Apply for a Work Permit

You can apply for a Work Permit online as an employer or appointed employment agent.

How to apply

Step

Who does this

How long it takes

Submit an application

Employer or employment agent (EA)

Within 1 week for most cases

Prepare for workers’ arrival

Employer or EA

Not applicable

Get the permit issued

Employer or EA

Immediate processing

(If required) Register fingerprints and photo

Worker

Not applicable

Set up digital work pass

Worker

Same day as card registration

Receive the card

Employer or authorised recipients

Receive within 5 working days after fingerprint and photo registration, or document verification

Note:
See pass map for overview of what you need to do before, during and after you apply for a Work Permit

Note:

If you have never applied for a Work Permit, you need to declare your business activity.

Non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore during the Work Permit application.

The duration of the Work Permit is usually 2 years, but it may be shorter depending on:

Validity of the worker’s passport: Validity will be 1 month before the passport expires
Duration of the security bond: Validity will be 2 months before the security bond expires

  • If you have never applied for a Work Permit, you need to declare your business activity.
  • Non-Malaysian workers cannot be in Singapore during the Work Permit application.
  • The duration of the Work Permit is usually 2 years, but it may be shorter depending on:
    • Validity of the worker’s passport: Validity will be 1 month before the passport expires
    • Duration of the security bond: Validity will be 2 months before the security bond expires

Important things to take note

Processing time: within 1 week. Some cases will take more time.

To submit an application:

  1. Get a written consent to apply for Work Permit from the worker.
  2. Log in to fill out the application.
  3. Pay $35 for each application. You can pay by GIRO, Visa or Mastercard.
  4. Check the application status after 1 week. It may take longer if additional information is required.
  5. If the application is approved, log in to WP Online to print the following:

Note:
Make sure the worker’s IPA particulars match their passport details. For any errors (e.g. wrong spelling of names), you need to correct the error. Otherwise, the worker will be denied entry into Singapore.

i. Before worker’s arrival
ii. upon worker’s arrival

Role

Responsibilities

Employer
  • Submit an online form for a pre-entry housing check.
  • After we have approved your request, book a slot at the Onboard centre at least 4 days before your worker’s arrival and before securing your worker’s flight.
  • Ensure your insurer sends us the security bond details. It takes up to 3 working days.

Tip: If your insurer asks for your worker’s FIN or your organisation’s CPF Submission Number, you can find them on the worker’s in-principle approval (IPA) letter or renewal notice. For new workers, the FIN will be assigned 1 working day after the Work Permit application is approved. Please regenerate the IPA to get the FIN before buying the security bond.

  • The security bond must also take effect when the workers arrive. Otherwise, the immigration officer will not allow them to enter. We are unable to change the security bond effective date to allow the workers to enter Singapore, and you will have to send them home immediately.

Medical insurance, work injury compensation insurance (if applicable), and a Primary Care Plan (for those staying in dormitories or working in CMP sectors).

Register the worker for the Settling-in Programme (SIP) once you know their arrival date.

Declare that you have bought the Primary Care Plan on WP Online.

Worker
  1. Print their in-principle approval (IPA) letter.
  2. Ensure that they comply with the latest travel requirements.
  3. Show their IPA letter to the immigration officer when arriving in Singapore.
  • Singapore-registered doctor

OR

You may also need to send them for the Settling-in Programme, if applicable.

  • For sole proprietorships and partnerships, the form should be signed by the sole proprietor or partner.
  • For private limited companies, it should be signed by a director who is registered with ACRA. If the director wishes to appoint an employee to sign the form, he must provide a written authorisation to MOM.

Note: All non-Malaysian male Work Permit holders on IPA in the CMP sectors entering Singapore will complete an Onboard programme at the Onboard centre for up to 3 days.

Processing time: Immediate

You need to get the Work Permit issued within this timeframe:

  • After the worker enters Singapore.
  • Before the due date stated on the in-principle approval (IPA) letter.
  • Log in to WP Online to extend the IPA expiry date. You need to do this before the due date stated on the IPA letter.
  • After the worker enters Singapore.
  • Within 14 days from arrival.
  • Log in to WP Online to request for a Special Pass. The IPA will be automatically extended.
  • Before the current Work Permit expires.
  • Before the due date stated on the IPA letter.
  • Log in to WP Online to extend the IPA expiry date. You need to do this before the due date stated on the IPA letter.

