Work Permit - Before you apply
Basic Skills Certification
About the Certificates
The Skills Evaluation Certificate (SEC) and Skills Evaluation Certificate (Knowledge) (SEC(K)) schemes are initiatives by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to raise the skill levels and productivity of the construction, as well as to enhance safety in the construction sector.
All new Non-Traditional Source (NTS) and People's Republic of China (PRC) workers who have been approved under the Prior Approval (Type: New), must possess either the SEC or SEC(K) before they are allowed to work in Singapore.
All North Asian Source (NAS) workers, i.e. workers from Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan, must possess either the SEC or SEC(K).
All Malaysian workers must possess either Secondary 4 education or its equivalent, the SEC or SEC(K), before they are allowed to work in Singapore.
These workers will be classified as basic skilled workers.
Note: SEC or SEC(K) must be issued or accepted by BCA
Foreign Worker Levy
Basic Skilled Workers:
- NTS, PRC and NAS workers who possess SEC or SEC(K)
- Malaysian workers who possess SPM, SEC or SEC(K)
Higher Skilled Workers:
Higher skilled workers are those who are registered with the Construction Registration of Tradesmen (CoreTrade), issued with trade certifications recognised by BCA with at least four years of construction experience in Singapore or under Multi-skilled scheme.
Construction companies can hire NTS or PRC workers who have at least two or more years of working experience in the construction industry without the need for Man-Year Entitlements (MYE).
The levy payable for basic skilled worker will be higher than the higher skilled worker, regardless of the MYE. You may view the levy rates here.
Employment period
NTS and PRC Higher/Basic Skilled Workers:
From 1 July 2012, basic skilled construction Work Permit workers would be allowed to work up to a maximum of 10 years, while higher skilled workers would be allowed to work up to 18 years.
As a transitional measure for existing basic skilled workers, MOM will grant an extension to the period of employment of all affected workers. Generally, employers will have at least two years to upgrade their workers from basic skilled to higher skilled. Detail of the transitional measure may be found in the table:
| Categories of Workers |
Maximum Period of Employment (POE) |
| Higher Skilled Workers |
18 years
|
| For new Basic Skilled Workers who have never worked in Singapore before 1 January 2012 |
10 years
|
| For existing Basic Skilled Workers whose Work Permits were issued before 1 January 2012 |
| Categories of Workers |
Maximum Period of Employment (POE) |
| Basic Skilled Workers who have worked in Singapore for more than 8 years as of 1 January 2012 |
To be granted either:
- One-time Work Permit renewal of 2 years; or
- Two-time Work Permit renewals of 1 year each.
from the date of expiry of their existing Work Permit on/after 1 January 2012.
The total POE of the Basic Skilled worker with the concessionary renewals should not exceed 18 years. |
| Basic Skilled Workers who have worked in Singapore for 8 years or less as of 1 January 2012 |
10 years |
| For Basic Skilled Workers who have previously worked in Singapore and returning between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 |
| Categories of Workers |
Maximum Period of Employment (POE) |
|
Basic Skilled Workers who have worked in Singapore for more than 8 years previously
|
To be granted either:
- One-time Work Permit renewal of 2 years; or
- Two-time Work Permit renewals of 1 year each.
from the date of Work Permit issuance.
The total POE of the Basic Skilled worker with the concessionary renewals should not exceed 18 years. |
| Basic Skilled Workers who have worked in Singapore for 8 years or less previously |
10 years |
Important Notes:
- From 1 January 2014, returning basic skilled workers whose cumulative POE is less than 10 years will be allowed to work in Singapore for up to 10 years. For returning basic skilled workers who have already accumulated a POE of 10 years or more, they will only be allowed to return if they upgrade themselves to higher skilled workers.
- There is no POE restriction for Malaysia and North Asian Source (NAS) construction Work Permit holders. They can work up to age 60.
NAS and Malaysian Workers:
They may work in Singapore up to 60 years of age.
Obtaining the Skills Evaluation Certificate (Knowledge)
Upon receiving Prior Approval (PA) and Form T1, the company should register its NTS/PRC workers for the SEC(K) test as soon as possible.
Registration can be done at selected Singapore office(s) of the Overseas Test Centre(s). A list of the Overseas Test Centres and scheduled test dates can be obtained from the BCA Academy.
The original PA* and Form T1 (BCA Academy copy) will be required for registration.
* The PA must be valid for at least two months from the closing dates of the tests in the home countries.
Malaysian workers without Secondary 4 education or its equivalent and NAS workers are required to register for SEC(K) with the BCA Academy.
For details on the test fees and registration, please call the BCA Academy at +65 6248 9868.
Upon the workers’ arrival
Upon the NTS/PRC workers' arrival in Singapore, the employer must bring them to the Trade Enrolment Unit of the BCA Academy to verify their identities. This should be done within four months after the Skills Evaluation Centre (Knowledge) test was taken.
Courses
Workers can register for courses with the BCA Academy or visit them at:
BCA Academy
200 Braddell Road
Singapore 579700
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