Employment Pass Appeal!

[twistedoracles]

Hi,

I'm Malaysian and a recent Master's graduate from the UK.
I was recently offered a Trainee Nutritionist position in Singapore ($2500), of which I accepted.
My EP was rejected after 2 days. A few of us were hired for this intake and I believe that the other non-Singaporean's EP application was rejected as well. The company has proceeded to appeal. This was slightly more than a week ago.

I was wondering how long does it take, on average, for the appeal to be approved (or not!), as the role is scheduled to start early Nov. I'm aware though, that it does vary from case to case, depending on the complexity of the case.

Also, do appeals usually have positive end results? The company seems to be quite confident, but after reading the many threads of EP issues in here, I'm not entirely optimistic.

Any comments/insights would be very much appreciated!

[Strong Eagle]

I don't think that things look too bright for you.

a) S$2,500 is at the very bottom of the range to even qualify for an EP.
b) This is, as you note, a trainee position, and MOM can rightly ask, what is it that you can provide that a newly minted local graduate cannot supply?
c) The government is reacting strongly to shrill public criticism that foreigners are 'taking all the jobs'.

An appeal would be successful for only three reasons.

a) You are going to get a lot more money... not just a bit more... a lot more to kick you into the next EP bracket at least.
b) You can show some material change in YOUR circumstance since you applied that makes you a better candidate.
c) The company can rewrite the reason it needs to import foreigners and supply a more convincing reason they cannot find local talent for the job.

I wouldn't hold my breath on this one.

[econoMIC]

I don't think that things look too bright for you.

a) S$2,500 is at the very bottom of the range to even qualify for an EP.
b) This is, as you note, a trainee position, and MOM can rightly ask, what is it that you can provide that a newly minted local graduate cannot supply?
c) The government is reacting strongly to shrill public criticism that foreigners are 'taking all the jobs'.

An appeal would be successful for only three reasons.

a) You are going to get a lot more money... not just a bit more... a lot more to kick you into the next EP bracket at least.
b) You can show some material change in YOUR circumstance since you applied that makes you a better candidate.
c) The company can rewrite the reason it needs to import foreigners and supply a more convincing reason they cannot find local talent for the job.

I wouldn't hold my breath on this one.

He is right I am afraid. In your position with your salary you do what many other Singaporeans and PRs can do. On a personal note: you would be wasting your Masters on this job with this salary anyway I feel.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Unless of course, the Masters is from a not well respected university and/or the op when straight out of a Batchelor's into a Masters without any work history at all. That, for all practical purposes is worth any more than have a B.Sc/B.A. as far as the employment market is concerned.