Key Framework Criteria & Principles
1. Local Qualifying Salary (LQS)
S$1,800/monthFrom July 1, 2026, a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident employee earning at least S$1,800 per month counts as 1 local employee for Work Permit and S Pass quota calculations. An employee earning at least S$900 but below S$1,800 counts as 0.5 local employee. The LQS is a quota-counting threshold and should not be described as a general minimum wage for every local employee.
2. Construction & Process DRC
83.3%The Construction and Process sectors have a Dependency Ratio Ceiling of 83.3%. MOM's quota calculation corresponds to up to 5 migrant workers for every local employee counted at the LQS.
3. Marine Shipyard DRC
75%Marine Shipyard employers can hire Work Permit and S Pass holders subject to a 75% DRC. MOM's quota calculation allows up to 3 migrant workers for every local employee counted at the LQS.
4. Manufacturing DRC
60%The Manufacturing sector has a 60% DRC. Work Permit levy rates are tiered according to how much of the employer's workforce is made up of Work Permit holders, with higher rates applying at higher quota utilisation.
5. Services DRC
35%The Services sector has a 35% DRC. The total number of Work Permit and S Pass holders cannot exceed 35% of the company's total workforce. Services Work Permit levy rates are also tiered according to quota utilisation.
6. Current Work Permit Levy Rates
S$200 to S$900There is no single Work Permit levy rate. Current monthly rates differ by sector, source country or region, higher-skilled or basic-skilled status, and quota tier where applicable. Across the covered sectors, current rates range from S$200 for certain higher-skilled workers to S$900 for certain basic-skilled construction workers.
7. Security Bond for Non-Malaysian Workers
S$5,000Employers must purchase a S$5,000 security bond for each non-Malaysian Work Permit holder. The bond is a guarantee to the Government and the employer cannot recover the bond cost from the worker.
8. Medical Insurance
At least S$60,000/yearEmployers must buy and maintain medical insurance for each migrant worker. The policy must provide at least S$60,000 annual coverage for inpatient care and day surgery, including hospital bills for conditions that are not work-related.
Mandatory Eligibility Requirements
Step-by-Step Procedure
Confirm Sector and Worker Eligibility
Identify the employer's MOM sector and confirm that the worker's nationality, source country or region, occupation, age and skill status satisfy the applicable Work Permit requirements.
Check DRC and Available Quota
Use MOM's quota information and WP Online to check the employer's current foreign worker quota. MOM uses local employee salary and CPF information to determine the LQS count and calculate the available quota.
Prepare Sector-Specific Requirements
Complete any sector-specific conditions before application, such as approved occupation requirements, required business registration, construction requirements, prior approval for applicable marine workers, or required skills and safety certifications.
Submit the Work Permit Application
The employer or appointed employment agent submits the Work Permit application online. A processing fee of S$35 is payable for each application. MOM currently states that online applications are processed within 1 week for most cases, although some cases take longer.
Receive the IPA
If the application is approved, the employer can retrieve and print the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter and Work Permit application form. The employer should ensure that the worker's IPA particulars match the passport exactly.
Prepare Security Bond and Insurance
For non-Malaysian workers, the employer must purchase the required S$5,000 security bond before arrival and ensure the required medical insurance is in place. Where applicable, the employer must also purchase the Primary Care Plan.
Complete Arrival Requirements
After the worker arrives, complete the applicable medical examination, Onboard Centre, Settling-in Programme, registration, address and other sector-specific requirements within the required deadlines.
Issue the Work Permit
The employer or employment agent submits the issuance request through MOM's Work Permit service. MOM states that Work Permit issuance is processed immediately once the required information and documents are in order. The issuance fee is S$35 for each Work Permit.
Complete Registration and Receive the Card
Where fingerprint and photograph registration is required, the worker must complete it as instructed. The Work Permit card is generally received within 5 working days after fingerprint and photo registration or document verification.
Maintain Compliance During Employment
The employer must continue paying the monthly levy, declared salary and required upkeep and medical costs, maintain medical insurance, comply with accommodation rules, renew the Work Permit on time and meet all applicable sector and Work Permit conditions.
Important Statutory Rules & Updates (2026)
- The Local Qualifying Salary increased from S$1,600 to S$1,800 on July 1, 2026.
- From July 1, 2025, MOM removed the general maximum period of employment restrictions for Work Permit holders and streamlined the age rules for new applications.
- The current general maximum application age is below 62, regardless of nationality or citizenship.
- Current sector pages state that Work Permit holders can work until 64 years old.
- From May 4, 2026, MOM's new Issue Work Permit function reduces the need to upload hard-copy medical examination reports and chest X-rays during Work Permit issuance.
- Current Work Permit levy rates vary by sector and are not accurately represented by a single S$200-S$950 range.
