NTS Work Permit Singapore (2025): How to Hire and Apply as an Employer

We’ve already covered what NTS stands for, but let’s look at how it has evolved.

Previously, employers could only hire foreign workers on a Work Permit from a handful of countries - mainly Malaysia, China, and North Asian sources such as South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

From July 2025, MOM expanded the list of approved source countries , giving businesses far more options when hiring.

As of 2025, the updated list of NTS countries includes:

• Myanmar

• India

• Bangladesh

• Sri Lanka

• Thailand

• Philippines

• Laos (new)

• Bhutan (new)

• Cambodia (new)

Not every company can hire from NTS countries freely. It depends on your industry and the role you need to fill.

Traditionally, Work Permits from NTS countries have been allowed in:

• Construction

• Marine shipyard

• Process industries

These sectors rely heavily on South and Southeast Asian workers. They also have some of the highest foreign worker quotas – up to 83.3% of the workforce.

If you run a construction or marine engineering company, you can usually hire NTS workers for general roles such as tradesmen or labourers.

The manufacturing and services sectors can also hire NTS workers, but only for jobs on the NTS Occupation List.

But what is the NTS Occupation List?

The NTS Occupation List was introduced to help companies cope with rising S Pass salaries and levies. It also gives businesses access to foreign workers for roles that are often less appealing to locals.

NTS Work Permit Roles in Singapore (From 1 Sep 2025)

MOM reviews this list regularly, so it’s always worth checking their official website for updates.

Extra rules for manufacturing and services employers

If you’re hiring under the NTS Occupation List, remember one key requirement:

• They must earn at least SGD 2,000 per month.

There’s also a cap. Only up to 8% of your total workforce can be NTS hires. For example, a restaurant with 13 local staff can have a maximum of one NTS cook.

Thinking of hiring non-traditional source (NTS) workers for your business?

Here’s what you should know about NTS quotas and NTS levies.

First, a bit of context.

Among the different types of Work Permits in Singapore, the NTS Work Permit isn’t new. It uses the same framework as a standard Work Permit.

What sets it apart are the NTS requirements – these come with specific quotas, levies, and job restrictions that employers must follow.

Like with other work passes in Singapore, employers need to pay attention to their foreign worker quotas.

This quota is set by MOM under the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC).

The DRC limits the number of foreign workers a company can hire based on its total workforce, and the limit differs by sector.

Your available quota affects how many NTS workers you can bring in. And it also impacts the overall cost of hiring them.

Here’s a quick look at how the quotas work for each sector:

💡 Quick note on NTS roles: For jobs on the NTS Occupation List, there’s an extra cap - only up to 8% of your total workforce can be NTS hires. This cap applies to only the services and manufacturing sectors, and not the construction, and process industries.

Before you plan your headcount, you can always check your limits with our quota calculator. It might just come in handy for you.

Key things to note:

• The NTS work permit levy for employers depends on the sector, worker skill level, and how close you are to your quota limit.

• Always factor in levy costs, as they can make up a significant part of the total employment cost.

If you’re new to this and wondering how to hire a foreign worker in Singapore , it’s important to know that there are a few mandatory costs you’ll need to budget for.

Security Bond

For non-Malaysian Work Permit holders, employers must provide a SGD 5,000 security bond to MOM. This bond is refunded when the worker leaves Singapore, provided there are no breaches of the pass conditions. Malaysians are exempt from this requirement.

Medical Insurance

Employers are legally required to provide medical insurance for all foreign Work Permit holders, including NTS workers. The policy must cover at least SGD 60,000 per year. For more details, see our full guide to foreign worker medical insurance.

Housing

Employers must make sure their workers have proper accommodation. If you’re not providing housing directly (like a dormitory), you can include a housing allowance as part of their salary or give it as a fixed monthly payment.

Things to note about housing:

• Malaysian NTS Work Permit holders can rent entire HDB flats or bedrooms

• Non-Malaysian NTS Work Permit holders face more restrictions. Those in manufacturing can only rent individual bedrooms, but not the entire flat.

Pro tip: Plan local and foreign hiring together. Stay within MOM’s quotas, and consider S Pass or EP options if suitable locals are hard to find.

Let’s get into the details.

So, how do you actually recruit NTS workers in Singapore, and what does the process involve?

With the right preparation, applying is straightforward. The NTS Work Permit follows almost the same steps as a standard Work Permit.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for employers:

1. Register as an Employer on MOM Systems

If you’re new to hiring foreign workers in Singapore, the first step is to register on MOM’s Work Permit Online (WP Online) portal. You’ll need to create a CorpPass account to log in and submit applications.

A recruitment agency that specialises in NTS workers can handle this setup for you, saving time and hassle.

