Singapore’s Employment Pass (EP) is a gateway for foreign professionals to build a career in one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs. But in 2026, with the COMPASS framework fully embedded, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) scrutinises every component of an application — and educational qualifications are under the microscope. If your degree isn’t properly verified, even a solid job offer can stall. This article provides a systematic overview of the complete process of educational qualification verification for Singapore EP applications, covering Chinese qualification verification through CSSD/CHSI, international credential evaluation such as WES, a list of MOM’s approved agencies, a common document checklist, processing times, and appeal steps after rejection, helping you avoid delays caused by incomplete verification.
Why Educational Credential Verification Matters for Your EP Application
MOM uses a points-based system (COMPASS) to assess EP candidates. The “Qualifications” criterion awards up to 20 points for a degree from a top-tier institution, but only if the credential is genuine and properly validated. Since September 2023, MOM has mandated that for certain qualifications — especially those from institutions not on its list of globally recognised universities — employers must obtain verification from an approved background screening company. In practice, most Chinese degrees and many international qualifications fall into this category. A failed or delayed verification can reduce your COMPASS score, potentially pushing your application below the 40‑point pass mark. For S Pass and PR applicants, a verified degree also strengthens the profile, even if the formal rules differ. Understanding the verification workflow before you file can shave weeks off the process and spare you a stressful rejection.
How MOM’s Verification Process Works with Approved Agencies
When an employer submits an EP application via EP eService, MOM may issue a “Request for Verification of Qualifications” if the degree requires further checks. The employer (or appointed employment agent) must then engage one of MOM’s approved background screening companies. The applicant does not directly select the agency; the employer typically chooses and pays for the service, though in practice many candidates coordinate closely with the agency.
MOM’s Approved Background Screening Companies
MOM maintains a list of accredited providers. As of 2026, the commonly used agencies include:
- Dataflow Group
- Risk Management Intelligence (RMI)
- Verity Intelligence
- Avvanz International
- CrossCheck
- Background Screening Group (BSG)
- HireRight
- Omnipresent Group
These firms are authorised to contact issuing institutions, verify transcripts and certificates, and compare them against national databases. The agency will ask you to complete an authorisation form and submit scanned copies of your documents. Once verified, the result is transmitted directly to MOM.
Workflow at a Glance
- Employer files EP application.
- MOM issues verification request.
- Employer selects an approved screening agency and initiates the case.
- Agency contacts the applicant for documents and consent.
- Agency performs verification (typically 5–20 working days).
- Result goes to MOM, which continues processing the EP.
How to Verify Chinese Educational Documents: CSSD/CHSI and Beyond
If you earned your degree in China, the process starts well before MOM asks. You will need an official English-language verification report from the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHSI), commonly known as Xuexin (学信网). Since 2022, the former Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC, or 学位网) has also been consolidated under CHSI, so all Chinese degree and graduation certificate verifications now go through a single platform.
Step-by-Step Chinese Qualification Preparation
- Register on CHSI (www.chsi.com.cn) with your real name and identity details.
- Apply for Online Verification Reports for:
- Graduation certificate (学历证书电子注册备案表)
- Degree certificate (学位认证报告) — now unified under CHSI.
- Select the English version of each report. The system will generate a PDF with a unique verification code that background screening agencies can use to confirm authenticity online.
- Download and save the English reports. They are usually generated instantly after payment (nominal fee, around RMB 30–60 per report).
Once MOM’s appointed agency, say Dataflow, contacts you, you will upload these CHSI English reports along with colour scans of your original Chinese graduation and degree certificates and academic transcripts (with English translation if available). The agency will verify the CHSI report codes against the CHSI database; they may also reach out to your university registrar directly if needed. Having clean, legible, English-version CHSI reports ready can cut the agency’s verification time to as little as 5 working days.
International Degree Verification: WES and Other Global Credential Evaluators
For degrees obtained outside China — from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, or the Philippines, for instance — the verification path depends on the institution and country. MOM’s appointed screening agency usually handles the verification directly, but providing a reputable third-party evaluation can speed things up and lend credibility.
World Education Services (WES)
WES is widely recognised by immigration authorities globally. A WES course-by-course evaluation report verifies the authenticity of your degree, converts grades to a familiar scale, and states the equivalency to a U.S. or Canadian degree. While MOM does not require a WES report for EP applications, it serves two strategic purposes:
- It acts as a pre‑verified document that the background screening agency can use as a cross‑reference, potentially shortening the investigation.
- If you later apply for Singapore PR, a WES report can strengthen the educational assessment.
Obtaining a WES report involves: creating an account, requesting your university to send transcripts directly to WES, and waiting approximately 7 business days after all documents arrive. Plan for a total of 3–5 weeks when you include mailing time.
Other Accepted Evaluations
For Indian degrees, many applicants use the National Skill Registry (NSR) or the Digilocker system to share verified digital documents. For UK and Australian degrees, the My eQuals platform provides digital transcripts that agencies like Dataflow can validate quickly. In all cases, however, the final decision on an EP’s qualification points rests with MOM after it receives the report from its approved screening company.
