EP Processing Time Feb 2021 / Mar 2021

[JK_JK]

Sorry due to privacy concerns... can’t share the company details but I am just wondering from where did you hear that Optimum and Nityo are in Mom watchlist?

I saw news last year that MOM placed 1200+ companies on fair consideration framework (FCF) watchlist but they didn’t release the company details. Few of them already exited from FCF list and rest are still in MOM checklist.

Now let’s consider if our new companies is in MOM checklist then by this time Isn’t our EP would have been rejected ?

Current situation is tense for me because I am currently serving notice period and no other new company in Singapore will take interview as my EP already in process.

so here if my EP is not approved in this month then I have to leave Singapore with my family next month with no job in hand.

Understand.. even me in similar situation.. hope for the best.. Believe our applications will be approved soon. Good luck to both us.. keep me posted once your EP is approved.. cheers

[sundaymorningstaple]

When will people learn. You NEVER turn in your notice until you have an approved IPA in hand. Otherwise you are asking for trouble as you are getting ready to possibly experience. And the old story that the new employer needs you asap so you have to do it, doesn't hold water. You should have been up front during the interview stage instead of trying to BS.

[geloangelo101]

Hi here's my status as of now. I will update if my status change.

Applied March 12,2021
Status: Pending
Direct Company
1 year and 7 months here in SG.
6 years + experience on IT

[m4yank]

Any update for you guys? I've been waiting for myself since 8th Feb.

Sorry due to privacy concerns... can’t share the company details but I am just wondering from where did you hear that Optimum and Nityo are in Mom watchlist?

I saw news last year that MOM placed 1200+ companies on fair consideration framework (FCF) watchlist but they didn’t release the company details. Few of them already exited from FCF list and rest are still in MOM checklist.

Now let’s consider if our new companies is in MOM checklist then by this time Isn’t our EP would have been rejected ?

Current situation is tense for me because I am currently serving notice period and no other new company in Singapore will take interview as my EP already in process.

so here if my EP is not approved in this month then I have to leave Singapore with my family next month with no job in hand.

Understand.. even me in similar situation.. hope for the best.. Believe our applications will be approved soon. Good luck to both us.. keep me posted once your EP is approved.. cheers

[m4yank]

And what do you suggest in the case when HR finds out that you've applied for it?

When will people learn. You NEVER turn in your notice until you have an approved IPA in hand. Otherwise you are asking for trouble as you are getting ready to possibly experience. And the old story that the new employer needs you asap so you have to do it, doesn't hold water. You should have been up front during the interview stage instead of trying to BS.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Let your conscience be your guide. I used to be an HR & Finance Mgr for a local mid-sized SME here up till I retired at 71+ in 2019. I have always instructed my HR Exec to do a monthly check of foreign EP & S pass holders starting 3 months before the expiration date of the work pass (pre-Covid). If we found one, we wouldn't do anything as help is hard to find, but we would see if we could find out or figure out where the problem was, if any. If they are going to leave, they are going to leave and they'll be no stopping them. In a tight market, if we find out, only a stupid employer would find a reason to terminate. Help is hard to find. Depending on the employee, we might make an effort to meet him half way if he is worth it. Otherwise, we start looking for a replacement so when he makes a move by hopefully giving notice, we will not be caught off guard but will be one step ahead. Oh, and in a troubling market? The employee has already let us know by pending applications (we cannot see the applying company) who is considering leaving so if we need to trim staff, we already know who is looking to go. If more companies HR Managers were that proactive it would stop the two year jump as we call it. Sadly, lots of HR departments are at the whim of MDs who have chips on their shoulders. Maybe I was lucky as my MD and I got along famously.

[m4yank]

Your experience speaks! Well yes, I’ve a counter offer from the current company, but I am discussing more of what we can do to improve things further or how else I can contribute towards growth of company too. Let’s see where this discussion will take us all.

Let your conscience be your guide. I used to be an HR & Finance Mgr for a local mid-sized SME here up till I retired at 71+ in 2019. I have always instructed my HR Exec to do a monthly check of foreign EP & S pass holders starting 3 months before the expiration date of the work pass (pre-Covid). If we found one, we wouldn't do anything as help is hard to find, but we would see if we could find out or figure out where the problem was, if any. If they are going to leave, they are going to leave and they'll be no stopping them. In a tight market, if we find out, only a stupid employer would find a reason to terminate. Help is hard to find. Depending on the employee, we might make an effort to meet him half way if he is worth it. Otherwise, we start looking for a replacement so when he makes a move by hopefully giving notice, we will not be caught off guard but will be one step ahead. Oh, and in a troubling market? The employee has already let us know by pending applications (we cannot see the applying company) who is considering leaving so if we need to trim staff, we already know who is looking to go. If more companies HR Managers were that proactive it would stop the two year jump as we call it. Sadly, lots of HR departments are at the whim of MDs who have chips on their shoulders. Maybe I was lucky as my MD and I got along famously.

