Employment Pass Rejected

Isnt NRIC - national registration identification card?

I see. Okay. Nevermind. I am actually confused with what's going on. LOL

Sorry, I was wrong: It is of course the FIN (Foreigner Identification Number), which is an NRIC for foreigners.
The FIN is issued by MoM as soon as the first formal checks of the application are done, usually a few days after submitting. If your employer does not have a FIN (and more than a week is over), it means they either didn't apply or they made some formal mistakes (e.g. forgot to submit key documents) that render the application void.
If they haven't heard from MoM, they should call and ask.

i have a question pls help me...i landed a job in sg 4yrs ago with the help of an agency and i got training employment for a year unluckily i was not able to finish it and return to phil without ibforming my employer and agency but now i want to go back and re apply can i still do it?

You absconded your appointment and TEP without proper termination?
This might (or might not) have resulted in your being blacklisted by MoM.
You shoul thus contact MoM and ask whether you were blacklisted and for how long.
Needless to say, you can never again work for the employer you absconded.

@beppi thanks for the response. i got my training employment pass last 2011  which is good for a year. however if left sg and return back home. actually i absconded. how can i reach MOM?

Contact details are on their website, of course.

Hi All,

I am planning to incorporate my company in singapore and have an accounting firm act as a local director for 6 months during which I will be showing some business activities.  After 6 months I plan to apply for Employment Pass for myself from my newly incorporated company to move to singapore and expand operations and also assume the position of local director in singapore.

The salary I will be giving myself will be in the range of 8000 - 12000 SGD. I am a Diploma holder from institution that is not on MOM list.

I would like to know the following.

Based on above information what do you think are my chances of getting an employment pass when I apply after 6 months of incorporating a company?

With a salary of 8 - 12k SGD per month, how difficult would it be to renew the employment pass because the last thing I want is my EP being rejected and having to move out of singpaore after setting up a company in singapore and putting in so many efforts for a significant amount of time.

Also any tips / guidelines to follow during these initial 6 months of showing business activity etc? to make the case stronger?

Any help in clarifying the above points would be highly appreciated.

kenjott wrote:

The salary I will be giving myself will be in the range of 8000 - 12000 SGD. I am a Diploma holder from institution that is not on MOM list.
Based on above information what do you think are my chances of getting an employment pass when I apply after 6 months of incorporating a company?

Sorry, but I think your chances are low to zero.
1. An exception to the university degree (recognised by MoM) requirement can be made on a case-by-case basis (which means rarely) for positions paying above S$12000/month.MoM will check if the employer is able to pay that much - a newly incorporated company is unlikely to qualify.
2. The backdoor of getting an EP in one's own company has been abused too many times in the past and is now too restricted to be of much practical use. The proper visa designed by MoM for your case is the EntrePass - and they will punish (by rejection) any attempt to circumvent that.

kenjott wrote:

how difficult would it be to renew the employment pass because the last thing I want is my EP being rejected and having to move out of singpaore after setting up a company in singapore and putting in so many efforts for a significant amount of time.
Also any tips / guidelines to follow during these initial 6 months of showing business activity etc? to make the case stronger?

To have a chance for renewal, you need to show sufficient turnover and employ a certain number of locals within a year. See the EntrePass requirements for this - they (or something very similar) will be applied even if you make the EP route work.
There's also the constant danger of rule tightening (in the current political climate, with its anti-foreigner resentiment!), so nobody can and will give you any guarantee. No risk no gain, I guess!

Hi there Beppi, I hope you can advise me on this matter.

So my EP got rejected, employer said MOM (being typical) isnt giving a clear reason or something that we can work on for the appeal. They only told us that its I have an "adverse record", which I think it is the tax issue:

I ended my last job on 3 June, which they supposed to withhold my last month salary and pay the tax, but they didnt and let me take care of it, which I was not aware of. And because I left the country before the last day (took some leftover leave days), I didnt receive any mails from IRAS until im back to singapore in July to apply for a job and got one within 2 weeks, applied for my EP on 29 July.

