How to Apply for a Work Permit in Singapore (2025): An Employer’s Guide

Business is good, and now you’re ready to take the next big step.

Growing your team.

The thing is, applying for a Work Permit in Singapore isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

And if you’re a first-time employer, it can feel even trickier.

Maybe the quota and levy rules don’t quite make sense yet. Or maybe you’re just not sure what’s actually allowed in your industry.

That’s why we’ve put this together. Here’s a no-fuss, practical guide that shows you exactly how to apply for a Work Permit in Singapore without the headaches.

We’ll cover the Work Permit application requirements, the must-knows, and the common pitfalls to avoid.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

A Work Permit is very different from other Singapore work passes like the S Pass or Employment Pass.

Here’s how they stack up:

S Pass vs Work Permit

• Salary: S Pass holders need to earn at least SGD 3,300 (as of 2025). With a Work Permit, there’s no minimum salary (except for the NTS work permit at SGD2,000)

• Role type: Work Permits cover semi-skilled, lower-wage jobs.

• Quotas & Levy: Both WP and S Pass are subject to quota and levy (tiered). Employment Pass (EP) has no levy and no quota.

• Residency: S Pass holders may eventually apply for Permanent Residency. A Work Permit doesn’t have that same option.

• Job mobility: For a WP holder to change jobs, the current employer must approve and agree to the transfer. Otherwise, the worker usually has to return home and reapply. Unlike Employment Pass or S Pass applicants, Work Permit applicants cannot be in Singapore at the time of application.

Employment Pass vs Work Permit

• Who it’s for: The Employment Pass (EP) is meant for professionals, managers, and executives.

• Salary: EP holders are paid much more because the roles are more complex.

• Qualifications: Their qualifications must be verified and approved by a MOM-accredited agency.

• Benefits: With an EP, family members can join the pass holder in Singapore, and there’s a clear path to Permanent Residency.

• Nationality: EPs are open to all nationalities. Work Permits, on the other hand, are restricted to approved source countries. For example, those under the Non-Traditional Source (NTS) scheme like Bangladesh, Myanmar, or India

Quick Comparison: Work Permit vs S Pass vs EP

So Then, Who Needs a Work Permit?

If a foreigner doesn’t qualify for an S Pass or an Employment Pass (EP), they’ll need a Work Permit to work in Singapore’s approved sectors.

This typically applies to roles such as:

• Manual work (e.g. construction, shipyard)

• Operational roles (e.g. factory, process industry)

• Service jobs (e.g. F&B, cleaning, hospitality)

One example:

• Hiring a Bangladeshi bricklayer? That falls under the Work Permit scheme.

The rule of thumb? If you’re unsure which pass applies, always check the job role and salary.

And if you’d rather not figure it out alone, there are Work Permit application services in Singapore that can handle it for you.

Before you bring in a foreign worker, your business needs to meet MOM’s Work Permit requirements for both the company and the candidate.

Think of this as your go-to checklist:

Employer & Business Requirements

Business Registration

• Only Singapore-registered companies can apply for a Work Permit.

• So, make sure your ACRA registration is current.

• If this is your first-time Work Permit application, you’ll also need to declare your business activity so MOM knows exactly how to classify your sector.

Quota Availability

• Next, check if you actually have a quota for another worker. This comes under the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC).

• The DRC sets the maximum share of your workforce that can be foreigners on Work Permits.

If you go over your quota, your Work Permit application will be rejected straight away.

Worker Requirements

Foreign Worker’s Role and Sector

• The role must be on MOM’s approved list for your industry.

• Example: The Services sector allows Work Permits for cleaners or kitchen helpers, but not every job qualifies. Always check before applying.

Source Country & Background

Work Permit eligibility also depends on where the worker is from:

• Malaysians: Allowed in all sectors

• North Asian Sources (NAS): South Korea, Taiwan

• Non-Traditional Sources (NTS): Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, China

Even here, rules differ.

For instance, Myanmar Work Permit hires in Singapore are common in Manufacturing and Construction.

But in Services, NTS workers are limited to certain roles. (We cover the NTS Work Permit and 2025 updates in more detail in a separate guide because that deserves its own piece.)

Age Limit

• Minimum: 18 years old

• Maximum: Below 61 when applying (non-domestic workers)

• With renewals: Employable up to 63 years old

These caps are in place to ensure workers are fit for the job.

Educational Qualifications

• There’s usually no minimum qualification required.

• But if you want to pay the lower skilled worker levy, your worker will need either:

  • Recognised trade certifications, or

  • Several years of relevant experience.

Clean Record

• It goes without saying but workers must not have a history of immigration violations or bans with MOM.

• Common Work Permit application rejection reasons also include failed security or health checks.

• Example: If someone was repatriated before for medical issues, they might not qualify again.

At Trinity Pass, our pool of existing workers are already trained, experienced, and ready to be matched with the right employers.

Medical Fitness

• All Work Permit holders must pass a medical exam within two weeks of arriving.

• The exam includes checks for TB, HIV, and other infectious diseases.

• Fail the test, and the Work Permit is revoked.

