For some positions, the recruitment cycle could be much longer. Can we use a job advertisement where the closing date is more than 3 months before the date of EP or S Pass applications?

No.

The intent of the advertising requirement is to promote labour market transparency.

Employers are required to re-advertise before you submit a new EP or S Pass application if the closing date of the original job advertisement is more than 3 months before the date of application.

Example: If your job advertisement closed on 31 December 2019, any EP or S Pass application submitted after 31 March 2020 will be rejected.