Employment pass rejection

[Frustrated]

Hi everyone,

I have recently secured a job in Singapore with a large IT MNC doing research and consulting work. I graduated in UK with an engineering degree and so far I have a year experience in a reputable market research and consulting firm base in Malaysia. My EP had been rejected twice and am hoping to go for a second appeal. My salary meets minimum requirement for a Q1 pass and my contract is one year renewable. The HR agent handling my case assume that my chances are slim for a second appeal due to my work experience and do not have a salary much higher than the minimum requirement. Also, the contract is only for a year. I do not understand why I am not granted the Q1 pass when I met all requirements...salary, education, experience and isn't the jobmarket improving in Singapore?

At this moment the HR doesn't seem too keen anymore to go forward with my second appeal but I have been pushing hard. The HR agent is waiting for greenlight from the hiring manager to go for the second appeal. Its so frustrating when you finally got a job and this sort of thing happen. Please advise on what are my possible routes? Anyone experienced similar situation? What can I do to build up a successful case for the second appeal? I was thinking of meeting the MOM officer, does it help?

Thanks in advance !

[KLS]

(do not have a salary much higher than the minimum requirement. Also, the contract is only for a year)

Without knowing the reason for rejection, it is difficult, But maybe you should ask the Employer to increase, the salary! if your to close to the minimum, I would think that could be a problem.

Especially when accommodation is quite high. Shame!

[Frustrated]

Hi KLS

Thanks for your reply. I guess you are right. I am just pushing my luck at this moment so going to hang on and see. At the worst, I have to drop everything.

Anyone facing or had faced similar problems? Please share your experience !

[arrow]

I'm not sure if you're referring to employment pass as in the P1/P2 category.
Q1/Q2 actually falls under the skilled worker, instead of the expat status of P1/P2.

Q1/Q2 generally is referred to as Work Permit, whereas P1/P2 is the Employment Pass, which is almost equivalent to PR status, only with slightly less benefit/rights.

I'm Malaysian, came in, stayed 2 weeks & applied for employment pass. I fall under the P2 category, but with all accomodation & other expenses paid by company. My application was approved in 3 days.

To be honest, I think it has something to do with the total package you receive from the company. The application is really judged based on case-to-case basis. And (sorry to say this) where you're from carries a lot of weight on your application. Easiest approval would be for Hong Kong residents. Next would be malaysians.

Good luck.

[Frustrated]

Hi arrow,

Thanks for your reply. As far as I know, the Q1 pass is under Employment Pass (check the MOM website and you can see the structure). I am no expat like you and just a young, regular working person and trying to seize this job opportunity in Singapore.

I totally disagree with you saying that where I am from carries a lot of weight. A lot of my acquantainces are graduates from Malaysia and they did not encounter any problems when applying for the Q1 pass and a lot of them are working happily across the causeway. So being a hongkie or a malaysian does not make much difference and the only thing I agree with you is the package thing and the fact it varies from case to case.

Anyhow, thanks again for your view. Appreciate it.

[Guest]

I used to work in a professional services firm and have handled many EP applications for MNCs, including a no. of IT MNCs. Frankly speaking, I've not encountered an applicant with one year of experience getting his application approved. Salary is one thing, but work experience is very important. The HR person handling the case has to state why the company needs you and why you're suitable for the job. If I'm not mistaken, the demand for IT professionals has also dropped significantly over the past two years. That could also be one of the factors for your rejection. Anyway, all the best!

[rmidlands2]

A question to the guy who used to work in the professional services firm:

This is my scenerio, do u think i could get an employment pass:

Hi All,
My company is going to offer me a role in Singapore, i have been at my present company for 6 years. I work as a software engineer in the Telecoms industry whereby i have approx 10 years experience. I will be on about 120, 000 SGD per year.

However I only have GCSE and A BTEC national diploma but no degree.

What are the chances of getting an employment pass?

Thanks

[tiger143]

Is experience mandatory for obtaining a Q1 pass?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'm not sure if you're referring to employment pass as in the P1/P2 category.

Q1/Q2 actually falls under the skilled worker, instead of the expat status of P1/P2. Absolutely incorrect! A WP is an Work Permit and an "S" Pass is a skilled worker that falls between the WP and the "Q" Pass.

Q1/Q2 generally is referred to as Work Permit, whereas P1/P2 is the Employment Pass, which is almost equivalent to PR status, only with slightly less benefit/rights. Absolutely incorrect! A "P" pass is no closer to PR status than a "Q" pass!

