How long will my work pass (EP, S-Pass, WP) application take

@Irishcristobal

Have you received an update on your application yet?

@TeeManXxg

Hi, its still on pending. How about you? Not sure if i need to reach out to MOM directly as my employer doesnt have an update either

@imc474745

For me I received a request for additional documents from MOM after 15 working days. Now it’s been about 10 working days since my employer submitted the documents. Still my application is in “Pending” state.

I think MOM would not respond if the candidate reaches out to them? But I think they would respond if the employer reaches out.

@TeeManXxg

Hi, that what ive thought. quick question your pass has been pending for how long now? Thank you

@imc474745

My application

May 26: Submitted by employer and started showing as “Pending”

June 17: MOM requested additional documents from employer

June 25: Employer submitted documents

It’s pending as of today.

How about yours?

Hi,

April 23 - applied

May 5 - requested for additional documents

May 15 - got an email from MOM informing me that they will require 3-4montha to review my application to see if theres fair consideration has been given to workers in Singapore.

up until now theres no update and still on pending status.

@TeeManXxg

Your case still pending? My case pretty same as yours.

@rambo123

My application is still pending. What’s your application timeline like?

@TeeManXxg

Applied on 23rd June. 2 weeks later got request from MOM for additional documents.

Then pending until now.

You haven't heard any updates from MOM? like they need more time to review?

@rambo123

I haven’t checked with my employer yet on any new updates. Gonna check with them once 3 weeks have passed.

your employer submitted the documents on the same day they requested additional documents?

@TeeManXxg

Ya the same date. Need to wait for around 3 weeks since document submission date right?

@rambo123

The MOM site mentions they provide an update within 3 weeks after document submission. But based on the reports here, it can be even longer too.

Hi Everyone,

What is the current trend for E Pass approval rates for first time application?

My application timeline

Submitted - 28th April(along with education verification)

12th May - got request from my Verification agency asking for passport (For verification) submitted it the same day. My HR mentioned need to submit it as well

After this , no other news. HR unresponsive when asked for updates.

Does it usually take this long. Almost 80 days and still no result

Can I consider that chances are it will get rejected and plan for other offers?

12th May - got request from my Verification agency asking for passport (For verification) submitted it the same day. My HR mentioned need to submit it - @Theee333

The verification agency mentioned here, is it the education credentials verification agency or your employment consultancy agency?

Did you ask your employer if they have received any updates from MOM or any follow up has been done with MOM?

@TeeManXxg

The agency which verified my education credentials.

My employment company has said there is no updates but they usually are unresponsive on my follow ups.

So I'm blindly waiting for now

@Theee333

Could you please tell us if your employer has submitted the EP application yet or not? Usually employers would do the education verification before submitting the EP application to MOM. From the information you provided, I think your education verification is not completed yet?

Once your EP application is submitted, you can track the status in MOM website. Do you see any records in below website when you enter your passport details?

https://service2.mom.gov.sg/workpass/enquiry

@TeeManXxg

I am sorry if I was not clear.

My education verification was completed and application was submitted on 28th April as per my initial comment

However I was asked to submit my passport with the same company which did my education verification from my HR.

My status has been pending in the portal since 28th April

My application was approved yesterday.

Timeline:

May 26: Submitted by employer and started showing as “Pending”

June 17: MOM requested additional documents from employer

June 25: Employer submitted documents

July 22: Approved and IPA issued

For each MOM update, they took bit more than 3 weeks to process.

@TeeManXxg

the long wait is over! Congrats

Hello,

Is the S Pass processing timeline same as EP as most of the comments I have read is on EP but my is first time S Pass. My employer applied on the 20th of June. Its been showing pending although the HR said they sent an appeal for justification of hire to expedite the process.

@ladyonik hi, mine is SPASS as well and still pending.

submitted last 23 April

For those interested, my EP is finally approved. Timeline:

(Education cert verified by third-party comp already, which took almost 2 weeks)

June 23: Submitted by employer and started showing as “Pending”

Jul 9: MOM requested additional documents from employer

Jul 18: Employer submitted documents

Aug 8: Employer contacted MoM to push due to job filling urgency

Aug 12: Approved and IPA issued

So total >1.5 month of waiting. These days MOM seems to be very strict and careful in revewing EP applications.

