Employment pass rejected more than once

[tropics_oz]

Hey guys, just looking for a bit of advice if anyone has been through a similar situation:

Moved to SG almost a year ago for defacto partner's transfer, all very exciting to be expats again and experiencing life in Asia. Partner is on a P1 pass and I hold a LTVP as his common law spouse.

I am a recent graduate (end of last year) from a reputable uni back home and was quickly offered a job with a local company based on my education - a degree which is very specific to the role and not offered in Singapore. Jobs in my area are fairly limited in Singapore as it is an emerging field, and the skills required for the role were very specific.

Initial application for a Q1 pass was turned down, along with three other applications and appeals done over the course of this year. Extremely frustrated as MoM do not give reasons behind their decision making process and rejection.

The company that has offered me the job have been fantastic and supportive during this whole process, but have now admitted there is nothing more they can do. The job was re-advertised and no local applicants fit the skill-set required, however MoM still do not see that I am not only ready and willing to work, but also qualified for the position.

I realise that my lack of experience does not help my case, but does anyone have any advice or tips on what to do next? Is it likely that the high number of rejections will have an affect on any positions/EP applications I go for in the future?

Any help will be much appreciated as we are getting desperate and may have to consider leaving Singapore if I am unable to work.

Cheers.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Is your school & degree listed on MOM's EPEC webpage? If it's not, then that degree won't get you a job here unless you have several years experience to go with it.

Or, the company has their own problems with MOM. What you should do is find another company, have them apply and if it's rejected there, then, the odds are you aren't going to get one approved at all. Just because the company wants you actually doesn't mean there aren't local with suitable qualifications (and all they need is 6 months work experience and they will have you beat hands down.

It rough, and you were probably advised before coming here that the possibility existed that you would not be able to work here. Or, had you been on this site before you moved here, I guarantee you would have been told.

[ecureilx]

Initial application for a Q1 pass was turned down, along with three other applications and appeals done over the course of this year. Extremely frustrated as MoM do not give reasons behind their decision making process and rejection.

Yes, I know it can be frustrating .. but, ask your employer to offer a higher salary - high enough and your employer, if they are of good repute, MOM may consider (if your employer has a shady record, or MOM suspects, something is amiss, it could turn out to be a case of cash-back .. )

The reason why MOM Is loathe to giving reasons is obvious: to stop the spate of lawsuits a-la Australia or elsewhere, where rejected parties will sue saying "I am eligible, hence you must give..."

But, if your employer seeks an interview, the MOM officers are considerate, if, as SMS says, your employer has no issue, and advice accordingly

And more than one employer has forgotten that when somebody left, they forgot to terminate the EP, and MOM is still counting the foreign talent as included, or the local head count is dubious (as it happened to me .. )

[sundaymorningstaple]

As I said, with the tightening of criteria, being hired for a position, as a foreigner, with no experience, is very doubtful. Doesn't make sense.

[tropics_oz]

Thanks for the advice people.

Company has already tried to raise level of salary and that didn't make a difference to the application.

Will try a couple of other companies and see if it is them or me!

Thanks again.

[x9200]

In a pretty similar situation my wife got her EP only after appeal but:
- this was some few good years ago
- the company was a public school (state owned)

Apparently the fact that her education/professional profile matched the niche in the market (huge deficit of such people locally) was not enough. Probably her lack of experience was more important.