EP taking time!

[floydude]

Hi,
Anybody submitted EP application around 5th August? Mine says its still under review. My company in SG applied offline(pigeon box at MOM office). Is there a sudden deluge in applications that its taking so much time? The MOM officials say that everything is in order BUT its continuosly slipping the expected time-frames everytime I call up. Ofcourse no explanations! Anybody in the same situation with any better or worse news?

[jpatokal]

That is a pretty long time to wait for an EP... but if the application has been accepted and it's actually being processed by the MOM, there's nothing you can do but wait.

It's good that you checked with MOM directly though, because there are occasional cases where employers never submit the EP, meaning they can fire you unpaid at will since you're working illegally.

[floydude]

JP,
just wanted to clarify: My employer gives me updates, almost on a daily basis from what they hear from MOM. Now its not a very big organisation but pretty respectable. Besides what i heard last was that MOM needed some documents from the company, from my side everythings clear. MOM offcials also said that they have upped teh general time frame to 3-4 weeks. My employer says all we can do is wait.

Now unless i see a copy of the "inPrincipleApproval" letter from MOM, I'm not even resiging from my current job.

But all this is courtesy the employers communication to me. Do you think there something i should doubly check up on? Or that there may I should try to smell a fish? Waiting for some advice.

[meghsur]

Hey would like to know if u got ur EP. My employer has submitted my EP application form on 4th sep. They did not hear from MOM till now. If i want to call MOM directly the no. given on website gives only recorded answer no operator to assist. CAn u guide me what to do. also what is a FIN no.???
Thanks
Megha

[Savage]

Hmm...back when I first applied for an EP (more than 4 years ago), it took 3 weeks for it to be approved. But as I needed to start work about 3 days after the submission, I was issued with a TEP (Temporary EP) valid for a month. Aren't they doing that anymore?

[floydude]

Hi Megha,
I got my EP after almost 5 weeks, so hang on and wish for the best. I assume you are from India, so am I, so there's nothing you should do but just hang on. After you get the In-principle approval letter(which usually has a single journey VISA endorsed) just catch the next plane to Singapore and getting the EP from MOM is a painless 3hr job. If you need any other clarifications, mail me at floydude@gmail.com . best of luck!

-anindya

Hey would like to know if u got ur EP. My employer has submitted my EP application form on 4th sep. They did not hear from MOM till now. If i want to call MOM directly the no. given on website gives only recorded answer no operator to assist. CAn u guide me what to do. also what is a FIN no.???
Thanks
Megha

[expatwife]

My Husband has accepted a job in Singapore and has already resigned from his job in India. The employers have started the formalities for the employment pass but have not yet actually submitted the application form.due to one reason or the other. They will be sending us the form to sign next week and then they will apply.
He will be leaving this job at the end of this month. My question is.. how long will it take for him to get the employment pass once they apply. Does he have to get the employment pass in hand before he starts working? how long should that approval letter take to come?
Since he has already resigned from this job i am getting the jitters.. what if he does not get the employment pass ? or the EP takes too long to come? He will be unemployes for the meantime.
Any info will be appreciated
Thanks

[Strong Eagle]

My Husband has accepted a job in Singapore and has already resigned from his job in India. The employers have started the formalities for the employment pass but have not yet actually submitted the application form.due to one reason or the other. They will be sending us the form to sign next week and then they will apply.

The "formalities" is submitting the completed form. The company should already know if they can hire EP's based upon the quotas enforced by MoM. The first step is the form... get some action on this.

He will be leaving this job at the end of this month. My question is.. how long will it take for him to get the employment pass once they apply. Does he have to get the employment pass in hand before he starts working? how long should that approval letter take to come?

MoM advertises two weeks from date of application although 4 to 5 weeks at peak periods is not unheard of, and it could take longer if additional documentation is required.

You cannot start work until you receive the approval letter. It is the approval letter that comes in two weeks or so. After that, I think you have about six weeks to collect your EP, although it only takes a few hours to do.

Since he has already resigned from this job i am getting the jitters.. what if he does not get the employment pass ? or the EP takes too long to come? He will be unemployes for the meantime.

It's not very delicate, but if he doesn't get the pass, he is up sh*t creek without a paddle. His recourse is to file a petition for review. If it is late, you can make enquiry but it ususally won't hurry it along.

[Guest]

thanks for the reply
My hubby spoke with his employers and they said that they can get him a temporary work permit till the EP comes along. Can any one give me any info on this?

[k1w1]

I would also be interested to hear abou the temp. EP. Does this also come into effect if changing jobs and remaining in Singapore? When the EP is dropped does that mean DP's are invalid?

[Guest]

When the EP is dropped does that mean DP's are invalid?
The DP would run out on the run out date, and not dropped because of the EP I should imagine.

[coarls]

When the EP is dropped does that mean DP's are invalid?
The DP would run out on the run out date, and not dropped because of the EP I should imagine.

Nope once the EP is dropped defintely the DP will also be dropped since the DP is aligned only with the EP...anyway, when they drop the EP they usually provide I think 2 weeks social visit pass...then after that you will then need to go or either face prosecution of over staying...bummer ha...

[Guest88]

Tell me this is not taking ages. My future employer (a large bank)submitted my EP application form on May 10, an acknowledgement letter from MOM received on May 17 (to which the letter states a response will be forthcoming in 3 weeks from the date of the letter, May 17). And I am still waiting for MOM's approval. Now, that's 4 weeks from MOM's letter and counting. I've always had high regard for the Sporean Govt's efficiency so this delay is a surprise to me.

Does the fact that I renounced my Sporean PR 14 years ago at the age of 18 to take up Australian PR (and still one) have anything to do with the long wait?

[ksl]

Tell me this is not taking ages. My future employer (a large bank)submitted my EP application form on May 10, an acknowledgement letter from MOM received on May 17 (to which the letter states a response will be forthcoming in 3 weeks from the date of the letter, May 17). And I am still waiting for MOM's approval. Now, that's 4 weeks from MOM's letter and counting. I've always had high regard for the Sporean Govt's efficiency so this delay is a surprise to me.

Does the fact that I renounced my Sporean PR 14 years ago at the age of 18 to take up Australian PR (and still one) have anything to do with the long wait?

I've heard of others taking longer, relax! they will get around to it.

[Guest88]

Btw, coincidentally my EP was approved on June 16, the day of my last posting but my wife's EP was approved in half the time that I had to wait. Nonetheless, I am here and have already started in my job. Nice to be employed once again.