[sundaymorningstaple]

I wish you luck but remember, it is a two way street. If you to can meet half way or a little better on your side, it's better than jump out of the pot you know than jumping in the fire that you don't know. Oh, and yes, I have rehired several employees who left our companies before, but they were good employees and we couldn't give them what they wanted so we wished them luck. When they wanted to return (sometime a year or two down the road, depending on our needs, and discussions, we rehired those who we wished we could have kept. If you can keep from burning bridges, do so. You must remember this is a very small country and it's hard, if not impossible, to stop the grapevine.

[m4yank]

Thank you for the great advice! Really appreciate it! And yes I do agree on sticking if we can go around 60% of what I am looking for non-monetary wise.. But let’s see where that goes, and hopefully no bridges burnt

That said, is it usual ep taking this long? I mean its almost 6 weeks + today.

I wish you luck but remember, it is a two way street. If you to can meet half way or a little better on your side, it's better than jump out of the pot you know than jumping in the fire that you don't know. Oh, and yes, I have rehired several employees who left our companies before, but they were good employees and we couldn't give them what they wanted so we wished them luck. When they wanted to return (sometime a year or two down the road, depending on our needs, and discussions, we rehired those who we wished we could have kept. If you can keep from burning bridges, do so. You must remember this is a very small country and it's hard, if not impossible, to stop the grapevine.

[31320]

Hi all,

My EP was approved today:

Applied March 9,2021
Direct Company
Studied and been working 1 year+ here in SG.
Manufacturing sector

All the best to all of you those who are still pending.

[sundaymorningstaple]

There was something recently as last week in the Straits Times about EPs taking longer to process (this from the relevant government ministry) so, while it is nerve-wracking, just bear with it. Covid is a bitch and has everything screwed up and not just here. I think the article mention either 6 or 8 weeks but again, it's not an exact science. never has been. I've had EP approved in half a day and in a month in years gone by. Depends on what they suspect, or can/cannot verify. A number of years ago, when a fair number of bogus degrees were found 6 months after the relevant work passes were granted, a large number of people were caught and sent packing. I lost two employees due to that purge. Ever since, verification of credentials is now taking place before the issuance of passes. And with covid it's just made matters worse as more and more are WFH and cannot get to universities, schools, etc. to access records to verify data. It is what it is.

[m4yank]

There was something recently as last week in the Straits Times about EPs taking longer to process (this from the relevant government ministry) so, while it is nerve-wracking, just bear with it. Covid is a bitch and has everything screwed up and not just here. I think the article mention either 6 or 8 weeks but again, it's not an exact science. never has been. I've had EP approved in half a day and in a month in years gone by. Depends on what they suspect, or can/cannot verify. A number of years ago, when a fair number of bogus degrees were found 6 months after the relevant work passes were granted, a large number of people were caught and sent packing. I lost two employees due to that purge. Ever since, verification of credentials is now taking place before the issuance of passes. And with covid it's just made matters worse as more and more are WFH and cannot get to universities, schools, etc. to access records to verify data. It is what it is.

Noted! Thank you for the insight I hope it comes soon too!

[JK_JK]

Any update for you guys? I've been waiting for myself since 8th Feb.

Still the same.. been 6 weeks already

Sorry due to privacy concerns... can’t share the company details but I am just wondering from where did you hear that Optimum and Nityo are in Mom watchlist?

I saw news last year that MOM placed 1200+ companies on fair consideration framework (FCF) watchlist but they didn’t release the company details. Few of them already exited from FCF list and rest are still in MOM checklist.

Now let’s consider if our new companies is in MOM checklist then by this time Isn’t our EP would have been rejected ?

Current situation is tense for me because I am currently serving notice period and no other new company in Singapore will take interview as my EP already in process.

so here if my EP is not approved in this month then I have to leave Singapore with my family next month with no job in hand.

Understand.. even me in similar situation.. hope for the best.. Believe our applications will be approved soon. Good luck to both us.. keep me posted once your EP is approved.. cheers

[m4yank]

Haha! Yours was applied on 8th Feb as well is it?
All the very best!

Any update for you guys? I've been waiting for myself since 8th Feb.

Still the same.. been 6 weeks already

Understand.. even me in similar situation.. hope for the best.. Believe our applications will be approved soon. Good luck to both us.. keep me posted once your EP is approved.. cheers

[JK_JK]

Haha! Yours was applied on 8th Feb as well is it?
All the very best!

Yeah.. hope with be approved by this month
Good luck both of us

Any update for you guys? I've been waiting for myself since 8th Feb.

Still the same.. been 6 weeks already