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SINGAPORE: Vaccination Requirements for Issuance of Work Passes
October 28, 2022
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued an updated policy requiring all foreign nationals and their dependents aged 13 and above (based on their birth date when applying), to be fully vaccinated with World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing vaccines (including booster, if eligible) to get their new passes issued. At the point of pass application, employers will be required to make a declaration that their work pass holders and dependents will comply with the vaccination requirements (there is no need to upload the applicant’s vaccination certificate in MOM’s work pass systems).
Foreign nationals who have received their vaccination overseas must visit a local clinic upon arrival to verify their vaccination records, and to get their vaccination status updated in the Singapore National Immunization Registry (NIR). Employers must ensure their pass holders get their vaccination records updated in the NIR to get their passes issued. Applicants must now give additional time (approximately two to four business days) for the verification of their overseas vaccination status before their passes are issued. Previously, pass holders who were vaccinated overseas could get their passes issued before registering their vaccination status in the Singapore NIR at any Public Health Preparedness Clinic within 30 days of arrival in Singapore.
Employers, therefore, would need to take the additional time into consideration when confirming the start dates for employees.
Pass issuance for those medically exempted from COVID-19 Vaccination
Pass holders can be exempted if they are medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccination. They would then need to undergo a medical review with a Singapore-registered doctor upon arrival. Pass issuance would then depend on the two following scenarios:
- If the doctor does not exempt them, they must undergo the full vaccination regime within 30 days. The vaccination status will then be reflected in their HealthHub app or TraceTogether app after which the pass can be issued.
- If the doctor exempts them, the vaccination status will then be reflected in their HealthHub app or TraceTogether app after which the pass can be issued.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.
