeks left, so I am worried every single day.

I empathize with you on your situation, few pointers that may help. The usual or stipulated MoM time frame for fresh EP processing is 8+ weeks, not 3 weeks as I read above (that use to be the case earlier).

There is no firm rule on how often a follow-up can be done with MoM on a pending approval. I would urge you speak to the submitter and try again after 3-4 working days. If all’s well, your approval shouldn’t take 8 weeks in total, it is much faster (unless there is ask for additional info).

Just published in a separate post on Degree verification process

Click here or the below link

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 54#5114647

My company applied my EP today 11/May

how abt renewal??  My company  had  submitted  on 29th April  2021  &  its  pending since  then.

I'm an expat staying in SG  since last 7  years   working  in  IT

Ranjan28 wrote:

how abt renewal??  My company  had  submitted  on 29th April  2021  &  its  pending since  then.

I'm an expat staying in SG  since last 7  years   working  in  IT

Renewals aren’t that complicated unless there is a change in the educational qualifications or any other previously submitted information- it’s roughly 2 weeks, with 4 days (as weekend)- should come through anytime. Would also urge you to request the submitter to check with MoM by end of week, a little nudge wont hurt but just help your cause/ approval. Good luck and stay patient.

Thanks . :-)

My experience expertise is not so much
I am 11 years here with the fourth renewal now same Company, same educational qualification no change whatsoever .
I was surprised when MOM asked for education verification
Ouf of two submitted educational qualification one institute appears on MOM drop down list the other does not.
EP renewal submission : 02 April
MOM Request for Edu Verification: 07 April
Request submitted to eeCheck to carry out the check : 12 April with all documents
Since then in a Limbo nothing from anybody just blank wall
Guess no standard template for our experience

kaushikpal12 wrote:

My experience expertise is not so much
I am 11 years here with the fourth renewal now same Company, same educational qualification no change whatsoever .
I was surprised when MOM asked for education verification
Ouf of two submitted educational qualification one institute appears on MOM drop down list the other does not.
EP renewal submission : 02 April
MOM Request for Edu Verification: 07 April
Request submitted to eeCheck to carry out the check : 12 April with all documents
Since then in a Limbo nothing from anybody just blank wall
Guess no standard template for our experience

I am not sure if you have been following the news, there were cases in the past few months where certain pass holders had submitted fraudulent degrees to MoM (from specific country (s))-which has resulted in this slight change. There wasn’t a drop down earlier on the application submission page, now there is. Google it up, you may find the content interesting and worth a read. In short, matter of time, if it is all legit, you have nothing to worry, unless you have resigned and counting days on STVP with one leg on the airplane (in literal sense) (but since yours is a renewal, wouldn’t apply).

Sit tight, make some calls to universities, engage a good agency if asked by MoM- things will fall in place. More power to you, best wishes.

Hi All,

I would like to know until EP gets approved will the client company wait since I received only preliminary offer in mail  from the agency which hires candidates for the client company.

Thank you!

aryanshi89 wrote:

Hi All,

I would like to know until EP gets approved will the client company wait since I received only preliminary offer in mail  from the agency which hires candidates for the client company.

Thank you!

Isn’t the offer binding? If they are helping and sponsoring a pass for you, sure calls out their intent to hire you. Majority of the companies are aware of the tightened measures by MoM, the increased application scrutiny etc. 8+ weeks is very normal for a lot of applications offlate.

@sekhz...understand....thanks for your reply

aryanshi89 wrote:

@sekhz...understand....thanks for your reply

Keep us all posted, good luck.

Aryanshi: The employer must fulfill the contract as well as you. Most contracts (check yours!) either do not allow termination before start of work, or allow it with a notice period. If they did not give you a termination notice yet, this period has not started.
Of course they can cancel your EP application at any time (MoM does not check whether this is o.k. by the contract). In this case you would have to pursue the matter in court (which is very difficult from abroad).
So just keep good communication with them and hope they are patient!

Thanks Beppi for your timely response.Appreciate your willingness to help us with your viewpoints  to the questions posted in the forum.

bro.. its approved now. exactly   within 2 weeks. :-)

Ranjan28 wrote:

bro.. its approved now. exactly   within 2 weeks. :-)

Sweetness, great news. Congrats in order.

I notice that forum activity on this site and also on other sites has reduced in the past few weeks. For example I saw that a new thread a EP applications in April / May was created only recently and the activity on Feb / March applications has slowed down. I wonder if this is an indication that employers are going for less EP applications given the long approval timelines.

Ep12mar: The cause is almost certainly not the long processing times, but the uncertainty about getting the new employee on board afterwards, with travel restrictions and entry permits only for essential professions.

psp1991 wrote:

Hi guys,

EP Renewal Application: April 12
Status as of today: Pending

Not sure if it's still normal, or do I need to do immediate actions, since my pass will be expired next month June 5th 😔

Please have the submitter do a follow up with MoM. They do take calls.

it's not normal  for renewal  as  its almost a month now .   how  abt  your  salary, years of exp   & industry  you are working  on??

Psp: How can it be that you don‘t know what salary your employer offers you?!?
In any case, you have no chance of approval below the SAT limit.

Hi all can anyone from experience advise on STVP after expiration of EP
1. What is the maximum period for which STVP is given
2. Can the STVP be renewed
3. Any limit to how many times STVP can be renewed
4. Who request for issuing STVP yourself or employer

1. 30 days
2. not under normal circumstances - only for medical reasons or travel restrictions.
3. only until the extension reason ceases and you can travel again.
4. only the ex-employer can apply.

Great forum with a lot of learnings from so many different experiences.

Here my current situation:
1) EP (from new company offer) applied on Apr 16th, still pending (5weeks now)
2) high salary & important BD global role
3) more than 5 years in Singapore with 2 times EP renewed with my current company already
4) My highest degree was already verified last year
5) also married to Singapore Citizen
6) new company already asked MOM, they said no need of additional information, just wait

Hope EP approval comes soon.

All the best to all still under process.

Stay safe & healthy

DJ69 wrote:

Great forum with a lot of learnings from so many different experiences.

Here my current situation:
1) EP (from new company offer) applied on Apr 16th, still pending (5weeks now)
2) high salary & important BD global role
3) more than 5 years in Singapore with 2 times EP renewed with my current company already
4) My highest degree was already verified last year
5) also married to Singapore Citizen
6) new company already asked MOM, they said no need of additional information, just wait

Hope EP approval comes soon.

All the best to all still under process.

Stay safe & healthy

Good luck! Did u apply for PR or LTVP?

Thank you 🙏
Yes applied for PR 10months ago, still under process