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Prior approval (PA) for process construction workers

If your company had project contracts that were awarded or tendered on or before 18 February 2022, you can use the awarded MYE quotas to hire NTS workers till 31 December 2024 or your project completion date (whichever is earlier). You will need to get prior approval (PA) before applying for their Work Permits.

What is prior approval

PA is an approval for companies to employ migrant workers from NTS countries/regions at a lower levy rate.

PA indicates the number of migrant workers the company is allowed to employ from these countries/regions. It also determines the number of workers who can have their Work Permits renewed, or who can be transferred from another company in Singapore.

PAs are given based on:

  • The duration of the Work Permits applied for.
  • The number of full-time local workers employed by the company over the past 3 months as reflected in the company's CPF contribution statements.
  • The quota remaining.
  • The number of man-year entitlements (MYE) allocated. 

Who should apply

If your company had project contracts that were awarded or had the tender called on or before 18 February 2022, you can use the awarded MYE quotas till 31 December 2024 or project completion date (whichever is earlier). 

You should apply for PA before you submit a new application, renewal, or change of employer for an existing worker from NTS. 

If the PA was issued using MYE granted for projects awarded or tendered after 18 February 2022, your company cannot use the PA after 31 December 2023, even if the PA expiry date is after 31 December 2023.

Requirements

Before applying:

  • If you are the main contractor, you must have a valid MYE certificate.
  • If you are a sub-contractor, you must have MYE directly allocated from the main contractor.

Types of PAs

Depending on how you want to use the PA, you can get a new or renewal PA.

For NTS workers

Type Use of PA Validity
New For recruiting new workers. 3 months
Renewal For renewal of workers. 3 months

How to apply

When: Before MYE expires

You need to apply for PA before your man-year entitlement expires.

You can apply using WP Online. The application will be processed within the next working day.

Appeal a rejected PA application

You can make an appeal if your application for prior approval was unsuccessful.

To appeal, write to the Work Pass Division and state the reasons for the appeal.

You need to submit the appeal within 1 month of the date of rejection and while your MYE is still valid.

Alternatively, if you can address the reasons for rejection, you can also re-submit the PA application using WP Online.

Cancel or withdraw a PA

Submit the request by using online feedback. Include the following details:

  • Your name, designation and contact number.
  • Company name and registration number.
  • Why you want to cancel or withdraw the PA.
Partial withdrawal of PA is not allowed.

Change the PA type

You can apply to change the PA type after approval.

You can apply using WP Online. The application will be processed within the next working day.

Before you apply, check that the PA meets the minimum validity period of 7 days.

Note:

  • The original validity date of the PA remains the same. You cannot request to extend the PA expiry date.
  • The number of man-years applied remains the same.
  • You cannot request to change the PA type if the man-year entitlement has expired.
  • You cannot request for a partial change of PA type.