Employment Pass Rejected

Nattan wrote:

I tried the SAT and it mentioned that I am like to get S pass only (which is weird because I pass the EP criteria).

You do not fulfill the EP criteria, otherwise the SAT would tell that you're eligible.

Nattan wrote:

the application was rejected and the reason is "This candidate is not eligible to apply for a work pass." "the person himself that caused the rejection and the reason is confidential and cannot be revealed."

This means you are blacklisted.
If you really don't know why, think about whether you were ever denied entry to Singapore, deported or committed any criminal offense.
If not, you should contact MoM and/or ICA to find out what the issues is. They may or may not tell you, but only if they do, do you have a chance to clear it up.

Nattan wrote:

What can I do now?

Look for a job in another country.
And do not travel to Singapore before this matter is cleared up - not even for a short visit or transit!

beppi wrote:

You do not fulfill the EP criteria, otherwise the SAT would tell that you're eligible.

I have actually checked their list and I have fulfilled all the listed points. Salary range, university (graduated from a reputable university with 1st class honour), etc. However, it seems that there is an unrevealed list which categorizes each person by his/her differently in a certain aspects. I'm not saying there is discrimination but I think nationality plays an important role in this.

beppi wrote:

This means you are blacklisted.
If you really don't know why, think about whether you were ever denied entry to Singapore, deported or committed any criminal offense.
If not, you should contact MoM and/or ICA to find out what the issues is. They may or may not tell you, but only if they do, do you have a chance to clear it up.

During my 5 years working experience, I have traveled to many countries and I never had any issues to obtain visa because I have CLEAN records. There is no police case at all, never been denied as disease carrier, never have any criminal cases in any countries that I have visited. No deportation or any issue with any immigration that I passed through. I paid taxes every year properly. All my bills are paid. So I totally have NO idea what they meant by "the person himself caused the rejection". I can guarantee that I have clean records in everything as a citizen wherever I stayed. I have a BIG question mark with their reasoning. If the problem is myself, they would have banned my visits for a few times in this year alone.


I'm thinking of going to MoM with the HR and be persistent to clarify about their reason before appealing with the right correction on the documents. Otherwise, there will never be any answer and forever I will never be able to work in Singapore for some unknown reasons. Please advice Beppi.

Nattan wrote:

I have actually checked their list and I have fulfilled all the listed points. [...] I'm not saying there is discrimination but I think nationality plays an important role in this.

From the MoM website:

MoM wrote:

EP applicants will have to earn a fixed monthly salary of $3,600 or more, depending on their qualifications and experience.
Older, more experienced applicants are expected to command higher salaries to qualify, in line with their work experience and skills sets.

The S$3600/month are for fresh graduates. You have five years of experience and get only S$800 more? Probably too low for MoM's reckoning (and also below market norms).

Nattan wrote:

I'm thinking of going to MoM with the HR and be persistent to clarify about their reason before appealing with the right correction on the documents.

They already told you that appealing will not work. You want to waste your and HR's time?
This is a matter you alone must clarify with MoM or, more likely, ICA.

Nattan wrote:

Otherwise, there will never be any answer and forever I will never be able to work in Singapore for some unknown reasons.

Yes, that can happen. You won't be the first!
Good luck!

surya2k wrote:

Note: During marriage, other than to a Singaporean, MoM or ICA doesn’t have a role if you marry any one.

Surya: All WP holders and ex-WP holders have to get permission from MoM before they marry a Singaporean. This is not widely known, but I guess it is the case with the OP.
And the authorities are merciless with this rule: There have been people who married without permission and received a lifelong ban from entering Singapore - even though the (Singapore citizen) husband and a (Singapore citizen) kid stays in Singapore, the mother is not allowed to join them!
So this is a situation to avoid at all cost, and the OP's concern is justified.