Singapore Expats

EP Processing Time

Relocating, travelling or planning to make Singapore home? Discuss the criterias, passes or visa that is required.
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coolkidscantdie
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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by coolkidscantdie » Thu, 14 Jul 2016 11:26 pm

dynamic.dante wrote:My case is, both first application and renewals go through vetting.
Same company, same everything.


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Hi dynamic.dante, thanks for your information.

My first EP only took 3 days for processing, that was back in Sep 2015. After following all the discussion here, I really have no idea how long it gonna take this time :(

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dynamic.dante
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EP Processing Time

Post by dynamic.dante » Thu, 14 Jul 2016 11:28 pm

Same here, noticeably longer compare to last time.
Glad that mine got renewed few days before the pass is expired.
Close call on that one


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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by the lynx » Wed, 20 Jul 2016 3:42 pm

coolkidscantdie wrote:Hi guys,

Thank you so much for your discussion. I found a lot of useful information here! I'm now going on the process for EP as well and it would be great if I could have some of your idea about my case.

I'm now 25. I started working with EP in Singapore with a specialist role since Sep 2015 and left my job in Mar 2016 as I was laid off. I then came back to my country and found a project based job while looking for new opportunities in Singapore. Fortunately, I just received another offer in Singapore few days ago with manager role and the company has applied for my new EP. So, this is my 2nd application for EP in Singapore.

In my situation, how do you think about the process? Will I be going under the vetting process like other cases? I'm a bit worried now as I really want to come back to work in Singapore.

Will look forward for your opinion. I really appreciate that :)
Most of the cases it depends on which country you're from, and where your certificates are from. The whole vetting process was to weed out degree mills and fraudulent qualifications. In the past, it was prevalent among candidates from Myanmar, India and other countries, while degree mills are usually American-, Australian- or British-sounding institutions. So if you are from one of those countries and/or your papers are from those type of institutions, 99% likely you'll be sent through additional vetting process. Having said that it is a sad thing because there are many legit candidates from India and Myanmar who worked hard and went to proper institutions but they get tarred by the same brush by their brethren who try to cheat their way through.

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by coolkidscantdie » Wed, 20 Jul 2016 3:47 pm

Hi guys,

Just want to quickly update you guys that I had my EP approved already, after a week :)

Finally I can be relieved. Thank you for all the helpful information that I found here. Sending my best wishes to all of you guys who're still waiting for the good news.

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by Brettp » Wed, 20 Jul 2016 8:21 pm

Hi guys
Just to let you know my EP was submitted Thursday and approved today (Wednesday). Australian resident with a senior role at a large MNC based in Singapore.

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ecureilx
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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by ecureilx » Wed, 20 Jul 2016 9:32 pm

Brettp wrote:Hi guys
Just to let you know my EP was submitted Thursday and approved today (Wednesday). Australian resident with a senior role at a large MNC based in Singapore.
Congrats

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by irah.2008 » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 2:04 pm

Dear all after reading through most of the threads here i understood the reason for pending EP is due to many aspects including the verification time, Agency/Employer's formality compliance, etc.

I respect that the through screening of the certificates is mandatory to avoid any issues with fraudulent, but if the delay is due to the agencies like they are not supporting Singaporean Core development, how come a foreign employee who applied via online knows about the agencies. From recent news on the policy changes i got to know that many agencies are put on watchlist for recruiting only foreign employees (which is obviously wrong). But as an employee if i could know about the agencies that does such so i can avoid any such agencies which are in watchlist, would be a wonderful thing (i know this is my wish and need not to be fulfilled by Singapore Government, but just saying).

I was an EP holder who was in Singapore for short duration for an onsite assignment from my Indian Company, I cancelled my EP on April mid and later was approached with an Singapore offer by an Agency for a reputed MNC in singapore they applied EP on May 31st and it is still pending.

My last EP was approved in less than one week time and i hope the verification of certificates would have been done last time itself, however i seriously doubt that current delay is due to My employer rather than myself, as they always inform that no pass after May is being approved for them.

