Singapore will ease entry requirements for Thai and Chinese labourers from January next year, in a move aimed at addressing manpower shortages in the construction sector.
The policy shift comes as the city-state accelerates building activity to support ongoing urban development plans.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) announced the revised measures on Thursday, stating that the changes are intended to ensure a steady and sufficient labour supply for construction projects across the country.
Under current regulations, all foreign construction workers must obtain work permits and pass mandatory skills assessments in their home countries before being allowed to enter Singapore.
However, beginning January 1, Thai and Chinese workers will no longer be required to complete pre-entry testing prior to arrival.
Instead, construction firms will be permitted to recruit workers directly, with the condition that these individuals undergo and pass the required skills assessments after arriving in Singapore.
Employers will also be responsible for securing examination slots in advance to facilitate the process.
Authorities indicated that similar measures will be gradually extended to workers from other source countries, with full implementation expected by 2028.
The policy adjustment reflects Singapore’s broader efforts to enhance its infrastructure and maintain its competitiveness as a global city.
With large-scale projects in the pipeline, demand for construction labour is expected to remain strong in the coming years.
According to the Ministry of Labour, approximately 5,000 Thai nationals—many of them semi-skilled technicians—were employed in Singapore as of 2022.
