Struggling to Secure an Employment Pass? Here’s How to Get It Right
Hiring top overseas talent can transform your business, but securing an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore is tougher than ever. Many SMEs face delays, rejections, and wasted months, simply because they don’t know MOM’s evolving criteria.
At Ace Digital SG, we spoke with HRplus, a leader with 20+ years of experience, to uncover the most common mistakes businesses make—and how to avoid costly delays. From salary benchmarks and job descriptions to compliance pitfalls, this article breaks down exactly what you need to do to maximize your chances of approval.
Want to avoid EP rejection? Read now and get expert insights.
Why Singapore SMEs Struggle with Employment Pass Approvals
Hiring top international talent can be the game-changer your business needs—but securing an Employment Pass (EP) in Singapore has become harder than ever. Stricter regulations, increased scrutiny, and complex requirements mean many businesses waste months on applications, only to face costly rejections.
At Ace Digital SG, we bring you expert insights to help your business thrive. We spoke with HRPlus, an industry leader who has helped hundreds of businesses successfully secure EPs over the past 20 years. If you’re planning to hire from overseas, you can’t afford to get this wrong—here’s how to increase your chances of approval and avoid costly mistakes.
The Most Common Employment Pass Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Many SMEs assume that if a candidate meets the qualifications, the EP will be approved. In reality, MOM (Ministry of Manpower) evaluates much more—including your company’s hiring history, salary structure, and industry demand.
Here’s where most businesses go wrong and how you can avoid costly delays.
1. Not Demonstrating a Genuine Need for Foreign Talent
MOM prioritizes local employment, and if your business hasn’t shown effort to hire Singaporeans, your application is more likely to be rejected or delayed.
How to Fix It:
Provide clear documentation of your local hiring efforts.
Justify why a foreign hire is essential for your business.
Make sure to structure your application properly based on the latest regulations.
2. Offering a Salary That Raises Red Flags
Many businesses underestimate MOM’s salary benchmarks, assuming they can offer a lower package. If your salary doesn’t match industry standards, it can trigger a rejection or lengthy review process.
How to Fix It:
Benchmark your salary against MOM’s latest requirements.
Show competitive compensation aligned with the candidate’s qualifications.
Ensure your salary package meets approval standards without unnecessary overspending.
3. Weak Job Descriptions & Poor Justification
Vague job roles or unclear justifications can lead to automatic rejection. MOM needs to see that this role requires specialized skills that are difficult to find locally.
How to Fix It:
Clearly define the job scope and how it benefits Singapore’s economy.
Highlight the unique skills of your candidate and why they are critical to your business.
Customise your job descriptions that align with MOM’s expectations.
4. Submitting Incomplete or Incorrect Documents
Many EP applications fail because of minor errors—missing documents, incorrect details, or outdated financial statements. Even a small mistake can delay your approval for months.
How to Fix It:
Double-check all documents before submission.
Provide updated company financials and clear hiring records.
Go though all required documents in detail to avoid critical mistakes.
Why You Can’t Afford to Get It Wrong
Every EP rejection or delay costs your business valuable time and money. With Singapore’s employment regulations tightening, there is no room for error. A single mistake can result in months of delays, lost candidates, and wasted effort—while competitors move forward with their hiring.
The smart way forward? Work with experts who have done this successfully hundreds of times.
Don’t Risk Your EP Approval – Get Expert Help Now
Securing an Employment Pass isn’t just paperwork—it’s a strategy. Without expert guidance, your business could be stuck in rejections, costly delays, and endless frustration.
Don’t waste time on guesswork. Get it right the first time.
HRplus has over 20 years of experience helping businesses like yours secure EP approvals quickly and successfully.
Book a FREE discovery call with HRplus now: 
www.singaporeemploymentpass.com.sg
Stop delaying—every day your EP isn’t approved is a day your business loses talent. Act now.
Ace Digital SG: Helping Singapore Businesses
At Ace Digital SG, we bring you expert insights that matter—from marketing to hiring the right talent to scaling your business smarter.
Have a question or need us to cover a business topic? Let us know—we bring you the answers Singapore business owners need.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
