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Work Permit (Foreign Worker)
SingaporeSingapore•Asia
Open

Work Permit (Foreign Worker)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 week

Estimated Cost

SGD $70

Stay Duration

Up to 2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Singapore flag

Living in Singapore

Cost of Living
30% more than United States
Avg SalarySGD 64,000
Quality of Life
148/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Employer-sponsored work pass for semi-skilled migrant workers from 15 approved source countries in Singapore's CMP and services sectors.

Singapore's Work Permit, issued by the Ministry of Manpower, lets employers hire semi-skilled migrant workers from 15 approved source countries for the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sectors. Hiring is bound by sector Dependency Ratio Ceilings and a monthly foreign worker levy.

Validity is up to 2 years and renewable, with applicants aged 18 to under 61 (rising to under 63 from 1 July 2026). Application and issuance fees are SGD 35 each, and online cases are processed within about 1 week. The permit is employer-tied, offers no PR pathway and bars dependents; medical insurance and a security bond apply.

This visa is ideal for semi-skilled workers from approved Asian source countries seeking sponsored, sector-specific employment in Singapore's labour-intensive industries.

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Cost Breakdown

Application FeeSGD $35
Pass Issuance FeeSGD $35
TotalSGD $70

Eligible Nationalities (15)

MalaysiaMalaysiaChinaChinaIndiaIndiaSri LankaSri LankaThailandThailandBangladeshBangladeshMyanmar (Burma)Myanmar (Burma)PhilippinesPhilippinesBhutanBhutanCambodiaCambodiaLaosLaosHong Kong SAR ChinaHong Kong SAR ChinaMacao SAR ChinaMacao SAR ChinaSouth KoreaSouth KoreaTaiwanTaiwan

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

S Pass
Singapore flagSingapore

S Pass

Validity2 to 3 years
Processing2 weeks
View Visa Details
EP — Employment Pass (EP)
Singapore flagSingapore

EP — Employment Pass (EP)

Validity2 to 3 years
Processing2 weeks
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education: None

Health insurance required

Age: 18 to under 61

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Medical examination

Proof of identity

Employer registration (sponsor)

Work permit application form (sponsor)

Job description (sponsor)

Security bond (sponsor)

Insurance policy (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Fast processing — online applications cleared within about 1 week
  • Low government fees — SGD 35 application and SGD 35 issuance
  • Renewable in 2-year blocks with no statutory cap on years worked
  • Open to workers from 15 approved Asian source countries and regions
  • No qualifying salary, formal education or language test required
  • Employer handles the full application and renewal process on WP Online

Worth Knowing

  • Employer-tied permit — workers cannot freely change jobs
  • Employers must pay a monthly Foreign Worker Levy and stay within sector quotas
  • Employer must buy medical insurance and post a security bond for non-Malaysian workers
  • Restricted to construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sectors
  • Applicants must be aged 18 to under 61 (rising to under 63 from 1 July 2026)
  • No pathway to permanent residence or citizenship
  • Dependents not allowed — no spouse or child passes available
  • Open only to nationals of the 15 approved source countries and regions

Application Process

1

Employer registration

Singapore employer registers with MOM

2

Find qualifying worker

Recruit worker from approved source country

3

Medical examination

Worker completes medical check by approved doctor

4

Submit application

Employer submits work permit application online to MOM

5

Pay fees

Application and issuance fees paid

6

Security bond

Employer provides security bond/guarantee

7

Work permit issuance

Upon approval, work permit issued

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Work Permit Application Form—

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