About work permit

Please allow me to reply even though I'm not your "brother":

Your post is confusing and I do not fully understand your situation.

2020 is not "last year" - and what has a Facebook post to do with the issue?

You cannot apply for an IPA ("In-Principle Approval), only an employer willing to hire you can apply for a work pass (e.g. Work Permit). Is that what you mean?

From the letters you posted, I understand that you were deported in 2020 and the associated ban on visiting was lifted by ICA in 2026. That means you can again come for short visits (30 days, extendable to 90 days in some cases).

Work passes are handled by MoM, not ICA, and they apply other criteria. Whether you also get a work pass again depends on the reason you were deported and a ban can potentially last forever (e.g. if you worked illegally). Maybe you can tell us more about what happened in 2020?

(Hint: If English is not your strength, you can use AI to correct your message and formulate it in an easier to understand way, before you post.)

@Zihadsrn

Please help me

@beppi

​Thank you for your response and for seeking clarification. Here is what actually happened back in 2020:

​During the "Boycott France" movement in 2020, I shared a post on Facebook regarding the boycott that I had copied from someone else. Three days after sharing that post, officers from ICA came to my workplace and arrested me. I was held in their custody for seven days, after which I was deported back to Bangladesh.

​This was the sole reason behind my arrest and deportation. However, in the official deportation documents provided to me, the reason recorded was "overstaying," and there was no explicit mention of the Facebook post about the France boycott.

​I hope this provides a clearer picture of my situation in 2020. Please let me know if you have any further advice or insights regarding my eligibility for a future work pass.

Why is the MOM Work Permit showing Invalid/Rejected even after receiving ICA Clearance? Seeking Advice from Experienced Members

​Assalamu Alaikum everyone. I am sharing a complex issue regarding my Singapore visa status and would greatly appreciate any insights or guidance from experienced members here.

​Brief Background:

In 2020, while working in Singapore, I shared a "Boycott France" Facebook post created by someone else during the global online movement regarding the France-Muslim controversy. Three days after sharing the post, ICA officers picked me up from my worksite. After keeping me in custody for 7 days, they deported me back to Bangladesh with an Order of Removal.

​Current Situation & Issue:

​ICA Clearance: Recently, around July-August 2026, I submitted a request to ICA to re-enter Singapore. ICA reviewed my application favorably and issued an ICA Clearance Letter (effectively lifting my entry ban).

​MOM Work Permit Status (Invalid): After receiving the ICA Clearance Letter, a employer in Singapore applied for a new Work Permit for me. However, after staying in "Pending" status for about 4–5 days to a week, the application changes to Invalid.

​Key Questions & Concerns:

​ICA vs. MOM Blacklist: Can the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) maintain its own separate internal blacklist or work ban even after ICA lifts the entry ban and grants clearance?

​Relevant Laws & Reasons: Under Singapore's Internal Security, Public Order, or Employment of Foreign Manpower Acts (EFMA), under which specific regulation or reason does MOM reject or invalidate a work permit for an incident like this?

​Lifetime vs. Temporary Ban: Is this a permanent lifetime work ban by MOM, or a temporary restriction? How can one officially verify this status?

​Appeal Process: Is there any effective way for my employer or a legal representative to file an Appeal or request a Special Review with MOM in this scenario?

​Attached to this post for reference:

​The Order of Removal document from 2020.

​The recent ICA Clearance Letter.

​A screenshot of the recent MOM Work Permit Invalidation / Rejection.

​If anyone has experienced a similar situation or has in-depth knowledge of Singapore ICA and MOM regulations, please share your valuable feedback.

​Thank you.

I doubt that a Facebook post about France can cause such a reaction by the Singapore authorities.

But that's besides the point now. You are shown in their system as "overstayer", which is a serious offense. As such you are probably blocked from working in Singapore for a long time (and possibly forever). You should contact MoM to ask how long the ban would last and if there is anything you can do to have it lifted earlier.

Applying for any work pass before the ban is lifted will invariably be rejected. If it cannot be lifted, look for work in other countries instead. You can then visit Singapore, but not work here.

(My advice: Do not mention the Facebook issue or tell them that their record of "overstay" is wrong - the time to dispute this is long over and now you must live with it!)

With your newest post (which crossed with mine above), the situation becomes clearer:

You are NOT an overstayer (the "Order of Removal" attached to your first post says that your stay is "unlawful", not that you overstayed). Instead, by re-posting an Islamist hatred post against freedom of speech, you violated the ban on political activity which any Work Pass holder is supposed to follow.

Furthermore, Singapore as a (reasonably) democratic and free country located between two much bigger Muslim neighbours is understandably wary of extremists and fanatists acting against its liberal, tolerant values and ways.

The Singapore authorities are allowed to impose such bans (for any reason they like) and no employer or legal representative (lawyer) can challenge them.

I guess you will not be allowed to ever work/live here again - and even though you are allowed again to APPLY for a visit visa at ICA, they would check your current social media activity and reject the application if they still find offending material.

Better get used to the idea that your world has one Little Red Dot less now!

@beppi

Brother, thank you for your opinion. However, I have a point of clarification regarding what you said—

​When I appealed to ICA, I mistakenly used the word 'Overstay' instead of 'Unlawful' in the description section. However, my original 'Order of Removal' specified 'Unlawful'. 

​Now my question is—despite this mistake in my application wording ('Overstay'), ICA issued me this entry clearance/approval letter after conducting a thorough background check using my reference number (EDR) and file number. ICA does not grant approvals based merely on an applicant's written statement; they make decisions by verifying records in their own database. 

​Given that, on what basis do you claim that because of the discrepancy between 'Unlawful' and 'Overstay', or due to my past record, immigration could turn me back or that I am banned for life?

​When ICA has clearly stated in an official letter that I may enter Singapore as a normal visitor, is it truly possible for them to stop me at the airport and send me back simply because of the difference between the words 'Unlawful' and 'Overstay'? If you could explain the exact rules of Singapore immigration law on this matter, it would be very helpful.