Qualification verification is mandatory only when an Employment Pass candidate needs points under the COMPASS C2 (Qualifications) criterion. If the candidate does not need C2 points, no verification proof is required.
When Verification Is Required
COMPASS uses a two-stage eligibility framework. Stage 1 requires the candidate to meet the EP qualifying salary. Stage 2 requires the application to score at least 40 points across six criteria. C2 (Qualifications) is one of four foundational criteria. Verification proof must be submitted only if the employer is claiming C2 points for the candidate’s qualifications.
The MOM eligibility page states: “If you need points from this criterion, you have to submit verification proof together with your candidate’s qualifications in your EP application. Otherwise, you do not need to submit your candidate’s qualifications and verification proof.”
C2 Qualification Tiers and Points
MOM defines three qualification tiers for C2 scoring:
| Qualification Tier | Points | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Top-tier degree-equivalent qualifications | 20 | Degrees from top 100 QS World University Rankings universities, other highly-reputed Asian universities, Singapore Autonomous Universities, or institutions endorsed by a relevant sector agency |
| Other degree-equivalent qualifications | 10 | Foreign qualifications assessed as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree (referenced to UK ENIC), professional qualifications endorsed by a relevant sector agency, or foreign qualifications from local private education institutions (PEIs) that meet MOM’s criteria |
| No degree-equivalent qualification | 0 | Qualifications not meeting the above; do not submit these |
The lists of top-tier institutions and degree-equivalent professional qualifications are updated annually. MOM references UK ENIC (UK National Information Centre for recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills) for assessing foreign qualifications against the UK bachelor’s degree standard.
Verification Proof Requirements
MOM directs employers to the “Documents required” page for current verification requirements. The eligibility page notes there have been changes to the verification requirement. Employers must check the latest requirements on the Documents required page before submitting an application.
Key points from the eligibility page:
- Verification proof is submitted with the EP application
- If no C2 points are needed, neither qualifications nor verification proof are submitted
- The specific verification method or approved agencies are not listed on the eligibility page; refer to the Documents required page for current specifications
What Counts as a Degree-Equivalent Qualification
MOM recognises these categories:
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Top-tier institutions: Top 100 QS universities, other highly-reputed Asian universities, Singapore Autonomous Universities, and institutions endorsed by a relevant sector agency. Full list in COMPASS C2 list of top-tier institutions.
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Other degree-equivalent qualifications:
- Foreign qualifications assessed as comparable to a UK bachelor’s degree (MOM references UK ENIC)
- Professional qualifications well-recognised by industry and endorsed by a relevant sector agency. Full list in COMPASS C2 list of degree-equivalent qualifications.
- Foreign qualifications awarded by local private education institutions (PEIs) that meet MOM’s criteria. See how PEIs qualify for COMPASS C2.
-
Non-qualifying: Qualifications not meeting the above earn 0 points and should not be submitted.
Tools to Check Eligibility Before Applying
Employers and employment agents can use the enhanced Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to check a candidate’s eligibility, including COMPASS scoring, before applying.
Organisations with at least 25 PMETs can use the Workforce Insights tool on the myMOM Portal to check their workforce profile for C3 (Diversity) and C4 (Support for Local Employment) scoring. This tool does not cover C2 qualification verification.
What the Official Sources Do Not Specify
The MOM eligibility and key facts pages do not publish:
- A list of approved third-party verification agencies
- Specific verification bodies such as CHSI, Dataflow, or any private agencies
- Processing times for verification reports
- Step-by-step verification procedures
- Rejection reasons specific to verification
- Whether verification reports can be reused for PR applications
Employers should consult the Documents required page and the COMPASS guidebook for the current verification submission requirements.
Official References
- MOM Employment Pass Eligibility — COMPASS C2 Qualifications
- MOM Employment Pass Key Facts
- MOM Employment Pass Documents Required
- COMPASS C2 List of Top-Tier Institutions (PDF)
- COMPASS C2 List of Degree-Equivalent Qualifications (PDF)
- Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
- Workforce Insights Tool on myMOM Portal
- COMPASS Guidebook (PDF)