Sector DRC Quota & Levy Rate Schedule (2026)
| Sector | Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) | Quota Formula | Monthly Levy Rates | Sector Conditions & Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 83.3% | Up to 5 migrant workers for every local employee counted at the LQS | Malaysia NAS PRC HigherSkilled: S$300/month Malaysia NAS PRC BasicSkilled: S$700/month NTS HigherSkilled: S$500/month NTS BasicSkilled: S$900/month OffSiteConstruction HigherSkilled: S$250/month OffSiteConstruction BasicSkilled: S$370/month | Construction also has additional requirements relating to higher-skilled worker proportions, safety courses, approved source countries and, for construction companies, BCA Contractors Registration System requirements. |
| Process | 83.3% | Up to 5 migrant workers for every local employee counted at the LQS | Malaysia NAS PRC HigherSkilled: S$200/month Malaysia NAS PRC BasicSkilled: S$450/month NTS HigherSkilled: S$300/month NTS BasicSkilled: S$650/month | The Process sector covers specified petroleum, petrochemical, specialty chemical and pharmaceutical plants and related process maintenance and construction activities. Certain employers must satisfy ASPRI-related requirements and workers may need specified safety courses. |
| Marine Shipyard | 75% | Up to 3 migrant workers for every local employee counted at the LQS | HigherSkilled: S$350/month BasicSkilled: S$500/month | Additional marine-sector conditions and approved occupations apply. Employers should check the current Marine Shipyard requirements and prior-approval rules where applicable. |
| Manufacturing | 60% | Maximum migrant workforce is calculated using the employer's LQS count and the 60% DRC | Tier1 UpTo25Percent: HigherSkilled: S$250/month BasicSkilled: S$370/month Tier2 Above25To50Percent: HigherSkilled: S$350/month BasicSkilled: S$470/month Tier3 Above50To60Percent: HigherSkilled: S$550/month BasicSkilled: S$650/month | Manufacturing levy rates increase as the employer uses more of its available foreign worker quota. Specific higher-skilled recognition routes and occupation/source-country conditions also apply. |
| Services | 35% | Maximum migrant workforce is calculated using the employer's LQS count and the 35% DRC | Tier1 UpTo10Percent: HigherSkilled: S$300/month BasicSkilled: S$450/month Tier2 Above10To25Percent: HigherSkilled: S$400/month BasicSkilled: S$600/month Tier3 Above25To35Percent: HigherSkilled: S$600/month BasicSkilled: S$800/month | Services businesses must also meet sector-specific business-activity and source-country requirements. Certain hotel, retail and food-and-beverage workers have additional requirements for higher-skilled classification. |
Application Process
Confirm Sector and Worker Eligibility
Step 1Identify the employer's MOM sector and confirm that the worker's nationality, source country or region, occupation, age and skill status satisfy the applicable Work Permit requirements.
Check DRC and Available Quota
Step 2Use MOM's quota information and WP Online to check the employer's current foreign worker quota. MOM uses local employee salary and CPF information to determine the LQS count and calculate the available quota.
Prepare Sector-Specific Requirements
Step 3Complete any sector-specific conditions before application, such as approved occupation requirements, required business registration, construction requirements, prior approval for applicable marine workers, or required skills and safety certifications.
Submit the Work Permit Application
Step 4The employer or appointed employment agent submits the Work Permit application online. A processing fee of S$35 is payable for each application. MOM currently states that online applications are processed within 1 week for most cases, although some cases take longer.
Receive the IPA
Step 5If the application is approved, the employer can retrieve and print the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter and Work Permit application form. The employer should ensure that the worker's IPA particulars match the passport exactly.
Prepare Security Bond and Insurance
Step 6For non-Malaysian workers, the employer must purchase the required S$5,000 security bond before arrival and ensure the required medical insurance is in place. Where applicable, the employer must also purchase the Primary Care Plan.
Complete Arrival Requirements
Step 7After the worker arrives, complete the applicable medical examination, Onboard Centre, Settling-in Programme, registration, address and other sector-specific requirements within the required deadlines.
Issue the Work Permit
Step 8The employer or employment agent submits the issuance request through MOM's Work Permit service. MOM states that Work Permit issuance is processed immediately once the required information and documents are in order. The issuance fee is S$35 for each Work Permit.
Complete Registration and Receive the Card
Step 9Where fingerprint and photograph registration is required, the worker must complete it as instructed. The Work Permit card is generally received within 5 working days after fingerprint and photo registration or document verification.
Maintain Compliance During Employment
Step 10The employer must continue paying the monthly levy, declared salary and required upkeep and medical costs, maintain medical insurance, comply with accommodation rules, renew the Work Permit on time and meet all applicable sector and Work Permit conditions.
Documents
- Worker's passport or travel document details and personal particulars page.
- Written consent from the worker authorising the employer or employment agent to apply for the Work Permit.
- Employer's business and Work Permit account information required by MOM.
- Information needed to establish the employer's available foreign worker quota, including the employer's CPF and declared local employee information.
- Sector-specific qualification or skills documents where required. For example, certain construction workers need the applicable skills certification before they can qualify for the relevant skilled classification or levy treatment.
- Security bond details for each non-Malaysian worker before arrival.
- Medical insurance details meeting MOM's minimum coverage requirements before the Work Permit can be issued.
- Primary Care Plan details where the worker falls within the PCP requirements.
- Any additional document specifically requested by MOM during application or pass issuance.
- The worker's IPA letter and Work Permit application information after approval.
Required Document Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Wise Global Expat Money Transfer
Sending funds for tuition, rent, or immigration fees? Retail banks sneak 2.5%–4% into exchange rates. Check today's real mid-market rate first.