SingaporeWork pass

Work Permit for migrants in Singapore

The Work Permit is a work pass for semi-skilled migrants from approved countries employed in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, the process sector or the service sector in Singapore. The pass is arranged and renewed by the employer, which is responsible for housing, medical insurance and compliance with the worker's conditions.

Threshold

No minimum salary is set.

Processing time

The application is filed by the employer or an appointed employment agency.

Source: Ministry of Manpower, Singapore (mom.gov.sg)

Who can obtain one

The ground is employment with an employer in one of the approved sectors; the worker's country of origin must be on the list approved for that sector.

Sectors and approved sources

Construction — Malaysia, the PRC, the North Asian sources (Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan), as well as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, Bhutan, Cambodia and Laos
Manufacturing — Malaysia, the PRC, the North Asian sources, and workers from NTS countries for a limited list of occupations
Process sector — the same range of sources as in manufacturing
Service sector — Malaysia, the PRC, the North Asian sources, and workers from NTS countries only in certain occupations
Marine shipyard — also on the list of approved Work Permit sectors

General conditions

Age at the time of the application — from 18 to 62
You may continue working on this pass until the age of 64
No minimum salary is set
The application is filed by the employer or an employment agency it has appointed
The employer is subject to a sector quota and pays a monthly levy for each worker

What it costs

Work Permit application (per worker, paid by the employer)	35 SGD

Documents to gather

The employer prepares the worker's details and documents before filing the application.

The worker's passport details
Contact details in Singapore and a residential address that meets the housing requirements
The address for delivery of the Work Permit card
The worker's travel and immigration documents
A completed Work Permit declaration
The Security Bond form
Educational or qualification documents — where applicable

How the process runs

The application is filed by the employer or an employment agency it has appointed through the Work Permit Online portal.

1
Obtaining the worker's consent
The employer or employment agency obtains the worker's written consent to the Work Permit application.
2
Filing the application and paying the fee
The application is filed online; the fee is 35 SGD per application, payable by GIRO, Visa or Mastercard.
3
Checking the status and receiving the in-principle approval
about 1 week
After checking the status the employer prints the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, if the application has been approved.
4
Preparing for the worker's arrival
The employer buys the security bond (for workers other than Malaysians) and medical insurance, and prepares housing that meets the requirements.
5
Medical examination on arrival
within 2 weeks of arrival
The worker undergoes a medical examination with a Singapore-registered doctor or at a MOM-appointed Anchor Operator.
6
Issuing the permit and the card
For a worker other than a Malaysian the pass is issued within 14 days of their arrival in Singapore; the card is delivered within 5 working days of fingerprint and photograph registration.

Timelines and rights

Work

Employers are subject to a sector quota and must pay a monthly levy for each worker. The employer must provide medical insurance and meet the Primary Care Plan requirements for workers in dormitories with 7 or more residents and for workers in the CMP sectors.

Who you can bring with you

The Work Permit gives no access to family passes.

The worker's spouse and children

Family passes (Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass) are not available to Work Permit holders.

Renewal and the grace period

The renewal is filed by the employer or employment agency 7-12 weeks before the current pass expires; the fee is 35 SGD per permit and the outcome usually arrives immediately. For a worker other than a Malaysian a new security bond is required — it may be set to take effect up to one day after the current pass expires; medical insurance must be renewed or arranged afresh.

Frequently asked questions about Work Permit for migrants

Who can obtain a Work Permit for a migrant worker?

The pass is issued to workers from the countries and regions approved for the particular sector who are employed in construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, the process sector or the service sector in Singapore. At the time of the application the worker must be between 18 and 62.

How much does the application cost and how long does it take?

The employer or employment agency files the application online and pays 35 SGD per application (GIRO, Visa or Mastercard). A decision on most applications arrives in about a week, after which the In-Principle Approval letter is printed.

Is a security bond required for the worker?

For every worker other than a Malaysian the employer must buy a security bond of 5,000 SGD from a bank or an insurance company; asking the worker to pay for the bond is prohibited. The bond is forfeited where the pass conditions are breached, wages are paid late, the worker is not repatriated when the pass expires, or the worker goes missing.

What is the minimum medical insurance a worker needs?

The employer must insure a Work Permit holder for at least 15,000 SGD a year — that sum covers inpatient care and day surgery bills.

What is the Primary Care Plan and who must have it?

The Primary Care Plan is mandatory for Work Permit holders (other than domestic workers) and S Pass holders who live in dormitories with 7 or more residents or work in construction, marine shipyard or the process sector. For other holders the plan is optional, but it is recommended as additional protection. The plan is bought only from a MOM-appointed Anchor Operator — the operator and the cost depend on the worker's housing zone.

Can the worker bring their family to Singapore?

No: family passes (Dependant's Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass) are not available to relatives of a Work Permit holder.

How is a Work Permit renewed?

The employer or employment agency files the renewal application 7-12 weeks before the current pass expires and pays 35 SGD per permit; the outcome usually arrives immediately. For a worker other than a Malaysian a new security bond is required; for the rest, medical insurance must be renewed or rearranged.

How does the Work Permit differ from the Employment Pass?

The Work Permit is a pass for semi-skilled workers from approved countries in specific sectors of the economy, with no minimum salary. The Employment Pass is intended for professionals and managers and requires a salary of at least 5,600 SGD a month for candidates aged 23 and below — the threshold rises with the candidate's age.

Other ways to move to Singapore

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Singapore.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.