2. Check Your NTS Quota and Prepare Documents

Next, use MOM’s quota calculator to confirm you have enough quota for an additional hire.

Prepare your candidate’s details - personal information, passport details, and educational or trade certificates – to meet NTS Work Permit qualifications.

You should also arrange medical insurance and be ready to purchase the security bond before approval. Since these steps take time, many employers choose to work with an agency to manage the process.

3. Submit the Work Permit Application

Log in to WP Online and complete the application with the worker’s job title, salary, nationality, and source country.

 The system will flag any ineligible nationalities for the role or sector.

💡 Pro tip: For NTS Occupation List roles, offer at least SGD 2,000 and declare the correct job title and duties. MOM is strict about this.

4. Pay the Application Fee

Each application has a non-refundable fee of about SGD 35. Processing usually takes around a week if submitted online, and simple cases can be approved within a few days.

You can check the NTS application status anytime on MOM’s portal.

5. Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA)

If approved, you’ll receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. It allows the worker to enter Singapore (if overseas) and outlines key next steps - such as the security bond amount, medical check-up requirements, and the permit issuance deadline.

6. Medical Exam and Permit Issuance

Once the worker arrives, schedule a medical exam to check for infectious diseases and general fitness.

After the exam, log in to issue the permit, pay the SGD 35 issuance fee, and upload the medical report.

MOM will verify your NTS Work Permit insurance and security bond before approval.

Oh, and one more thing. If your candidate is a first-time Work Permit holder in Singapore and working in the manufacturing sector, they must attend the compulsory Settling-In Programme (SIP).

7. Card Registration and Settling-In

Finally, the worker must visit an MOM Services Centre to register fingerprints and take a photo for the biometric Work Permit card.

An agency can help book this appointment. Once completed, the card is mailed to you.

Congratulations - your NTS worker is officially ready to start work in Singapore!

Want to learn more? Check out our full guide to the S Pass eligibility updates in 2025.

A Few More Things to Know

Job Type & Skills:

• NTS Work Permits are usually for labour-intensive or entry-level jobs.

• NTS OL roles are meant for higher-skilled (R1) workers.

• S Pass works better for mid-skilled jobs that typically need a diploma or relevant experience.

How Long They Can Work:

• NTS Work Permits can be renewed as long as the worker is under the age limit (soon increasing to 63). You can read more about this in our guide to the new Work Permit rules in Singapore.

• S Pass holders can keep working as long as their pass renewals are approved.

Pro tip: Work Permits are capped at 2 years per term, while S Pass and EP can be applied for up to 3 years - subject to MOM approval. Strong candidates and companies with good profiles (like high revenue) tend to get longer durations.

Dependants and Housing:

• NTS Work Permit holders can’t bring dependents and often have stricter housing rules, like staying in dorms for certain sectors.

• S Pass holders earning SGD 6,000+ can bring their dependents and have more housing options. They can also hire a maid if they have children or elderly parents to care for.

Switching Between Passes:

• There isn’t a direct way to convert an S Pass to an NTS Work Permit. You’d need to cancel the S Pass and apply for a new Work Permit if the worker and role qualify.

1. Plan Ahead

• Always check your quota early using MOM’s calculator and start the process well before you need the worker on-site. The NTS Work Permit processing time might be just a week. But finding and getting the right candidate here can take 1-3 months.

2. Work With a Specialised Agency

• As a licensed agency, we at Trinity Pass can take care of everything - from sourcing and screening candidates to handling applications and post-arrival support.

• We’ll make sure every work permit requirement is met so you save time and avoid costly mistakes.

3. Keep Your Best Workers Happy

• Treat your workers fairly, communicate openly, and make them feel part of the team.

• Upskilling helps too – moving someone from R2 to R1 lowers your levy and makes them feel valued.

• Pay on time and think about small perks like increments or bonuses to build loyalty.

4. Hold On to Good Staff

• With no more 10-year cap and the age limit going up to 63, great NTS workers can stay with you for years. Long-term staff are more productive and can help train newer hires.

5. Stay on Top of Compliance

• Keep an eye on permit expiry dates, levy payments, and MOM rule changes.

• Make sure you meet requirements on insurance, rest days, and housing to avoid any penalties.

6. End Employment the Right Way

• Cancel the Work Permit promptly and arrange repatriation so you can recover the security bond.

• A smooth exit leaves a good impression. Ex-workers might recommend friends or even return to work for you later.

Hiring NTS workers in Singapore can feel a bit overwhelming at first. But with the right planning it becomes a smooth and rewarding process.

Understand the rules, plan ahead for quota and costs, and take good care of your workers. You’ll have a reliable team that supports your business. With more source countries and longer work tenures now available, employers have more flexibility than before.

And when you work with us, we’ll guide you through every step so hiring NTS workers is simpler, faster, and stress‑free.