SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore
EP Processing Time
EP Processing Time
Hi,
I am working in Singapore for 3.5 years on EP. I've got an offer from a local bank for a 1 year (Extendable) contract role. The consultancy applied EP for me 18 days back. But the status is still is shown as pending.
May I know whether this is usual? Does it take too long to get EP approved?
I am working in Singapore for 3.5 years on EP. I've got an offer from a local bank for a 1 year (Extendable) contract role. The consultancy applied EP for me 18 days back. But the status is still is shown as pending.
May I know whether this is usual? Does it take too long to get EP approved?
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39755
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
Re: EP Processing Time
Which GRC are you from?
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
Re: EP Processing Time
Hi All,
Mine also similar case, i am an indian citizen and working in singapore from past 5 years and my new employer applied for EP on 6th June and it shows still in pending, can any one pls suggest
Regards,
Vizith
Mine also similar case, i am an indian citizen and working in singapore from past 5 years and my new employer applied for EP on 6th June and it shows still in pending, can any one pls suggest
Regards,
Vizith
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed, 15 Jun 2016 4:03 pm
Re: EP Processing Time
Hi All,
I applied from 19 May 2016, it is still pending in nearly 1 month. My employer said that all companies has same situation
I applied from 19 May 2016, it is still pending in nearly 1 month. My employer said that all companies has same situation
Re: EP Processing Time
I think this is the reasonthaitd1985 wrote:Hi All,
I applied from 19 May 2016, it is still pending in nearly 1 month. My employer said that all companies has same situation


http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/s ... s-approval
-
- Newbie
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed, 15 Jun 2016 4:03 pm
Re: EP Processing Time
I am not sure.
Re: RE: Re: EP Processing Time
Years ago passes used to take 3 months or more.thaitd1985 wrote:I am not sure.
Then with the Process re engineering the turnaround times became pretty short.
Now due to stringent checks being enforced, it takes up to 8 weeks or more.
Nothing that can be done about it.
Re: RE: Re: EP Processing Time
Just to add, from my previous application in 2009 (for P2), 2010 (for P1) and 2012 (just EP), 2014 (my last EP application) all approved in 3 days time.ecureilx wrote:Years ago passes used to take 3 months or more.thaitd1985 wrote:I am not sure.
Then with the Process re engineering the turnaround times became pretty short.
Now due to stringent checks being enforced, it takes up to 8 weeks or more.
Nothing that can be done about it.
Re: EP Processing Time
Even my current EP took just 4 days to process. But this time, it's been 4 weeks and yet it is still under process.
- sundaymorningstaple
- Moderator
- Posts: 39755
- Joined: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 1:26 pm
- Location: Retired on the Little Red Dot
Re: EP Processing Time
This is exactly why the message was sent by the MOM to all employers in Singapore that they should apply for renewals of EPs a minimum of 90 days before expiry date. Read it and weep.
Lot's of employers didn't read that and have found that they couldn't get the renewals done in time and had to put the employees on unpaid leave (or working illegally without a valid EP). So, as long as it doesn't come back rejected you will be okay. (I say this because of another quirk in the MOM renewal process)
If you apply for but no longer qualify for the EP, unless the election to be considered for S pass if not qualified for EP box is ticked, you will be rejected for renewal and you will NOT be eligible to reapply for an S Pass with that employer. So employers need to ask the employees in view of the newer more stringent requirement for all passes. This especially if you are in a salary bracket that is rather close to the minimum.
Lot's of employers didn't read that and have found that they couldn't get the renewals done in time and had to put the employees on unpaid leave (or working illegally without a valid EP). So, as long as it doesn't come back rejected you will be okay. (I say this because of another quirk in the MOM renewal process)
If you apply for but no longer qualify for the EP, unless the election to be considered for S pass if not qualified for EP box is ticked, you will be rejected for renewal and you will NOT be eligible to reapply for an S Pass with that employer. So employers need to ask the employees in view of the newer more stringent requirement for all passes. This especially if you are in a salary bracket that is rather close to the minimum.
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
Re: EP Processing Time
I am also facing the same issue. My EP with new employer was applied on 18th May. Until now the status is still showing pending, its been almost 1 month, not sure what is happening. I have been working on EP for the last 4.5 years and never had any issue for EP, always got issued within 3-4 days.
Everyday hoping that today it will be approved, but it's been long wait..I have checked with some of my friends who applied got there EP recently, they have all got it within a week. Not sure if the employer has something to do for this delay.
Everyday hoping that today it will be approved, but it's been long wait..I have checked with some of my friends who applied got there EP recently, they have all got it within a week. Not sure if the employer has something to do for this delay.
Re: EP Processing Time
Hi Guys,
did you found any reason from MOM or your employer for the delay if you could share little more info it will be really help ful,
what i heard so far process is more stringent from May 16 ,to check whether employer posted in Jobs Bank properly and interviewed or considered Citizens & PRs before choosing EPs
, Hope our employers done that part properly .
Best Regards,
Vizith
did you found any reason from MOM or your employer for the delay if you could share little more info it will be really help ful,
what i heard so far process is more stringent from May 16 ,to check whether employer posted in Jobs Bank properly and interviewed or considered Citizens & PRs before choosing EPs

Best Regards,
Vizith
Re: EP Processing Time
Hi spartan84,
Are you sure the EPs were approved this month for your friends? What i hear is that its taking more than one month for all.
Which company applied for your frnds?
Are you sure the EPs were approved this month for your friends? What i hear is that its taking more than one month for all.
Which company applied for your frnds?
Re: EP Processing Time
I have got info from friends who have recently joined NCS Pte. Ltd. Probably MNCs don't have this issue.
But I got to know from my prospective employer HR that since January they are facing delay in processing EP since Jan 2016. She was saying it is taking more than a month.
But I got to know from my prospective employer HR that since January they are facing delay in processing EP since Jan 2016. She was saying it is taking more than a month.
Re: EP Processing Time
That's what even I heard. The consultancy that raised EP for me told me that they are facing the same issue for all the candidates that they have applied for.
spartan84 wrote:I have got info from friends who have recently joined NCS Pte. Ltd. Probably MNCs don't have this issue.
But I got to know from my prospective employer HR that since January they are facing delay in processing EP since Jan 2016. She was saying it is taking more than a month.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
What is the expected EP Processing Time if encountered Public Holidays like Chinese New Year?
by richardlai » Mon, 26 Feb 2018 11:04 am » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 15 Replies
- 7406 Views
-
Last post by richardlai
Wed, 07 Mar 2018 6:10 pm
-
-
-
EP Processing Time 2018
by rod000 » Mon, 12 Mar 2018 9:09 am » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 40 Replies
- 32874 Views
-
Last post by Siv
Mon, 17 Dec 2018 8:03 am
-
-
-
PEP processing time (personal employment pass)
by Kagoli » Mon, 11 Jun 2018 12:19 pm » in Relocating, Moving to Singapore - 286 Replies
- 102567 Views
-
Last post by baytobeach
Wed, 28 Dec 2022 3:20 pm
-
-
-
EP Appeal processing time?
by alanh » Mon, 30 Jul 2018 10:52 am » in PR, Citizenship, Passes & Visas for Foreigners - 15 Replies
- 7473 Views
-
Last post by jlena
Tue, 24 Aug 2021 8:02 pm
-
-
-
EP (Employment Pass) Processing time
by bill_the_lizard_man » Wed, 15 Aug 2018 8:46 pm » in Relocating, Moving to Singapore - 6 Replies
- 7760 Views
-
Last post by CurrentPat
Fri, 05 Oct 2018 6:26 am
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: sherlock101 and 4 guests