Your Guide to Medical Insurance for Foreign Workers in Singapore

From day one, every foreign hire must be covered by a compliant policy.

This ensures that your workers can access care without delay and helps you avoid unexpected bills that could run into thousands of dollars.

Once you've purchased medical insurance, don't forget to submit the insurance details to MOM before issuing or renewing the Work Permit or S Pass.

This includes the insurer’s name, policy number, and the start and end dates of coverage.

If you don't submit these details, the pass won’t be issued or renewed, so staying on top of this step is key to compliance.

You can also work with us to handle all the details.

Finding the right medical insurance for foreign workers in Singapore can feel overwhelming.

But knowing MOM’s basic standards helps cut through the noise.

For starters, coverage must be in place before any Work Permit or S Pass is issued or renewed.

Under the new guidelines, insurers are required to cover 75% of medical bills above the first SGD 15,000.

The employer will co-pay the remaining 25% up to the SGD 60,000 coverage limit.

As an employer, you may choose to opt for additional coverage to remove this co-payment.

But it’s not mandatory. You can decide based on your business needs.

One important thing to note: If your chosen insurance plan has sub-limits (e.g., specific caps for surgeries or hospital stays), each sub-limit must also meet the minimum coverage requirement of SGD 60,000 per worker.

After all this, you might be wondering: so what really is the minimum insurance coverage for foreign workers in Singapore?

As of 1 July 2023, the mandatory medical insurance coverage for foreign workers is SGD 60,000 per year , which covers hospitalisation and day surgery.

If you're wondering why this amount seems much higher than before, that’s because it is.

The previous minimum of SGD 15,000 was raised to SGD 60,000 to better cover the medical needs of workers.

Any insurance policy purchased or renewed after this date must meet the new SGD 60,000 limit.

We’ll cover the rest in this guide, including insurance requirements, health screening, and how to choose the right insurance plan for your team in Singapore.

It’s not just a box to tick. It’s essential protection for both your workers and your business.

If a foreign employee falls ill or gets injured, a solid insurance plan helps cover the hospital bills.

Without it, you’ll be footing the cost yourself. And those can quickly add up.

MOM shared that under the old SGD 15,000 limit, over 5% of bills exceeded that amount.

Now, with the SGD 60,000 requirement, more than 99% of claims are covered — reducing financial shocks if your worker needs surgery or a hospital stay.

Again, this isn’t optional.

Under Singapore law, employers are fully responsible for their workers’ medical care.

Without proper coverage, MOM considers you liable.

The upside?

With the right foreign worker medical insurance, everyone has peace of mind.

Your team gets timely treatment, and you protect your operations from disruption.

Let’s break down what a compliant policy must include.

Under MOM’s insurance for employees guidelines, all Work Permit and S Pass holders must be covered by a medical insurance policy that:

• Covers inpatient care and day surgery

• Provides at least SGD 60,000 in annual coverage

• Applies to all illnesses (not just work-related injuries)

If the plan has sub-limits (e.g. separate caps for surgeries), each must still meet the minimum insurance coverage for foreign workers in Singapore.

These rules apply to both Work Permit insurance and S Pass insurance. (Employment Pass holders aren’t subject to these rules.)

Still, it’s up to employers to provide insurance as an additional benefit for EP holders, and this is completely optional.

EP holders also have the option of getting their own insurance too.

Many employers also opt for extras like outpatient care, pre- and post-hospitalisation, or dental.

And in case you’re wondering, these aren’t required.

But they can be useful depending on your team’s needs.

Still deciding which pass to apply for? Read our guide on the S Pass vs Employment Pass.

Planning to upgrade a worker? Here’s our guide on how to apply for an S Pass from a Work Permit.

You’ll be spoilt for choice. There are many MOM-compliant insurance providers available, so choose one that fits your needs.

At the very least, your plan should:

• Again, cover SGD 60,000 per year

• Include the 75%/25% co-pay arrangement beyond the first SGD 15,000 (your insurer pays 75% , you cover 25% , up to the limit)

• This applies to both S Pass medical insurance and Work Permit holders

Lower premiums might mean higher out-of-pocket costs or a limited hospital network.

But just think about what trade-offs make sense for your business.

Need help choosing? Reach out anytime to schedule an appointment .

Skipping medical insurance coverage isn’t just risky. It’s expensive. Consequences include:

• Fines (up to SGD 10,000)

• Jail (up to 12 months)

• A ban from hiring foreign workers

• Rejection of pass applications or renewals

If your coverage lapses - whether it’s medical insurance for Work Permit holders in Singapore or S Pass medical insurance - MOM can reject the pass renewal outright.

To stay on track:

• Submit your policy to MOM before pass approval or renewal

• Monitor expiry dates closely

• Renew policies early and update MOM

• Keep up with rule changes — like the new S Pass salary thresholds from September 2025

It’s a lot to manage - which is why many employers partner with agencies like us to handle the paperwork and stay compliant.

Finding the right plan depends on your team’s profile.

Younger workers in lower-risk roles? A basic plan might do.

Older or higher-risk workers? Look for higher coverage and fewer co-pays.

When comparing plans, focus on:

• Direct billing (no upfront payment needed)

• Co-pay structure and deductibles

• Optional extras like check-ups, dental, or outpatient care

• Group size rules (some plans require 3+ workers)

Sometimes, paying a bit more upfront saves you hassle later.

The worst of COVID-19 may be over. But you might be wondering if you still need coverage.

As of 2025, COVID-19 hospitalisation is treated like any other illness under the mandatory medical insurance for foreign workers.

This means that a separate COVID-19-specific insurance policy is not needed, as long as the worker’s insurance plan covers general inpatient care.

Be sure to check your policy to confirm that this coverage is included.

Another key step: health screening.

Before a Work Permit or S Pass can be issued, all foreign workers need to complete a medical examination at a MOM-approved clinic.

This check helps ensure that workers are free from infectious diseases like tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, and malaria.

Good to know: The exam should be completed within two weeks of the worker's arrival.

Why is it important? Because the pass won’t be issued unless the worker passes the exam and is cleared for employment.

New to hiring foreign workers as a whole? Not to worry. We explain the process of Work Permit application in Singapore step by step in our guide if you're interested.

This guide focuses on foreign workers, but what about locals?

Right now, MOM’s guidelines for medical insurance for local employees are not mandatory under Singapore’s Employment Act.

However, many employers still offer medical insurance for employees in Singapore - especially for full-timers.

It shows you care, supports their healthcare needs, and helps with retention.

Even something as simple as annual coverage can go a long way.

Some employers choose extra coverage like outpatient visits, dental, or even accident health insurance - especially useful for high-risk sectors like construction or logistics.

But there are exclusions too. Standard foreign worker insurance plans usually don’t cover:

• Elective surgery

• Pre-existing conditions

• Alcoholism treatment or substance abuse

Always check what’s in - and what’s excluded - before buying a policy.

At the end of the day, affordable medical insurance is great. But not at the expense of key protections.

If you're buying health insurance for the first time, focus on MOM compliance, inpatient coverage, and the hospital network.