How to Hire a Foreign Worker in Singapore — Step by Step

Gabriel Rodrigues
6 hours ago
4 min read

Hiring a foreign worker in Singapore for the first time can feel complicated. Between quota checks, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) applications, levy payments, and post-arrival requirements, there’s a lot to get right — and the consequences of getting it wrong can be serious.

This guide walks you through every step, from checking eligibility to welcoming your worker on-site. If you’re a worker looking for a job in Singapore, read our guide on how to find a legitimate job in Singapore from Malaysia.

Step 1: Check if Your Company Can Hire Foreign Workers

Before you begin, confirm your company is eligible to hire Work Permit holders. MOM sets a dependency ratio ceiling — the maximum proportion of foreign workers you can employ relative to your local headcount.

For the construction sector, the quota is 5 Work Permit holders for every local employee earning the Local Qualifying Salary. At least 10% of your Work Permit holders must be Higher-Skilled (R1 tier) before you can bring in additional Basic-Skilled (R2 tier) workers. Check your current quota through WP Online on the MOM website.

Step 2: Source Your Candidate

You can hire foreign workers from MOM-approved source countries. For construction, this includes Malaysia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) such as Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar.

Most Singapore employers use a licensed employment agency (EA) to recruit workers overseas. A good EA handles sourcing, documentation, and the Work Permit application. When choosing an agency, always verify they hold a valid EA licence from MOM. Stagencies Pte. Ltd. (EA Licence No. 19C9576) specialises in construction sector placements from Malaysia and other MOM-approved countries.

Step 3: Determine the Worker’s Skill Tier

MOM classifies construction Work Permit workers into two tiers based on skills certification:

Higher-Skilled (R1): Workers who hold a valid skills certification (e.g. Construction Safety Work Permit or Construction Skill Recognition Card). They attract a lower levy.
Basic-Skilled (R2): Workers without higher-level certification. They attract a higher levy.

Monthly levy rates for construction workers (effective 1 January 2024):

Malaysian / NAS / PRC — Higher-Skilled (R1): $300/month
Malaysian / NAS / PRC — Basic-Skilled (R2): $700/month
NTS — Higher-Skilled (R1): $500/month
NTS — Basic-Skilled (R2): $900/month
Workers without required certification: $900/month

View the full levy table on the MOM foreign worker levy page.

Step 4: Submit the Work Permit Application

Work Permit applications are submitted through WP Online on the MOM website. If you’re using an employment agency, they will typically handle this on your behalf. You’ll need to provide:

The worker’s passport number, date of birth, and nationality
Employment details (job type, sector, basic salary)
Your company’s UEN (Unique Entity Number)
Skills certifications (if claiming the Higher-Skilled tier)

MOM typically processes Work Permit applications within 1 to 7 working days.

Step 5: Pay Fees and Arrange Insurance

Once the application is approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. Before your worker can enter Singapore, you must:

Pay the Work Permit issuance fee (approximately $35 per worker)
Purchase a security bond — $5,000 per non-Malaysian worker (Malaysian workers are exempt)
Arrange medical insurance — minimum $60,000 per year per worker (from 1 July 2023). This cost cannot be passed on to the worker.

Step 6: Prepare for Your Worker’s Arrival

Before your worker travels to Singapore, you should:

Book the worker’s air ticket (for non-Malaysian workers, employers typically cover travel costs)
Arrange accommodation — Malaysian workers generally find their own housing; non-Malaysian workers often require employer-arranged shared dormitory housing (~$600/month per worker)
Register the worker’s Singapore address in MOM’s foreign worker address system (OFWAS) within 5 days of arrival

Step 7: Complete Post-Arrival Onboarding

Your worker must complete several onboarding steps before starting work:

Medical examination — required for most non-Malaysian Work Permit holders. For Malaysian workers entering via the MOM Onboard Centre (MWOC), the medical examination is included in the onboarding programme.
Settling-In Programme (SIP) — first-time construction Work Permit holders from certain source countries must complete a one-day safety and orientation programme before starting work.
Work Permit card — MOM issues the physical Work Permit card, which the worker must carry at all times on site.

Step 8: Know Your Ongoing Obligations

Once your worker is on-site, your responsibilities as an employer continue throughout the employment period:

Pay the monthly foreign worker levy on time (collected by IRAS)
Renew the Work Permit before it expires (typically every two years)
Maintain valid medical insurance coverage for the duration of employment
Notify MOM of any changes: accommodation address, employment termination, or worker repatriation
Repatriate the worker to their home country at the end of employment

For the full list of employer obligations, visit the MOM construction sector requirements page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hire a foreign worker?

End to end — from sourcing to the worker starting on-site — typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the worker’s country of origin, document readiness, and whether any WSH certifications need to be obtained first.

Can I hire a worker who is already in Singapore?

Yes, if they are on a valid visit pass or hold a transferable Work Permit from another employer. Your employment agency can advise on eligibility and the transfer process.

Do I need to pay for the worker’s flight home?

Yes. As the employer, you are responsible for repatriation costs when employment ends, for most Work Permit holders.

Work with a Licensed Agency

Navigating MOM’s requirements is easier with a specialist by your side. Stagencies Pte. Ltd. (EA Licence No. 19C9576) handles the full process — from sourcing candidates in Malaysia to Work Permit application and worker arrival in Singapore.