Are you looking to recruit new talent from abroad? Getting education verification and background screening right is pivotal for securing the best-fit talent across your business. Vetting and cross-checking a person’s educational qualifications helps you source the best people for the role; those who are legitimate, highly qualified, and able to fulfil the job criteria.
In Singapore’s highly regulated business landscape, HR and recruitment leaders must follow the correct background screening processes from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Recruiters need to ensure their candidates meet the criteria for MOM-approved Singapore work passes. In this article, learn the step-by-step guide to MOM education verification for Singapore work pass applications in 2026 and beyond.
What Education Verification is Required for MOM Work Pass Applications?
In September 2023, MOM education verification became mandatory for all Employment Pass (EP) applications in Singapore. All Singapore work passes require specific educational qualifications that are tailored to the pass type. For example, higher-skilled roles usually require degrees or diplomas, whereas lower-skilled roles do not.
In accordance with MOM requirements, an EP is only granted with a university degree or professional qualifications. An S Pass requires a degree, diploma, or technical certificates, with at least one year of full-time study. Successful applicants must also meet minimum salary, experience, and often language proficiency criteria.
If a candidate has completed education verification for a previous EP application, it does not need to be repeated. Non-accredited, self-translated, or notary-certified documents cannot be used instead of an education verification report.
Key qualifications for Singapore work passes
- Employment Pass (EP): The Employment Pass or EP is ideal for professionals, managers, executives, and leaders. Education verification for the EP requires a recognised university degree, professional qualification, and/or specialist skills. Candidates must earn a minimum of S$5,600 per month (this amount is higher for older candidates and some sectors).
- S Pass: The S Pass is designed for mid-level/mid-tier staff with specific skills (can be technical). Education verification for the S Pass requires a university degree or diploma. Technical certificates may be considered; however, at least one year of full-time study is generally expected. The minimum salary for new applicants is S$3,300 per month (as of September 2025).
- Work Permit: The Work Permit is designed for semi-skilled foreign workers in a number of key sectors such as construction and manufacturing. Education verification for a work permit requires minimum academic and/or technical qualifications.
Step-by-Step Guide to MOM Education Verification
For candidates wanting to apply for MOM education verification, verification proof can be submitted by following these steps alongside a trusted background screening provider:
- Select the name of the institution listed on the education certificate. If the name of the institution is not available in the dropdown menu provided, you can enter the institution’s name manually for verification. You can also choose not to declare the qualification if you cannot locate it on the list.
- Enter qualification level. The next step is to enter the qualification level in accordance with the candidate’s educational certificate. Enter the faculty as per the transcript if it is not found in the verification proof or educational certificate.
- Double-check MOM reference number. It is a good idea to double-check that the verification proof has a ‘MOM verification reference number’. If there is no verification number on the verification proof, contact your provider.
- Be transparent with the candidate about waiting times. In Singapore and Asia (apart from India), the average processing time for education verification is 7-15 business days. It is 15-25 business days in India and South America. If the education verification is still pending after 14 business days and the institution is included in the application form’s drop-down list of accredited institutions, you can submit the receipt for the verification service in place of verification proof in the work pass application.
- Bring in candidate to MOM. Once the work pass application is approved, you can bring in the candidate to MOM and get their pass officially issued. You do not need to submit the verification proof to MOM. However, if the qualification is found to be false, the work pass will be revoked, and the candidate must leave Singapore immediately.
Required Documents for Singapore Education Verification
For Singapore EP education verification, candidates need to submit verification proof from a MOM-approved background screening company to confirm the authenticity and accreditation of their qualifications. Required documents typically include a copy of the educational certificate (diploma or degree), academic transcripts, and passport. If the name on a candidate’s education certificate differs from their passport, they must provide supporting documents like a marriage certificate.
It is also worth noting that a Letter of Authorisation (LOA) is required by the background screening company to check a candidate’s records. For non-English documentation, a certified English translation must be provided.
How Long Does MOM Education Verification Take?
MOM education verification in Singapore generally takes between 7 and 15 working days (approximately 2–3 weeks) to complete. However, depending on the institution’s responsiveness, some applications may take up to 21 working days.
Delays can be caused by public holidays, university term breaks, or slow responses generally. In addition, verification for qualifications from certain countries like India or China tend to take longer.
Common Mistakes That Delay Education Verification
Most education verification delays are caused by incomplete documentation. Some common mistakes include incomplete or incorrect information, administrative errors, and issues with international documentation.
Given that education verification in Singapore has become more stringent, mismatched information such as name, date of birth, or graduation year inconsistencies can significantly delay EP applications. Missing educational transcripts are another common barrier to verification.
It is also important to mention that low-quality documents and unverified English translations can be an issue in education verification. The submission of blurry, unreadable, or partial documents will require resubmission. Using uncertified translations for foreign-language documents will also require resubmission.
What Happens if Education Verification Fails?
If education verification fails in Singapore – particularly when it comes to EP or S Pass applications – the work pass application by the MOM will be denied. It is mandated by law that all foreign educational qualifications for new EP applications must be verified by accredited background screening companies. Failures often lead to a request for resubmission that delays the process by several weeks. The worst-case scenario is outright rejection of the application.
Why Choose RMI for Your MOM Education Verification
Did you know that only 11 companies are officially MOM-accredited for education verification in Singapore?
Forward-thinking leaders today are looking to partner with a trusted background screening service that adheres to Singapore’s strong employment and verification standards. An excellent background screening service offers comprehensive, accurate, and timely education and background screening processes for all candidates.
RMI is a leading global verification provider providing timely and unrivalled screening solutions in Singapore. RMI brings trusted education and background screening services to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
RMI is an all-in-one solution for a company’s education and employment verification needs, with full visibility and transparency of timelines, processes, and expectations. The renowned background screening provides a friendly, dedicated service quickly and efficiently, leveraging seamless technology and excellent quality standards.
RMI is 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.