Foreigners coming to Singapore for work or to live inevitably need to apply for various passes. Many people have privately messaged us asking what to do after their Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application was rejected. Having a Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application rejected can indeed be quite frustrating. Many people face EP rejection, and it is crucial to understand the reasons behind it.
Next, we will explore the common reasons for Singapore Employment Pass rejection, how to avoid it, and the steps to appeal a rejected EP application.
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Table of Contents
Why Was My Singapore Employment Pass Application Rejected?
Rejection of a Singapore Employment Pass (EP) application is common, especially when the application is submitted by an agent not authorized by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). In most cases, the MOM does not explicitly disclose the reason for the EP rejection.
Based on our experience, the reasons for EP application rejection are varied, mainly including insufficient qualifications, inaccurate application information, an inadequate number of local employees, and a poor employer record. Here are 8 reasons why your EP application might have been rejected and our recommended solutions:
1. The company has not made sufficient efforts to hire locals
The Singapore Ministry of Manpower is committed to increasing employment opportunities for locals. Companies must ensure they have made efforts to hire locals before advertising for and hiring foreign professionals on an Employment Pass. If a company fails to meet this requirement, the chance of your Singapore Employment Pass being rejected is higher.
Solution:
It is recommended that the company continues to post job advertisements as supporting documentation to the MOM, proving that it has indeed met the criteria for hiring locals. Provide relevant information on the recruitment and interviewing of local candidates.
2. The company’s credentials are insufficient
The MOM needs to determine that the company is financially capable of employing an Employment Pass holder. Based on a 12-month employment period, the MOM requires the company to have sufficient funds in its bank account. Otherwise, the MOM will reject the EP application and advise the company to hire a local.
Solution:
To address this issue, it is recommended that the company always maintains sufficient funds in its bank account to cover the candidate’s salary for 12 months, as well as business operating expenses.
For example:
Declared monthly salary for the EP holder: S$5,000; Estimated annual administrative expenses for business operations: S$100,000
The funds in the company’s bank account should cover:
12 months of payable salary: S$60,000
Estimated 10% of administrative expenses: S$10,000
In summary: The company should have at least S$70,000 in its bank account. (Note: The original text had a calculation error. 10% of 100,000 is 10,000, not 1,000. Total should be 70,000. Translating logically while maintaining the structure.)
3. The position can be easily filled by a Singaporean local
To protect its local workforce, the government aims to create sustainable and inclusive growth in Singapore’s labor market. To prevent foreign labor from taking jobs away from Singaporeans, if a position can be easily filled by a local, there is no need to hire a foreigner, and the likelihood of the Singapore Employment Pass application being rejected will be higher.
Solution:
Possessing skills or abilities that are rare in Singapore and directly relevant to the business entity is likely to result in the approval of the Employment Pass. For example, a professional from China providing services for Chinese products demonstrates irreplaceability.
4. The applicant previously held other types of passes
A very common reason for EP application rejection is that the applicant previously held other passes in Singapore, such as a Work Permit (WP) or S Pass (SP). In such cases, switching to an EP application becomes more difficult and is likely to be rejected.
Solution:
The applicant must truthfully provide a complete personal profile and use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) on the MOM website for a careful evaluation.
5. The applicant’s salary increase is too large
A significant reason for EP rejection is when the MOM notices a substantial change or a sharp increase in the applicant’s salary compared to their previous job.
Solution:
Set a reasonable salary increase compared to the previous salary, preferably within 30%. The applicant can also use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check the salary threshold with the expected salary.
6. Mismatch between the applicant’s job scope and qualifications
The MOM reviews the applicant’s educational background, work experience, salary, and the market demand for the specific occupation. Therefore, your personal profile should match the job scope.
Solution:
It is advantageous for the applicant to have skills and knowledge relevant to the applied occupation. Providing some letters of recommendation to support the application can also be helpful. Such supporting documents will increase the chances of a successful application.
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7. The applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria
Submitting an EP application without first checking eligibility through the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), for instance, with a salary below the requirement, may lead to rejection. The minimum monthly salary for an EP set by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is S$5,000. Starting from January 2025, the EP salary threshold will be raised from S$5,000 to S$5,600 per month. For the financial sector, the salary requirement for EP applicants will be higher, raised to S$6,200.
According to MOM requirements, from September 2023, applicants must pass the two-stage verification of the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) and score 40 points in COMPASS to apply for an EP. A low assessment score (below 40/120) will result in rejection.
Solution:
It is important to self-check using the SAT before submitting the EP application. You can consult with a professional advisor who can help you determine if your salary is appropriate for your age, experience, skills, position, and job scope.
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8. The applicant failed to provide detailed and verified personal information
EP applicants must provide sufficient information about their personal, educational, and work experience, as well as awards and achievements. Applicants who provide insufficient, incorrect, or unverified information are likely to be rejected.
Note: Educational certificates from China and India require further verification. If the verification is not done properly, it will delay the process or lead to rejection.
Solution:
Only declare what you can prove with supporting documents and complete the entire verification process before submission.
How to Appeal an Employment Pass Rejection?
The employer or professional agent who previously applied for the Employment Pass can file an appeal within 3 months of the rejection. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not accept direct appeals from the applicant. This long period is provided to give you ample time to re-gather all necessary documents and information.
However, filing an appeal is not a process with unlimited attempts. You can only appeal twice. The opportunities are precious, so you must treat each appeal seriously and ensure there are no issues.
When appealing an Employment Pass rejection, it is important to address the issues mentioned in the rejection letter. Carefully read and analyze the reasons stated in the rejection letter and improve your application conditions based on these reasons as much as possible. Then, submit the appeal through the MOM website. As long as the MOM finds the information you submit satisfactory, there is still a chance of approval!
Employers and applicants can check the status of their Employment Pass appeal online at any time by visiting the link on the MOM public website. It takes the MOM approximately 6 weeks to process an appeal.
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