Work Pass Medical Examination: S Pass Medical Check Up, EP and Work Permit Requirements
An S Pass medical check up is required only when the candidate’s in-principle approval (IPA) letter says so, and the same applies to the Employment Pass (EP). Every Work Permit holder, by contrast, must pass a medical examination before the Work Permit is issued. The exam is done in Singapore by a Singapore-registered doctor after the worker arrives, and the pass cannot be issued until the results are in.
Key Takeaways
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Table of Contents
- Which Work Pass Holders Need a Medical Examination?
- What Tests Are Included in a Work Pass Medical Examination?
- When Must the Medical Examination Be Done?
- Where Can the Medical Examination Be Done?
- How Are the Results Submitted to MOM?
- What Happens If a Worker Is Found Unfit?
- Do Work Permit Holders Need Medical Exams After Issuance?
- What Does This Look Like in Practice?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Work Pass Holders Need a Medical Examination?
The answer depends on the pass type. MOM handles EP and S Pass medicals case by case, but treats the Work Permit medical as a standard step for every worker. If you are still deciding which pass fits a role, our guide to the types of work passes in Singapore sets out the differences.
Employment Pass and S Pass
After MOM approves an EP or S Pass application, it issues an IPA letter. The IPA is a pre-approved single-entry visa that lets the candidate enter Singapore. MOM’s application pages state that the IPA letter says whether the candidate needs a medical examination after arriving in Singapore.
MOM does not publish a fixed list of nationalities or profiles that trigger the requirement. Read the IPA letter carefully as soon as it arrives, because it is the only document that confirms whether your candidate needs an S Pass medical check up or EP medical.
Work Permit
All migrant workers on a Work Permit need a medical examination before their Work Permits are issued. This covers workers in sectors such as construction, manufacturing and services, as well as migrant domestic workers (MDWs). The process differs slightly by worker category, which is covered in the timing section below.
What Tests Are Included in a Work Pass Medical Examination?
MOM’s Work Permit medical screens for four infectious diseases: tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis and malaria. It also checks whether the worker is fit for the job. Employers can request extra tests if they have specific concerns about the worker’s health.
MOM’s full medical examination form for Work Permit holders lists the following:
| Area | What the doctor checks |
|---|---|
| Chest X-ray | Screens for TB. The X-ray must be taken in Singapore. |
| Blood tests | HIV, syphilis (VDRL) and a blood film for malaria. HIV and malaria tests must be done at Ministry of Health-approved laboratories. |
| Urine | Albumin, sugar and pregnancy. |
| Cardiovascular | Blood pressure and heart examination. An ECG is compulsory for male Thai workers and for anyone above 50. |
| Vision | At least 6/12 in both eyes, with or without glasses. Colour vision is tested for electricians and drivers only. |
| Hearing | The worker must be able to hear ordinary conversation at 2 metres. |
| General | Respiratory system, abdomen, skin, limbs and nerves, endocrine disorders and mental state. |
The worker also declares any history of conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension, TB or heart disease. Any abnormal chest X-ray may need a referral to the National Tuberculosis Care Centre (NTBCC) before the doctor certifies the result.
For EP and S Pass candidates, the clinic follows the medical examination form required by the IPA. Bring the IPA letter to the clinic so the doctor knows which tests to run.
When Must the Medical Examination Be Done?
All work pass medicals take place after the worker arrives in Singapore. The deadline is set by the pass issuance window.
EP and S Pass timelines
- MOM approves the application and issues the IPA letter.
- The candidate enters Singapore and shows the IPA letter to the immigration officer.
- The candidate completes the medical examination, if the IPA requires one.
- The employer logs in to EP eService, uploads the completed form and gets the pass issued.
An S Pass must be issued within 60 days of IPA. An EP must be issued within 6 months of IPA. Medical results that arrive late can push the employer close to these limits, so book the clinic appointment for the first few days after arrival. Our foreigner’s guide to work pass applications in Singapore covers the earlier application stages.
Work Permit timelines
| Worker category | Where the medical is done | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Male non-Malaysian workers in the Construction, Marine shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors | MOM’s Onboard centre, as part of the onboarding programme on arrival | During the programme (Day 2) |
| Workers who need a Primary Care Plan (PCP) but are not on the Onboard programme | The Anchor Operator for the zone where the worker lives | Within 2 weeks of arrival |
| Other migrant workers | A local clinic with a Singapore-registered doctor | Within 2 weeks of arrival |
| Migrant domestic workers | A Singapore-registered doctor | Within 2 weeks of arrival |
For newly arrived non-Malaysian workers, the Work Permit must be issued within 14 days of arrival. For newly arrived Malaysian workers, it must be issued before the IPA due date.
Where Can the Medical Examination Be Done?
The examination must be done in Singapore by a Singapore-registered doctor. The worker must bring their travel document so the doctor can confirm their identity. Most general practitioner clinics and medical groups that handle pre-employment screening can carry out work pass medicals.
The exceptions are the Onboard centre for CMP workers and the Anchor Operators for workers who need a PCP. In those cases, the location is set by MOM and not chosen by the employer.
