Immigration update — Singapore: Changes to education verification proof requirement
On 6 March, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced the new implementation. New Employment Pass (EP) applications from 1 September 2023 and EP renewals from 1 September 2024 must be supported by education verification proof from authorized background screening companies for all post-secondary diplomas and above qualifications.
Who will be affected?
The following updates will affect Singapore employers and eligible foreign applicants applying for new EP or renewing their EP.
Background
Currently, education verification proof will only be required if an educational qualification declared in the application is from an institution not found on the MOM’s drop-down list. This is to ensure that qualifications declared on work pass applications are authentic.
Impact
In conjunction with Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) implementation, the MOM has made changes to the education verification requirements. All post-secondary diplomas and above qualifications declared on EP application must be supported with education verification proof from one of the authorized background screening companies listed below. Verification is mandatory so long as the qualification is declared in the EP application. Employers who wish to score points under Criterion 2 on ‘qualifications’ will be required to submit the verification proof for qualifications declared on EP application.
• Risk Management Intelligence (RMI)
• Avvanz International Background Checks
• Cisive
• Dataflow
• eeCheck
• HireRight
• Sterling RISQ
• Veremark
Education verification proof — processing time
The processing time of the education verification proof varies for each background screening company. The average processing time is 15 to 30 working days, subject to the respective institutions’ response time to the education verification agency.
Given the above, employers should expect an extended processing time for the end-to-end EP application process.
Implementation date
• New EP application – From 1 September 2023
• EP Renewal application – From 1 September 2024
Santa Fe analysis
The primary purpose of the new implementation is to ensure the authenticity of the qualifications declared on EP applications.
The above shows that the Singapore government focuses on welcoming and bringing in foreign talent of the right caliber and in areas where needed so that businesses can build the best team of local and foreign talent.
For more information or assistance, please contact:
Leesa Abdullah
Immigration Manager – Singapore
Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D: +65 6398 8523
E: leesa.abdullah@santaferelo.com
Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
Singapore
D: +44 7990 021125
E: robert.day@santaferelo.com
