Work visa in Singapore

Work Permit - a work visa for unskilled, low, and semi-skilled foreign workers from an approved list of countries, allowing them to work in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process or services sector.

The requirements for a Work Permit vary depending on the sector. In Singapore, Work Permits are issued for the following industries:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Marine shipyard
• Process
• Services

A company can be considered part of the services sector if it has registered any of the following as its primary activities:

• Financial, insurance, real estate, infocomm, and business services.
• Transport, storage, and communications services.
• Trade (both retail and wholesale).
• Public, social, and personal services (excluding domestic workers).
• Hotels.
• Restaurants, cafes, food courts, and other approved dining establishments (excluding food kiosks and stalls).

A Work Permit for the services sector can be issued for foreign workers from the following countries and regions:

• Malaysia
• People's Republic of China (PRC)
• North Asian countries (NAS):
• Hong Kong (HKSAR passport)
• Macau
• South Korea
• Taiwan

Note: For holders of a Dependant’s Pass, the country or region of origin does not apply.

The minimum age for all foreign migrant workers is 18 years.
When applying for a Work Permit:

• Workers from Malaysia must be under 58 years old.
• Workers who are not Malaysian citizens must be under 50 years old.

In the services sector, the maximum number of years a Work Permit holder can work in Singapore is:

• 14 years for workers with basic qualifications.
• 22 years for workers with higher qualifications.

This rule does not apply to Malaysian citizens.
Note: All Work Permit holders can work in Singapore only up to the age of 60.

The number of Work Permit holders an employer can hire is limited by a quota (or Dependency Ratio Ceiling, DRC) and is subject to levy payments.

• The DRC for the services sector is 35%.
• Levy rates are tiered, so those hiring close to the maximum quota will pay higher levies.

For workers with basic qualifications, the levies range from SGD 450 to SGD 800. For workers with higher qualifications (Diploma, High School), the levies range from SGD 300 to SGD 600.

A Security Bond is a mandatory financial guarantee that employers must provide for each foreign worker (except Malaysian citizens) before the worker's arrival in Singapore. The bond can be arranged through any bank or insurance company.
The Security Bond is a commitment to pay the government a specified amount if the employer or the worker violates Singapore's labor laws. The bond amount is SGD 5,000 per worker. The bond must be paid solely by the employer.

The Security Bond is refunded only after the Work Permit is canceled, the worker has returned to their home country, and if both the employer and the worker have adhered to the conditions of the bond.

Employers must purchase medical insurance for each foreign worker. The insurance must cover inpatient treatment and surgeries, including hospital bills for illnesses that may not be work-related.

The insurance coverage for each Work Permit holder must be at least SGD 60,000 per year (for policies with an effective date from July 1, 2023, and later).

Employers must have their workers undergo a medical examination before obtaining work permits for them, within 2 weeks of their arrival in Singapore. The medical examination is intended to identify four types of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, and malaria) and to assess the worker's fitness for work.

If the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore rejects a visa application, you can appeal the decision. After receiving the visa rejection, you have 3 months to submit an appeal, but you should do so only if you can contest the reasons for the rejection.

The application for a Work Permit can be submitted either by the employer or by an Employment agency hired by the employer.

No, a Work Permit holder cannot sponsor dependent visas for family members.

The processing time for a Work Permit in Singapore can vary. Each application is reviewed individually by the Ministry of Manpower, considering factors such as the financial health of the company, the employer's quota, the candidate's salary, and their relevant work experience.

Typically, it can take anywhere from five weeks to several months to issue a Work Permit. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the application and the specifics of the case.