Several years ago, a large number of fraudulent degrees were found to have been used by various nationalities with regards to lack of verification. (Wasn't always required and any verification was done either by the relevant ministries or their verification teams in various countries (or seconded out to independent teams there). With the advent of covid, this is no longer realistically possible so something else was required. (I lost two S pass holders from Myanmar due to this problem - and they had been in my employ for around 2.5 years (6 months on their first renewal) when the independent teams got back to MOM. MOM sent a field team to my office and I had to call both technician in from the field immediately. MOM took them away, and eventually they were sent back to Myanmar. This phenomenon happened with lots of companies and with the advent on Covid in 2019, I can understand the requirement of producing said verification of academics along with the transcripts and sheepskins, etc. What transpired in the past is not the way renewal or new applications are handled today. It's getting harder and harder to defraud the government. The onus is now on the applicant to provide the verification proof, not MOM or ICA.
So, in answer to the other question, a 3rd party processor (aside from the fact that they are ripping the applicant off as well) needs to submit the same thing that you would have to submit if you applied direct. The only benefits to using a 3rd party processor is to the 3rd party. Their contracts with applicants (the small print) gives them the right to turn down requests for help. This way, if they know an applicant is in a not so good position, they will not take them on as a client (that is how they keep their 'success' rates high. The applications forms are designed to be filled out by N level holders. O level, Diploma and Degree holder should be able to handle the application with no issue. Additionally, the 3rd party cannot put anything down in the little fields except what you tell them. We don't advise using them.