• On top of that, employers are required to provide medical insurance for foreign workers in Singapore. (We break down everything you need to know in our full insurance guide.)

Why This Matters

Running through this checklist upfront means fewer delays, fewer rejections, and a smoother experience hiring your next worker.

This is where things get a little tricky.

We’re talking about Singapore’s Work Permit quota and levy system.

In simple terms, it exists to control the number of foreign workers each company can hire.

But let’s break it down properly.

Quota (Dependency Ratio Ceiling)

We touched on this earlier, but here’s a deeper look at why it matters.

MOM calculates your quota based on CPF payroll records of your local employees. This makes it mandatory to hire and maintain a certain number of locals (Singaporeans or PRs) - and that’s non-negotiable.

There’s also the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) rule:

• A local must earn at least SGD 1,600/month to count as one full local.

• If they earn between SGD 800–1,599, they only count as half.

• Below SGD 800? They don’t count at all.

In short: what you pay your local employees directly affects your foreign worker quota.

Why This Matters

If a local employee resigns or drops below the LQS, your quota may shrink.

That could mean you suddenly can’t renew existing Work Permits.

It’s a situation employers often complain about on forums all too often.

And some have even had to cut foreign staff unexpectedly because of this.

The takeaway? 

Don’t get caught off guard. Always plan your manpower so you stay comfortably within your quota and avoid nasty surprises.

MOM’s Levy Rate for the Work Permit

Now, let’s talk about the  Work Permit levy that every employer in Singapore needs to take note of.

Think of the levy as a kind of “tax.” Its purpose is simple.

Basically, it’s to discourage businesses from relying too much on foreign labour.

But here’s the catch: it’s not a flat charge.

Levies are tiered, and how much you pay depends on three things:

• Your industry

• The worker’s skill level

• How close you are to the maximum quota

For example:

• Tier 1 (lower proportion of foreign staff): you’ll pay a lower levy per worker.

• Tier 2 & 3 (higher proportion of foreign staff): your levy per worker increases.

• Higher-skilled workers enjoy lower levy rates than basic-skilled. This is MOM’s way of encouraging companies to upskill or hire more experienced staff (sometimes even upgrading them from a Work Permit to an S Pass).

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

These are rough estimates. For the latest figures, always check the official MOM website

Maintaining Your Quota and Levy Compliance

A few things to keep in mind:

Your quota is assessed monthly. If your local headcount drops, your quota shrinks. That can push workers into a higher levy tier or limit your ability to renew Work Permits.

CPF payments also matter.

Late CPF payments for locals can reduce your eligible local count. This temporarily cuts your quota and may even lead to penalties.

The good news?

You can check your quota status and see how many more foreigners you can hire anytime via WP Online.

Or, if you’d rather not monitor this yourself, a Work Permit-specialised agency (like us) can do it for you.

We’ll advise what adjustments you can make.

Say, which locals to hire or what tweaks to your workforce plan.

All so you can bring in the foreign workers your business needs without stress.

In any case, we’re now done talking about eligibility and quota.

Let’s move on to the step-by-step Work Permit application process in Singapore below:

You’ve done all the groundwork. You’re A-OK to hire a foreign worker under a Work Permit.

Now it’s time for action.

Here’s the Work Permit application process, step by step:

Before you submit the application, you’ll need signed consent from the worker. This is required under MOM rules. 

Don’t worry. It's usually just a simple form or letter.

You’ll need a few things ready before you apply. The worker’s passport must have at least six months’ validity, ideally more since Work Permits can last up to two years.

Make sure you also have the worker’s personal particulars (date of birth, nationality, etc.), exactly as in the passport. If you’re planning to declare them for a higher-skilled levy, gather their educational or trade certificates. Any documents not in English will need official translations.

On the employer side, prepare your company’s details such as your UEN and CPF account. If you’re filing directly, this links when you log in with CorpPass. If an agency is filing, you’ll need to authorise them.

Finally, confirm the job details.

The role title, the basic monthly salary, and the work address, etc.

Salaries must meet any sector-specific minimums. For example, cleaners and landscaping workers must follow the Progressive Wage Model, which as of 2025 is around SGD 1,200–1,400 for full-time roles.

MOM doesn’t set an official minimum salary for Work Permits. But paying too low is unrealistic and could breach wage laws.

Certain industries, such as Construction or Manufacturing, come with additional conditions.

Workers may need to pass safety courses or attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) if they are first-time construction workers or manufacturing operators in Singapore.

You’ve done all the prep work. Now it’s time to hit that button - the application one, that is.

After logging into WP Online with your CorpPass, fill out the application form. You’ll need to include details about the worker, the job, and your company.

And if you were wondering about the cost of applying for a Work Permit in Singapore, this is the step where you’ll pay SGD 35.

Once the Work Permit application fee is paid and submitted, you’ll receive an acknowledgement.

One key thing to note:

• Make sure the worker isn’t in Singapore (if they are non-Malaysians).

• MOM will reject applications for workers on a visit pass, so you’ll need to time your application carefully. A rejection is the last thing you want.

The Work Permit processing time in Singapore isn’t that long. Most applications are processed within a week.

If you like to stay updated, you can always monitor the application status on WP Online.

