Singapore EP Rejected? Top 5 Reasons and Appeal Strategies

At a Glance

Minimum EP salary increased to SGD 5,600 (approx. KRW 6.45M) as of January 2025

Appeals must be submitted within 3 months of rejection

Scoring below 40 points on the COMPASS framework is the most common reason for rejection

Securing a visa is often the first and most significant hurdle to starting a life in Singapore. I still vividly remember the anxiety of refreshing the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website every morning, waiting for my approval email. Recently, as visa screening criteria have tightened, many people are finding themselves in difficult situations—whether it's a renewal being rejected at a long-term job or a new visa not coming through after a career move.

Receiving a sudden rejection notice can feel overwhelming, but don't lose hope just yet. According to MOM statistics, approximately 85% of appeals are processed within six weeks. If you identify the exact reason for the rejection and respond strategically, you have a strong chance of turning that 'Rejected' into an 'Approved.' Today, I’ll walk you through the top reasons for EP rejections in 2025 and 2026, along with effective appeal strategies.

1. Updated EP Eligibility Criteria for 2025–2026

The first thing to check is the salary. To protect local employment, the Singapore government continues to raise the minimum salary threshold for EP applications. If you aren't aware of the new standards effective from January 1, 2025, your application could fail right from the start.

Category	General Sector	Financial Services
Entry Level	SGD 5,600	SGD 6,200
Experienced (Age 45+)	SGD 10,700	SGD 11,800

As shown in the table above, the required salary increases significantly with age. MOM doesn't just look at the 'minimum' amount; they scrutinize whether your salary is above the market average for your specific age group and experience level. If your salary only barely meets the threshold, the probability of rejection increases.

2. Top 5 Reasons for EP Rejection: Why Was Mine Denied?

Recent rejection cases generally fall into five categories. The process has become much more complex since the introduction of the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) points-based system in 2023.

Salary Not Commensurate with Age: If a candidate in their mid-40s applies with a salary close to the entry-level minimum, MOM may deem them 'replaceable by local talent' and reject the application.
Low COMPASS Score (Below 40 Points): This happens when the total score across four foundational criteria—Salary, Qualifications, Diversity, and Support for Local Employment—does not reach 40. Korean companies with a very high percentage of Korean staff often score 0 in the 'Diversity' category.
Education Verification Errors: All degrees must now be verified by MOM-approved third-party agencies (such as DataFlow). Missing documents or school names that don't match the system exactly can trigger an immediate rejection.
Lack of Local Recruitment Effort (FCF Violation): Employers must post the role on the MyCareersFuture portal for at least 14 days. If the job description seems tailored to a specific candidate or if local applicants were rejected without valid reasons, the visa will likely be denied.
Company’s Financial Viability: For new startups or companies with very low revenue, MOM may question the business's ability to sustain the employee's salary.

3. Winning Strategies for a Successful Appeal

If you receive a rejection, the first step is to check the 'Rejection Advisory,' which contains specific codes explaining the decision. You have exactly 3 months from the rejection date to appeal. A simple plea to "please reconsider" will not work.

Provide New Information: The key to a successful appeal is presenting 'new evidence' that wasn't in the original application. This could be a revised contract with a salary increase or a detailed business plan demonstrating the critical nature of the projects the employee will lead.
Target the Shortage Occupation List (SOL): If your role falls under the 'Shortage Occupation List'—such as AI, Cybersecurity, or Green Energy—highlight this strongly. This is a 'cheat code' that can grant you 20 bonus points on COMPASS.
Leverage Strategic Economic Priorities (SEP): If your company participates in specific government-backed programs, you can earn 10 bonus points. Proving how your company contributes to the Singaporean economy is a vital point of leverage.

4. Practical Tips for Korean Residents

There are a few specific things Korean expats should watch out for to avoid the sting of a rejection.

Use the SAT (Self-Assessment Tool): Always run the self-diagnosis tool on the MOM website before applying. It reflects the 2025 updated standards and can predict approval chances with over 90% accuracy.
Verify English Names on Degrees: Ensure that the English name on your graduation certificate, your passport, and the school name in the MOM system are all identical. Even a small spacing error can delay verification.
Manage Diversity in Korean Firms: If your company has a high ratio of Korean employees, it is strategic to increase the proportion of local (Singaporean/PR) PMETs before hiring more foreigners. This prevents penalties in the corporate diversity score.
Renew 6 Months in Advance: Applying right before your visa expires is risky; a rejection could force you to leave the country. Start preparing documents 6 months early, and remember that the increased salary criteria will also apply to renewals starting January 2026.