Only then I received a call from my ex employer said that I have to pay my tax in full. So I paid my tax on July 30, which is 32 days late.

Which made it perfectly understandable if they didnt approve me the first time (as in the application was submitted when my tax is not cleared yet)

Job - Strategy Associate, Asia Region
Company - Big tech company with head quarter in Singapore, >5 years
Salary - Base 4800
My degree - Grad from SMU, 3 years of experience,
Work Experience - Singapore government company (1 years) and then consulting (1.5 years)

I have appealed once, explaining the situation. Failed. We sent a second appeal with IRAS letter and the IRAS officer name, who said that if the issue is tax, then IRAS will talk to MOM.

But honestly, I am thinking the chance is slim.

Please advise.

"Adverse records" means MoM's database indicates you are not suitable for a Singapore work visa.
The tax issue should be cleared easily, but I suspect there's something else going on.
Your company should declare to MoM that hiring you is important to them and that they therefore strongly request a clarifying meeting with the MoM officer in charge. Such a meeting sometimes helps. They can take you along to it.
Other than this, your profile looks fine for getting an EP.

Thank so much for the prompt response. Just wondering what could be the issue? I have been thinking about it so much, as my record in Singapore should be very clean: scholar, good school, good grades, good employers, ok salary for experience.

I didnt have any issues with previous companies. I have no idea what can I do to clear things out anymore.

In the event that this time the result is still rejected, I dont think my company will appeal again (its already the second time), would you advise me to go seek for a dif job in Singapore?

The same issue might also pop up in future EP applications with other employers.
But maybe others are more successful in helping you clearing it up?

Thank you! Unfortunately, my second appeal is rejected again today. I am so tempted to contact my other offers (which I rejected for this job) and ask them if I can join the company (all big international corporations) to see if this EP thing is still an issue.

Should I try that move?

Well, you have nothing to lose, right?

True, thanks. Guess I just need a confirmation after all .

Hi

I need some insights on my current situation.

Im a DP holder since 2012, total work experience  is 4 years, i have worked in sg for 1.5 years,  one was a fixed term contract and the next was contract to hire, and made permanent after 3 months based on my performance. Both very good reputed companies.

When in contract i was drawing 4000 sgd basic, after they made me permanent, the salary was reduced to 3600 sgd +aws +performance bonus. I quit my job in oct 2014 because i had a difficult pregnancy. Its now a year since i took the break.

I had two offers , one from a big 4 and another government company. I chose the government company because in the long run we want to settle in singapore and it could add value.

They offered me 4600 sgd with two months completion bonus for a initial 1 year contract,  subject to perm or renewal based on performance.

The company wanted to apply ep. Unfortunately my ep got rejected. The HR has already appealed and she mentioned that she has given strong reasons and that I shouldn't worry about it.

When i checked the  SAT, i am eligible for EP for 4650 sgd which is just a difference of 50 sgd, also the HR told me that salary was the reason mentioned in rejection. Will MoM consider the appeal, since the HR did not revise my salary just gave them reasons why they need me, and they think its not rationale to just add extra salary. The appeal is driving me nuts, the HR is very confident that it would come through because its a government company.

God Forbid, if the appeal gets rejected, what could be the next steps for me?

Can they apply a fresh EP with more salary if appeal gets rejected?

One thing I can think of is apply for LOC, but with an EP rejected how would that play out?

Thanks a lot for your advice and feedback on this.

LoC and EP are two different things, so being rejected for one does not necessarily mean rejection for the other as well.
But your employer should definitely increase your salary by the little bit to make you eligible. Everything else is more difficult!

You mean if my appeal gets rejected, then reapply ep with salary increase?

No, I mean appeal with an increase in salary. You cannot re-apply for the same job.

Hi Beppi

They have already appealed and they did not want to increase the salary because they think its not a rationale thing to do, which i quite agree.

If appeal gets rejected they can go ahead and process LOC?

The salary requirements are different (and generally lower) on LoC, so that could be a good idea.

Hi,

Was actually looking into some articles online about EP and had came across this forum/blog which I find really helpful.