To get the Work Permit issued:

  1. Register the worker’s residential address and mobile number using OFWAS.
  2. You must wait for at least an hour before logging in to WP Online to request for Work Permit to be issued.
  3. Log in to WP Online to request for Work Permit to be issued.

Note:

  • Make sure you print the IPA letter and the Work Permit application form before you get the pass issued.
  • [For new workers in the construction sector who passed their SEC(K) test overseas]
  • Before you get the pass issued, you must make an appointment with BCA to get your worker’s identity verified and IPA endorsed within 4 months of the SEC(K) test.
  • Note: If you are using BCA’s self-help kiosk, you will receive a BCA endorsement letter.
  • For any queries, please contact BCA.
  • For us to verify your documents successfully, please check that the documents uploaded are correct and complete. For more details, please refer to our guide on common errors.
  1. Provide an address (home or office) where the card will be delivered.
  2. Nominate up to 3 authorised recipients to receive the card, and provide their NRIC, FIN or passport number, mobile numbers and email address.
  3. Pay $35 for each Work Permit issued. You can pay by GIRO, VISA, MasterCard or eNETS debit.
  4. After the Work Permit is issued, print the notification letter and give it to the worker. The notification letter is valid for 1 month from the date of issue. and:
    • Allows them to travel in and out of Singapore while waiting for the Work Permit card
    • States if registration of fingerprints and photo is required.

Note: If the worker needs more time to complete the card registration procedures, you can request to extend the validity of the notification letter.

When: Within 1 week after pass is issued

Check the notification letter for whether the worker needs to register fingerprints and photo.

If required, the worker needs to complete registration within 1 week after the Work Permit is issued.

For registration, you must make an appointment for the worker to visit MOM Services Centre – Hall C.

For the appointment, the worker should bring:

  • Original passport
  • Appointment letter
  • Notification letter
  • Their mobile phone (with local number) with both Singpass and SGWorkPass apps downloaded

During registration, we will capture the worker’s fingerprints, take their photo and register them for a Singpass account. We will also help the worker set up the Singpass and SGWorkPass app on their mobile phone.

Note: All newly-arrived Work Permit holders in the Construction, Marine shipyard and Process must attend Settling-in Programme at the MOM’s Onboard centre.

When: On the day of card registration

After they are registered for a Singpass account, inform the pass holder to:

  1. Download SGWorkPass (if they have not done so yet)
  2. Log into the app with their Singpass
  3. View their digital work pass and employment information

SGWorkPass app allows them easy and secure access to their digital work pass. They can check their status, expiry date and procure services earlier, without having to wait for delivery of their physical work pass cards.

Note: If the pass holder is not required to report to MOMSC for card registration, please guide them in setting up their digital work pass.

When: Within 5 working days after registration or document verification

We will deliver the Work Permit card to the given address within 5 working days after the worker registers and gets documents verified. For workers who do not need to register, we will deliver the card within 5 working days after verifying their documents.

Tip: Guide your worker to set up their SGWorkPass app to view their digital work pass and employment information.

The authorised recipients will get an SMS or email with the delivery details at least 1 working day before delivery.

When collecting the card, you will need to show these documents for identification:

Person receiving the card

Required documents

Worker

Passport or digital work pass

Authorised person

NRIC, FIN or passport

If you do not receive the card within 5 working days, check if you have uploaded the correct documents.

You can also check the card delivery details in WP Online.

If card delivery fails
After 2 unsuccessful deliveries, you or an authorised person can collect the card at the service desk of MOM Services Centre – Hall C after 3 working days. You do not need an appointment for collection.

Bring along these documents for card collection:

  • Worker’s original passport or digital work pass
  • Notification letter

If you authorise someone to collect it on your behalf, make sure they bring these along:

  • An authorisation letter from the employer
  • NRIC or passport for verification
  • Worker’s original passport
  • Notification letter