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.

This letter is vital. It confirms your Work Permit approval and lists the additional steps you need to take. Like all important documents, print the IPA and its accompanying forms - such as the security bond form.

At this stage, double-check everything.

If there’s an error, get it corrected quickly before the worker travels. Otherwise, they risk being denied entry at immigration.

Common Work Permit Rejection Reasons in Singapore

Not every application gets approved. Here are some common rejection reasons:

• Missing documents

• Errors in personal details

• Non-rectifiable issues (e.g. worker is ineligible or has an adverse record)
  
  

In such cases, the Work Permit will be rejected.

If you receive a rejection, you have up to 30 days to make an appeal. But unless you have a strong case, your appeal may not succeed.

IPA in hand, here are some things you need to do before your worker arrives in Singapore.

• Security bond: We touched on this earlier. At this stage, you’ll need to purchase a SGD 5,000 security bond. No need to worry. You won’t pay the cash upfront. It comes in the form of a security bond guarantee from an insurance company or a bank. Think of it as a pledge to the Singapore government. If your worker breaks Work Permit rules, that SGD 5,000 is forfeited. But if your worker returns home properly when the permit ends, the bond is released and you don’t lose anything.
• Note: Never ask the worker to bear the bond cost. It’s illegal to deduct it from their salary. And frankly, not a good look either.
• Medical insurance: Each Work Permit holder must be covered by medical insurance. If you haven’t arranged this yet, you’ll need to do so before or as soon as the worker arrives. The minimum coverage is SGD 60,000 per year for inpatient care. Buying insurance is in your best interest too. As the employer, you’re responsible for any medical bills.
• Pre-entry checks (if applicable): For certain industries like construction, process (CMP), or marine, MOM requires extra steps. You must complete an online Pre-Entry Housing Check, then book an Onboard Centre slot for the worker. The Onboard Centre is where new foreign workers attend a three-day orientation and the Settling-In Programme. Book this slot at least four days before arrival, for the day after the worker lands. Don’t worry. The IPA letter will give you the instructions. But this step is mandatory. If you don’t do it, CMP workers won’t be allowed into Singapore.
• Flight and entry: Coordinate travel plans with your worker. They’ll need the IPA letter to enter Singapore, so send them a copy of it along with the security bond acknowledgement before they fly. These Work Permit application documents must be shown to immigration on arrival.
• Housing: Last but not least, accommodation. Make sure your worker has proper housing arranged - especially in sectors like Construction or Manufacturing where dormitories are standard.

Now on to the final step - the Work Permit issuance.

This typically takes place once the worker has arrived in Singapore.

In simple terms, “issuance” means converting the IPA into an actual Work Permit. Most of this can be done through WP Online, but you’ll need a few things ready first:

• Worker’s residential address and local phone number (to be registered in OFWAS).

• Security bond and insurance confirmed.

• Work Permit issuance fee (SGD 35) paid - separate from the application fee.

• Documents requested by MOM verified- in some cases, you’ll need MOM-approved verification of education documents.

• IPA letter and application form printed.

• For construction workers with overseas skill tests, identity verification by BCA within four months.

Once these are in place, you can submit the issuance request on WP Online. You’ll then be able to print the Work Permit notification letter - a temporary pass valid for one month that shows the worker’s Work Permit has been issued.

Card Registration

Next comes card registration.

Workers who have never had their fingerprints taken in Singapore must complete fingerprinting and photo registration at MOM’s Services Centre within the first week.

You (or your agency) can book an appointment online. Just remember to bring along the required documents - usually the appointment letter and passport.

Card Delivery

Once registration is complete, MOM will deliver the Work Permit card to your registered address, usually within five working days. You’ll get an SMS or email before delivery.

Make sure an authorised recipient with valid ID is available to receive it. If delivery fails twice, you’ll need to collect the card in person at MOM.

• Stay organised: Keep digital/hard copies of IPA, bond, insurance, medical, and WP letters. A simple checklist avoids mistakes.

• Pick smart arrival dates: Aim for early-week arrivals so medicals and issuance don’t spill into weekends.

• Appeal wisely: Appeal within 30 days only if issues can be fixed (e.g. missing docs, quota shortfall). Skip non-rectifiable cases.

• Use the pass correctly: Deploy workers only in the approved role, sector, and location to avoid fines or bans.

• Support your worker: Cultural guidance and check-ins reduce early resignations. (We help especially with Burmese workers.)

Stay updated: MOM rules change. Subscribe to updates or let an agency monitor for you.

Plenty of companies can help you apply for a Work Permit in Singapore. So why choose us?

Because we go beyond just paperwork. From preparing forms to liaising with MOM, we manage the full process and tailor it to your needs.

What sets us apart is our cultural expertise and worker care. Our team includes Burmese speakers who can bridge cultural gaps. Located at Peninsula Plaza — a hub for the Myanmar community — we’re closely connected with the latest updates and worker needs.

We don’t just stop at applications. We guide workers on Singapore’s work culture, safety practices, and even everyday basics like public transport and food. This helps them settle in quickly and stay productive.

From the first form to the day your worker arrives (and beyond), we’ve got your back.