How to Check If Your Employment Agency Is Licensed in Singapore

Illegal employment agents cost Singapore workers millions of dollars every year. The worst part? Most victims didn't know they were dealing with an unlicensed operator until the damage was done. Checking takes 30 seconds — here's exactly how.

Why This Check Matters More Than You Think

Singapore's Employment Agencies Act requires all EAs to hold a valid licence from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). An unlicensed agent cannot legally place you in a job, collect fees, or sign contracts on your behalf. If one does, you have almost zero legal recourse.

Common scams involving unlicensed agents:

• Collecting placement fees upfront (illegal for most job types)
• Disappearing after taking your passport or work pass documents
• Placing you with employers who don't exist
• Charging "admin fees" disguised as deposits

The risk is highest for foreign domestic workers (FDWs), migrant construction workers, and overseas professionals applying remotely before arriving in Singapore.

Step 1 — Find the Agency's Licence Number

A legitimate EA will display their MOM licence number prominently. Look for it:

• On their website (usually in the footer or About page)
• On any quotation, contract, or invoice they send you
• On their physical signage or office door

MOM licence numbers follow a specific format: a letter followed by 7 digits and a checksum letter (e.g. 10C2994 or L3009735A). If an agency can't give you this number, stop engaging immediately.

Step 2 — Verify on MOM's Official Website

Go directly to: mom.gov.sg → Employment Agencies → Check if an EA is licensed

Or navigate to the Employment Agencies Directory at: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/employment-agencies/for-job-seekers/check-if-an-ea-is-licensed

Enter either:

• The EA's licence number
• The EA's UEN (business registration number)
• The EA's company name

A valid result will show you the agency name, licence status (Active or Suspended), licence expiry date, and the categories of workers they are licensed to place.

What "Active" means: The agency has a current, valid licence and has met MOM's requirements including minimum paid-up capital, EA personnel registration, and bonding.

Step 3 — Check the EA Personnel Too

The company licence is only half the picture. The individual person dealing with you — the EA personnel (EAP) — must also be registered with MOM.

Ask for their EAP registration number and verify it at the same MOM portal. Legitimate recruiters will have no problem providing this.

This step is often skipped. Don't skip it. Rogue personnel sometimes operate under a legitimate company's licence without the company's knowledge.

Step 4 — Cross-Check Against CEA (for Property Agents)

If you're dealing with a property agent rather than an employment agent, the licensing body is different: the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).

Check at: https://www.cea.gov.sg/aceas/public-register

Enter the agent's name or CEA registration number. Property agents must display their registration number on all marketing materials.

For financial advisors and insurance agents, check MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) Financial Institutions Directory at https://eservices.mas.gov.sg/fid.

Red Flags That Should Stop You Immediately

Even with a valid licence, walk away if any of these appear:

• Upfront fees before job placement — for most job categories this is illegal under the EA Act
• Requests for your original passport — they can take a copy, never the original
• Pressure to sign immediately — legitimate agencies give you time to read contracts
• Promises of guaranteed job offers — no licensed agency can guarantee placement
• Fees that don't match the EA's published fee schedule — all fees must be disclosed upfront

MOM's EA fee cap is 1 month's salary for most placements. FDW agencies have a separate capped fee structure.

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

If you've already paid an unlicensed agent:

1. File a police report at any NPP (Neighbourhood Police Post) — bring all receipts and communications
2. Report to MOM via iReport at mom.gov.sg — include the agent's name, phone, and any documents
3. Contact MOM's Employment Agencies Inspectorate at 6438 5122

MOM takes these complaints seriously. In 2023, several operators were fined and jailed for unlicensed EA activity.

Agencies Pre-Verified by SingaGuide

Our Expert Directory only lists MOM-verified agencies — we check every listing against official records before approval. If you'd rather skip the verification steps yourself, start there.

Key Takeaways

• Always verify both the agency's MOM licence number and the individual recruiter's EAP registration — takes 60 seconds total
• Red flag: any request for upfront payment before a job offer is confirmed; report it to MOM immediately
• For property agents use CEA's register, not MOM — different regulator, different database