Work Permit - Before you apply

Levy concessions for skilled workers

Work Permit holders who possess the relevant academic or skills-based test qualifications and certificates are eligible for concessions in the Foreign Worker Levy.

	Manufacturing	Services*	Process	Marine	Construction
Academic Qualifications	Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or equivalent North Asian Sources (NAS) – High School Certificates People's Republic of China (PRC) – Diploma(1)			Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or equivalent North Asian Sources (NAS) – High School Certificates	Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or equivalent (Basic skilled)
Skills Evaluation Test (SET) Conducted by The Institute of Technical Education (ITE)	SET Level 1 or National ITE Certificate (Nitec)
Trade Test			3G and above in welding based on internationally recognised standards		Basic Skilled: Skills Evaluation Certificate (SEC) or SEC (Knowledge)(2) Higher Skilled: Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade)(2), recognised trade certifications(2) or Multi-skilling(3); and 4 years of construction experience in Singapore
Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ)	WSQ Composite Assessment for Generic Manufacturing (CGM)	WSQ Composite Assessment for Landscape, Hotel, F&B (Service), Retail	WSQ Composite Assessment for Generic Manufacturing (Process)

* From July 2010, Work Permit holders from Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) countries who are working in hotels, retail and F&B industries, will also need to pass Service Literacy Test (SLT) administered by WDA, before they can be qualified as skilled workers. For more information on the SLT, please visit www.etc.gov.sg.

⁽¹⁾ Verify the diploma/degree certificate via the China Higher Education Student Information Job portal http://job.chsi.com.cn (please refer to the section under "Verification of PRC diplomas/degrees" for details). The employer is required to submit a
clear copy of the verification report from the China Higher Education Student Information Job portal as well as the foreigner's diploma/degree with the certificate of graduation, to the Work Pass Service Centre in order to qualify for skilled levy.

⁽²⁾ From July 2011, Work Permit holders in the construction sector will need to possess SPM (Malaysian) and/ SEC or SEC (K) to be eligible for basic skilled levy rates. Work Permit holders who are registered with the Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade) or issued with recognised trade certifications recognised by the Building and Construction Authority; and who possess at least 4 years of construction experience in Singapore, may be eligible for higher skilled levy rates.

Work Permit holders who are CoreTrade registered must ensure timely renewal of their CoreTrade registration in order to be eligible for higher skilled levy rates.

⁽³⁾ From July 2012, Work Permit holders in the construction sector can apply for higher skilled levy rate under the Multi-Skilling Scheme. BCA will register Work Permit holders who have two acceptable certificates (1st certificate should be SEC or SEC(K) certifications by BCA or SPM (apply to Malaysians only) and the 2nd certificate must be SEC(K) in different trade from the 1st certification).

How to apply

Employers can apply for the levy concessions as soon as the Work Permit holder has obtained the trade test/academic certificate listed in the table.

Download the Application for Conversion to Skilled Levy

For companies classified under the Harbour Craft industry, please download an Application for Conversion to Low Levy (for Harbour Craft Industry).

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1. For more information on ITE trade tests:
   
   Institute of Technical Education, Singapore
   Website: http://www.itees.com.sg/prod&serv/skill_testing.htm
2. For more information on 3G or above in welding based on internationally recognised standards from any of the following institutions:
   
   American Bureau of Shipping
   Website: www.eagle.org
   Email: abssingapore@eagle.org
   
   Bureau Veritas
   Website: www.sea.bureauveritas.com
   Email: ind.singapore@sg.bureauveritas.com
   
   Det Norske Veritas Pte Ltd
   Website: www.dnv.com
   
   Germanishercher Lloyd
   Website: www.gl-group.com/en/legal/about_gl.php
   
   Lloyd’s Register of Shipping
   Website: www.lr.org/default.aspx
   
   Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
   Website: www.nkkk.jp
   
   Singapore Test Services Pte Ltd
   Website: www.test.com.sg
   
   Setsco Services Pte Ltd
   Website: www.setsco.com/default.asp
   
   Common Welder Qualification Scheme conducted by the Singapore Welding Society
   Website: www.sws.org.sg
   Email: secretariat@sws.org.sg
3. For more information on trade test certified/endorsed by BCA Academy:
   
   Building & Construction Authority
   Website: www.bca.gov.sg
   
   Building & Construction Authority Academy (BCA Academy)
   Website: www.bcaa.edu.sg
4. For more information on WSQ certification:
   
   WDA WSQ
   Website: app2.wda.gov.sg/wsq/Common/homepage.aspx
   

Verification of PRC diplomas/degrees

The verification of diplomas and degrees from the People's Republic of China (PRC) can be done online at the China Higher Education Student Information Job Portal http://job.chsi.com.cn. Employers will have to work with PRC domestic agencies to purchase access credits. Each verification costs between RMB 2 to RMB 5. When using the portal, employers are required to key in the name, the certificate graduation number and the year of graduation.