I'm Malaysian, came in, stayed 2 weeks & applied for employment pass. I fall under the P2 category, but with all accomodation & other expenses paid by company. My application was approved in 3 days.

To be honest, I think it has something to do with the total package you receive from the company. Absolutely Incorrect! It has everything to to with the position (can it be filled by a local easily? and the applicants Qualifications!) The application is really judged based on case-to-case basis. And (sorry to say this) where you're from carries a lot of weight on your application. Easiest approval would be for Hong Kong residents. Next would be malaysians.

Good luck.

arrow,

If you cannot pass on accurate information then you should not reply at all.

If you would take the time to actually go to the MOM website and do a little bit of reading you would learn that a Work Permit and an Employment are two different things. The P1 & P2 Classification are based on Salary levels and not on whether the company is offering you an "Expat" package. The Q passes are also based on income levels.

For your education:

The Employment Pass is for foreigners who:

* Earn a monthly basic salary of more than $2,500; and
* Have recognized qualifications.

Pass Types

P Pass/Q Pass

There are three categories of Employment Pass: P1, P2 and Q Pass. The P Pass is for foreigners seeking professional, managerial or executive and specialist jobs.

* P1 Pass – for applicants earning a monthly basic salary of more than $7,000.
* P2 Pass – for applicants earning a monthly basic salary of more than $3,500 and up to $7,000 and he/she possesses recognized qualifications.
* Q Pass – for applicants earning a monthly basic salary of more than $2,500 and he/she possesses recognized qualifications.

As you can see, the basic requirement for a P2 and a Q pass are identical.

The Old Q1 has been replaced by the "S" pass which is also for those with higher educations (And a salary of at least 1800/mo).

The S Pass is for foreigners who earn a monthly basic salary of at least $1,800. S Pass applicants will be assessed on a points system, taking into account multiple criteria including salary, education qualifications, skills, job type and work experience.

S Pass applicants chalk up points based on how far they meet the criteria. As a general guide, these criteria can be broadly described as (for illustrative purposes only):

* Salary - refers to a minimum basic salary of $1,800.
* Qualification - generally refer to degree or diploma level educational qualifications. Technical qualifications can be considered and are, very broadly, courses that train the applicant to be a qualified technician or specialist in their chosen field. This should be obtained after at least 1 year of full-time study.
* Job type - generally refers to professional, specialist or technician level jobs; and
* Years of Work Experience - generally refers to the number of relevant years of work experience that the applicant has for in the job being applied for.

Work Permit holders who wish to apply for an S Pass must ensure that they meet the above requirement.

Next time please do some research before replying.

[dananjay]

Hello PALS,

Myself Dananjay applied for EP [Q1] through one of the company which will be outsourcing to INVENSYS singapore and my salry is also above average [as per Q1 pass standards],
and yesterday i came to knew through my company that my EP [thr...Online] got rejected,
but MOM is not showing any reasons for rejaecting my EP

My salary meets minimum requirement for a Q1 pass and my contract is 2 year renewable. The HR agent handling my case assume that my chances are slim for a second appeal due to my 3 .6 yrs work experience and do not have a salary much higher than the minimum requirement. Also, the contract is only for a year. I do not understand why I am not granted the Q1 pass when I met all requirements...salary, education, experience and isn't the jobmarket improving in Singapore?

Its so frustrating when you finally got a job and this sort of thing happen. Please advise on what are my possible routes? Anyone experienced similar situation? What can I do to build up a successful case for the second appeal? I was thinking of meeting the MOM officer, does it help?

how many times can i re apply for Q1 EP and also how much time it will take if i apply now ?

Thanks in advance !

Warm Regards,
Dany

[JNMECOSSE]

Why was I only granted a P2 though my monthly salary is in the region of $25,000 ? I thought it would have been a P1

[jpatokal]

Why was I only granted a P2 though my monthly salary is in the region of $25,000 ? I thought it would have been a P1

That's a bit weird, but does it really matter? It should still be smooth sailing to a PR in a year or two.

[moonwatcher]

I´ve just checked out the EP Eligibility Self-Assessment Tool on MOM website and it says I don´t qualify even for a Q pass
Can´t seem to understand why...
I have a 5 years bachelors degree in Journalism and over 4 years experience as a reporter
Anyone know of a foreign correspondent applicant rejected for EP? Do you have a better chance of securing an EP if your working language will not be English or any of Singapore´s other official languages?
This really is frustrating