If there is any information on the employers who are on watchlist due to their non-compliance then it would help any people who want to apply in future, to know if they are taking a right step or wrong. 8-[ 8-[ 8-[ :-| :-| :-| :-| :-| :( :( :( :(

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singaporeflyer
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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by singaporeflyer » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 2:09 pm

irah.2008 wrote:Dear all after reading through most of the threads here i understood the reason for pending EP is due to many aspects including the verification time, Agency/Employer's formality compliance, etc.

I respect that the through screening of the certificates is mandatory to avoid any issues with fraudulent, but if the delay is due to the agencies like they are not supporting Singaporean Core development, how come a foreign employee who applied via online knows about the agencies. From recent news on the policy changes i got to know that many agencies are put on watchlist for recruiting only foreign employees (which is obviously wrong). But as an employee if i could know about the agencies that does such so i can avoid any such agencies which are in watchlist, would be a wonderful thing (i know this is my wish and need not to be fulfilled by Singapore Government, but just saying).

I was an EP holder who was in Singapore for short duration for an onsite assignment from my Indian Company, I cancelled my EP on April mid and later was approached with an Singapore offer by an Agency for a reputed MNC in singapore they applied EP on May 31st and it is still pending.

My last EP was approved in less than one week time and i hope the verification of certificates would have been done last time itself, however i seriously doubt that current delay is due to My employer rather than myself, as they always inform that no pass after May is being approved for them.

If there is any information on the employers who are on watchlist due to their non-compliance then it would help any people who want to apply in future, to know if they are taking a right step or wrong. 8-[ 8-[ 8-[ :-| :-| :-| :-| :-| :( :( :( :(
The verification may not be always on the educational qualification. It can be on additional information declared in the EP like work experience etc which changes each time?

Also, if there is a watchlist which is being tracked, it will not be made available in the public domain.

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by irah.2008 » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 2:14 pm

singaporeflyer wrote:
irah.2008 wrote:Dear all after reading through most of the threads here i understood the reason for pending EP is due to many aspects including the verification time, Agency/Employer's formality compliance, etc.

I respect that the through screening of the certificates is mandatory to avoid any issues with fraudulent, but if the delay is due to the agencies like they are not supporting Singaporean Core development, how come a foreign employee who applied via online knows about the agencies. From recent news on the policy changes i got to know that many agencies are put on watchlist for recruiting only foreign employees (which is obviously wrong). But as an employee if i could know about the agencies that does such so i can avoid any such agencies which are in watchlist, would be a wonderful thing (i know this is my wish and need not to be fulfilled by Singapore Government, but just saying).

I was an EP holder who was in Singapore for short duration for an onsite assignment from my Indian Company, I cancelled my EP on April mid and later was approached with an Singapore offer by an Agency for a reputed MNC in singapore they applied EP on May 31st and it is still pending.

My last EP was approved in less than one week time and i hope the verification of certificates would have been done last time itself, however i seriously doubt that current delay is due to My employer rather than myself, as they always inform that no pass after May is being approved for them.

If there is any information on the employers who are on watchlist due to their non-compliance then it would help any people who want to apply in future, to know if they are taking a right step or wrong. 8-[ 8-[ 8-[ :-| :-| :-| :-| :-| :( :( :( :(
The verification may not be always on the educational qualification. It can be on additional information declared in the EP like work experience etc which changes each time?
Understood, and even that might not have such a delay since all of them are MNC's which could be easily verified. however, is it possible that the unusual delay in EP processing is due to Employers in some cases? because as per employers comment, none of the EP application that they submitted post May is approved.

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singaporeflyer
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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by singaporeflyer » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 2:20 pm

irah.2008 wrote:
singaporeflyer wrote:
irah.2008 wrote:Dear all after reading through most of the threads here i understood the reason for pending EP is due to many aspects including the verification time, Agency/Employer's formality compliance, etc.

I respect that the through screening of the certificates is mandatory to avoid any issues with fraudulent, but if the delay is due to the agencies like they are not supporting Singaporean Core development, how come a foreign employee who applied via online knows about the agencies. From recent news on the policy changes i got to know that many agencies are put on watchlist for recruiting only foreign employees (which is obviously wrong). But as an employee if i could know about the agencies that does such so i can avoid any such agencies which are in watchlist, would be a wonderful thing (i know this is my wish and need not to be fulfilled by Singapore Government, but just saying).

