Gov’t streamlines entry requirements for vaccinated new work permit holders in CMP sectors

The streamlined process will begin on 13 March.

The entry requirements for vaccinated new work permit holders (WPHs) with in-principle approval (IPA) in the construction, marine, shipyard, and process (CMP) sectors will be streamlined starting 13 March, the Singapore government declared.

This will help CMP sectors speed up the entry of essential workers for ongoing projects, alleviate the labour shortage that sectors faced in 2021, whilst building greater resilience in their workforce, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Building and Construction Authority, and Economic Development Board said in a joint statement.

Currently, the CMP sectors have a steady inflow of workers through two entry lanes—an industry-led end-to-end process for workers entering from certain source countries and the work pass holder general lane based on prevailing border measures for general entries. 

Starting 13 March, the industry-led process will be fast-tracked into a shorter two-day pre-departure preparatory programme (PDPP) in the source country. Following this is a three-day stay-home notice and onboarding at MOM’s Onboard centres upon arrival in Singapore, which is the current requirement. 

This process will maintain some existing health protocols such as pre-departure listing under the industry-led process. 

Moreover, the duration of the PDPP may be adjusted. For example, it could be prolonged if there are new COVID-19 variants of concern, which will result in tighter border restrictions. The PDPP is expected to be the main channel of new CMP WPHs.

Meanwhile, from 1 May, each vaccinated new CMP WPH with an IPA will enter through only one specified lane:

• New CMP WPHs will be mandated to undertake the PDPP process available at their source countries. The PDPP will be available in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar from 13 March.
• New CMP WPHs entering from source countries where PDPP is not available, will continue to enter Singapore via the work pass holder general lane where they will be subjected to prevailing border measures and complete an onboarding programme where applicable upon arrival.

The government also indicated that all existing CMP WPHs holding issued work permits will continue to enter Singapore through the work pass holder general lane, adding that their entry approvals under this lane will be prioritised.

In the meantime, from 13 March to 30 April, inoculated new CMP WPHs holding IPAs from source countries where PDPP is available can enter through either the PDPP or the work pass general lane. 

Applications to enter via the PDPP lane will be open from 13 March through PDPP partners.

Here are the entry requirements for vaccinated new CMP WPHs where PDPP is mandated:

From 13 March to 30 April:

Pre-departure Preparatory Programme riding on the Industry-led end to end process

(prioritised for entry approval)

• Two Day stay at a dedicated facility at source countries applied through PDPP provider
• Pre-departure testing
• 3D Stay-Home Notice with onboarding at MOM’s Onboard centres upon arrival in Singapore

Work Pass Holder General Lane

(based on border measures as of 6 Mar)

• Pre-Departure Test before arrival
• 7D Stay-Home Notice and additional 2D programme at MOM’s Onboard centres upon arrival in SG

From 1 May onwards:

Single Entry Lane with Pre-departure Preparatory Programme

• Two Day stay at a dedicated facility at source countries applied through PDPP provider
• Pre-departure testing
• 3D Stay-Home Notice with onboarding at MOM’s Onboard centres upon arrival in SG

Work Pass Holder General Lane

Not applicable for new CMP WPHs who hold IPAs where PDPP is required; they should enter under PDPP.

All other CMP WPHs may enter under this General Lane.