A Complete Guide to Obtaining Work Permits in Singapore
Singapore ranks among the top countries for quality of life, thanks to its clean environment, competitive tax rates, and business-friendly policies. This high standard of living attracts many foreign workers looking for career opportunities and a better quality of life. However, before you can start working in Singapore, you must have a Singapore work permit to work legally.
Navigating the Singapore work permit process doesn’t have to be complicated. Let us guide you step-by-step!
What is a Work Permit and Why is it Important?
A work permit is an official authorization that allows foreign workers to work legally in a specific country. It ensures that employers comply with regulations while protecting job opportunities for local workers. Work permits also offer a layer of protection for workers, ensuring their rights are respected under national laws.
In Singapore, work permits are issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and are categorized based on skill level, qualifications, and salary. The type of permit you need depends on your profession and eligibility criteria set by MOM.
Types of Work Permits in Singapore
The Singapore work permit comes in different types, each design for specific skill levels and job roles. Whether you’re a professional, skilled worker, or specialized talent, there is a permit design to support your journey.
1. Professionals
Singapore values innovation and expertise. To support this, MOM offers several work permit for different needs:
- Employment Pass (EP)
Designed for experienced foreign professionals, managers and executives earning at least SGD 5,000 per month. This pass requires candidates to meet a minimum of 40 points under the new points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). - EntrePass
Issued for foreign entrepreneurs looking to start and operate a venture-backed or technology-driven business in Singapore. You can apply for an EntrePass if you have started, or intend to start a private limited company that is registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), and must hold at least 30% of registered company. There is no quota or levy for EntrePass in Singapore. - Personalised Employment Pass (PEP)
Singapore work permit for high-earning existing Employment Pass holders or overseas foreign professionals earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 22,500. The PEP offers greater flexibility than an Employment Pass. No foreign worker levy or quota is required.However, holding a PEP doesn’t exempt you from meeting professional registration standards in Singapore. If you’re in fields like medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, architecture, or law, you will still need to fulfill the necessary licensing and regulatory requirements before you can practice. - Overseas Network and Expertise Pass
This pass welcomes top talent in business, arts and culture, sports, as well as academia and research earning a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000 for the 12 consecutive months leading up to the date of application. Even if you don’t meet the salary criteria, you may still qualify if you have exceptional achievements and expertise.
2. Skilled and Semi-Skilled Workers
To ensure businesses have access to the right talent, MOM provides Singapore work permits tailored to different sectors:
- S Pass
For skilled workers earning at least SGD 3,150 per month, which is benchmarked against the top one-third of the local Associate Professionals and Technicians (APT) salaries by age. - Work Permit for Migrant Worker
This permit allows skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers from approved source countries or regions to work in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sector. - Work Permit for Migrant Domestic Worker
This permit is issued for foreigners employed as domestic helpers in Singapore. You must be at least 23 to below 50 years old during the Work Permit applications, with minimum 8 years of formal education with a recognised certificate. - Work Permit for Confinement Nanny
Specifically for Malaysian confinement nannies in the age of 23 to 70 years at the time of the application. This permit allows them to work in Singapore for up to 16 weeks starting from the birth of the employer’s child. - Work Permit for Performing Artiste
Issued for foreign performers working in public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and nightclubs. The minimum age for all non-domestic foreign workers is 18 years old. Foreign performing artists must only perform jobs related to stage performance, such as singing and dancing. They cannot be deployed to carry out any other jobs within the same business.
Eligibility Requirements for a Singapore Work Permit
To be eligible for a Singapore work permit, workers must have a valid passport and a job offer from a Singapore-based employer. Employers must be registered in Singapore and comply with the Fair Consideration Framework.
1. Requirements for Workers
In general, to be eligible for Singapore work permit, all worker must:
- Hold a valid passport.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Qualified for the role with supporting documents from accredited institutions.
- Only work within the scope of their roles.
2. Foreign Worker Quota and Levy Requirements
The number of Work Permit holders a company can hire is regulated by a quota (Dependency Ratio Ceiling) and requires a monthly levy.