I was an EP holder who was in Singapore for short duration for an onsite assignment from my Indian Company, I cancelled my EP on April mid and later was approached with an Singapore offer by an Agency for a reputed MNC in singapore they applied EP on May 31st and it is still pending.

My last EP was approved in less than one week time and i hope the verification of certificates would have been done last time itself, however i seriously doubt that current delay is due to My employer rather than myself, as they always inform that no pass after May is being approved for them.

If there is any information on the employers who are on watchlist due to their non-compliance then it would help any people who want to apply in future, to know if they are taking a right step or wrong. 8-[ 8-[ 8-[ :-| :-| :-| :-| :-| :( :( :( :(
The verification may not be always on the educational qualification. It can be on additional information declared in the EP like work experience etc which changes each time?
Understood, and even that might not have such a delay since all of them are MNC's which could be easily verified. however, is it possible that the unusual delay in EP processing is due to Employers in some cases? because as per employers comment, none of the EP application that they submitted post May is approved.
To be fair, we can't decide on how fast MOM has to do the verification since the employer is a MNC. If the employer is in such a hurry, he should try to consider filling up the vacancy with a local employee. Also, if i read through what you said the employer is an agency and not a direct MNC?

You have also said that initially you were here for short term on another EP. When you switch jobs so fast, there may be delays in EP processing too.

If you read through the threads and the news you can see that EP Applications have been made tougher with additional checks and verification on certain companies. MOM will not make the company list public for the employee to screen and then apply.

Even a few years before, MOM used to say if there are pending inputs from vetting agencies, it could take upto 2 months. So it is common and nothing new.

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by irah.2008 » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 2:37 pm

singaporeflyer wrote:
irah.2008 wrote:
singaporeflyer wrote:
The verification may not be always on the educational qualification. It can be on additional information declared in the EP like work experience etc which changes each time?
Understood, and even that might not have such a delay since all of them are MNC's which could be easily verified. however, is it possible that the unusual delay in EP processing is due to Employers in some cases? because as per employers comment, none of the EP application that they submitted post May is approved.
To be fair, we can't decide on how fast MOM has to do the verification since the employer is a MNC. If the employer is in such a hurry, he should try to consider filling up the vacancy with a local employee. Also, if i read through what you said the employer is an agency and not a direct MNC?

You have also said that initially you were here for short term on another EP. When you switch jobs so fast, there may be delays in EP processing too.

If you read through the threads and the news you can see that EP Applications have been made tougher with additional checks and verification on certain companies. MOM will not make the company list public for the employee to screen and then apply.

Even a few years before, MOM used to say if there are pending inputs from vetting agencies, it could take upto 2 months. So it is common and nothing new.
Understood.. THANKS!!! Initial EP was for a project execution which has been cancelled by my indian company once project is completed. Hope this situation gets cleared and people gets to know their EP application results sooner to proceed with next steps. Thanks for your inputs SPF :)

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by stoned.ice » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 3:42 pm

hi everyone, thank you for all the inputs and discussions.

mine is still pending for 10 weeks now. My company is also an MNC, really don't know what to do. I am currently out of Singapore and still waiting for the approval.

Thank you. :(

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by sundaymorningstaple » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 4:43 pm

Think about Plan B?
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by Strong Eagle » Thu, 28 Jul 2016 10:01 pm

Looks like they are starting to hammer MNC's that don't have "enough" locals hired by some unknown yardstick. I've never seen MNC's be denied their staff EP's for direct hires. Or...

It's not clear if stoned.ice is a direct hire into the MNC or is being contracted into the MNC by a Singapore third party company. If it's the latter, then I'm sure his application is getting extra scrutiny due to the fact that too many of these agencies are little more than body shops... keep throwing mud at the wall until something sticks.

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Re: EP Processing Time

Post by stoned.ice » Fri, 29 Jul 2016 8:27 am

Yes. I am direct hire. I used to work in Singapore for the past 7 years. I just change employer as the last one finished its project.
Thanks .

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