2026 WP Quota and Levy Overview by Industry

2026-07-23

Singaporean enterprises hiring WP foreign workers must not overlook two key prerequisites: the foreign worker quota (Quota) for the industry and the monthly labor levy (Levy).

Policies are continuously and dynamically adjusted, and any lag in corporate information can easily lead to quota shortages and miscalculations in labor costs, resulting in delays or rejections in WP applications and renewals.

This article compiles the latest current standards for 2026, with special emphasis on the new regulations in the maritime shipbuilding industry, providing a reference for enterprises in construction, manufacturing, processing, and service sectors.

Construction

Quota rule: For every 1 local employee hired, 5 WP foreign employees can be applied for

Enterprises must pay the corresponding tier of labor tax monthly in accordance with current standards

Manufacturing

Implement a fixed quota ratio with corresponding tiered labor tax standards

The number of foreign workers employed by enterprises and the monthly labor tax fees are both subject to industry framework constraints.

Marine Shipyard [Key! 2026 New Changes]

Quota adjustment: One local employee can only correspond to three foreign WP employees (original quota tightened)

✅ Labor tax increase

The labor tax for unskilled workers (Basic-skilled) has been increased to S$500

The labor tax for skilled workers (High-skilled) has been increased to S$350

Maritime-related enterprises must promptly calculate labor costs and plan personnel recruitment and permit renewal arrangements in advance.

Process

Quota Rules: For every 1 local employee hired, 5 WP foreign employees can be applied for

✅ Implement a tiered labor tax standard based on workers' skill levels and regions of origin

Service

✅ Implement industry-specific quota limits in conjunction with a tiered labor tax system

Service industry enterprises must strictly control the proportion of foreign workers to avoid exceeding the quota and being unable to add WP.

Important Industry Reminder

1.Quotas are calculated based on the number of local on-site employees within the enterprise, and once the quota is exhausted, no new WP applications can be submitted;

2. The labor tax is paid monthly, with fees varying based on skill levels and regions of origin;

3. Both the quota and labor tax in the maritime shipbuilding industry have been adjusted, leading to changes in labor costs for related enterprises;

4. MOM policies are updated irregularly. Companies are advised to continuously monitor the latest regulations to avoid labor compliance violations.

One-Stop WP Permit Services | Skyline Business Singapore

The WP application and renewal process is cumbersome, where any minor oversight in quota calculation, labor tax accounting, or material preparation can lead to rejection.

Singapore Skyline Business was established in 2013 and is a formally registered institution with the Ministry of Manpower, possessing the legal qualification to handle work pass applications and specializing in various employment policies.
We offer comprehensive services for Entrepreneur Pass, EP/SP/WP, self-employed EP, DP/LTVP pplications and maintenance. Our team closely monitors MOM policy updates in real time, assisting enterprises in forecasting available quotas and evaluating employment plans to mitigate application risks.

For WP new application, renewal, and employment policy inquiries, please add WeChat for details.

Previous: Singapore EP: Salary or COMPASS Matters More Next: Documents of the Spouse When Applying for SC Back to