When you’re hiring foreign talent in Singapore, ensuring your background checks comply with Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requirements isn’t just paperwork; it’s the foundation of a successful work pass application. The process is there to ensure that the integrity of the Singaporean workforce is not compromised, ensuring that your candidates actually have the qualifications they say they have. Being your candidate intelligence partner, we are aware of the nuances in the education verification process and will assist you in negotiating these rules with confidence and efficiency.The stakes are high when it comes to MOM compliance. A lack of adherence to their standards may lead to delays in the application process, rejection, and a significant disruption to your job-finding schedule. We have witnessed too many organisations whose documentation lacks completeness or verification reports, resulting in non-conforming products that can lead to frustrating and avoidable delays. Understanding what’s required and how to meet these obligations ensures you remain compliant while securing the talent your organisation needs to thrive.
Here’s how you can ensure your background checks are fully compliant with MOM requirements:
- Choose a MOM-Recognised Screening Partner. This is your most critical decision. MOM only accepts verification proof from selected background screening companies, and we’re proud to be officially recognised on their approved list. When you work with us, you can be assured that our verification reports meet the exact standards of MOM and will be accepted for all work pass applications, including Employment Pass (EP), S-Pass, and the new OnePass. This eliminates the guesswork and ensures your applications proceed smoothly.
- Trust Our Stringent Education Verification Process. MOM requires verification for all declared post-secondary diplomas and higher education qualifications, with no exceptions. We verify and authenticate the certificate by contacting the institution where it was issued and the registration office to confirm that it is genuine and granted by a recognised authority. We cover local universities to global ones in our network of over 76 countries, thereby encompassing all your global talent pool. We are your trusted partner for education verification.
- Ensure Your Verification Includes the MOM Reference Number. Here’s where many applications hit a snag: every compliant verification report must include a unique MOM verification reference number. If you’re using a verification proof issued before September 1, 2023, you’ll need to have it reissued with the proper reference number. We automatically include this reference number in all our reports, eliminating this common source of delays and ensuring your documentation meets current standards.
- Understand What Needs to Be Verified. While education verification is a primary focus for MOM compliance, it’s crucial to recognise that different work passes have unique requirements. For instance, the new OnePass requires more extensive employment checks, including salary verification, to confirm a candidate’s earning history. This is in addition to the standard qualification checks. It’s also important to remember that you only need to verify a candidate’s education and qualifications once; if they’ve been verified previously, you won’t need to do it again. To better understand which checks apply to your specific hiring needs, we invite you to communicate with one of our expert consultants or download our complimentary MOM guide and MAS guides for detailed insights.
We understand that navigating MOM’s requirements can feel overwhelming, especially when managing multiple applications or working under tight deadlines. The usual 14-working-day verification turnaround can extend your hiring timeline, and the administrative task of ensuring compliance often pulls your HR team away from strategic initiatives. Many organisations find themselves caught in a cycle of delays, resubmissions, and frustrating back-and-forth communication with various verification providers. When facing urgent hiring needs, the last thing you want is to be stuck with chatbots or generic responses that cannot address your specific challenges or offer viable solutions tailored to your situation. Luckily, we can provide you with a streamlined solution.
The education verification process doesn’t have to be a clinical or impersonal obstacle in your recruitment journey. When you partner with us, you’re not just getting a verification service – you’re gaining a dedicated case manager who understands the urgency of your hiring needs and can offer personalised solutions to your unique challenges. We have expedited verifications to as little as 7 working days for urgent requests, and our transparent flat pricing (S$98.10 including GST) stays consistent regardless of which country your candidate’s qualifications come from – unlike other providers whose prices vary greatly by location.
Partnering with us means no surprises in your budget and no need to account for unpredictable costs when planning your global recruitment strategy. By turning compliance from a necessary burden into a seamless part of your hiring process, we ensure your focus remains where it should be: welcoming the right talent into your team.