You need to upload documents (e.g. candidate’s passport page showing personal particulars) when submitting an Employment Pass application.
Documents required
- Personal particulars page of candidate’s passport.
If the candidate’s name on the passport differs from that on their other documents, please also upload an explanation letter and supporting documents (e.g. deed poll).
- Company’s latest business profile or instant information registered with ACRA.
We may ask for other documents when we review the application. For example, documents to prove that salary declared will be paid.
For non-English documents, you must upload the original document together with an English translation as 1 file. The translation can be done by a translation service provider.
Changes to verification requirement
With the implementation of COMPASS, new verification proof requirements will apply for new EP applications and EP renewals. The table below shows the verification proof required for post-secondary diploma and above qualification.
New EP applications
|
Verification proof required |
| Before 1 September 2023 |
Only if qualifications from awarding institutions is not found in application’s form drop-down list
|
From 1 September 2023
|
For all qualifications declared to MOM |
EP renewals
|
Verification proof required |
| Before 1 September 2024 |
Only if qualifications from awarding institutions is not found in application’s form drop-down list
|
From 1 September 2024
|
For all qualifications declared to MOM |
Employers who need points from these qualifications in COMPASS have to declare them in the EP application, otherwise it is optional to declare educational qualification. Employers should not declare qualifications that cannot be verified or are from unaccredited institutions.
Employers only need to verify the candidate’s qualifications once. You will not be prompted to upload a verification proof if the candidate’s qualifications have been verified before.
Verification proof requirements
Employers must ensure that their candidates’ qualifications are authentic and were awarded by accredited institutions.
| If the qualification's awarding institution |
You need to provide verification proof for |
Acceptable source of verification proof |
| Is not found in application drop-down list |
Both:
- Authenticity of the qualification
- Accreditation status of the institution
|
- Background screening companies
|
| Is found in drop-down list |
- Authenticity of the qualification
|
- Background screening companies
- Government/awarding institution's verification portal
- OpenCerts portal
|
Authenticity checks confirm that the candidate was awarded the qualification. Accreditation checks confirm the qualification is recognised by the local government authority.
We will only accept verification proof from sources listed below:
We will only accept verification proof from the background screening companies listed below. You can refer to the websites of the companies for the countries they cover, costs and processing time of their verification services. Most verification checks can be completed within 14 working days. You would have to directly approach the background screening company if there is no update on the verification outcome.
To submit verification proof issued by a background screening company, you need to:
- Select ‘Background screening company’ as the verification method in the EP application.
- Key in the verification reference number listed on the verification proof provided by the background screening company.
- Upload the verification proof.
For verification proof issued before 1 September 2023, you will need to ask the background screening company to reissue the verification proof with an MOM verification reference number.
If the verification is still pending after 14 working days and your awarding institution is found in the application form’s drop-down list of accredited institutions, you can submit the work pass application first. You will need to:
- Key in the verification reference number provided by the background screening company.
- Upload the receipt for the verification services.
- Once the work pass application is approved, you can bring in the candidate and get their pass issued.
- You do not need to submit the verification proof to us. However, if the qualification is found to be false, the work pass will be revoked and the candidate must leave Singapore.
Background screening companies who are able to verify qualifications from most countries/regions:
Background screening companies who are able to verify qualifications from selected countries/regions:
If there are online verification portals in particular educational institutions or local governments, you can:
- Download the verification proof from the verification portal or save a screenshot of the online portal with the following details:
- Verification portal’s website address
- Candidate’s full name
- Confirmation that the candidate was awarded the educational qualification
- Select ‘Government/ awarding institution’s verification portal or verification by a professional body’ as the verification method in the EP application.
- Upload the verification proof or screenshot of the online portal.
For example:
| Post-secondary diploma and above qualifications from |
Online verification portal |
| China
|
Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD)
- Diploma: Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate
- Degree and above: Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate
|
Only submit verification proof from online verification portals where the information is made public and accessible by third parties.
Digital certificates issued by educational institutions and verified through OpenCerts portalShow
You can use the OpenCerts portal to verify digital certificates issued by educational institutions.
Visit their website to see the full list of affiliated educational institutions.
If you are intending to submit verification proof through OpenCerts method, you will need to:
- Verify the candidate’s digital certificate through the Opencerts verification portal
- When submitting the EP application, select “Digital certificate verified through OpenCerts portal” as the verification method
- Upload the digital certificate in OpenCerts format as an attachment
Educational certificates certified by a notary public and school letters are not accepted as a form of verification proof.
You need to upload additional documents for the following:
You need supporting documents from the respective professional bodies:
| Occupation |
Professional body |
| Dentist |
Singapore Dental Council |
| Diagnostic radiographer |
Allied Health Professions Council |
| Doctor |
Singapore Medical Council |
| Emergency medical technician |
Unit for Prehospital Emergency Care |
| Football player or coach |
Sport Singapore |
| Lawyer |
Legal Services Regulatory Authority |
| Nurse |
Singapore Nursing Board |
| Occupational therapist |
Allied Health Professions Council |
| Paramedic |
Unit for Prehospital Emergency Care |
| Pharmacist |
Singapore Pharmacy Council |
| Physiotherapist |
Allied Health Professions Council |
| Radiation therapist |
Allied Health Professions Council |
| Speech therapist |
Allied Health Professions Council |
| TCM practitioner |
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board |
A copy of the online page that can be accessed when you scan the QR code on the foodshop licence issued by Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The page should indicate your foodshop license validity period.
If you have a new establishment and don't have the licence yet, you can submit a copy of the “Application for Foodshop Licence” letter issued to you by SFA.