Work Permit for migrant worker

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Work Permit for migrant worker
Purpose	Sector-specific migrant employment
Eligible sectors	Construction, manufacturing, marine, process, services
Eligible applicants	Approved source countries/regions
Applicant age	18 to below 62
Who applies	Employer or appointed agent
Stay	Up to 2 years
Renewal	Yes
Application cost	S$35 per application
Issuance cost	S$35 per permit
Processing	Usually within 1 week
Work rights	Employer, occupation and sector only
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Medical insurance	Employer-provided; minimum S$60,000 yearly
Family sponsorship	Not available
Travel facility	Notification letter valid 1 month
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Visa record	Digital pass and physical card
Salary requirement	No minimum required
Employer quota	Yes, sector-specific
Monthly levy	Required; sector-specific rate
Security bond	Required for non-Malaysians

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Purpose

The Work Permit (WP) is generally for unskilled or semi-skilled migrant workers from approved source countries or regions working in:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Marine shipyard
• Process
• Services

The worker may work only for the employer, occupation and sector stated in the Work Permit.

Eligibility

Worker requirements

The worker must:

• Be from an approved source country or region.
• Be at least 18 and below 62 when applying.
• Meet applicable sector-specific requirements.
• Give written consent before the employer applies.
• Be outside Singapore when a non-Malaysian Work Permit application is submitted.

There is no minimum qualifying salary for the Work Permit.

Employer requirements

The employer must meet applicable quota, levy, medical insurance, security bond and sector-specific requirements.

First-time employers must declare their business activity. MOM assigns the business to a relevant sector, which determines the employer's Work Permit and S Pass quota.

Stay and Renewal

The Work Permit is generally valid for up to 2 years. Its validity may be shorter depending on the earliest of:

• Worker’s passport validity.
• Security bond validity.
• Employment period.

A permit based on passport validity expires 1 month before the passport expires. A permit based on security bond validity expires 2 months before the bond expires.

The Work Permit may be renewed before expiry.

Costs, Quota and Levy

Application and issuance fees

• S$35 for each Work Permit application.
• S$35 for each Work Permit issued.

Payment may be made by GIRO, Visa or Mastercard.

Employer quota

The dependency ratio ceiling (DRC) limits foreign workers as a proportion of the total workforce:

Sector	Maximum DRC
Construction	83.3%
Process	83.3%
Marine shipyard	75%
Manufacturing	60%
Services	35%

Additional PRC Work Permit sub-quotas apply:

• Services: maximum 8% of total workforce.
• Manufacturing: maximum 25% of total workforce.

Monthly levy

Employers must pay a monthly foreign worker levy. Liability begins when the Temporary Work Permit or Work Permit is issued, whichever is earlier, and ends when it is cancelled or expires.

The levy rate depends on the worker's qualifications and the employer's number of Work Permit or S Pass holders.

Pay the levy by the 17th of the following month, or the next working day where applicable. Late or unpaid levy can result in penalties, pass revocation, inability to apply for Work Permits and legal recovery action.

Higher-skilled workers may qualify for lower levy rates.

Employer Obligations

Employers must:

• Employ only workers with valid Work Permits.
• Pay the fixed monthly salary declared to MOM.
• Pay salary no later than 7 days after each month ends.
• Keep salary records and produce them when requested.
• Pay upkeep, maintenance and medical-treatment costs.
• Provide proper housing.
• Maintain required medical insurance.
• Buy a security bond for each non-Malaysian worker.
• Pay the monthly foreign worker levy.
• Register the worker's residential and workplace addresses.
• Notify MOM of changes to company or worker information.
• Cancel the permit if the worker no longer works for the employer.

Employers must not demand or receive a payment or benefit in connection with a worker's employment or change of employment.

CPF contributions are not required for foreign workers.

Salary payment

The salary period cannot exceed 1 month.

For workers living in dormitories, wages must be credited directly to the worker's bank account. For workers not living in dormitories, payment may be made in cash.

If the employer keeps the worker’s bank account book by agreement, the worker must be allowed to check it.

Worker Conditions

Work Permit holders must:

• Work only for the authorised employer, occupation and sector.
• Not work in another business or start a business.
• Live at the employer-designated address.
• Inform the employer before moving residence.
• Show the digital pass in SGWorkPass or the Work Permit card when requested by a public officer.

A holder must not marry a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, in or outside Singapore, without MOM approval. This condition continues after the permit expires, is cancelled or revoked.

A holder must not become pregnant or give birth in Singapore during permit validity unless already married to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident with MOM approval. This condition also continues after expiry, cancellation or revocation.

Medical Insurance and Health Requirements

Employers must buy and maintain medical insurance for every worker. The employer cannot pass the insurance cost to the worker.

Insurance must cover inpatient care and day surgery, including non-work-related conditions, with annual coverage of at least S$60,000 per Work Permit holder.

For policies, renewals or extensions effective from 1 July 2023:

• Insurers co-pay 75% and employers co-pay 25% of claims above S$15,000.

