EP/S-Pass Rejected without clear Reason
This month, I just applied for EP/S-Pass but it was rejected without a clear reason within 2 weeks. It only mention that I am not eligible to work in Singapore. Even after appealing and contacting directly to the ministry, their reply is the same.
After I checked online, my application is for S-Pass. And according to the online SAT tools, my qualifications only makes me eligible for S-Pass. If there are no difference with the application process for both S-Pass and EP, and the system just assigned you according to your qualification, salary and working experience, I guess it makes sense they put my application for S-Pass.
But why they said I am not eligible? This is my only confusion. I have MBA and Bachelor Degree in engineering from usa with working experience for more than 6 years. My current and Salary offered is much more than enough for EP. In the past, I studied in Singapore for 4 years and never overstayed my visa. Worldwide, I have don't have any criminal history. My company is a worldwide reputable company and they have many expat and local working so there is no problem with their quota for S-Pass. My position is not easily filled as the interview process until now takes more than 5 months and it's been more 8 months since the job is posted.
Is it because I am an Indonesian? Recently, Indonesia and Singapore have some conflict with the Indonesian tax amnesty program. Is it the reason? I keep coming back to this reason. Do anyone else recently have the same experience or can enlightened me the possible reasons?
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I assume your graduation and Master degree are regular courses (not distance learning or similar program - as it does not have any value addition to your application). You may be over qualified for S pass, and if offered salary to you above $5000 per month then EP chances are there. Remember applying EP with master degree and 6 yrs exp, your employer should offer at least 5000 or even much more as per market standard, anything lesser will draw a negative line on your application. If you see eligibility criteria of EP, the more you experienced, the higher pay package will be considered.
And, about MOM, it's not their obligation to tell you or employer the cause of rejection. They may or may not.
Below links are the eligibility criterias for EP n S pass. FYI, both are not same and are completely different from education to salary to experience.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permit … ligibilityhttp://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permit … ligibility
SAT tool will not show you that you are eligible for S pass after mentioning your Bachelor degree and Master degree with 6 years experiences.
My above two points could be the case of rejection your application. Wish you good luck.
I personally try the Online Self Assessment Tools it self, and it shows that I only have eligibility for an S-Pass. Maybe it's because of the position that I am applying for, salary does not reach as high as $5000/month, etc.
MoM should have told us the reason of rejection instead of stating that I am not an eligible candidate. If we did not know the reason how we can appeal their decisions to rejects the application.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permit … ected-pass
From that statement only, it means that I am not eligible at all to work in Singapore.
I know plenty of people that had their application rejected but the reasons of rejection were all clearly stated. So they can improve the application and appeal before getting approved at the end.
As I said earlier, MoM does not entertain candidates nor it has obligation to tell the candidate or employer the details of rejection. But sometime it states oneline or two about the rejection which will give an ample of indication on why your application was rejected.
I'm really surprised by knowing from you that MoM categorical said you are not eligible to work in Singapore (I can't see your link though).
Could be one of the case where you are over qualified for S pass (educational background and salary offered to you), but however salary offer to you with educational background (Master n bachelor degrees) to consider EP is under below the market standard which is why MoM is not considering. I just gave an example of $5000 (there is no such slab available). Eligibility criteria says higher degree with number of years experience will fetch more salary. The more number of years of experience you have, the more salary criteria will b considered (minimum salary for EP is $3,300 and for S pass is $2,200).
It's state, "You have 3 months to appeal an unsuccessful Employment Pass application, but you should do so only if you can address the reasons for rejection."
I have a friend that has his EP application to work in his own company rejected because the salary stated inside the first application is too high. So he reapplied with lower salary and it was approved.
Another friend that is rejected because of the reason that his working experience is not related to the future position in Singapore. So he discussed with his employer to modify the position title and work description and appealed the decision and eventually it was approved.
If there is no specific reasons why the application is rejected, I cannot blindly keep on appealing or reapplying with the result being so obvious.
So, liaise with your employer who can request them to provide the few more points so that they can appeal in a positive way.
You are giving your friends example, I think MoM may not be stated in their rejection report saying your salary is too high or your job description is not reasonable rather MOM might have given hint of such things which you can find out. So, ask your employer to reach out MoM and request them. Other than that you can't do anything. If you reach out again and again then it will be a negative trend and they will not entertain you further. They are strict and you need to handle the situation carefully.
I am not sure if the company is lying. But from the statement 'not eligible to work in Singapore' itself, it means no company in Singapore can apply a work pass for me. And this company is the biggest player in the industry worldwide.
Beside Indonesia, I have worked in USA, Europe and China and never get any work permit application rejected.