Anyway, I've been offered to come and work in Singapore (had gotten the offer letter already) which has to start by November. Realizing that there has been some miscommunications on my educational background, what are the chances of me and my employer pushing through the whole process successfully?

To better understand, the initial plan was to apply for an EP for a head/managerial position in customer service with a fixed monthly salary of SGD4500. I have 7+ years worth of experience gained in the same sector all throughout my career. Problem is, I wasn't able to finish college/undergrad, thus only had gained a few credits (almost 3 years in college only). Reading through the replies and questions posted prior to my post, is there really a chance for me and my employer to secure an EP? If none, what are the other options? Also, are there any exemptions to the rule that MoM sometimes take in terms of approval, say without a degree but with x # of years of experience?

Do note that we haven't applied it yet, it's just that we are looking for any possible options in order to push through.

Thanks in advance!

-360degrees

There are sometimes exceptions made for the EP only with university degree rule, but only at the higher income bracket. There once was an official minimum of S$8000/month for this, but it has been abolished before the current tightening of EP criteria, so I expect it to be "inofficially" around S$12000/month now.
Alternatively, you could get an S-Pass (rare for salaries above S$5000/month) or a PEP.

Thanks for your reply.

But there are drawn fixed salaries to be imposed per pass, is that correct? For example, EP applications should have atleast a fixed salary of SGD3000 above to qualify, and anything that falls under that would be categorised as S Pass.

My understanding on your comment was indeed, there are exemptions to the rule specifically when a pass needs to be changed from EP to S, but will still bear the same salary of SGD4500?

The difference between EP and S-Pss is by education (degree vs. technical certificate) and not salary - although the less educated are of course expected to earn less.
The minimum salary to get an EP is currently S$3300/month for a fresh graduate and this threshold increases at an unpublished rate for higher education and work experience.

Hi there,

I had an EP before and was approved and renewed, my new company would like to apply for an EP now. I am just wondering if MOM keeps a record of my previous employment outside Singapore or just Singapore employment history?

Is there a way to view my previous key-in information (5years ago) and view the specific days of employment history. I only keep records of months since I think that is only relevant.

Thank you,

Magic

MoM has everything you submitted available from their database. If you submit conflictig information now, it will certainly be spotted and your application might be rejected.
It is your own responsibility to keep records of your past employment. If you didn't (which is a big mistake), you should contact your previous companies now to get appropriate reference letters..

beppi wrote:

The salary requirements are different (and generally lower) on LoC, so that could be a good idea.

Hi beppi

Wanted to update. We withdrew the appeal because we couldn't wait for 3 weeks. Went ahead applied loc n got it atter 2 days.

beppi wrote:

MoM has everything you submitted available from their database. If you submit conflictig information now, it will certainly be spotted and your application might be rejected.
It is your own responsibility to keep records of your past employment. If you didn't (which is a big mistake), you should contact your previous companies now to get appropriate reference letters..

Thanks Beppi! Is it acceptable/okay to just list relevant working experience for the EP application since I switched industry, I already have 5 years relevant experience in my current field.

thanks so much for entertaining these questions!

I think it is o.k. to mention only work experience relevant to the job, but ask your employer and/or MoM about it!

Beppi 

Hi Beppi,

I was on an EP which I and the employer terminated with a mutual understanding as I had an offer from a fortune 100 IT firm. The new employer went on to apply for my EP on 5 October.  It was rejected in three days, and even after the immigration specialist reaching out to them, MOM is not furnishing details.   

I am told that it is unusual that MOM is providing so little information regarding the rejection and the immigration specialist is struggling as to how the appeal should be submitted.  I am also told that it is first time for the prospective employer to receive a rejection akin to this "This candidate not eligible..please look for another candidate" and asking me if there is something wrong on my end.

On my previous EP, I worked nearly 12 months on a contract assignment. I am now moving onto a full time position with the new employer. I also had gotten married to a Singaporean spouse during my stay here. 
I wonder what could be wrong.

