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MOM EP Appeal

Singapore Employment Pass (EP) Rejection Reasons & Appeal Guide 2026

Complete guide to top Singapore Employment Pass (EP) rejection reasons. Fix COMPASS point shortfalls, salary benchmark gaps, FCF advertising errors, & MOM appeal rules.

Overview & Statutory Background

Receiving an Employment Pass (EP) or S Pass rejection notice from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) can stall corporate hiring plans. Understanding the root causes of EP rejections under the 2026 COMPASS framework—and taking corrective action—enables employers to file a successful appeal within MOM's 3-month appeal window.

Key Pass Highlights & Statutory Criteria

MOM Appeal Window

Within 3 Months

Verified

Appeal Processing Time

3 Weeks Average

Verified

Min. COMPASS Score

40 Points Needed

Verified

Re-Filing Fee

S$105 Fee

Verified

Evaluation Criteria & Points Breakdown

1. Failure to Meet COMPASS 40-Point Threshold

COMPASS Shortfall

Candidate scored under 40 points across C1 Salary, C2 Qualifications, C3 Diversity, and C4 Local Staff Share.

2. Below Stage 1 Fixed Salary Benchmark

Salary Gap

Fixed monthly salary fell below sector/age baseline (S$5,600 general / S$6,200 financial services).

3. Unaccredited Educational Qualifications

Degree Verification

Degree was not verified by an MOM-accredited background check agency or institution is unapproved.

4. Non-Compliance with Fair Consideration Framework (FCF)

FCF Posting Error

Job posting on MyCareersFuture was incomplete, ran under 14 days, or excluded local candidates without justification.

Mandatory Eligibility Requirements

Employers MUST submit an appeal within 3 months of the EP rejection date.

The appeal must be filed via MOM EP eService by the employer or authorized employment agency.

MUST ADDRESS REJECTION REASON: Appeals that fail to increase salary, provide new degree verification, or adjust firm diversity will be rejected again.

FCF RE-ADVERTISING: If rejected for FCF non-compliance, employer must re-advertise the job vacancy on MyCareersFuture for 14 new days before re-appealing.

Step-by-Step Application & Issuance Process

Review MOM COMPASS Score Breakdown

Employer logs into EP eService to view exact point breakdown across C1-C6 criteria.

Rectify Point Shortfalls

Adjust fixed salary, obtain third-party degree verification, or claim SOL bonus points.

Submit Appeal on EP eService

Upload appeal bundle and pay S$105 re-application fee within 3 months.

MOM Re-Assessment

MOM evaluates appeal (takes approx 3 weeks) and issues In-Principle Approval (IPA) upon success.

Required Document Checklist

•MOM EP Rejection Notice Letter & COMPASS Score Summary

•Revised Employment Contract showing increased fixed monthly salary (if fixing C1 score)

•MOM Accredited Background Verification Report (DataFlow/QualificationCheck)

•Proof of Employer Diversity / Local Staff Headcount Growth (if fixing C3/C4 score)

•Formal Employer Executive Appeal Support Letter

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Top reasons include: failing to score 40 points on COMPASS, salary falling below age/sector benchmarks, unverified educational degrees, high firm concentration of a single nationality (C3), or non-compliance with 14-day FCF job advertising.

Employers must submit a formal appeal online via MOM EP eService within 3 months of the rejection date.

EP appeal decisions typically take 3 weeks (21 calendar days).

Yes. If diversity cannot be changed immediately, the employer can increase the candidate's fixed monthly salary to earn 20 points in C1 (Salary) or claim Shortage Occupation List (SOL) bonus points to reach 40 total points.

No. Under MOM regulations, only the hiring Singapore employer or their appointed employment agency can file an EP appeal.

If an appeal is rejected, the decision is final for that specific application. The employer can submit a fresh application after 6 months if there are substantial changes to the job scope, salary, or candidate qualifications.