@ladyonik

Hello are your S-Pass has been approved ?

Just want to share me and my husband's S Pass timeline

Apr 18, 2023- S Pass application

Apr 24 - Approved

Feb 7, 2025- S Pass renewal application

Feb 17 - S Pass renewed

My husband-

Feb 26, 2025- S Pass application

Mar 14 - Approved

Nov - Terminated (due replaced by local)

Dec 3 - new company S Pass application

Jan 7, 2026- Rejected

Jan 15 - S Pass reapply (instead of appeal)

Jan 24 - Rejected again

Feb 4 - Appeal

Feb 9 - Still pending

From our experience, it really is case to case basis. Hopefully my husband get approved too 🙏

same to me!

Feb 4 appeal

Feb12 pending status only reflect in system

Feb13 still pending..

This really worries me 😣 wish me luck

New EP application

applied on 11th Feb

approved on 16th Feb

used to stay in sg and left in 2021

now relocating back

Hi, my Spass application was submitted on 16th feb. Since then MoM has only requested for my resume and signed offer letter.

One week back i received a mail stating the below

As we need to carry out more checks, it will take 3 to 4 months to review your application. Each case will be assessed holistically, taking into account applicant-related criteria, input from other agencies, and whether fair consideration has been given to workers in Singapore.

We will convey the outcome or any additional information to your prospective employer directly.

Now there is total silence and no further requests from MoM.

What would be the ideal timeline for the IPA to arrive in this case, provide all the compliance and norms are fulfilled?

Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks!

@Abc013 You can expect the result in 3 - 4 months, as MoM indicated - they are the best at estimating the time needed for their own procedures!

Most probably, they are conducting background checks (by contacting the companies, schools and agencies in your home country) to verify your credentials.

@beppi thanks, from the posts I have read on this forum, this mail is a auto generated common mail which is sent to all whose application is in extended review.

Are there any cases where the approval came earlier than the 3-4 month timeline.

@Abc013 If the authorities, schools and companies ikn your home country reply sooner than MoM expects, then MoM can also make their decision sooner. But how likely is that?

Hi All,

Just wanted to share the timeline for my application. This thread has been incredibly helpful and supportive throughout the process. Hopefully, this guide will help those whose applications are still pending.

Nationality: Indonesian

Age: 23

Job: Engineer (Electrical)

Type of pass: S-Pass

Years of experience: Less than 1 year (11 months to be exact)

Education: Masters from Singaporean uni + bachelors from Indonesian uni (both are approved by MoM and qualified for 20 points in COMPASS C2 even if I applied for EP)

Company: Mid-sized MNC

My timelines are shown below:

Feb 6: Application submitted

Feb 9: Pending

Feb 11: Rejected and appealed on the same day

Feb 16: Status turned into pending (appeal is being processed)

Mar 31: HR called MoM to expedite the process

Apr 8: Valid

It took exactly 61 days (40 working days) for the pass to be approved. I also want to be honest about something personal, my mental health has been struggling lately. A big part of it comes from feeling stuck in a difficult position: being overqualified on paper (with a master’s degree) but still having less than one year of experience, which has made the job search more challenging than I expected.

The situation is made worse by the fact that the pass is even more difficult to obtain, particularly given that S-Pass is definitely not suitable for people with a master’s degree (a job for a fresher in engineering with the new EP-qualifying salary is nearly impossible to get anyway, especially if it is not software or IT related). On top of that, the ongoing war and global uncertainty have added a constant layer of stress and worry, as the vacancies even in my home country are reduced to a certain extent.

But, thank Jesus, I was still able to get the pass. I’d say that even if you’re overqualified and lack experience, it’s still possible as long as the company can appeal and provide strong justification to MoM on why you should be hired instead of a local candidate. It is really case-by-case basis. I am also really thankful that the HR department in my company is helpful and transparent in the process. Still, I think it is better for you to gain some experience first before you work in Singapore so that your pass application doesn’t take as long as mine haha.

Hope this helps! Don't forget to keep in touch with your HR (they can request to expedite the process if more than 6 weeks have passed). And lastly, always keep being faithful. All the best to all and good luck for those who are still waiting for the approval.