Recently, I’m worried about my EP/S pass (Employment pass/Skilled pass) job application. This is my second time applying for my EP/S-pass. The result is still pending and it is almost two weeks by now. The reply says , processing time is about one week and my application requires the inputs of external agencies which means processing time may take longer than usual. So, I have no choice but have to wait. The long period of pending may be because of the Singapore election which is coming on April 7, 2011. Singapore reduce foreign man power during election time to give more job opportunities for Singaporean.
When I was first time doing online, the company missed to fill some information and as a result, my application was rejected. Online application is need to be very careful, if my personal particular or the person who fill my application online did a single mistake then MOM is rejected. One thing I do not appreciate is when we inquire or email to MOM regarding about the reason of rejection, it takes couple of days to get reply and sometime the result is computer generated which is the answer is not effected enough for employee to find out the mistakes.
If we want to meet in person to MOM regarding about application, we also need to make appointment online first to meet with them which will take a week. Previously, the application is send via singapore post office to MOM (Ministry of Manpower) and MOM will take five weeks of processing time to get approval. However, starting from April 1, 2011, rules changes for EP (Employment Pass) application to submit through online. Online submission usually take a week processing time which is faster than submitting through post office. Moreover, I didn’t get long stay with social pass which is only allowed a month period of stay.
For student who canceled the student pass will get only a month of stay to find a job and student will not get another extension after one month because course is already finished. Therefore, I started seeking the job one and half month earlier before my course is finished. At that time, I was thinking to extend my student pass to get stay in Singapore during my first time application submitted to MOM. However, I realize that my application will get conflict with my student pass extension. The fact is that, my personal particulars were hold by ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore)since I was applying student pass and while applying job, MOM will receive my personal particulars.
Although they are doing separately, both of their computer database will be linked (I’m not sure but I believe so) and when MOM search my name on their computer, that’s it. They will know instantly that I’m a student and MOM will possibly reject my application. However, some students do canceling their student pass after they got the employment pass.Sometime that is not a big issue but sometime shit happens. Singapore already has a rule that a foreign student who is holding student pass is not allow to work in Singapore except the student is attending at Government affiliated University. Those who are studying at Government affiliated University are allowed to work part-time (not more than 16 hours) only during the school term, or full-time during vacation. As for me, in order to avoid conflicting I didn’t extend my student pass and switch to social pass.
Summing up, I feel like challenging myself like whether I get the job within one and a half month or go home. This is like testing my capability and a bit putting myself to rely on luck. Anyway, this is why I’m bit worried during these days and I wish for one thing that my application will get approve from MOM as soon as possible before my social pass expire. Last option, if my application is still pending, I’ll print my pending form and show it to MOM and request to stay a bit longer till my application get approved.
Keep moving forward, Yan. Always aim for the sky, if you fail at least you can reach the clouds. 
