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Hire construction workers in Singapore
We recruit Work Permit construction workers for Singapore main contractors and sub-contractors — general workers, skilled trades and supervisors. We check your quota and levy before you commit, source BCA skills-tested candidates through licensed partners, and manage the application from quota check to your worker’s first day on site. Start with a free quota check below.
Construction hiring at a glance — 2026
Construction has its own quota, levy and source-country rules, separate from other sectors. Your foreign worker headroom is set by your Dependency Ratio Ceiling, your monthly levy depends on each worker’s skill tier and your quota band, and construction can recruit from the widest range of source countries. The figures below are the current published rates as at our last review.
| Sector | Pass | Source group | Skill tier | Quota band | Monthly levy (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | WP | Non-Traditional Sources (India, Bangladesh, etc.) | Higher-skilled (R1) | — | $500 |
| Construction | WP | Non-Traditional Sources (India, Bangladesh, etc.) | Basic-skilled (R2) | — | $900 |
| Construction | WP | Malaysia / North Asian Sources / PRC | Higher-skilled (R1) | — | $300 |
| Construction | WP | Malaysia / North Asian Sources / PRC | Basic-skilled (R2) | — | $700 |
| Construction | WP | Off-site Construction | Higher-skilled (R1) | — | $250 |
| Construction | WP | Off-site Construction | Basic-skilled (R2) | — | $370 |
| Construction | WP | All sources | Unskilled (no certification) | No required certification | $900 |
Compiled from officially published Ministry of Manpower information · Last reviewed against officially published rates: 2026-06-13. Figures may change — confirm with official sources before acting.
Which construction trades do you recruit?
We supply the full range of construction roles, from general workers to certified skilled trades and site supervisors. Some trades must pass skills certification before they can be deployed in Singapore — we handle that testing as part of the process. Tell us the trades and experience levels you need, and we’ll source candidates matched to your site and project type.
General workers
Bar benders & fixers
Formworkers
Concretors
Welders
Plumbers
Electricians
Tilers
Plasterers
Painters
Crane operators
Scaffolders
Safety coordinators
Site supervisors
Note : Trades marked for skills certification are tested at an approved Overseas Testing Centre before deployment — see below.
How do construction workers get skills-certified?
Most skilled construction trades must hold a recognised skills certification before they can
work in Singapore. For workers recruited from source countries, this is assessed at an
approved Overseas Testing Centre, where candidates are tested on their trade before they
travel. Passing certifies the worker for deployment and can also affect their skill tier — and
therefore your levy. We build this testing into the recruitment timeline so it doesn’t delay
your project.
1
Overseas Testing Centre
Candidate booked for trade testing in the source country.
2
Skills evaluation
Assessed against the required standard for their trade.
3
Certified for deployment
On passing, certified and cleared to travel.
What does it cost to hire a construction worker?
The cost of hiring a construction worker is more than the levy alone. Employers also carry the security bond, insurance, the medical examination, the primary-care plan, housing, and the agency fee — some monthly, some one-time. The example below sets out the main components so you can budget realistically. Your actual figures depend on the worker’s skill tier, your quota band and your insurer, so treat this as an indicative breakdown, not a quote.
| Cost component | Type | Indicative amount |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly levy | Monthly | Varies by tier and quota band — see the levy calculator |
| Security bond (non-Malaysian WP) | One-time guarantee | S$5,000 guarantee |
| Medical insurance + WICA | Annual | Varies by insurer |
| Primary-care plan | Annual | Varies by plan |
| Medical examination | One-time | Varies by clinic |
| Airfare | One-time | At cost |
| Agency fee | One-time | Quoted upfront |
Indicative example only — your figures will differ. Levy and bond figures compiled from published MOM information · last reviewed 2026-06-13. Not a quote.
Free quota check — 30 seconds
Tell us three things. We reply on WhatsApp with your indicative quota headroom and whether your roles can be filled from Bangladesh.
FREE QUOTA CHECK · 30 SECONDS · NO OBLIGATION
Tell us three things. We reply on WhatsApp with your indicative quota headroom and what it means for your hiring plan.
Free, no obligation. Indicative guidance based on published quota rules — we confirm the details with you on WhatsApp. Replies within the hour, business hours.
How does hiring a construction worker work, step by step?
Hiring runs through six stages, with skills certification built in for trades that need it. We
confirm your quota and levy first, source and test candidates at origin, you select, we file the Work Permit application for In-Principle Approval, the worker completes medical and travel
formalities, and then arrives and deploys to your site. We keep you updated at every stage.
1
Quota & levy check
We confirm your headroom and the monthly levy band before anything is signed.
2
Sourcing & BСА testing
Licensed partners source candidates and arrange skills testing at origin.
3
Selection
You review profiles and interview by video or in person.
You choose.
4
Work Permit application & IPA
We file the Work Permit application and track it to In-Principle Approval.
5
Pre-deployment
Medical, bond, insurance and travel arranged before departure.
6
Arrival & deployment
Entry, settling-in formalities and first day on your site.
Durations vary; any timeframe reflects typically published processing information at our last review — not a guarantee.
Hiring construction workers — common questions
Q1: How many construction workers can I hire?
Your construction quota is set by your Dependency Ratio Ceiling and the number of local employees you have earning at least the Local Qualifying Salary. Construction has one of the more generous ratios, but it still caps your foreign headcount. Run the free quota check above for an indicative figure for your firm.
Q2: How much is the levy for a construction worker?
It depends on the worker’s skill tier — higher-skilled (R1) workers attract a lower levy than basic-skilled (R2) — and your quota band. Raising the share of higher-skilled workers lowers your average levy. See our levy calculator for the current published rates applied to your headcount.
Q3: Do construction workers need a skills test?
Most skilled trades do. Workers are tested at an approved Overseas Testing Centre in the source country before they travel, certifying them for their trade and influencing their skill tier. We arrange and build this into the timeline so it doesn’t hold up your project.
Q4: Which countries can I hire construction workers from?
Construction can recruit from the widest range, including Non-Traditional Source countries such as India and Bangladesh, alongside Malaysia, China and the North Asian Sources. We run licensed partnerships in India and Bangladesh with documents verified at source.
Q5: How long does it take to get a construction worker on site?
It varies with the trade, the source country, skills testing, and how quickly selection and documents are completed. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific roles before you commit, rather than a generic promise.
Q6: What are my obligations once the worker arrives?
You’ll need to provide compliant housing, medical insurance, Work Injury Compensation cover and the primary-care plan, maintain the security bond, and meet site safety requirements. We walk you through the full list for construction so nothing is missed.