Work and grow your career in Singapore through employer-sponsored permits and global job opportunities.
The Singapore Work Permit is one of the primary legal pathways that allows foreign workers to work in Singapore. As a global business and industrial hub, Singapore relies heavily on international labor across sectors such as construction, manufacturing, marine, hospitality, logistics, and cleaning services. The Work Permit is mainly designed for semi-skilled and basic-skilled foreign workers.
A Singapore Work Permit is an official work authorization issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Singapore in approved industries. This permit is intended for non-professional and semi-skilled workers.
The application must be submitted by a Singapore-registered employer. Foreign workers cannot apply independently and must first secure a valid job offer.
Foreign workers employed in industries such as construction, manufacturing, marine, process, and services must hold a valid Singapore Work Permit. This applies mainly to workers from designated source countries working in non-professional roles.
The Singapore government restricts Work Permits to specific industries, including:
Each sector has its own quota, levy structure, and employment regulations.
To qualify for a Singapore Work Permit, the applicant must meet the following conditions:
Employers must also comply with quota limits and pay a monthly foreign worker levy.
Although the employer applies on behalf of the worker, the following documents are required:
Providing false or incomplete documents may result in rejection or future bans.
The entire Work Permit process is handled online by the employer through MOM:
The standard processing time is 1 to 3 weeks, depending on nationality and sector.
The Singapore Work Permit is usually granted for up to two years, subject to:
Renewals are possible as long as employment conditions remain valid.
There is no fixed minimum salary for Work Permit holders. Wages depend on:
Employers must provide:
No, dependents such as spouses or children are not allowed to join Work Permit holders. Family sponsorship is only permitted for higher-level passes like Employment Pass or S Pass.
The Singapore Work Permit is employer-specific. To change jobs:
The Singapore Work Permit offers a reliable and legal employment pathway for foreign workers seeking opportunities in one of Asia’s most developed economies. With transparent regulations, quick processing, and strong worker protection laws, Singapore continues to attract international workers year after year.
If you have a valid job offer from a Singapore employer, the Singapore Work Permit can open doors to long-term employment, financial stability, and valuable global work experience.
Foreign workers with valid job postings and who work in the basic industries such as construction, manufacturing, marine, and services are the people that are allowed to obtain the Singapore Work Permit.
Undoubtedly, a job offer from a Singapore company is a very important condition as the employer is the one who applies for the Work Permit covering the employee.
Most of the Singapore Work Permit applications are processed within 1 to 3 weeks, but it depends on the nationality of the applicant and the job sector.
The answer is negative, the holders of Singapore Work Permits are not allowed to bring in dependents like wives or children. Only higher-level work pass holders can get family visas.
The transferring of the Work Permit is not permitted since it is linked to the employer. The new employer must apply for a new Work Permit after the cancellation of the current one in order to change jobs.