Work Permit (Foreign Worker)

Singapore's Work Permit, issued by the Ministry of Manpower, lets employers hire semi-skilled migrant workers from 15 approved source countries for the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard, process and services sectors. Hiring is bound by sector Dependency Ratio Ceilings and a monthly foreign worker levy.

Validity is up to 2 years and renewable, with applicants aged 18 to under 61 (rising to under 63 from 1 July 2026). Application and issuance fees are SGD 35 each, and online cases are processed within about 1 week. The permit is employer-tied, offers no PR pathway and bars dependents; medical insurance and a security bond apply.

This visa is ideal for semi-skilled workers from approved Asian source countries seeking sponsored, sector-specific employment in Singapore's labour-intensive industries.