Work Permit Singapore Guide
Overview: What Is a Singapore Work Permit?
The Singapore work visa includes various types of work passes that allow foreign unskilled labor force from approved Asian countries to pursue employment in Singapore’s booming and promising niches such as services, construction, manufacturing, marine, process and so on. Due to the much lower entry criteria as compared to the other work pass, it implies higher demands and certain restrictions for hiring firms such as levies, quotas, a bond, and appropriate health coverage for every Work Permit holder. This is to protect the local labour market for low level skilled worker in Singapore. Read further to learn more about Singapore Work Permit.
Types of Singapore Work Visas
The Singapore work visa includes various types of work passes that allow foreign unskilled labor force from approved Asian countries to pursue employment in Singapore’s booming and promising niches such as services, construction, manufacturing, marine, process and so on. Due to the much lower entry criteria as compared to the other work pass, it implies higher demands and certain restrictions for hiring firms such as levies, quotas, a bond, and appropriate health coverage for every Work Permit holder. This is to protect the local labour market for low level skilled worker in Singapore. Read further to learn more about Singapore Work Permit.
Singapore Work Permit (WP) Eligibility Requirement and Minimum Qualifying Salary
- Employing company must have the eligible quota to hire the work permit holder;
- Foreigners, including semi skilled workers, must come from certain approved traditional source countries such as Malaysia, China, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea. Only certain industry sectors are allowed to hire work permit hold from non-traditional source like the construction and Marin sector;
- Minimum age: 18 and the Maximum age of the foreign work is 50 year-old. Only Malaysians are allowed to work on a work permit visa until 58 year-old;
- Monthly foreign worker’s levy applies to this work pass;
- Security bond is required for non-malaysian work permit holder;
- Medical insurance of a minimum coverage is required;
- Pre-employment medical check – foreign worker must pass the medical check to ensure the fitness of the employee;
- Certain safety courses are required to be taken by certain industry sector.
- Confirm that your company has available quota under the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC).
- Verify that the candidate is from an approved source country and meets the eligibility criteria (e.g., age, sector, skills).
Secure written consent from the foreign worker to apply for the Work Permit on their behalf.
- Worker’s passport copy (bio-data page)
- Completed WP Application Form
- Written consent form signed by the worker
- Any relevant educational or vocational certificates (if applicable)
- Log into MOM’s WP Online (WPOL) system.
- Complete the online application form and upload all supporting documents.
- Pay the non-refundable application fee via GIRO, VISA, or MasterCard.
Check the application status in WPOL. Processing typically takes about 7 business days.
- Once approved, download the IPA letter via WPOL.
- The IPA allows the foreign worker to enter Singapore (if applying from overseas).
Arrange the following before issuing the Work Permit:
- Purchase medical insurance with at least SGD $15,000 coverage.
- Secure the required security bond (for non-Malaysian workers).
- Complete a pre-employment medical examination for the worker.
- Ensure worker has completed any mandatory safety courses (depending on the sector).
- Log into WPOL to issue the Work Permit.
- Pay the issuance fee and request for the Work Permit card.
- Worker to visit MOM’s designated service center (e.g., EPSC) for photo-taking and fingerprinting.
- The Work Permit card will be delivered to the employer within a few working days.
Work Permit for Specific Industries
The Singapore Work Permit for Specific Industries is a specialised work pass that allows foreign workers to be employed in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and services. This work permit is typically issued for a period of up to 2 years and can be renewed upon meeting the necessary conditions. To qualify for this work pass, foreign workers must meet the minimum qualifying salary and possess relevant work experience in their respective fields. This permit ensures that industries with high demand for labor can access the necessary workforce while maintaining regulatory standards.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers in Singapore have several critical responsibilities when hiring foreign workers. Firstly, they must ensure that the worker meets the eligibility criteria for the specific work pass and that they possess a valid work pass before commencing employment. Employers are also required to pay a monthly levy for each foreign worker and provide mandatory medical insurance coverage. Additionally, they must adhere to the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) for Work Permit applications and the S Pass quota, ensuring that the proportion of foreign workers does not exceed the allowed limits. These measures help maintain a balanced and fair labor market in Singapore.
Health Insurance
In Singapore, medical insurance is mandatory for all Work Permit and S Pass holders. Employers must provide their foreign workers with medical insurance that covers at least SGD $15,000 per year. While Employment Pass holders are not required to have medical insurance, it is highly recommended to ensure comprehensive health coverage. International health insurance can offer additional benefits and peace of mind for foreign workers and their families, safeguarding their well-being while they work in Singapore.
Appeal for Work Permit Rejection
Typically, your work permit can be rejected when the company does not have the quota or the applicant is not eligible for work permit. You must also note that your basic-skilled worker from in the construction sector can only work for a maximum period of 14 years under the work permit scheme. Therefore, you are required to upgrade the worker to a higher skilled worker.
To submit an appeal for work permit, you must login to WP online to upload all the required documents to support your case. The appeal process can take up to 3 weeks from the date of submission. If you are not sure how to proceed with an appeal, it is best to seek professional advice on the appeal. After obtaining the work pass, individuals are required to register at the Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) within two weeks to receive their Pass Card, which is typically issued within four working days.
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Renewal for Singapore Work Permit
You are allowed to renew your Work Permit 6 – 8 weeks prior to the existing wp expiry. However, before you renew your WP or other work passes, you need to ensure that the following:
- Your company has the existing quota for the work permit renewal. You may use this work permit calculator tools.
- You have extended the security bond and medical insurance;
- The applicant’s medical test is still current or the applicant must go to do a new medical check-up at any local clinics in Singapore.
Documents Required for Work Permit Renewal
- Scanned copy of applicant’s latest passport bio-data with a least 2 year validity;
- Security bond required for non-Malaysian workers;
- Extension for the existing Medical insurance for the applicant;
- Work permit renewal notice which can be downloaded from the WP online;
- Details for the delivery of the work permit card: An address where the card can be delivered and name, NRIC, Fin or passport numbers and contact details of authorised recipients to receive the card
Need further guidance on Singapore Visas?
See below for all related topics:
Both the Work Permit and S-Pass requires quota and the employer must pay a worker’s levy. However, the key difference is the there is a minimum salary criterion for S-Pass.
Training work permit is only issued for a maximum of 6 months. This work pass is mainly for those overseas training to travel to Singapore for a short training.
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