Can You Upload Untranslated SPM Certificates to MOM?

No, you cannot. MOM rejects any SPM certificate that has Malay text in it — and most SPM certificates do, even if the grades look like they are in English. Before you upload anything to MOM’s work pass portal, your SPM certificate must be fully translated into English by a certified translation service. At ICA Translation Services, we do this for Malaysians applying for S Pass and other MOM work passes — certified, MOM-ready, delivered in 1 to 2 working days.

MOM’s Rule on Non-English Documents Is Straightforward

MOM processes all work pass applications in English — Employment Pass, S Pass, and Work Permit. If any document you upload contains Malay text, MOM cannot verify it. Every word on your SPM certificate must be in English before MOM can assess your application.

• SPM certificates are issued by Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia — the name itself is in Malay
• Subject titles on most SPM certificates appear in Malay, not English
• Even if grades show A or B, MOM cannot confirm what subject those grades belong to without a translation
• This rule applies to every work pass application where SPM is submitted as a qualification document

The Part of Your SPM Certificate That Trips People Up

Most Malaysians see the grade table on their SPM certificate and assume it is readable enough for MOM. But the grade table is just one part. Everything else around it is what causes the problem.

Here is what MOM cannot read on an untranslated SPM certificate:

• School name — printed in full Malay, for example “Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Jaya”
• Subject names — “Sejarah,” “Matematik,” “Geografi” are not English, even if the meaning is obvious to a Malaysian
• Issuing body — “Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia” needs to appear as “Malaysian Examinations Board”
• Official stamps and remarks — anything printed or stamped on the certificate must be described in English in the translation

This is why a proper SPM certificate translation needs to cover the full document — not just the grade section.

S Pass Applicants — Why Your SPM Translation Gets Extra Scrutiny

S Pass applications go through close document checking because MOM uses SPM to assess whether the applicant meets the education level required for mid-level roles. An untranslated or poorly translated certificate fails this check immediately.

MOM is looking at two things when they see your SPM in an S Pass application:

• That the qualification is genuine and comes from a recognised Malaysian institution
• That the subject names and grades are clear enough for them to assess your education level

If subject names are not translated correctly, MOM cannot match what they see to the qualification level they are assessing. If you also hold a diploma or STPM alongside your SPM, those need to be in English too. Our academic document translation services cover the full education set — SPM, STPM, diplomas, and transcripts — so your entire MOM education section is consistent.

What Happens After You Upload an Untranslated SPM Certificate

MOM’s portal accepts the file upload without checking the language. The problem comes when a MOM officer opens and reviews your document. At that point, the Malay text gets flagged and your application goes on hold.

Here is what follows after that:

• You receive a request to resubmit the correct translated document
• Your application timeline stops until MOM receives the corrected version
• If your employer has planned a start date based on expected pass approval, that date gets pushed back
• Resubmitting correctly still takes extra days on top of the original processing time

The translation takes one to two days to sort before submission. A delay after rejection can cost weeks.

Does Your SPM Certificate Need to Be Notarised for MOM

For most S Pass and Work Permit applications, no — notarisation is not needed. MOM accepts a certified translation for standard work pass document submissions. Paying for notarization when MOM has not asked for it is an unnecessary extra step.

Notarization becomes relevant only in these situations:

• Your MOM document checklist specifically mentions “notary public” or “notarized translation”
• The same SPM certificate is also being submitted to a Singapore court or legal proceeding
• Another Singapore authority involved in your case has asked for a notarised version

In those specific cases, a certified true copy or notarized document may be what you need. Check your checklist carefully before deciding.

Your SPM Certificate and Your Passport Must Match — Exactly

The name on your translated SPM certificate must be identical to the name on your passport. MOM cross-checks all submitted documents against each other, and any name difference — even a small one — gets flagged.

Common name mismatches Malaysians run into:

• “Bin” written in full on the SPM certificate but abbreviated as “B.” on the passport
• A middle name that appears on one document but is missing on the other
• Different spacing or hyphenation in the name across documents
• Older SPM certificates with a name that does not match the updated passport spelling

A good certified translation service will catch this before delivering your document. If your passport is also part of your MOM submission, our passport translation services can handle both at the same time so names stay consistent across all your documents.

When MOM Asks for a Sworn Translation of Your SPM Certificate

Some applicants receive specific instructions from MOM asking for a sworn translation instead of a standard certified translation. This is not the same thing, and submitting the wrong one will still cause a delay.

A sworn translation is needed when:

• Your MOM letter or checklist specifically uses the words “sworn translator” or “sworn translation”
• The SPM certificate is connected to a legal process alongside the work pass application
• A Singapore authority beyond MOM has explicitly requested sworn certification for the same document

Our sworn translators are authorised to handle this. If you are not sure which type of translation MOM is asking for, share your instruction letter with us and we will confirm before starting.

How to Get Your SPM Certificate Translated for MOM

The process is quick. Scan your SPM certificate clearly — full header, all subjects and grades, any stamps or official marks, and the back of the document if it has content. Then place your order with us.

What we do:

• Translate every part of your SPM certificate from Malay to English
• Make sure subject names are accurately rendered for MOM assessors
• Cover all stamps, seals, and official remarks
• Attach a signed certification statement to the translated document
• Deliver within 1 to 2 working days

If you have a MOM submission deadline, mention it when you order. If other Malaysian documents are part of the same application, share those too so all your documents are consistent.

Get a quote here and share your SPM certificate — we will confirm what your MOM application needs before we start.