Singapore Work Visa Rejection Reasons 2026

Getting a rejection letter at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) can be tempted to think that the world has just closed the door to your Singaporean career. But in 2026 to be rejected is not so much a no to your talent, it is more of a not yet, according to the data-driven thresholds of the COMPASS framework.

By January 1, 2026, MOM has narrowed down its salary standards and changed its points-based eligibility requirements on both initial applications and renewals.1 In case of an unsuccessful application, the first step to securing an unsuccessful appeal is to understand the reasons of Singapore work visa rejections in 2026.

COMPASS Scoring Failures (EP Specific)

• Employment Pass (EP): is now a definitive passage through the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) even when your personal income is below the required minimum, you have to get a minimum of 40 points on four foundational and two bonus requirements.
• Lack of COMPASS Points: This is the most widespread challenge. The question is whether your sum in terms of salary, qualifications, diversity, and local support are not going to be 40 and more and your application will be automatically rejected.
• Low Diversity Score (C3): MOM promotes an equal workforce. In case your company already has a concentration of employees of your nationality that is high, you can have 0 points on this.
• Weak Local Employment Support (C4): Rejections are frequently experienced by companies that do not have a healthy ratio of local PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executive, and Technicians) when compared to their industry counterparts.
• Unaccredited Educational Qualifications (C2): Since 2026 MOM has increased its list of higher-ranking institutions.5 In case your degree is obtained at an unaccredited or otherwise unverified school, you fail to get the 1020 points that are essential to be passed.
• Skills Bonus Mismatch (C5): The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) +20 bonus points will only be claimed when there is an exact match. When your position is that of an AI Specialist, but you are doing general IT, MOM will raise the red flag.

Market Benchmark Issues and Salary

MOM applies age-based indices to make sure that the foreign professionals are not overpaid compared to local talent.

Salary Below Age-Indexed Threshold: In 2026, a 23-year-old graduate would require Sg5,600 (non-finance) or Sg6,200 (finance). The failure to increase salary with experience is a significant rejection stimulus.

• Mismatch in non-Finance Salary Benchmarks: With regard to general sectors, any proposal less than S5,600 is a no.
• Financial Services Sector Salary Difference: banking and fintech are more complex than the rest of the applications below SG6,200 will not pass Gate 1 of the test.
• Salary Not Commensurate with Experience: In case an applicant has worked at the position of 20 years old, but he is paid the minimum qualifying salary, MOM will consider it to be a mismatched position.
• Internal Salary Inequity: MOM verifies whether the foreign employee is being paid much less than the local counterparts in the same company, which creates the risk of undercutting.

Employer-Related Red Flags

In many cases, the candidate may be ideal, but the sponsoring firm may not make it during the vetting process of the MOM.

• Failure in the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF): Employers will advertise jobs on MyCareersFuture and specify the advert as lasting 14 days.13 Rejections: The advert will be rejected in case the ad is too broad, or the salary range is too broad (more than 2x difference), or because the job title on the advert does not match the visa application.
• Poor Company history: A negative track record rejection can be caused by adverse company track record of labor law breaches, unfair dismissal claims or excessive local staff turnover.
• Quota/Dependency Ratio Breachs: In S Pass holders, companies are required to employ a number of local workers.16 That is, exceeding the quota is immediately rejected.
• False Reporting Lines: This is a significant warning sign to the MOM of using an exaggerated title such as Managing Director when the job seems to be on the junior level.

Documentation and Technical mistakes

These are the worst types of rejection since they are all avoidable.

• Inequalities in Employment History: Lacuna in your CV that cannot be explained or dates which contradict any prior visa documentation raise integrity concerns.
• Unverifiable Credentials: any degree should be confirmed through a background check company approved by MOM (e.g., Avvanz, Verity).18 In case of the absence or inconclusive report of the background check, the visa is rejected.
• Inability to address the Health Needs: Singapore has rigorous health examinations. Pass revocation will be caused by a positive TB test or other communicable diseases found during the required medical examination.

Sector-Specific Reasons of Rejection

• Non-Approved Source Country: It is mostly applied in Work Permit holders in the industry such as Construction, Marine, and Process (CMP) where only certain nationalities are accepted.
• Absence of Mandatory Safety Certifications: The absence of the Construction Skills Orientation Course (CSOC) or similar safety passes will halt an application in the tracks of technical positions.
• Lack of Specialization in Sectors with high demand: MOM focuses on niche expertise in 2026. When submitting an application to a generalist position in the Tech industry where MOM anticipates the utilization of AI or Cybersecurity skills, it is likely that the application will be pushed to a Local talent available rejection.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The secret to a successful application in 2026 is the MOM Self-Assessment Tool (SAT).20 Never submit an application without checking the SAT first; if the tool says “no,” the result will be identical in reality.21 If you are rejected, read the rejection advisory carefully—it usually contains the key to what needs fixing for your appeal.

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details from trusted sources, such as the official Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website, before making career or immigration decisions.