Singapore still depends on migrant workers, mostly semi-skilled foreign workers with Work Permits (WP), to help out in important areas like construction, manufacturing, marine and offshore work, process industries, services, cleaning, logistics, food and beverage, and more. Hiring migrant workers is still important for business growth because there are still not enough workers and the local workforce is getting older. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) keeps a close eye on the process, though. If you make a mistake with quotas, levies, compliance, or sourcing, you could face big fines, have your quotas suspended, or be banned from hiring foreign workers.
This 2026 guide tells employers everything they need to know about hiring migrant workers in Singapore, including who can work, how many they can hire, how much it will cost, and what their responsibilities are. It also shows how a reliable MOM-licensed staffing agency like Manpower Access Pte Ltd can make the whole process easier, faster, and more cost-effective.
Migrant workers help fill jobs where there aren’t enough local workers. The MOM framework makes sure that foreign workers help Singaporeans instead of taking their jobs by using tools like Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRC), Foreign Worker Levies, and approved source countries.
Most migrant workers fall under the Work Permit category, with sector-specific rules for construction, marine, manufacturing, and services.
Employers can recruit from:
Manpower Access has a strong network in the region and training centers in Myanmar, Malaysia, and China. They can quickly find reliable, pre-trained candidates from these approved countries, which cuts down on the time it takes to onboard new employees.
Your business can hire migrant workers if:
Manpower Access helps companies check their current quota balance, suggest the best mix of workers, and plan hiring to stay within the limits.
Levies are different for different sectors, skill levels (higher-skilled vs. basic-skilled), and how much you depend on foreign workers. The rates are between S$300 and S$800 per month for each worker.
A professional staffing agency can help you find better candidates (who cost less) and help you get the best tier position for long-term savings.
Processing can take 3–8 weeks or longer if documents are incomplete.
Manpower Access Pte Ltd, which has been in business since 2012 and has MOM EA Licence No. 13C6854, is a reliable one-stop shop for hiring workers from other countries in the construction, manufacturing, marine, and offshore, services, and related sectors.
Here’s how they help employers:
Full-service recruitment solutions: From finding pre-screened, skilled candidates through their Asia-wide network and overseas training centers to processing full Work Permit applications.
Compliance Expertise: Following all MOM rules to the letter and making sure that every placement meets quota, levy, salary and paperwork requirements. This lowers the risk of getting in trouble.
Faster Hiring: You can hire people faster because you can look at a lot of candidates from Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, and other places. Many clients say that the time it takes to hire people has gone down a lot.
HR Outsourcing Support: Take care of payroll, managing employees, and staying compliant so you can focus on your business.
Sector Specialisation: We have placed thousands of workers in the manufacturing, construction, marine, services, logistics, F&B, cleaning, and other sectors.
Proven Track Record: More than 800 successful international placements and more than 500 companies in Singapore and the surrounding area trust us.
Employers can avoid problems like hiring people who aren’t licensed, getting applications turned down, or hiring people who don’t follow the rules by working with Manpower Access. Their knowledgeable consultants will help you with every step of the process, from figuring out your quota to helping you after you arrive. This makes the process smooth and affordable.
A reputable agency like Manpower Access helps control costs by matching the right skill level (lower levy) and streamlining the process to avoid delays or rejections.
If you don’t follow the rules, you could face serious consequences. You can be sure that you meet all of MOM’s standards from day one if you work with a licensed agency.
It doesn’t have to be hard or dangerous to hire migrant workers in Singapore. Manpower Access provides reliable foreign manpower solutions that save time, cut costs, and help your business grow in a way that is good for the environment. They do this by having a lot of experience, a lot of connections, training centers in other countries, and full MOM compliance support.
Their team makes the process easy and quick, whether you need 5 or 500 workers in construction, manufacturing, marine, or services.
Are you ready to hire migrant workers quickly and legally? For a free consultation, go to manpoweraccess.com or call Manpower Access today.
Follow the rules. Hire wisely. With the right manpower partner, you can scale up with confidence.
Contact us for reliable recruitment support or a jobseeker exploring opportunities
(65) 6636 7321
enquiry@manpoweraccess.com
