Work Pass Insurance Requirements in Singapore: What's Mandatory?

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires employers to provide medical insurance for certain work pass holders. But the requirements are often minimal, and many expats don't realise their employer coverage has significant gaps.

For Work Permit and S Pass holders, employers must provide at least $15,000/year in medical insurance coverage. For Employment Pass holders, there's no mandatory minimum — but many employers provide basic group insurance as a benefit.

$15,000/year sounds like a lot until you need a private hospital stay. A single night in a private ward costs $500–$1,500, and that's before surgeon fees, tests, and medications. One serious illness can exhaust $15,000 in days.

For Dependant Pass and LTVP holders, there's no employer obligation at all. If your spouse is on a DP, they likely have zero coverage unless you've arranged it privately.

Our advice: treat MOM requirements as the bare minimum, not adequate protection. Get your own private plan that gives you proper coverage — $500K+ annually — regardless of what your employer provides.

We help work pass holders understand their coverage gaps and fill them properly. Book a free consultation and we'll review what you have and recommend what you need.