Singapore•Asia

Open

Work Permit (Foreign Worker)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 week

Estimated Cost

SGD $70

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Up to 2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

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)

Malaysia

China

India

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Bangladesh

Myanmar (Burma)

Philippines Bhutan

Bhutan

Cambodia

Laos

Hong Kong SAR China

Macao SAR China

South Korea Taiwan

Taiwan

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Singapore

S Pass

Validity2 to 3 years

Processing2 weeks

View Visa Details

Singapore

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

Employer registration: Singapore employer registers with MOM

Find qualifying worker: Recruit worker from approved source country

Medical examination: Worker completes medical check by approved doctor

Submit application: Employer submits work permit application online to MOM

Pay fees: Application and issuance fees paid

Security bond: Employer provides security bond/guarantee

Work permit issuance: Upon approval, work permit issued

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Work Permit Application Form

—

Verified Claims (21)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Employer registration: Singapore employer registers with MOM; Find eligible worker: Recruit worker f…

mom.gov.sg

Fee Breakdown

Application Fee: 35 SGD; Pass Issuance Fee: 35 SGD

mom.gov.sg

Fees

SGD 35 + SGD 35

mom.gov.sg

Forms

Work Permit Application Form

mom.gov.sg

Included Nationalities

MY; CN; IN; LK; TH; BD; MM; PH; BT; KH; LA; HK; MO; KR; TW

mom.gov.sg

Job Offer Required

true

mom.gov.sg

Application Portal

https://www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/wponline

mom.gov.sg

Official Info

https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker

mom.gov.sg

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Singapore

Cost of Living

30% more than United States

Avg SalarySGD 64,000

Quality of Life

148/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

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

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

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