Receiving an Employment Pass (EP) rejection notice can be a significant setback for both the candidate and the hiring firm. In 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has fully integrated the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) points system, making the approval process more transparent but also more rigorous.
At Hallmark Corporate Services, we’ve seen that many rejections are not final—they are often a call for better documentation or a realignment with new 2026 benchmarks. Here is your guide to understanding why rejections happen and how to navigate the appeal process.
Top Reasons for EP Rejection in 2026
A. Falling Short of 2026 Salary Benchmarks
As of January 2026, the minimum qualifying salary for a new EP is S$5,600 (and S$6,200 for the financial services sector). However, MOM uses age-related benchmarks. A 45-year-old candidate must command a significantly higher salary (up to S$10,700) to pass the first “gate.” If the salary offered is even slightly below the 65th percentile for that age and sector, the application will likely fail the C1 (Salary) criterion.
B. Inadequate COMPASS Points
The 2026 COMPASS framework requires a minimum of 40 points. Common failure points include:
- C2 (Qualifications): Using a degree from an institution not recognized on MOM’s updated top-tier list.
- C3 (Diversity): The hiring firm already has a high concentration of the candidate’s nationality.
- C4 (Local Support): The company’s ratio of local PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians) is below the industry sub-sector average.
C. Verification Failures
In 2026, educational verification is mandatory. If you submit a qualification that hasn’t been pre-verified by an MOM-approved screening provider, or if the background check reveals a mismatch in accreditation, the application is automatically rejected.
The 2026 EP Appeal Roadmap
If your application is rejected, you have 3 months from the date of the rejection advisory to file an appeal. Simply resubmitting the same information will lead to a second rejection.
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
| 1. Analyze the Advisory | Log into the myMOM Portal to read the specific rejection reasons. | Identifies exactly which COMPASS criteria you missed. |
| 2. Address the Gap | Increase the salary offer or provide proof of a “Shortage Occupation” (SOL) bonus. | Directly counters the reason for rejection with new facts. |
| 3. Professional Appeal | Draft a formal appeal letter addressing the concerns point-by-point. | Persuades the MOM officer that the hire is critical to Singapore. |
| 4. Submit New Evidence | Attach verified transcripts, detailed job scopes, or local hiring plans. | Provides the “new information” required for an appeal to be considered. |
Appeal vs. New Application: Which is Better?
- File an Appeal: If you can fix the issue with the current role (e.g., you can increase the salary to meet the 90th percentile or provide a missing certificate).
- Submit a Fresh Application: If the entire job profile needs to change (e.g., a different role with different responsibilities) or if the company’s local hiring ratio has significantly improved since the first attempt.
The “Shortage Occupation” (SOL) Advantage
In 2026, if the role falls under the Shortage Occupation List (such as specialized AI roles, Green Tech, or specific Healthcare functions), you may be eligible for 20 bonus points. Highlighting this in an appeal can often tip a “marginal fail” into an approval.
Managing the 6-Week Wait
Once an appeal is lodged by your employer or an authorized agency like Hallmark, the processing time is typically 6 weeks. During this period:
- The candidate cannot work in Singapore.
- The candidate must ensure their current social visit pass or other visa remains valid.
- The employer should monitor the status via EP Online.
Conclusion: Don’t Navigate the Appeal Alone
In 2026, the margin for error in an EP appeal is razor-thin. MOM’s AI-driven systems quickly spot inconsistencies, and a second rejection can make future applications for that candidate significantly more difficult.
At Hallmark Corporate Services, we provide EP Appeal Advocacy. We can perform an analysis of your COMPASS score, benchmark your salary offers against the latest 2026 data, and craft persuasive, evidence-backed appeals that speak the language of MOM.
Did your candidate’s EP get rejected recently? Would you like our work pass specialists to review the rejection advisory and manage your appeal strategy today?