A quota is the maximum ratio of foreign workers to the total workforce that a company in a given sector can employ. However, not all Work Permit are subject to quota and levy requirements—only a few, such as the S Pass, as described below:
| Sector | DRC |
| Construction | 83.3% |
| Process | 83.3% |
| Marine shipyard | 77.8% |
| Manufacturing | 60% |
| Services | 35% |
Under the process sector quota, you can employ 5 Work Permit holders for every local employee who earns the Local Qualifying Salary.
Levy is a pricing mechanism to regulate the number of foreigners in Singapore. The levy rate is as follows:
| Source country or region / Tier | Monthly | Daily |
| NTS – Higher-skilled | SGD 300 | SGD 9.87 |
| NTS – Basic-skilled | SGD 650 | SGD 21.37 |
| Malaysia, NAS, PRC – Higher-skilled | SGD 200 | SGD 6.58 |
| Malaysia, NAS, PRC – Basic-skilled | SGD 450 | SGD 14.79 |
Application Process for a Singapore Work Permit
Employers or appointed employment agents can easily apply for a Singapore work permit online. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of the process:
1. Secure a job offer
2. Prepare the documents
- Valid passport.
- Completed application form, which is available from the relevant authority.
- Copied of education certificates.
- Past employment testimonials.
- Two recent color photographs.
- Detailed description of the work.
- Company’s appointment letter.
- Police clearance certificate.
- Medical check up.
- Health insurance.
3. Submit an application
To submit an application you need to:
- Get a written consent to apply for a Work Permit (WP) from the worker.
- Log in to WP Online account via MOM’s website to fill out the application.
- Pay SGD 35 for each application. You can pay by GIRO, Visa or Mastercard.
- Check the application status after 1 week. It may take longer if additional information is required.
- If the application is approved, log in to WP Online to print In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter and Work Permit application form.
Costs Involved in Obtaining Singapore Work Permit
If you’re applying for a Singapore work permit, the cost includes a SGD 35 application fee and a SGD 35 issuance fee. All four work permits—Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass, EntrePass, and Overseas Network and Expertise Pass—have the same fees, with a SGD 105 application fee and a SGD 225 issuance fee. However, S Pass has a SGD 75 application fee and SGD 100 issuance fee.
Compliance and Renewal Requirements
Renewing a Singapore work permit requires workers to complete a medical exam and maintain valid insurance. Employers must provide a renewal form, the worker’s passport, a photo, and proof of insurance. They must also secure an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, post a SGD 5,000 security bond, and ensure the worker’s passport and bond are up to date.
MOM sends a renewal letter about 8 weeks before the permit expires. Employers must renew it online 6-8 weeks prior, submit documents, and pay a SGD 35 renewal fee. Once approved, the permit is valid for up to 2 years, as long as the worker’s passport is still valid.
What are the Challenges in the Work Permit Process?
The Singapore work permit process can be challenging due to specific requirements, quotas, and levies. To qualify, applicants must meet the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) criteria for qualifications and experience. Their applications also go through thorough vetting by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). Employers also face additional restrictions, such as quotas that limit the percentage of foreign workers they can hire and the obligation to pay a foreign worker levy (FWL) for each employee.
Beyond these regulations, other challenges include security bond requirements that may discourage employers, potential language barriers for foreign workers, and limited access to employer support or mental health services.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Singapore Work Permit?
To improve the chances of approval, applicants should carefully review the Employment Pass (EP) criteria, ensure their qualifications meet the standards, and highlight how their skills contribute to Singapore’s economy. You can visit the MOM website for detailed guidelines on work permits and passes.
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Let us take care of the complexities so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business. Contact One Tax CM today at +65 6708 9369 or visit www.onetaxcm.com to streamline your work permit applications and stay compliant with Singapore’s regulations.
FAQ: Singapore Work Permit
- What is a Singapore work permit?
A Singapore work permit is a pass that allows foreign workers in specific industries (e.g., construction, manufacturing, domestic work) to work legally in Singapore. - Who needs a work permit to work in Singapore?
Low- to mid-skilled foreign workers need a work permit, while professionals may require an Employment Pass or S Pass instead. - How do I apply for a Singapore work permit?
The employer or an employment agent must apply online through Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website. - How long does it take to process a work permit?
Processing usually takes 1–3 weeks, depending on the type of permit and whether additional documents are needed. - Can I change jobs with a work permit?
No, work permit holders must be sponsored by their employer. If you change jobs, your new employer must apply for a new permit.