Singapore: Vaccination Declaration to be Required for all Foreign Employees and Dependants
December 30, 2021
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At a Glance
- Starting February 1, 2022, employers seeking to hire foreign nationals under a valid work pass will need to submit a vaccination declaration stating that these individuals are fully vaccinated upon arrival in Singapore. Similarly, Long-Term Visit Pass, Student’s Pass, or those seeking to apply for permanent residence in Singapore will need to be fully vaccinated. Limited exceptions will apply for these residents.
- Individuals who were vaccinated overseas will need to update their vaccination records in Singapore’s national registry and will have 30 days after arrival to show a positive serology test result. Those who test negative will need to complete a full vaccination regimen in Singapore or face revocation of their passes.
The situation
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced that starting February 1, 2022, employers seeking to hire foreign nationals under a valid work pass and family members on Dependant’s Passes will need to submit a vaccination declaration at the point of the pass application, stating that these individuals are fully vaccinated upon arrival in Singapore. Renewals of these passes will also require the declaration.
A closer look
- Full vaccination rules. In Singapore, full vaccination requires two full weeks to pass after a full regimen of a vaccine listed on the World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing Procedure.
- Vaccination checks. Immigration authorities will check the vaccination status for Long-Term Visit Pass and Student’s Pass holders and applicants and those seeking to apply for permanent residence at the point of pass issuance.
- Exemptions. The vaccination requirement will not apply to:
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- Individuals below 12 years old;
- Individuals aged 12 to 17 (they can complete a full vaccination regimen after arriving in Singapore); and
- Pass holders who are medically ineligible for vaccination (they must submit a doctor’s note with their application and undergo a medical exam upon arrival in Singapore).
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Impact
Individuals who were vaccinated overseas will need to update their vaccination records in Singapore’s national registry and will have 30 days after arrival to show a positive serology test result. Those who test negative will need to complete a full vaccination regimen in Singapore or face revocation of their passes.
Background
The MOM has implemented this rule to control the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore, maintain the current high vaccination rates and ensure the continued safe reopening of the country.
Looking ahead
Although the Singaporean government has not indicated how long this new rule will remain in effect, it is expected to be a mandatory requirement for as long as the pandemic poses a risk to the community.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
