A document request is not a final decision.
Additional review can clarify the candidate’s role, qualifications, salary or employer’s activities. It does not by itself mean rejection. Read the request carefully and respond within the stated deadline; ask through the appropriate channel if clarification is necessary.
What evidence may help?
A fixed monthly salary of at least $22,500 exempts a candidate from COMPASS and the mandatory job-advertisement requirement under the Fair Consideration Framework. It does not guarantee an Employment Pass. Fair hiring and the remaining application requirements still apply.
The proposed salary should fit the role, the candidate’s experience and the business’s ability to pay. MOM may request further evidence, including proof that the declared salary will be paid. Depending on MOM’s request, supporting documents may include signed contracts and their values, bank statements and available funds, ongoing business records, company information or a website, and the candidate’s background and expertise. MOM does not require all of these documents for every application.
- Contracts: identify the signed parties, scope, value and relevant dates.
- Financial evidence: show actual funds, receipts, obligations and salary affordability.
- Company information: explain services, customers, operations and relevant online information.
- Candidate background: connect actual skills and experience to the proposed job.
Only provide what is relevant and accurate. A newly created website or business plan does not replace evidence of real activity.
Explain how the business will fund the role.
Separate paid-up capital from current cash. Budget salary and operating costs against realistic revenue timing and available lawful funding. MOM does not publish a universal $100,000 founder-capital requirement in the EP eligibility criteria. The records should show how the company will fund the proposed salary and its other expenses.
Consistent information across your application documents
The job description, employment terms, contracts, accounts and candidate history should describe the same business and role. Explain unusual items with supporting records rather than using generic claims. Never create or alter evidence to fit an application.
How long will it take?
Online Employment Pass applications are processed or given an update within 10 business days. Extra document requests can extend the process. An approval, request for information or rejection is MOM’s decision. If rejected, an appeal must be submitted within three months and should address the rejection issues; there is no published universal entitlement to two appeals.
What if the application is rejected?
Review the stated reasons and whether new information can address them. An appeal is due within three months of rejection. Repeating an unchanged case is not a substitute for resolving the issue. Our quotation sets out the appeal work and professional fee. MOM decides the appeal.
If the application is rejected
Read our EP appeal guide for the deadline, submitting party and evidence needed to address the rejection issue.
Answer the actual question with supporting records
Read each query as a separate request. Identify what MOM is asking to establish, the records already available and any inconsistency in the original application. A general company introduction is not a substitute for a requested contract, explanation of duties or funding record.
- Quote or number each query in the response so nothing is missed.
- Match the explanation with dated documents and relevant pages.
- Explain the current business stage, including genuine limitations.
- Reconcile role, salary and funding claims with the submitted records.
- Check the response deadline and retain a copy of the submission.
For a new company, a contract’s headline value and the cash available to pay monthly salaries can differ. Explain payment milestones and present funding where relevant. Our holding-company case illustrates one response to additional questions. It is not a list of documents required from every applicant.
Frequently asked questions
Should I send every company document in response?
Organise the evidence around the questions asked. Relevant, consistent records are more useful than an unexplained document dump.
Are bank statements always required?
Not as a universal checklist for every EP. MOM can request additional documents, including proof the declared salary will be paid. Respond to the actual request.
Does a website replace business evidence?
No. It can explain the company but does not replace contracts, funds or accurate records.
Official sources
Related guides
Enquire about an Employment Pass
Tell us whether you are applying, renewing or appealing, along with the candidate’s age, role and proposed salary.