Hiring foreign workers requires proper verification and compliance. Unfortunately, some employers may unknowingly engage unlicensed or unreliable agents, leading to scams, illegal recruitment practices, financial losses, or manpower issues.
To help employers recruit safely and legally, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) provides an official Employment Agency (EA) Directory where employers can verify licensed agencies and EA personnel easily.
Official MOM EA Search Directory:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/employment-agencies-and-personnel-search
Here are some important steps employers can follow to find genuine Employment Agencies in Singapore using the MOM portal.
Why Employers Should Verify an Employment Agency
Before engaging any employment agency, verification is important because:
✅ Confirms the agency is licensed by MOM
✅ Helps avoid scams and illegal recruiters
✅ Protects your business from compliance risks
✅ Improves recruitment transparency
✅ Allows employers to review agency performance records
✅ Helps verify authorized EA personnel details
Step-by-Step Guide for Employers
Step 1: Visit the MOM Employment Agency Directory
Go to the official MOM Employment Agency & Personnel Search portal:
https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/employment-agencies-and-personnel-search
The portal allows employers to search using:
Employment agency name
Licence number
EA personnel name
Key appointment holders
Agency location
Step 2: Search the Agency Name
Enter the agency name or licence number in the search box.
Check whether:
The agency is listed as “Licensed”
The licence is active
The agency details match the information provided
Step 3: Review Agency Performance & Details
The MOM portal provides useful information such as:
Licence validity
Contact details
Office address
Placement volume
Retention rates
Demerit points (if any)
This helps employers make informed recruitment decisions.
Step 4: Verify the EA Personnel Details on MOM Website
Before dealing with any recruiter or agent, verify the EA personnel details directly on the MOM portal.
Check whether:
✅ The person is registered under the licensed agency
✅ The EA personnel registration is valid
✅ The agency name matches the recruiter’s claims
✅ Contact details are consistent with official records
This helps employers avoid scammers falsely claiming to represent licensed agencies.
Step 5: Watch Out for Red Flags
Be cautious if you notice:
🚩 Unrealistic recruitment promises
🚩 Requests for urgent payments
🚩 No proper agreements or documentation
🚩 Suspicious communication methods
🚩 Inconsistent company information
Protect Your Business & Workforce
Employers should always use proper and legal recruitment channels when hiring foreign workers. Verifying employment agencies and EA personnel through the MOM portal is a simple but important step to reduce risks and ensure compliance.
🔍 A few minutes of verification can help prevent serious recruitment problems later.
Always work with licensed and compliant recruitment partners in Singapore.