Mandatory Education Verification Requirements

In parallel with the implementation of COMPASS effective 1 September 2023, all new Employment Pass (EP) applications with post-secondary diploma and above qualifications must undergo compulsory verification if the qualification will be declared for submission.

The education verification requirement will similarly apply to all EP renewal applications for passes that are expiring from 1 September 2024.

If the EP is expiring	Verification proof is 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

Under the Foundational Criteria C2 - Qualifications, EP applications can earn up to a maximum of 20 points. Verification proof must be obtained if the EP application requires points to pass COMPASS. Applications which are expected to pass COMPASS without earning points from this criterion may exclude declaring the qualification in the application and forgo the verification process altogether.

Employers are advised not to declare qualifications that cannot be verified or are from unaccredited institutions. With this change, additional processing time of at least 2 to 4 weeks are to be anticipated.

Employers must ensure that candidates’ qualifications are authentic and were awarded by accredited institutions. Candidates are only required to verify their qualifications once. The MOM will only accept verification proof from the following sources:

1.      MOM approved background screening companies

2.      Government/awarding institution’s verification portal

3.      Digital certificates issued by educational institutions and verified through OpenCerts portal

The MOM takes a firm stand against false declarations on applications. Stern penalties will be imposed on foreigners who have submitted fabricated qualifications. 

At Triplicity, we are happy to provide your potential candidates with assistance on the coordination of education verification steps through MOM’s background screening companies, as well as all other pass application and immigration services. Chat us up for further enquiries!