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COVID-19 vaccination requirements to apply for and renew work passes

Pass holders (helpers, confinement nannies, work pass holders and their dependants) need to fulfil the vaccination requirements to apply for or renew passes.

Vaccination requirements to apply for or renew a work pass

Type of pass holder Vaccination requirements

Work Permit and S Pass holders who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Work in the Construction, Marine shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors
  • Stay in dormitories

To apply for or renew a work pass, workers need to:

Tip: For renewals, workers can check their vaccination status first. If they need a vaccination or booster dose, you will need to arrange for one.

All other pass holders aged 13 and above based on birth date

To apply for a work pass, all other pass holders or applicants need to:

  • Be fully vaccinated with WHO EUL vaccines (including a booster, when required)
  • Verify their vaccination records

  • Migrant workers who are transferring employers also need to be fully vaccinated to get their pass issued.
  • Employers of migrant workers in CMP sectors or staying in dormitories need to meet additional requirements.

Verify overseas vaccination records

To avoid delays in getting the passes issued, foreigners are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated before entering Singapore.

Upon arrival, fully vaccinated foreigners need to complete all of the following to get their passes issued:

  1. Verify their digitally verifiable vaccination certificates (DVC) OR take a serology test in Singapore to verify their overseas vaccination records
  2. Have their full vaccination records updated in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) under their Foreign Identification Number (FIN)

If the foreigner has been exempted from vaccination due to medical reasons, they need to seek an exemption from a Singapore-registered doctor.

(Fully vaccinated overseas) Verify DVCShow

What is a DVC

For a list of DVC that are exempted from serology testing, please refer to the Ministry of Health’s non-exhaustive list of recognised vaccination certificates.

Verify DVC at a local clinic or medical centre

When to verify DVC After arrival in Singapore.

Tip: Most pass holders should be able to verify their DVC while they are taking their pre-employment medical examination. Please call the clinics first to check if they offer verification services.
Where to verify DVC

All foreigners may verify their DVC at a local clinic.

Workers under the Primary Care Plan can also get their DVCs verified at their respective medical centres.

What to bring
  • Proof of overseas vaccination
  • IPA letter with the foreigner’s FIN

What happens next

Before getting the pass issued, foreigners need to wait for at least 3 days for the vaccination records to be updated in the NIR.

The NIR needs to reflect the corresponding dosage required to be fully vaccinated (including boosters, when required).

If more time is needed for the vaccination records to be updated in the NIR, please refer to the table below for more details:

Worker Steps
Type of worker Steps
All new migrant workers (including those transferring employers)

Log in to WP Online to extend their in-principle approval (IPA) and stay in Singapore.

Note: Malaysian workers will not have an extension of stay as they can only start work after the Work Permit is issued. Those on temporary Work Permit can start working.

All new helpers and confinement nannies

Log in to FDW eService to extend their IPA and stay in Singapore.

Note: For confinement nannies, there is no extension of stay as they can only start work after the Work Permit is issued.

(Fully vaccinated overseas without a DVC) Take a serology test Show

Take a serology test at a local clinic or medical centre

After their arrival in Singapore, foreigners should take a serology test at a local clinic to update their vaccination status in the NIR. Workers under the Primary Care Plan can also take their serology test at their respective medical centres.

What happens next

Please obtain a copy of the serology test result from the clinic, and carry out the following:

Note: The foreigner is required to take a booster dose if the last primary series dose was taken more than 270 days ago.

If the serology test result is Then
Negative

The pass holder needs to be fully vaccinated within 30 days from the test result.

To do so, they may arrange for the necessary vaccination or booster dose in Singapore.

Pass holders who were vaccinated in Singapore should have their vaccination status reflected in their HealthHub app.

Before getting the pass issued, they need to wait for at least 3 days for the vaccination records to be updated in the NIR.

Positive

The pass holder’s vaccination record will be updated in the NIR within 3 days, as COVID-19 antibodies were found in the blood sample.

After the test, please check:

  • Whether the pass holder needs a booster dose to remain fully vaccinated.
  • If the vaccination status is reflected in their HealthHub app. Otherwise, do check with the clinic that performed the test.

(Unvaccinated) Seek an exemption for medical reasonsShow

Seek an exemption for medical reasons

Pass holders who are medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccination will need to be reviewed by a Singapore-registered doctor upon arrival.

What happens next

If the pass holder is Then
Exempted

The pass holder’s vaccination record will be updated in the NIR within 3 days.

Please check if the vaccination status is reflected in their HealthHub app. Otherwise, do check with the clinic that performed the test.

Not exempted

The pass holder needs to get fully vaccinated within 30 days from the date of diagnosis.

They may arrange for a vaccination or booster dose in Singapore to get fully vaccinated.

Pass holders who were vaccinated in Singapore should have their vaccination status reflected in their HealthHub app.

Before getting the pass issued, they need to wait for at least 3 days for the vaccination records to be updated in the NIR.

Arrange for a vaccination or a booster dose in Singapore

Foreigners who need a vaccination or booster dose can arrange for one through any of the following methods:

Approach any vaccination locationShow

Pass holders can approach any vaccination location to receive their vaccination or booster dose.

Please check with the location if they require an appointment.

Alternatively, pass holders can walk in to any Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres (JTVCs) and polyclinics.

(If worker has a PCP) Make an appointment with selected medical centresShow

If a worker is under a PCP, the worker or employer may contact any of the medical centres that offer vaccinations to book a vaccination or booster dose appointment.

Check vaccination records

Pass holders can check their vaccination records using these methods:

Method Details
HealthHub (requires Singpass)

Log in to the HealthHub app using Singpass.

All long-term pass holders aged 15 years and above are eligible for Singpass. Pass holders should use their FIN to register for their Singpass account.

Notarise website (requires Singpass or passport number)

Log in to the Notarise website using Singpass or passport number (provided that the vaccinations were recorded with that passport number).

Physical vaccination certificate

Refer to the physical vaccination certificate given to all individuals vaccinated in Singapore.

Additional requirements for workers in CMP sectors or staying in dormitories

As an employer, you are responsible for additional vaccination requirements if your workers stay in dormitories or work in CMP sectors. This is because CMP worksites and dormitories have a higher risk of disease transmission.

In addition to complying with the vaccination requirements and arranging for vaccination and booster doses, you are also responsible for checking if your workers require a booster dose.