The Dormitory Transition Scheme (DTS) was first announced in 2023 as part of MOM’s multi-year efforts to uplift migrant workers housing resilience and improve living conditions of migrant worker dormitories.
Compliance timeline for existing dormitories
Existing dormitories which are not currently on the New Dormitory Standards (NDS) will be required to meet the improved DTS interim standards by 2030. These dormitories will also be required to meet the NDS by 2040.
Exemptions from DTS
Dormitories with government leases expiring in 2033 or earlier will be exempted from the DTS as it would not be practical to require these dormitories to undergo retrofitting when their remaining lease durations are short.
However, exempted dormitories looking to secure new leases after the current leases expire will be required to meet both the DTS by 2030 and NDS by 2040.
Standards for migrant worker dormitories
|
Previous standards
(Set A FEDA licence conditions)
|
Interim standards under DTS
to be implemented by 2030
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NDS
to be implemented by 2040
|
| Occupancy per room |
- No maximum residents per room
- No requirement for spacing between beds
|
- ≤ 12 residents per room
- ≥ 1m spacing between beds (recommended)
|
- ≤ 12 residents per room
- ≥ 1m spacing between beds
|
| Living space excluding shared facilities |
≥ 3.5 sqm per resident on average |
≥ 3.6 sqm per resident |
≥ 4.2 sqm per resident |
| Toilets |
- ≥ 1 set of toilet, shower, sink and urinal per 15 residents
- Common en-suite toilet allowed
|
- ≥ 1 set of toilet, shower, and hand-wash basin per 6 residents
- En-suite only
|
- ≥ 1 set of toilet, shower, and hand-wash basin per 6 residents
- En-suite only
|
| Isolation facilities |
- ≥10 isolation bed per 1,000 bed spaces
- En-suite toilets recommended but not required apart from first 1 in 10 isolation beds
- No restrictions on number of beds per room for the next 9 in 10 isolation beds
To be stood up during public health outbreaks, convertible from existing spaces:
- Additional isolation beds at ≥ 15 isolation beds per 1,000 bed spaces
- No specifications on the number of beds per room or toilet provision
|
- ≥10 isolation beds per 1,000 bed spaces
- En-suite toilets required for all isolation rooms
- Only 1-bedded rooms allowed for the first 5 per 10 isolation beds. For the next 5 beds, 2-bedded rooms are allowed if there is partitioning between beds.
To be stood up during public health outbreaks, convertible from existing spaces:
- Additional isolation beds at ≥ 15 per 1,000 bed spaces
- Only 1 or 2-bedded rooms allowed
- 2-bedded rooms are allowed if there is partitioning between beds
- En-suite toilets are recommended
|
DTS Grant
MOM will provide a grant to partially defray the costs of retrofitting existing dormitories to meet the interim standards under DTS. All existing dormitories holding valid dormitory licences as of 28 February 2026, with government leases expiring after 2033 and not on the NDS, must meet the DTS interim standards by 2030 and will be eligible for the DTS grant.
The key details of the grant are as follows:
- There will be two windows for dormitories to undergo retrofitting. Higher funding will be provided for dormitories that complete retrofitting in the earlier window from 2026 to 2028.
- The amount of funding for each dormitory will also be determined by the type and extent of retrofitting works required.
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Types of Retrofitting Works
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Funding based on year of completion of retrofitting to meet DTS interim standards
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Window 1:
2026 -2028
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Window 2:
2029 - 2030
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|
Building new room that meets occupancy limit
|
$4,200
|
$3,000
|
|
Building one en-suite toilet
|
$9,800
|
$7,000
|
|
Building one isolation facility (room with en-suite toilet)
|
$12,300
|
$8,800
|
Application for grant
Applications for the DTS grant will open from 1 March 2026 to 31 August 2026. A unique application link will be provided to each eligible dormitory nearer to the date.
MOM will work closely with dormitory operators to coordinate the timing of their transition plans. This is to manage the simultaneous retrofitting of multiple dormitories, and minimise the level of impact on bed supply and retrofitting costs. Dormitories will need to submit their intended retrofitting schedule for MOM's approval, and must commit to completing the works within the approved schedule.
Dormitory operator may refer to the table below to check whether there are slots for their intended period of DTS physical retrofitting works.
Last updated on 20 March 2026, 10 am
Mandatory briefings on DTS
MOM will be conducting briefings in January 2026 to share the detailed DTS requirements, application process and support available. Dormitories that are required to undergo DTS would have been notified by MOM to attend at least 1 of the briefings.
For more info
You may refer to the DTS briefing materials or contact us if you have further queries.