Hiring a Work Permit holder in Singapore comes with strict compliance responsibilities under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Missing important deadlines can lead to:
❌ Work Permit cancellation
❌ Fines or penalties
❌ Suspension of hiring privileges
❌ $5,000 security bond forfeiture
To stay compliant, employers must carefully track the following key dates.
1️⃣ Work Permit Expiry Date
Every Work Permit has a fixed validity period (usually up to 2 years).
✅ What Employers Must Do:
Check expiry date in MOM WP Online portal
Renew before expiry (renewal window usually opens 8 weeks before expiry)
Ensure passport validity covers the renewed period
⚠ If not renewed in time, the Work Permit will expire automatically and the worker must stop working immediately.
2️⃣ Passport Expiry Date of Worker
The Work Permit cannot be renewed beyond the worker’s passport validity.
✅ Track:
Passport expiry date at least 6 months in advance
Remind worker to renew passport through their embassy
⚠ If passport expires, renewal of Work Permit may be rejected.
3️⃣ Security Bond Validity (Non-Malaysian Workers)
For non-Malaysian Work Permit holders, employers must maintain a $5,000 security bond.
✅ Ensure:
Bond remains valid throughout employment
Bond is renewed before expiry
Insurance premium is paid on time
⚠ Bond lapses may result in Work Permit revocation.
4️⃣ Medical Insurance (FWMI) Validity
Under MOM rules, employers must provide minimum $60,000 per year coverage for inpatient care.
✅ Track:
Insurance policy expiry
Renewal before lapse
Continuous active coverage
Lapsed insurance is a regulatory breach.
5️⃣ Primary Care Plan (PCP) Renewal
(For Construction, Marine & Process sectors)
Workers in CMP sectors must be covered under a Primary Care Plan.
✅ Employers Must:
Ensure PCP is active
Renew annually
Confirm clinic network availability
Non-compliance may result in penalties.
6️⃣ Six-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME)
(Applicable to required sectors as notified by MOM)
MOM requires certain Work Permit holders to undergo medical examinations every 6 months.
✅ Important:
Monitor MOM notifications
Book appointment early
Submit results before deadline
⚠ Failure to complete required medical examinations can lead to Work Permit cancellation.
7️⃣ Levy Payment Due Date
Foreign Worker Levy is payable monthly to MOM.
✅ Track:
GIRO deduction date
Ensure sufficient bank balance
⚠ Non-payment may result in:
Revocation of Work Permit
Suspension of work pass privileges
8️⃣ Work Injury Compensation Insurance (WICA)
Under the Work Injury Compensation Act, insurance must remain valid.
✅ Ensure:
Policy active throughout employment
Salary declared accurately
Coverage renewed before expiry
9️⃣ IPA & Entry Approval Validity (For New Hires)
For newly approved workers:
In-Principle Approval (IPA) has a validity period
Entry approval has a deadline
If worker does not enter Singapore within IPA validity:
IPA may lapse
New application required
Download the Free Work Permit Compliance Tracker (Excel Template)
👉 Click below to download: