EP processing time in June 2021
Great info and pointers- thanks for sharing.
Ive always echoed the same to members on this forum, any application submitted should carry weight and must have legitimate credentials, must be presented well with supporting documents (both for applicant and co/ employers basic info). Hiring should be fair and within the overall framework for the relevant pass type. If an applicants skills and background adds value, is distinguished- there is no reason why MoM would not approve the application.
Hi All,
i want to share my EP timeline that might help to reduce ur anxiety
Current residency : Outside Singapore
EP Applied : 22 June
Approved : 17 July
Sector : IT
Experience : 4 years
All the best for those who are waiting!
Don't give up if ur EP has been rejected,
My EP application had been rejected many times since last year,
i got offer by 3 different employers in different time, all EP were rejected.
Finally today the 4'th employer managed to get it approved.
Cheers!
Hi All,
I am Indonesian, 36 y.o. work in IT project management/ Business analyst, Financial service industry.
Have been working in sg for almost 2 years with EP workpass, currently at end of contract and current employer decided not to extend my EP due to salary hike required and dont have spass quota.
After doing job hunting, finally manage to get 2 job offers in the same industry, and i decided to take 1 only.
9-jul: New employer submitted spass/ep application
12-jul: Rejected, with below reason
This candidate is not eligible to apply for a work pass. Please look for another candidate.
Yesterday discussed with my new employer and they decide to appeal for the application.
Can anybody share how is the chance of appeal getting approved (with this rejection reason)?
What is the best options for me now? Find another company? Contact the other company who give me job offering before? But, is it possible to submit 2 workpass application at the same time?
Regards
Harmluck: This wording used to mean that you have no chance to get any work pass - but recently it seems to have been used in other cases, too (but we don't know what it means then).
In any case, you should work on a Plan B in parallel (even a Plan C outside Singapore, in case all fails)!
Currently been working in the IT Project Management industry in Singapore for 2 years, 7 months (1 EP renewal in said time) New EP application submitted on 2/7/21, approved on the 17/7/2021 with no extra documentation or asks from me or the new employer. Role: IT Programme Manager Industry: Technology (for a large firm) I was expecting four week, so this was an incredibly pleasant surprise. I wish you all the best in your joineries, have belief and ask if you need any guidance.
Gaagaagoo wrote:Super. Got it. I think the employer already did that. Appreciate your clear response.
Will update here about my status when I have an update.
Good luck for everyone waiting.
Updates: EP approved. Applied 9th Juy. Approved 19th July. 6 working days
Hey guys,
This forum has been super useful - so thought I would post this too
Date of Application : 6th July
Date of Approval : 19th July (9 working days)
Company : Tech MNC
Years of Experience: 7 years
Let me know if you need anything else!
Hey! Silent reader here
This forum has been really helpful to me when I was still waiting for my pass to be approved. Gave me hope that there's light at the end of my hazy tunnel. Anyway, my pass was applied last 09 June and was approved last 05 July
Now, I have a question. I am coming from the Philippines. I know it is considered a "high-risk" country. But may I know how long will it take to get a travel pass to enter Singapore? Is there a chance for it to get denied?
Thank you and stay safe!
Heyitsme: The criteria for entry approval do change too fast for us to have an overview. But if you are in an essential profession and the employer needs you urgently, you may have a chance.
Beppi:
Thanks for your response.
If i try with another employer, is there any chance for me to get approval?
Owhya, yesterday i checked my ep/spass application form and found that i mistakenly submit educational cert in Chinese while according to MOM requirement should be in english. Do you think its possible that rejection reason is due to chinese certificate?
Regards
I read another forum, mentioned that the rejection reason might be due to adverse records. I am 100% sure , never committed any offence and no enforcement action against me before.
However, in 2019 when i got my EP from current employer, i submitted educational certificate from university in Indonesia. Now in 2021 for employment change workpass application, i submitted different certificate from China University. And it might be the issue, any suggestion are welcomed. :-)
harmluck wrote:Do you think its possible that rejection reason is due to chinese certificate?
In that case, MoM would request the translated certs instead of rejecting outright.
harmluck wrote:in 2019 when i got my EP from current employer, i submitted educational certificate from university in Indonesia. Now in 2021 for employment change workpass application, i submitted different certificate from China University. And it might be the issue, any suggestion are welcomed. :-)
Yes, that is certainly the rejection reason: Very obviously, you submitted fake or at least incomplete information!
You (or the employer) should immediately contact MoM to correct the error!
Thank you for your response. I am a preschool teacher. Do you think there's a chance it will not get approved right away or get denied?
Heyitsmee: You already took the first hurdle - your work pass was approved. They won't do that if they want to prevent you from working in Singapore forever.
But due to the pandemic situation, they may have to delay your arrival by rejecting your entry application.If that happens, you may have to wait until your country is no longer "high risk" in the Singapore authorities' eyes. As I said, only essential professions that are urgently needed are admitted in the current situation.
beppi wrote:Yes, that is certainly the rejection reason: Very obviously, you submitted fake or at least incomplete information!
You (or the employer) should immediately contact MoM to correct the error!
Thanks. The rationale why i didnt submit China's university certificate is due to havent verified by CDGDC yet in 2019. And since in 2021 verified already, i decided to submit the certificate as I have graduated from China's university in 2017.
Since workpass application suvmitted by employer, and i wish to clarify this to MOM, please help to share / advise, how should i contact MOM to clarify / correct this error? By phone/email/visit their office?
Warm regards

My EP application is submitted on 9th June.. Status is Pending as of today.
Apparently MOM asked for additional documents (justification for hiring and resume) and new employer has summited the same on 30th June.
6th week complete... hoping for positive outcome soon ...
Vishwa Nath24 wrote:My EP application is submitted on 9th June.. Status is Pending as of today.
Apparently MOM asked for additional documents (justification for hiring and resume) and new employer has summited the same on 30th June.
6th week complete... hoping for positive outcome soon ...
We are on the same boat, going 6th-week fo me. Hope to hear good news from you!

@journotest Did MOM ask you or your employer for any additional documents ?
Hi ,
5 weeks completed for my EP appeal and submitted all the requested pay slips,tax documents ,bank statements and justification letter for this appeal.
My employer said when they called and check with mom,mom said that they might needed additional information .
Did MOM ask you or your employer for any additional documents ?
my ep application was rejected due to high salary reason .
Increment was 14.5% from last drawn salary ( 1000 sgd)
When submit the appeal,adjusted salary to meet the minimum salary requirement .( 700sgd)
Thank you for your prompt reply. I don't think a higher salary is a case for rejection. it may be that your company advertised on a low salary range and offered you more than that. this is against MOM set of rules. they have to strictly adhere to the salary range they posted on mycareerfuture/jobsbank
Thank you so much for the prompt replying and sharing these information .but they i asked them to share the JD which they advertised and the justification letter which they submitted .but they never share those details .
In my case ,2 agencies involved . One agency deals with end client and they applied ep through another agency .
Do you think we can contact mom and get some information while status is pending . I need to know whether it's my side information or agency side.bcs agency is always try to put all into my head and this time also they said it should be a candidate issue .
As I think,mom can ask education verification from my side. That also I started last month through RMI.
Today agency asked my permission to withdraw the application after 5 weeks and without waiting for the outcome.I feel may be mom asked some information from their side.sad thing is there is no transparency .we have to blindly accept what ever agency tells
Below is my view on your case:
-> asking additional information from you/candidate side issue is irrelevant if the application is rejected on a salary case (again, reject happens only when salary is not according to the job posting)
-> this case is very complicated and the best is to get along with the agency and follow them. no other choice.
-> MoM will not respond to you as they only deal with employer as this is related to a job application. once IPA is in place, then MoM has a chance to talk to you.
Hi Deepanker,
I am in Singapore since oct 2012.
My EP got approved in 12 days(Applied on 30-06-2021--> Approved on 12-07-2021).
Rosemaryasp2: Sorry to hear, but it seems that yours is just another example of an agency screwing things up for the job-seeker. It is always better to avoid them and deal directly with the employer!
I hope you can find a new job and get your pass approved there.
EP timeline:
New Application for EP
July 15 - Applied
July 21 - Approved
July 22 - DP Applied
July 23 - Approved
Hoping for the best and God bless!
Thank you beppi.
This is the 6th week of my ep appeal.Got an update from agency today.
Mom had asked agency to submit below details
Ⅹ Briefly describe the nature of the companys business activities and clarify how the business is able to generate sufficient turnover to pay the declared salary and sustain business operations for the next 12 months.
Ⅹ Companys latest corporate bank statement reflecting its corporate bank balance.
Ⅹ Company's latest financial statement
Ⅹ Companys latest Notice of Assessment from IRAS.
Ⅹ Any other relevant supporting documents e.g. signed business contracts showing the contract values and timeline.
Does anyone else went though this same situation and got the approval after submitting those documents ?
Hi darenj,
Actually I have no idea about that agency . Becase my agency deal with another agency for applying EP. As they said that 3rd party agency has more than 300 local employees
Rosemaryasp: I am very puzzled that you don't know (are not interested in?) what kind of company your employer is. (The agency does not matter at all in this!)
Obviously, MoM has doubts that the employer is a genuine company that can make enough money to pay your salary - and stay in business for long. That should ring all alarm bells you have and you should not stop looking for other opportunities! And in the mean time, find out more about the actual employer you have the contract with!
I agree with Beppi. When a company hires you, that's great. But since MOM is pretty strict nowadays in assessing EP application, they will really further assess the company's capacity to operate in SG - the reason they are requesting all documents. If they are satisfied and the company is able to justify, I don't see any issues with the new application of your or any EP application.
Hi beppi ,
Thank you so much for sharing your opinions .
In my case I'm aware of the end client ( government client .I worked there till 18th may ) and the agency which the agency awarded the contract.
But that agency had used another agency to apply my EP and i was not aware untill they apply. They said ,they used that agency bcs they have 300 locals and usually they get the approval soon. I don't contact the submitter,which is my employer to be.
I deal only with the 1st agency. They work with other agency get ep and with end client too
Thank you beppi.
Ok. I will apply some other jobs . Actually I did not apply for any other jobs till today because my end client is really good and I continuously worked with them 3 years and they did not replace my possition though it's more than 2 months for this ep issue now
End client does not aware of these agency matters
Rosemaryasp: It is still not clear to me who your employer is - i.e. the company you have the employment contract with. Only that, and none of the others, matters!
Hi beppi,
This 3rd agency which I dont know information is my employer now. Bcs they sent the contract
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