Verity journal

Singapore is one of Asia’s most attractive destinations for global professionals. With its strong economy, safety, and career opportunities, thousands of foreign workers apply for Employment Passes (EP) every year.

But with opportunity comes risk—fake degrees and work pass fraud have become serious issues. To protect Singapore’s workforce and reputation, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made education verification mandatory for all EP applications since September 2023.

Here’s what you need to know.

The Rise of Fake Degrees

The global rise of diploma mills—institutions that sell fake qualifications—has created a significant problem for employers. Candidates can present impressive-looking degrees that have no academic value.

In Singapore, cases have surfaced where applicants used fraudulent documents to secure jobs in sensitive industries like IT, finance, and even healthcare. This not only undermines trust but can also put entire organizations at risk.

Why Work Pass Fraud Is So Risky

Fraudulent EP applications don’t just affect employers; they threaten Singapore’s reputation as a trusted hub for international talent. Some risks include:

• Unqualified hires in critical roles (e.g., finance, healthcare, engineering)
• Legal and compliance breaches for employers
• Stricter scrutiny from MOM, leading to delays or blacklisting
• Damage to employer brand if exposed in the media

How MOM Responded: Mandatory Education Verification

To combat these risks, MOM now requires all EP applicants to verify their highest education qualification through an MOM-approved screening provider.

This means:

• Notarized or self-declared certificates are not accepted
• Only third-party verification is valid
• Applications without verification risk automatic rejection

👉 Verity Intelligence is one of MOM’s appointed providers for education verification: https://www.verityintel.com/service-swp

How Education Checks Work

The process is straightforward:

1. Submit your degree, transcripts, and passport copy.
2. Provide a signed consent form.
3. Verity Intelligence verifies the authenticity of the certificate and institution.
4. You receive a Verification Proof Report to include in your EP application.

Why Employers Insist on Third-Party Checks

Employers in Singapore now insist on third-party education checks because:

• They protect against fraudulent hires
• They strengthen EP approval chances under the COMPASS framework
• They show due diligence and compliance with MOM’s rules
• They safeguard brand credibility

Why Choose Verity Intelligence

• MOM-approved education verification provider
• ISO 27001 certified for the highest data security standards
• Trusted by over 1,000 companies in Singapore and Malaysia
• Fast verification—OpenCerts in hours, global institutions in 5–15 days
• Seamless online submission for HR teams and applicants

We help you stay compliant, prevent fraud, and hire with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Fake degrees and work pass fraud are real risks—but they can be avoided with proper checks. By partnering with an MOM-approved screening provider like Verity Intelligence, both applicants and employers can ensure smoother EP applications and stronger compliance.

👉 Start your MOM-approved education check with Verity Intelligence today: https://www.verityintel.com/service-swp