Achi Biz GuidesSingapore Construction Sector: Work Permit Requirements

Requirements to be classified as manufacturing sector

Your company can be considered to be under the manufacturing sector if it meets all of these requirements:

• Has a valid factory notification or registration.
• Use machinery to manufacture or produce items from raw materials.
• Operates in a designated industrial setting area.
• (For food processing companies) Has a valid AVA licence to operate a food processing establishment or slaughter-house.

Make sure that your company continues to meet the requirements, or it may get reclassified into a different sector.

Change business process or relocate

If you plan to change your business processes or relocate, you need to give us the details to assess your business classification.

You can make the request using iSubmit, choose option 6: Work Permit Application Matters for Business sectors.

Examples of manufacturing activities

• Manufacturing of electronics components
• Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and biological products
• Manufacturing of basic industrial acids and alkalis
• Manufacturing of oil or gas field machinery
• Manufacturing of waxes, polishes and deodorants
• Electroplating, hot-tip galvanising, die-casting and heat treatment
• Semiconductor wafer fabrication plants
• Manufacturing or processing of food or drinks

Examples of non-manufacturing activities

• Assembly of ready-made parts
• Bulk-breaking (e.g. cutting from big to small customised sizes)
• Change of product colour
• Basic modification (e.g. cutting or trimming of parts)
• Sole printing (e.g. printing of posters, T-shirts, name cards)
• Repair and maintenance
• Testing or quality control
• Packing or repacking

Note: If you are in the manufacturing sector, you should not deploy your Work Permit and S Pass holders to work in a retail or food and beverage setting or outlet. You need to employ them under a separate services account. To apply for a services account, write to the Work Pass Division using iSubmit.

Foreign worker eligibility

You can only hire foreign workers who satisfy the conditions for source countries, age when applying and maximum period of employment.

Source countries or regions

You can employ foreign workers from these countries or regions:

• Malaysia
• People’s Republic of China (PRC)
• North Asian sources (NAS):
  • Hong Kong (HKSAR passport)
  • Macau
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan

Note:

From 01 September 2023, you can employ migrant workers from Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) for a restricted set of occupations in the NTS Occupation List.

Learn more about NTS Occupation List

Age when applying

The minimum age for all non-domestic foreign workers is 18 years old.

When applying for a Work Permit:

• Malaysians must be below 58 years old.
• Non-Malaysians must be below 50 years old.

Maximum period of employment

For the manufacturing sector, the maximum number of years a foreign worker can work in Singapore on a Work Permit is as follows: