Other BriefingsSingapore Issues Latest Vaccination Requirements for Work Passes
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has mandated that all work pass holders and their dependents must be fully vaccinated when applying for a new work pass.
Specifically, work pass holders in the construction, marine shipyard, or process (CMP) sectors must be fully vaccinated when they apply for a new work pass as well as when they renew an existing one.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued a requirement stating that all MOM pass holders will need to be fully vaccinated (including a booster where eligible) when applying for new passes as well as for renewals.
The new rule is effective as of October 1, 2022. Employers are encouraged to ensure the vaccination status of their foreign employees is in line with the requirements set out by the MOM.
Vaccination compliance when applying for Pass
The new rule applies to all pass holders aged 13 and above who are applying for new passes. A booster dose must be obtained no less than 270 days before the last primary vaccination dose. Pass holders who were vaccinated overseas are required to digitally verify their vaccination certificates or undertake a serology test upon arrival in Singapore.
Specifically, Work Permit holders and S Pass holders employed in the construction, marine shipyard, or process (CMP) sectors must be fully vaccinated to apply for new passes as well as to renew existing ones.
A CMP worker holding an S Pass, Work Permit, or Training Work Permit, will have seven days to verify their vaccination upon arrival in Singapore if they were vaccinated overseas. All other pass holders will have 30 days.
If a serology test is conducted, the pass holder will need to carry out the following, depending on their results:
- Negative result: The pass holder must complete a full vaccination regime within two months of the test.
- Positive result: The pass holder’s vaccination results will be updated on the National Immunization Registry, and their vaccination status will be reflected on the TraceTogether app or HealthHub app.
Pass holders who are exempted from vaccination
Pass holders can be exempted from vaccination if they are deemed medically ineligible. They will need to undergo a medical review with a Singapore-registered doctor within 30 days of arrival or seven if they are a CMP worker.
If the doctor does not exempt them from vaccination, then they are obligated to undergo the full vaccination regime within two months from the date of diagnosis.
Also Read:
- An Alternative Path to Market Entry in Asia – PEO in China, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, and India
- Remotely Establishing Entities in Asia: China’s Mainland vs. Hong Kong vs. Singapore
- Singapore Introduces New Work Visa Rules Aimed at Attracting Foreign Talent
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