- With a degree, MBA and 6 years relevant, international work experience, you are a candidate for EP, not S-Pass. If your employer applied for an S-Pass (this IS a separate application from EP!), it might be rejected for this reason. (If, however, your employer applied for EP and ticked the box "If ineligible, consider for S-Pass instead", the rejection was for both EP and S-Pass.)
- With a degree, MBA and 6 years relevant, international work experience, your market value is more than S$6000/month, more likely S$8000-10000. MoM rejects too low earners because they don't want foreigners to distort the local wage structure.
we have the same case
in fact now the company said let's try again in an other 6 months 
2 company applied EP for me during last 3 months.
1st one rejected, appeal withdrawn by me coz i decided to try with 2nd company
2nd one rejected, appeal also rejected
Reason is the same "not eligible to apply workpass" no further detail reason due sensitive nature when me or the employer call MOM to asked for it.
I worked in SG for 5 years, no problem on applying EP so far when changes company or extend EP, the last one my current company extend my EP end of 2016 for another 3 years. also earn fixed above 12K/month.
Hmm i also indonesian, i hope its just coincidentaly.
Anyone can enlight us ?

9 years experience, and Mom didint give any clear information about why rejected, even the company confused about it
2 weeks came with rejected result "this candidate is not eligble to apply for a work pass" , employer appeal with reason that I am international transfer and need to handover leaving manager. employer also reason that cant find candidate with same skill sets and experience in shorttime. but 1 week appeal also rejected.
is it due to type of pass applied? it should go for EP instead of SPass?
2) for me its okay, but my other Indonesian friend got same rejection reason even he ever work in Singapore as EP holder for 2 years. he didn't have any criminal record.
from above 2 points and many Indonesian friend rejected, maybe started to think Indonesian has run-out quota.
below link for same rejection reason and he is also Indonesian.
forum.singaporeexpats.com/viewtopic.php?t=92258
He worked in Singapore before for 3 years. go back for around 10 months and come back again to Singapore looking another chance.
Employer offer him 3.5K, apply EP and/or SPASS, but turned out not eligible rejection reason.
Finally he passed the EP from other company which offer him higher salary.
I think SAT Tool only for reference, as long as match with EP criteria, I should pass EP even SAT Tool advise for SPass. But need to tickmark SPass if not eligible.
$3.5k fixed salary (basic salary) is not eligible for EP. Minimum salary cap starts from $3.6k but MoM looks much higher salary (depends on number of years of experiences and current market trend). Each application is considered at MoM on its merit, so you shouldn’t compare with other applicants. Good luck
Below link for your reference.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permit … ligibility
same happen to me. I move to SG for inter company transfer. I checked in the system and my profile is eligible for EP pass, after 2 weeks of EP application I got a rejection with statement "the candidate is not eligible to apply for a work pass".
I am Indonesian with load of overseas education and working experiences. I don't know if there is correlation, maybe it is just coincidence.... nonetheless I drop my plan to work in SG and look for MY or stay here for longer.
When you change a new employer, it will treat as fresh case and will go through the same process as a new person applying for S pass. Good luck
In 2015, I came to Singapore as a work permit.
In 2016, I changed my employer under work permit also, in the same company, they applied Spass for me, but got rejected, same reason saying not eligible for work pass. Salary was 2.6k without changes from work permit to the new Spass application.
In 2017, i changed my employer, they applied EP/Spass for me , but 2.5k salary, got rejected. Then applied work permit , approved as usual. They tried to apply EP/Spass for me again, 2.6k , rejected with the same reason, not eligible for work pass.
Is it really the salary issue here obviously? Because we also ticked and declared that I had been refused entry to other country, but that was Australia, having nothing to do with Singapore
right? Plus I was working in Singapore under work permit without issue, no criminal record.
Yes, potentially your salary and educational background with overall experiences could be an issue, which is why you are denied to get S pass approval on each occasion.
Someone claimed few months back in this forum, stating that there is a separate salary slab for Malaysian employees to get S pass and EP (in MoM website, there is no such information available though), but didn’t share any proof of his claim.
As you had shared your educational background and experiences in a private message, I can advise that with a recognised diploma (not sure in which field) and overall 3yrs of experiences, you should expect at least $3000 to $3500 in order for you to obtain a S pass. Good luck
Note: I request all participants, kindly do not send private messages as it is not encouraged at my end (unless you want to share some personal information which you don’t want to share in public domain). We want to discuss and participate in this open forum to benefit others by reading these threads who might have similar issues.
I used the SAT tool, I put my 3 years experience, diploma in Creative multimedia, then 2.6k salary, it showed that I was only eligible for SPass.
But when I put it as Bachelor Degree just to test, it would show I would be eligible for both SPass and EP even with 2.6k salary (due to as a Malaysian I Guess) .