Regards,

Andre

The rejection wording unfortunately is MoM's way of saying you have no chance at all for the EP (thus "look for another candidate).
From the limited information you gave, I cannot tell the reason for this.
I recommend you apply for a LTVP (cannot work), PR (if married for over a year) or move to another country.

Thanks Beppi for responding to my post.

It just seems a bit too harsh ( I mean MOM's wording). For what reasons, could they consider an applicant..just flat out 'ineligible?'... 

I know there could be gazillian reasons but I'm just curious.

I'm 37 and currently on 7000 SGD per month..and moving onto a slightly reduced package.

And I suppose, a successful appeal is highly unlikely according to what you kindly explained earlier.
Also, are ICA and MOM somewhat different entities in evaluating applications ?
I'm trying to see if I'm doomed for other kinds of permits too.

Many Thanks

Andre

Yes, the wording is harsh.
Possible reasons can be something wrong in your records, or you violated immigration rules in the past.
Did you ore your wife, by any chance, ever have a WP before? In that case a reason might be thatyou did not ask MoM for permission to marry - a potential pitfall that I am not very familiar with (the rules are complicated).
Too low salary usually results in a different wording (and an appeal can be successful).

ICA decides based on a different set of criteria, so you might still have a chance for LTVP or PR.

Thanks for continuously entertaining my silly questions.
Nope.. my wife is a Singaporean citizen born and bred in SG.
I supposed I will try the LTVP/ PR route.

As for the reasons of violations,

- After a EP cancellation from my former employer, I took a short vacation to Vietnam for three days and returned as a regular visitor and I'm still in the country.

- I and my wife registered a company as directors just for future business, no business activity or reporting took place.

- I found out the immigration specialist that handled my application missed out mentioning two places of original birth and citizenship.  (I was born to parents of differing nationalities. )
In the new EP for, the immigration specialist mentioned my father's country of origin as my original citizenship and left out that of my mothers.

Please do let me know if either of these two could have caused the problems.....and if it can be something that can be addressed.


Sincere thanks..

Andre

cooldude78 wrote:

- I and my wife registered a company as directors just for future business, no business activity or reporting took place.

This might be the reason: As EP holder, you are not allowed to work for any other employer or even your own company besides the job your EP was approved for.
As far as I know (but you may want to consult a comapny incorporation service provider about this) it is allowed to have a purely passive shareholding in a Singapore company while on EP. So you may try to prove to MoM beyond doubt that yours is that and you have no intention whatsoever to get involved in the day-to-day running of this company.
It is safer, however, to remove your name from the company registration

cooldude78 wrote:

- I found out the immigration specialist that handled my application missed out mentioning two places of original birth and citizenship.  (I was born to parents of differing nationalities. )
In the new EP for, the immigration specialist mentioned my father's country of origin as my original citizenship and left out that of my mothers.

This, if spotted at all by the processing officer, would only prompt a question by MoM, not an outright rejection.

Hi beppi,

I just got rejected for my EP application,with the reason "The declared salary does not seenm to commensurate with this candidate's credentials. Please look for another candidate."

I have 7 years work experience in Shanghai,and my last title was "Senior Sales Engineer". A large corporation with headquater  in Shanghai provided me a position as "Technical Director" for its Singapore branch office.My information as follows:   
                    Degree-Bacheor's Degree from Shanghai JiaoTong University   
                    Job-Techniacal Director
                    Company- A branch office (established in 2010) in Singapore
                    Salary- 5000
Besides, I have a fiancee to be married next month who is SPR and just got her approval letter for Singapore Citizen. Dun know if it could help when I include the information during appeal.

Hoping to get some advice for appeal!

Hi David,

A Technical Director with university degree and 7 years of experience probably needs to earn S$7000-8000/month to be eligible for EP -please check this with your complete details at MoM's SAT tool.
Mentioning a not-yet wife who is not-yet citizen will probably not help, but when you're married to a citizen (and she earns enough) you can apply for a LTVP (to stay in Singapore with her without work) and after being married for a year an LTVP+ (which allows work).