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Hiring an existing manufacturing or services worker

You can hire existing workers, without them having to leave Singapore first. Find out the requirements and how to apply.

At a glance

Who are eligible Existing manufacturing and services workers from North Asian sources, People's Republic of China (PRC) or Non-Traditional Sources (NTS). You can only hire from your own business sector.
When you can start applying

With the current employer's agreement:

If the Work Permit has a validity of 14 days or more, you can apply for a new Work Permit.

If the worker's Work Permit is expiring in less than 14 days, you first need to apply for pre-approval from MOM. You will need the existing employer to sign the consent form.

Without the current employer's agreement:

From 40 to 21 days before their current Work Permit expires. You first need to apply for pre-approval from MOM.

Why hire an existing worker

You may consider hiring workers who are already working in Singapore to:

  • Benefit from experienced workers and a faster deployment time.
  • Save on the cost of bringing in new workers.

Transferring existing workers with current employer's agreement

If the current employer agrees, you can apply for existing workers while their Work Permits are valid. Their Work Permit must have a remaining validity of at least 14 days.

Apply for a transfer worker

With existing employer's consent Show

To apply for a new Work Permit for the transfer:

  1. Follow the general Work Permit application process.
  2. If the worker is eligible for the transfer, an SMS or email will be sent to the existing employer. The existing employer need to log in to WP Online to agree or reject the transfer, within 5 working days. If consent is not given by the existing employer, the Work Permit application submitted will be automatically rejected.
  3. Upon approval, you can proceed to get the new Work Permit issued. The existing Work Permit will be automatically cancelled once you get the new one issued.

If the worker's Work Permit is expiring in less than 14 days, you first need to apply for pre-approvalfrom MOM. You will need the existing employer to sign the consent form.

Without existing employer's consentShow

When the workers’ Work Permits are within 40 to 21 days from expiry, you can apply for new Work Permits for them without their employer’s consent.

To apply for a new Work Permit for the transfer:

  1. apply for pre-approval
  2. Once pre-approval is obtained, you can apply for a new Work Permit 
  3. Upon approval, you need to get the work permit issued.

You can only request for the Work Permit to be issued when the current permit has been cancelled or expires.

  • If you (new employer) need an earlier transfer, have a discussion with the worker and existing employer to come to an agreement on when to cancel the existing Work Permit.
  • Once the new Work Permit is issued, you (new employer) are responsible for the workers’ upkeep and maintenance. Make sure you arrange acceptable accommodation for the worker before you take over the employment.

As an existing employer, what could I do to keep my workers

As an existing employer, you are given priority to renew your workers’ Work Permits.

If you want to keep your workers, you should renew their Work Permits early, upon receiving the renewal notice. 

When your workers’ Work Permits are within 40 to 21 days from expiry, another employer can apply for new Work Permits for them without your consent.  

If the new employer’s application is approved:
  • You can continue to employ the worker, as long as the existing Work Permit is valid.
  • You will remain responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the workers until the new Work Permit is issued under the new employer.
  • You are responsible for settling any outstanding salary while the worker was under your employment. 

Roles and responsibilities

Please see the table below to find out the current and new employers’ responsibilities during the transfer of a migrant worker within their own business sector:

Work Permit status Who is responsible for worker's upkeep, maintenance and repatriation What you need to do next
With current employer: Live
With new employer: Approved		 Current employer

Current employer: Discuss and agree with new employer on the date to get the new Work Permit issued.

New employer: Get the pass issued before the IPA expires or earlier if the current employer agrees.
If you are hiring the worker without the current employer’s consent, get the new Work Permit issued within 7 days after the current one expires.
With current employer: Live
With new employer: IPA expired, withdrawn or cancelled		 Current employer Current employer: You may renew the Work Permit (if eligible), or send the worker home.
New employer: No further action needed.
With current employer: Expired/Cancelled
With new employer: Approved		 New employer Current employer: No action needed.
New employer: Get the Work Permit issued now to avoid any overstaying fine. Submit a request if you need more time to get the pass issued.
With current employer: Expired
With new employer: IPA withdrawn or cancelled before the worker’s Work Permit expires.		 Current employer Current employer: You may renew the Work Permit (if eligible), or send the worker home.

New employer: No action needed.
With new employer: Expired
With current employer: IPA withdrawn or cancelled after the worker’s Work Permit expires.		 New employer Current employer: No action needed.
New employer: You need to arrange to send the worker home.