Then to be eligible for EP, I will need 6.5k with a diploma to qualify.
I also heard that if u once held a work permit, it would be very difficult to get SPass or EP approved after that, is there any such case?
Please guide me on this
With $2,600 you are eligible to apply for S pass but there is no way you can get the approval. The more number of years experience you have, the higher salary you should expect. So, with 2 to 3 years experiences, you should aim for at least $3000.
Secondly, for an EP, a minimum qualification should be a graduate. That’s why when you test it shows you are eligible for both EP and S pass. Yes, the salary limit is much lower for Malaysians in comparison to other nationalities (though there is no clear information available in MoM website).
Lastly, there is no such thing exists if you are obtained work pass then can’t get S pass. Many of work pass holders have got S passes after enhanced their skills. Good luck
Note: Not necessary if you don’t put correct date of your starting date of graduation. It doesn’t have an impact as authority knows it’s difficult to remember or proof the date of admission in your graduation as it’s not indicated in your educational certificate.
If you are a graduate then why are you working on such a low salary here? A graduate (Malaysian University) with 3 years of experience should expect at least $3600 to $4000. Your salary is way below to the market standard. You can’t exlect your EP or Spass would approve at this low salary.
surya2k wrote:SAT is the system which will show the eligibility criteria of your application NOT approval of your application. Both are two different things.
With $2,600 you are eligible to apply for S pass but there is no way you can get the approval. The more number of years experience you have, the higher salary you should expect. So, with 2 to 3 years experiences, you should aim for at least $3000.
Secondly, for an EP, a minimum qualification should be a graduate. That’s why when you test it shows you are eligible for both EP and S pass. Yes, the salary limit is much lower for Malaysians in comparison to other nationalities (though there is no clear information available in MoM website).
Lastly, there is no such thing exists if you are obtained work pass then can’t get S pass. Many of work pass holders have got S passes after enhanced their skills. Good luck
Note: Not necessary if you don’t put correct date of your starting date of graduation. It doesn’t have an impact as authority knows it’s difficult to remember or proof the date of admission in your graduation as it’s not indicated in your educational certificate.
I see. Thanks for the guidance according to your experience. Because i have been in the darkness of not knowing whether it was because of my being refused entry case in Australia. And both my employers told me they called MoM and they were asked to provide proof that I Australia had already allowed me to go in. But actually I found them suspicious, the first employer didn’t tell me until I asked him, then he said: I already told u it was because of the Australia case....
Maybe they wanted to save the SPass quota for the Myanmar foreigner.. , coz Myanmar is not eligible for Work permit like Malaysians.
Then my second employer told me the same thing, maybe because I told them directly what happened in my past application... then they wanted to avoid increasing my salary, so they used this excuse so that I would join their company first to work for them while having another chance to apply .
surya2k wrote:As I said this shouldn’t be an issue, MoM could have clarified on this if they want. Secondly, you are a graduate then why did you mention in your private message that you hold only “diploma”. Don’t confuse others.
If you are a graduate then why are you working on such a low salary here? A graduate (Malaysian University) with 3 years of experience should expect at least $3600 to $4000. Your salary is way below to the market standard. You can’t exlect your EP or Spass would approve at this low salary.
I’m a Diploma holder from a malaysia University.
To be eligible for EP, I will need 6.5k salary according to SAT. But if I have a degree, only 2k plus can qualify for EP.
How you were working in Singapore with a package of merely $2.6k, then suddenly one company is offering $7k with a managerial position? Your employer has to answer this to MoM with proper rationale along with providing evidence that they had interviewed locals but couldn’t find the same level of skills and experiences which you have.
Anything unreasonable, will look suspicious at MoM. This case would definitely come under suspicious.
Note: I’m not working in HR or recruiting field nor I’m processing anyone’s work pass application, I’m telling this through my experience by reading cases in this forum and outside this forum in last 10 years.
Please read this forum post who has the similar issue:
https://forum.singaporeexpats.com/viewt … p?t=117669
I’m not sure if I can just tick NO for that part to avoid appeal process. Because In my work permit application, there was no declaration part, but EP and Spass there is declaration part. So could it be EP and Spass they are more strict with this kind of cases. But for my previous rejected applications of Spass and EP, I ticked YES and explained.
Please guide me the best way. My Australia travel visa was recently cancelled by an officer maybe they found out I currently aren’t working, and suspected me to enter Australia to look for work just like last time when I was refused entry because they suspected me that way. But previously I got Australian travel visa when I was working in Singapore under work permit. But now....So there is really no strong supporting document proving me that I can enter Australia now if appeal for Rejected EP will be required...
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