From 1 July 2025, enhanced requirements include standardised allowable exclusions, age-differentiated premiums and direct insurer payment to hospitals after claim admissibility.

Medical insurance details must be submitted online before permit issuance or renewal, and updated if details change. Required details include:

• Insurer name.
• Policy number.
• Policy commencement date.
• Policy expiry date.

A co-payment arrangement with a Work Permit holder, excluding migrant domestic workers, is permitted only where all conditions are met:

• Does not exceed 10% of fixed monthly salary.
• Lasts no more than 6 months per 2 years.
• Is stated in the employment contract or collective agreement.
• Has the worker's full consent.

Medical examination

Workers must complete a medical examination before the permit is issued. The examination screens for:

• Tuberculosis
• HIV
• Syphilis
• Malaria

It also assesses fitness for work. Workers certified medically unfit will have their Work Permits revoked.

Workers not completing the Onboard programme must generally complete the examination within 2 weeks of arrival:

• At the relevant PCP Anchor Operator if required to have a Primary Care Plan.
• At a local clinic if not required to have PCP.

Primary Care Plan

Employers must buy a Primary Care Plan (PCP) and declare its purchase in WP Online before permit issuance or renewal where the worker:

• Lives in a dormitory accommodating 7 or more workers; or
• Works in Construction, Marine shipyard or Process sectors.

Security Bond

Employers must buy a security bond for each non-Malaysian worker.

The bond must take effect when the worker arrives in Singapore. Otherwise, the worker may be refused entry and must be sent home immediately.

Application Steps

1. Submit the application

The employer or appointed employment agent must:

1. Obtain the worker’s written consent.
2. Submit the application through the Work Permit eService or myMOM Portal.
3. Pay the S$35 application fee.
4. Check the outcome after 1 week.

Most applications are processed within 1 week, though some take longer.

If approved, print:

• In-principle approval (IPA) letter.
• Work Permit application form.

Ensure all IPA details match the worker's passport. Errors may result in refusal of entry to Singapore.

2. Prepare before arrival

Before the worker arrives, the employer must, where applicable:

• Buy security bond, medical insurance and work injury compensation insurance.
• Buy and declare PCP purchase.
• Arrange Onboard centre attendance.
• Register the worker for the Settling-in Programme (SIP).
• Complete a pre-entry housing check.

The worker must print the IPA letter, comply with current travel requirements and show the IPA letter on arrival.

3. Complete arrival requirements

Within 2 weeks of arrival, arrange the required medical examination.

Non-Malaysian male Construction, Marine shipyard and Process workers holding an IPA must complete the Onboard programme, which may last up to 3 days.

Employers of non-Malaysian manufacturing workers and female Construction, Marine shipyard and Process workers must arrange SIP attendance within the first 14 days of arrival.

4. Issue the Work Permit

The worker must be in Singapore when the employer issues the permit.

Issue the permit:

• For a newly arrived Malaysian: before the IPA due date.
• For a newly arrived non-Malaysian: within 14 days of arrival.
• For a worker changing employer: before current permit expiry and IPA due date.

Submit the required information, pay the S$35 issuance fee and provide the necessary documents.

5. Register fingerprints and photograph

If required by the notification letter, the worker must register fingerprints and photograph within 1 week after permit issuance.

Bring:

• Original passport.
• Appointment letter.
• Notification letter.
• Mobile phone with local number.
• Singpass and SGWorkPass apps.

6. Receive the pass record

The notification letter is valid for 1 month from issue. It allows the worker to begin work and travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the Work Permit card.

The worker should set up SGWorkPass to access their digital work pass and employment information.

The physical Work Permit card is delivered within 5 working days after registration or document verification.

Documents for Permit Issuance

Provide:

• Worker’s passport details.
• Singapore contact details.
• Singapore residential address meeting housing requirements.
• Delivery address for the Work Permit card.
• Details of up to 3 authorised card recipients.

PDF uploads may be required for:

• Worker’s travel document.
• Immigration document, such as Electronic Visit Pass or Special Pass.
• Signed Work Permit declaration form.
• Completed Security Bond form, if required.
• Educational qualifications, if required.

For new construction workers who passed the SEC(K) test overseas, BCA identity verification and IPA endorsement must be completed within 4 months of the test.

Family Provisions

Work Permit holders cannot obtain passes for family members under this pass.

Cancellation and Repatriation

When employment ends, including resignation, completion or termination, the employer must:

• Cancel the Work Permit within 1 week after the worker’s last day of notice.
• Settle outstanding employment matters, including salary.
• Pay repatriation costs.
• Buy an air ticket with check-in luggage allowance.

If cancelling an IPA or Work Permit for a worker in Singapore, the employer must ensure legal stay and arrange departure as required.

After an IPA is cancelled, the worker cannot work while awaiting departure. Overstaying may result in a fine. It is a criminal offence to remain after visa expiry or employ a foreigner without a valid work pass.