In Singapore’s highly competitive job market, there is an increasing focus on securing the best-fit talent from overseas. As a result, thorough candidate background screening is vital to ensuring a person is who they say they are and hold no criminal convictions prior to onboarding.
How can HR and recruitment leaders build effective police clearance for foreigners into the hiring process?
In our previous articles, we discussed Employment Pass (EP) and S pass eligibility. In this article, we will be talking about police clearances in Singapore, and why comprehensive background screening matters.
Criminal Background Check Essentials: The Certificate of Clearance
Background screening is critical in Singapore’s dynamic job market. When it comes to foreigners wanting to live and work in Singapore, criminal background checks will ensure potential candidates do not have a criminal record and are the right fit for the role.
In January 2025, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) approached 37 locations and arrested 11 individuals for suspected false declarations of employment. The risk of false employment declarations can be avoided with effective criminal checks and background screening. This is especially important at a time of increased fraud among both local and foreign work applicants in Singapore.
What is a Certificate of Clearance?
As of January 2025, obtaining a police check or Certificate of Clearance (COC) from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) as a foreigner requires a fully digitalised application process. The COC certifies that a foreign work applicant has no criminal convictions during their time in Singapore.
Singapore citizens can easily apply for a COC online. For foreign workers, employers are required to conduct criminal background checks in their country of origin. This means that foreign legal systems, potential language and cultural barriers, and any barriers to accessing comprehensive international databases must be considered.
If approved by the Criminal Investigation Department of the SPF, a candidate’s COC will state that a person has no criminal records in Singapore within a stipulated timeframe. It may be requested by an institution as part of an application process for employment or business purposes, migration, or for further education opportunities.
Partnering with a reliable background screening provider will help address some of the challenges in obtaining a COC for foreign workers. Screening providers already have the expertise in conducting global screening, as well as access to international databases and familiarity with legal requirements across different jurisdictions. Partnering with a MOM-approved background screening service will ensure thorough, effective, and accurate background checks for people across foreign countries.
Who can apply for a Certificate of Clearance?
Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, and non-Singapore citizens can apply for a Certificate of Clearance.
To apply for a COC, non-Singapore citizens must meet the following criteria:
- Duration: Resided, worked, and/or studied in Singapore for a continuous period of six months or more.
- Pass Type: Held a long-term pass (e.g., Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit, Student Pass, or Dependent Pass) issued by MOM.
- Age: 16 years old or older.
- Documentary Proof: A formal request letter from an embassy, consulate, or government authority requiring the COC (e.g. For employment or migration).
The applicant will need to provide all the relevant documentation indicating that a COC is required and why.
How Long Does It Take?
The application should only take 15–30 minutes to complete online.
The processing time for the COC application is 7 to 14 days. The timeframe will be longer if the documents and information submitted for the COC application are incomplete, inaccurate, or do not meet the stated requirements.
If an individual is contacted about their COC and does not reply, the application will be treated as closed six months after the date of application.
Which Industries Have Special Background Check Rules in Singapore?
In Singapore’s stringent job market, police checks and background screening are very common across most sectors. Background screening ensures integrity and safety for leaders, teams, and individuals.
Some industries in Singapore are subject to stricter regulations and more specialised screening requirements, such as financial services, health, education, and government roles. Technical sectors like construction and marine services may also have more stringent requirements. The screening processes are often mandated by regulators to mitigate risk and protect sensitive data and information in these sectors.
Regardless of the industry, all background checks in Singapore must comply with:
- Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA): Explicit consent is required from candidates before collecting, using, or disclosing personal data.
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM): For foreign applicants, employers must verify educational qualifications through MOM-accredited third-party background check providers.
- Tripartite Guidelines: Checks should be job-related, fair, and based on merit.
Employment History Verification
Did you know that 89% of potential employers conduct some form of background screening?
Background screening in Singapore is important because it safeguards a company’s assets, reputation, brand, and people from potential harm.
The top three reasons employers conduct employment background checks include:
- To protect clients and customers
- To enhance workplace safety
- To identify and recruit the best candidates
To ensure effective employment history verification prior to onboarding, RMI offers comprehensive, MOM-compliant employment background screenings, specialising in verifying candidate work experience, titles, salaries, and misconduct records.
With an average turnaround of 7–15 business days, RMI provides highly secure and tailored verification for international and local hiring needs, helping you mitigate risk and source world-class talent for your business.
Education Verification Requirements
Almost 65% of residents aged 25 and over hold post-secondary (including diploma and university) qualifications in Singapore. The overall population is highly educated, with 6 in 10 residents holding post-secondary or higher qualifications in 2020, up from 5 in 10 in 2010.
In an environment that places great value on education and educational qualifications, it is key to conduct education verification prior to hiring in Singapore. For this reason, employers must submit verification reports for post-secondary diplomas or higher qualifications from MOM-approved background screening companies like RMI.
Education verification is designed to confirm a candidate’s qualifications to prevent hiring risks. With RMI, you can quickly and effectively verify a candidate’s technical skills, ensuring they are a good technical and cultural fit for your organisation.
Background Screening and Verification with RMI
The pre-screening of candidates with RMI can help HR and recruitment leaders avoid ensure compliance with MOM protocols. Criminal record checks will help you avoid costly mistakes with compliance and regulation in Singapore.
To ensure effective pre-employment verification and background checks, savvy leaders are looking to partner with a trusted background screening service like RMI. Pre-employment screening matters, and RMI has the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the requirements for your industry.
RMI is a MOM-verified background screening company that adheres to Singapore’s stringent employment and verification standards. We deliver fast turnaround times (generally 7–14 days) and unrivalled customer service for our clients.
RMI brings trusted employment and education verification screening services to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. We are proudly endorsed by the MOM and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), designing tailored screening services that are fast, people-centric, and hassle-free. Over the years, RMI has successfully conducted 400,000+ background checks, helping 3,273+ companies find the right hires across 76+ countries.
Please get in touch with us to find out more.