How Are the Results Submitted to MOM?
The route depends on the pass type.
EP and S Pass
The employer uploads a PDF of the completed medical examination form, or a medical declaration form, in EP eService during the “Get the pass issued” step. The form must state the occupation and show whether the doctor has certified the candidate fit or unfit. The issuance fee is $225 for an EP and $100 for an S Pass.
Work Permit
From 27 April 2026, clinics submit Work Permit medical results directly to MOM through the Medical Examination (ME) Portal. Clinics must submit within 1 week of completing the examination. The employer gets an email once the results are in.
From 4 May 2026, employers view the results and issue the Work Permit through the Issue Work Permit function on the myMOM Portal. Employers no longer need to upload hard copy medical reports or chest X-rays. If the employer needs more detail on an abnormal finding, they can ask the clinic for the full report. The fee is $35 for each Work Permit issued.
If you want the EP or S Pass issuance handled for you, our Employment Pass and S Pass application service covers the steps from IPA to pass issuance.
What Happens If a Worker Is Found Unfit?
For Work Permit holders, the pass is issued only if the worker passes the medical. MOM’s guidance for MDWs states that a helper who does not pass must be sent home.
For EP and S Pass candidates, the doctor’s fit or unfit certification forms part of the documents submitted at issuance. MOM’s S Pass page tells employers to buy PCP coverage, where required, once the candidate is certified fit to work. If a candidate is certified unfit, contact MOM before taking any further step on the application. Our Singapore immigration services team can advise on the options in these cases.
Do Work Permit Holders Need Medical Exams After Issuance?
Yes, in two situations.
Six-monthly medical examination (6ME)
Female migrant workers and MDWs must take a 6ME while they hold a Work Permit. MOM posts a notification letter and form when it is due. The schedule is as follows:
| Test | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy and syphilis | Every 6 months |
| HIV | Every 2 years |
| Tuberculosis | Once, after 2 years of stay in Singapore |
| BMI and checks for visible signs of abuse (MDWs only) | At every 6ME |
If the worker fails the 6ME, the employer must cancel her Work Permit and send her home immediately. If the employer plans to keep her more than 1 month past the due date without a 6ME, a waiver must be applied for.
Renewal medical examination
Some Work Permit holders need a full medical examination at renewal. MOM’s renewal notice and application form state whether the worker needs one. For MDWs, page 2 of the renewal notification letter confirms this, and the doctor’s signed form must be uploaded during renewal.
What Does This Look Like in Practice?
The scenario below is illustrative and does not describe any real client.
A Singapore logistics firm receives an S Pass IPA for an operations supervisor. The IPA letter states that a medical examination is required after arrival.
- Day 0: MOM issues the IPA. The 60-day issuance window starts.
- Day 14: The candidate lands in Singapore and shows the IPA at immigration.
- Day 15: The candidate visits a clinic with a Singapore-registered doctor, bringing the IPA letter and passport. The chest X-ray and blood tests are done.
- Day 18: The clinic releases the completed form, certifying the candidate fit to work.
- Day 19: The employer buys any required insurance, uploads the form in EP eService, pays the $100 issuance fee and receives the notification letter.
Had the results been delayed close to the candidate’s Short-Term Visit Pass expiry, the employer would have needed to request an extension with a doctor’s memo.
Frequently Asked Questions
MOM’s IPA wording says the medical examination is done after the candidate arrives in Singapore. For Work Permits, the chest X-ray must be taken in Singapore and the form must be completed by a Singapore-registered doctor. A medical report from overseas should not be relied on unless MOM confirms it in writing.
The employer pays. MOM’s work pass conditions state that the employer bears the medical expenses for any examination MOM requires. This applies to both S Pass and Work Permit holders.
No. The candidate can start work only once the pass is issued and the notification letter is received. The notification letter is valid for 1 month and allows the holder to work while waiting for the card.
The employer can request an extension of the candidate’s Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP). The request must be submitted 7 to 14 days before the STVP expires, with a doctor’s memo stating when the results can be collected. Late requests may lead to overstaying fines.
No. Workers aged 50 or above do not need the six-monthly medical examination. They need a medical examination only when their Work Permit is renewed.
The employer can ask MOM to postpone the 6ME until the worker returns. For female migrant workers, a postponement longer than 4 weeks needs supporting documents, such as a doctor’s memo.
If the household has children under 7 who are not fully vaccinated against measles, the helper must have measles immunity. This is checked as part of her pre-employment medical examination.
No. MOM states that employers or their representatives should not be present during the examination. This allows the doctor to check for signs of abuse and speak with the helper privately.
A transferred helper must still take her 6ME if one is due. The new employer should check the due date on the FDW eService after the transfer.
No. Under MOM’s Work Permit medical form, an ECG is compulsory only for male Thai workers and anyone above 50. The doctor may also order one for younger workers where symptoms suggest a heart problem.
Need Help With Your Work Pass Application?
Our consultants handle EP, S Pass and Work Permit applications from submission through to pass issuance, including the medical examination step. Book a consultation with our Singapore immigration specialists to get your candidate’s pass issued on time.