Help, my EP application has been rejected (Frustrated)

[SmallJack]

Hi there,

Would anybody be kind to help me solving my problem? Or any suggestion or advice would be much appreciated. Please ....

Here is a brief intro about myself. I'm Chinese, not from mainland China. My highest education is Master degree from a recognized university in Australia and previously I had 5 years of working experience (in IT area) in Singapore. In addition, while I was in Singapore last time, I've been granted a Singapore PR. Unfortunately, before I went back to my home country, I terminated my PR and withdrawn all of my CPF savings.

Now I’m back in Singapore and recently I've been offered a job from a well known US MNC here. The company’s HR then applied an EP for me. However, to my surprised and shocked, my EP application got rejected considering that my education and salary satisfied more than enough for EP requirements (Q2). I myself have checked the requirements for EP application on MOM websites.

As usual, no particular reason was given by the MOM, but when the company’s HR contacted the MOM, they said they would need some additional documents from me in order to proceed with sot of an appeal process, such documents are: my PR termination documents (plus other supporting documents relating to my previous PR) and some additional documents from the company.

Right now, I’ve been asked to wait for the result of the 2nd EP application and it has been about 1 week. I’m very anxious ... worried .... that my EP application this time would not get an approval from MOM again. Does anyone knows how long does it take for the 2nd appeal / application?

I’m just wondering if anybody has ever been in the similar situation as mine? What should I do? Is there anybody or any organization or somebody that can help to solve my EP application problem? If there is, then I'm more than willing to pay for their services as long as they're able to help me and help me to get my EP.

Thanks a lot in advance for any help / advice / suggestion / etc ....

[SmallJack]

I forgot to mention that after working in Singapore for about 5 years, I went back to my home country to help family business and doing other stuff in which took me about 2 years.

I just came back to Singapore recently and managed to find a job that I like from a reputable company. That's all that I wanted to add. Thanks.

[jpatokal]

In addition, while I was in Singapore last time, I've been granted a Singapore PR. Unfortunately, before I went back to my home country, I terminated my PR and withdrawn all of my CPF savings.
...
As usual, no particular reason was given by the MOM, but when the company’s HR contacted the MOM, they said they would need some additional documents from me in order to proceed with sot of an appeal process, such documents are: my PR termination documents (plus other supporting documents relating to my previous PR) and some additional documents from the company.

Well, obviously terminating the PR and withdrawing the CPF money previously is the problem, and (at the risk of stating the obvious) a bad move on your part. I don't think there are any companies in Singapore that can solve your problem (and if they exist they certainly aren't going to make much noise about it...), you'll just have to sweat it out and hope that your company's case for hiring you is sufficiently convincing.

[sundaymorningstaple]

One big problem is the unwritten one where you give up your PR, withdraw your CPF and then want to come back on an EP. They frown on that. Most people leave their CPF in place if they think that at some point in the future they may want/need to return to Singapore.

My best mate here has paid quite a bit into CPF back in the Mid '90's when here came here from Saudi to work on the Mobile Refinery with Asia Badger. He left it there for all these years and recently he has come back to Singapore and while he is no longer required to pay into the CPF scheme as he was then, his recent application for PR when through without a hitch.

You may well have to let them know you are willing to restore all that which you had removed from CPF as well as any interest that would have accrued in the interim years. Otherwise, I suspect you are in for disappointment.

[SmallJack]

Hi there,

I appreciated any of your valuable response. Thanks a lot.

Yep, I guessed it was a bad move from my side when I terminated my PR and withdrawn all the CPF savings. I guess this is the lesson for me as at that time I didn't thinking carefully. Sad.

But my other questions are:
1) I'm more than ready and prepared to return all the CPF savings, plus whatever interest that might occur. In fact, I've those money ready in hand now. How would I be able to let the the officer in charge knows about it? Should I inform the them personally or in writing? Should I inform ICA officer or MOM officer? A bit confused though.

2) Currently I'm just trying to get an EP, but what has it to do with returning all the CPF savings? Remember, it's only EP pass alone. Just wondering if it is related? Previously, prior applying for my EP, I did speak and check with ICA officer and the officer mentioned that I'd need to return those money when I've the intention to re-apply my PR status. Plz correct me if I'm wrong. But I didn't ask for the case when I'm applying for an EP pass.

3) How would I be able to return all of my withdrawn CPF savings, considering I haven't got an EP pass, just holding a social visit pass? Any idea?

Please help / advice. Thanks.