What Documents You Need: A Complete Checklist
Assembling your paperwork upfront is the single largest accelerator for the verification stage. Here is a common document checklist for a smooth qualification verification:
- Passport bio-page — colour scan, valid for at least six months.
- Final degree certificate — both original language and an official English translation if the original is not in English.
- Graduation certificate/diploma — required for Chinese graduates; also translated.
- Academic transcripts — marking sheets for each year or semester.
- CHSI English online verification reports — for Chinese degrees (both diploma and degree reports).
- WES evaluation report or equivalent — if you already have one.
- Authorisation/consent form — the screening agency will provide a form for you to sign.
- University contact information — registrar’s email and phone number, if known, to help the agency verify directly.
Keep all scans at 200–300 dpi, in colour, and save as PDF. Worn, cropped, or blurry photocopies are the most common reason for verification rejections.
Processing Times, Costs, and Common Delays
Verification can be the longest pole in the EP application tent. Typical processing times for the approved screening agencies range from 5 to 20 working days, depending on the complexity and the responsiveness of the issuing institution.
| Scenario | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Chinese degree with CHSI reports ready | 5–8 working days |
| International degree from institution with digital verification (e.g., Digilocker, My eQuals) | 7–14 working days |
| Degree requiring physical mail inquiry to university | 15–25 working days |
Costs are borne by the employer or the candidate, depending on the agreement. Agency fees typically range from SGD 100 to SGD 300 per qualification, with rush services available at a premium. MOM does not charge a separate verification fee.
Common Delays to Avoid
- Missing English translations: A Chinese-only certificate will cause the agency to pause and request a certified translation.
- Inconsistent names: If your passport name differs from your diploma name (e.g., married name change, different spelling), include an affidavit or notarised name-change document.
- University holidays: Chinese universities close during Chinese New Year and summer; verification during these periods can add 2–3 weeks.
- Incorrect CHSI report type: Request the online verification report, not just a screenshot or the Chinese-only version.
What to Do If Your Verification Is Rejected: Appeal Steps and Alternatives
A “negative” or “unable to verify” result is not the end of the road, but it demands swift, coordinated action.
- Understand the reason. The screening report will indicate whether the issue is a document mismatch, an unrecognised institution, or a lack of response from the university. For Chinese degrees, it is often a mismatch between the CHSI report and the diploma details.
- Correct and resubmit to the same agency. If the issue is trivial (e.g., a typo in the name order), providing corrected documents can resolve the case within days.
- Request a re‑verification or second opinion. Your employer can engage a different MOM‑approved agency. For example, if Dataflow could not verify the degree, RMI or Verity Intelligence might succeed using a different verification channel.
- Obtain a letter from the university. A stamped, official letter from the registrar confirming your graduation and the authenticity of your degree can be submitted as additional evidence to the agency and, ultimately, to MOM.
- File an appeal with MOM. Once you have new evidence, your employer can submit an appeal through EP eService. The appeal should include a cover letter explaining the corrective steps taken and attach the fresh verification result or university letter. Appeals usually take 4–8 weeks for a decision.
During the appeal, your EP application remains pending, so it’s essential to monitor your pass validity (white card or short-term visit pass) and avoid overstaying. If the appeal fails, a valid option is to explore the S Pass pathway if the role qualifies, or to consider the Global Investment Programme (GIP) for high-net-worth individuals, where qualification requirements are evaluated differently.
FAQ
Do I need to verify my degree if it is from a university on MOM’s top-tier list? Not automatically. Institutions on MOM’s list of globally recognised universities may be exempt from mandatory screening unless the employer or MOM has reason to question the certificate. However, verification may still be requested at MOM’s discretion.
Can I use the Chinese-only CHSI report? No. MOM and its approved agencies require English-language reports. You must apply for the English version on the CHSI website.
How long is a CHSI online verification report valid? The online verification report itself is valid as long as the verification code remains active. CHSI sets a validity period (typically 6 to 12 months), but the screening agency will re‑verify it during the process. Always generate a fresh report if your original is over six months old.
Is WES mandatory for EP? WES is not mandatory for EP, but it can facilitate verification for degrees from the US, Canada, and other countries. MOM relies on its appointed screening agency’s report; WES is a supplementary tool.
What if my university has closed or merged? Inform the background screening agency immediately. Provide official documentation showing the merger or closure and the successor institution that holds your records. The agency will attempt to verify through the successor.
Final Thoughts
Education credential verification for a Singapore EP application is a multi‑step process that stretches from your home country’s credential platforms (CHSI, WES) to MOM’s network of approved background screening firms. The difference between a swift approval and a months‑long delay often comes down to how well you prepare your documents in advance. By securing your CHSI English verification reports before the employer even files, understanding which MOM‑approved agencies are likely to handle your case, and knowing exactly how to appeal a negative result, you stay in control of your timeline. In a competitive immigration landscape, that preparation translates directly into confidence — and a smoother journey toward your Singapore work pass.