Construction sector: Work Permit requirements
To employ migrant workers for the construction sector, you will have to meet specific requirements for worker's source country or region, quota and levy.
These requirements are additional and specific to the construction sector. You should also refer to the general Work Permit conditions and requirements.
Migrant worker eligibility
You can only hire migrant workers who satisfy the conditions for source countries or regions, age when applying and maximum period of employment.
Successful workers will also need to meet vaccination requirements to get their pass issued.
Source countries or regions
You can employ migrant workers from these countries or regions:
- Malaysia
- People’s Republic of China (PRC)
- Non-traditional sources (NTS):
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Bangladesh
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- North Asian sources (NAS):
- Hong Kong (HKSAR passport)
- Macau
- South Korea
- Taiwan
Age when applying
The minimum age for all non-domestic migrant workers is 18 years old.
When applying for a Work Permit:
Malaysian workers must be below 58 years old.
Non-Malaysian workers must be below 50 years old.
Maximum period of employment
For the construction sector, the maximum number of years a worker can work in Singapore on a Work Permit is as follows:
Note: All workers can only work up to 60 years of age.
Quota and levy
Companies with project contracts that were awarded or had the tender called on or before 18 February 2022 may use the awarded man-year entitlement (MYE) quotas to hire NTS or PRC workers till 31 December 2024 or the project completion date (whichever is earlier).
For companies with contracts that were awarded or had tender called after 18 February 2022, they do not need MYEs or prior approvals (PAs) to hire NTS or PRC workers. Companies can hire NTS or PRC workers as long as it is within their quota.
The number of Work Permit holders that you can hire is limited by quota (or dependency ratio ceiling) and subject to a levy.
Under the construction sector quota, you can employ 5 Work Permit holders for every local employee who earns the Local Qualifying Salary.
From 1 January 2024, the levy rate is as follows:
Companies with project contracts that were awarded or had the tender called on or before 18 February 2022, may use the awarded MYE quotas to hire NTS workers at a lower levy rate. The levy rates for these NTS workers are as follows:
To learn more click MOM Construction Sector Work Permit Requirement
