Settling-in Programme SIP Requirements for Foreign Workers

The Settling-in Programme is a required onboarding step for covered foreign workers in Singapore. For Singapore employers, the settling-in programme SIP requirements mean that first-time migrant domestic workers must attend, with attendance scheduled within 7 days of arrival, excluding Sundays and public holidays. The programme helps workers understand their employment responsibilities and adjust to working and living in Singapore.

Arranging the class on time matters, but the different deadlines can be easy to mix up. This article explains what the Foreign Worker Settling-in Programme covers, which workers must attend, what to prepare and how the course schedule works. You’ll also learn the key attendance and registration timings so you can plan the worker’s onboarding with greater clarity.

Why is my worker required to attend the FW SIP?

FW SIP attendance is an orientation requirement for covered first-time migrant workers. According to the Ministry of Manpower, all first-time migrant domestic workers must attend the programme. Employers should include the class in arrival planning rather than treating it as an optional introduction.

The attendance window is the period allowed after arrival to complete the programme. First-time domestic workers should attend within 7 days of arrival, excluding Sundays and public holidays, and cannot attend on arrival day. Other covered foreign workers must attend within 14 calendar days. A worker who misses that period needs an extension from MOM.

Course booking means reserving a place at a designated SIP training centre. Employers and employment agencies create an account before registering the worker through the SIP booking process. Registration for Tuesday-to-Saturday classes is due at least 24 hours before the course; Monday classes require 48 hours. For example, Wednesday registration is due by 0900 on Tuesday.

Rescheduling means changing a registered worker’s class or replacing the attendee. For an MWC FW SIP class, submit the request at least 2 working days before the course date. International classes requiring an interpreter need registration at least 2 days in advance. Workers who arrive late aren’t admitted, so plan the journey to the centre with care.

Worker-group deadlines distinguish domestic workers from other covered work pass holders. First-time domestic workers follow the 7-day attendance window, while covered foreign workers generally have 14 calendar days. Manufacturing-sector Work Permit holders and female CMP workers must attend within 2 weeks of arrival. Identify the worker’s sector and first-time status before choosing a session.

What is the Foreign Worker Settling-in (FW SIP) Programme?

The FW SIP is an orientation programme that prepares covered foreign workers for employment and daily life in Singapore. It covers employment conditions, local laws, workplace safety, health, mental health and support channels. Where available, classes use the worker’s native language to explain practical information about settling into work.

The MDW SIP is the programme track for migrant domestic workers. The wider FW SIP also applies to eligible workers in other sectors, while the domestic-worker course focuses on living and working in Singapore, safety, relationships and stress management. Settling-in programme (SIP) requirements depend on the worker’s category, not just their arrival date.

Registration documents are used to enrol a worker and prepare for checks at the training centre. Employers and employment agencies first create an account, then register the worker through the SIP booking process. Prepare the full In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, passport details, educational certificate and ICA-issued digital arrival card. Check names and identifying details against the worker’s documents before submitting the registration.

Training-centre documents are presented for attendance checks. The worker must bring the original passport and full original employee-copy IPA letter. The employer must submit the full IPA letter, a passport copy, an educational-certificate copy and a copy of the digital arrival card. Keep the worker’s original documents accessible for inspection, separate from copies kept for records.

Education eligibility is the schooling and certification standard for first-time migrant domestic workers attending SIP. The worker must have at least 8 years of formal education and a recognised certificate. Include that certificate when preparing the registration documents. Check eligibility and paperwork together before selecting a class.

Who must attend the Foreign Worker Settling-In Programme

Mandatory attendance means a covered worker must complete the programme as part of onboarding. According to the Ministry of Manpower, first-time migrant domestic workers must attend SIP. They must also be at least 23 years old. Employers should identify whether the worker is a first-time entrant before arranging the relevant onboarding steps.

Sector eligibility identifies which Work Permit holders fall under the requirement. First-time non-Malaysian Work Permit holders in sectors outside Services must attend, including workers in Manufacturing, Construction, Marine shipyard and Process. For Construction, the requirement applies to relevant applications submitted on or after 1 October 2018. The worker’s sector and application history help determine the correct category.

Returning-worker eligibility depends on the worker’s sector and previous Work Pass history. Non-Malaysian Work Permit holders in Construction, Marine shipyard and Process must attend if they are working in Singapore for the first time or returning more than two years after their last pass cancellation. Manufacturing-sector Work Permit holders must attend when working in Singapore for the first time. Review the worker’s records before assuming a previous Singapore job qualifies them for an exemption.

Completion before work means the domestic worker finishes the required orientation before starting employment. The Ministry of Manpower requires first-time migrant domestic workers to complete SIP before beginning work. If a worker misses or cannot complete the programme, address the attendance issue with MOM and arrange the required next step before treating the worker as having completed SIP.

Exemptions are limited exceptions based on worker category and pass history. One specific exception applies to qualifying non-Malaysian CMP Work Permit holders returning within two years of cancellation of their last pass. It is not a general exemption for all returning workers. Check the worker’s sector and cancellation history before deciding whether the exception applies.

Course duration and schedule

Course duration is the time a worker must set aside for SIP. The migrant domestic worker programme is an 8-hour course, scheduled from 0900hrs to 1800hrs. It operates Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays. Plan the worker’s arrival in Singapore and travel to the training centre around the full session, rather than treating SIP as a short registration appointment.

The day orientation programme provides a structured introduction to employment and daily life in Singapore. Topics include employment conditions, local laws, workplace safety, health, mental health and support channels. The content helps foreign workers understand practical responsibilities before settling into work. Lessons also cover adapting to local living and working arrangements, including relationships and stress management.

The course schedule is the set of class days and hours available for attendance. For migrant domestic workers, sessions run Monday to Saturday, excluding public holidays, from 0900hrs to 1800hrs. Choose a date that fits the worker’s arrival arrangements and leaves enough time to reach the centre before class. Late arrivals aren’t admitted, so account for travel time and bring the required documents.

The SIP fee is the course charge for each migrant domestic worker’s attendance. The fee is S$75.00 per worker, inclusive of GST, and the employer bears it. This is distinct from the worker’s employment costs, such as salary or levy; it covers the programme attendance described here.

Course completion means the worker has attended and finished the scheduled training. Afterward, the MW SIP e-certificate can be downloaded from the SIP website using the employer’s or employment agency’s login. Keep the certificate with the worker’s employment records as proof that the post-arrival orientation has been completed.

Suria Employment Agency: New Maid Placement

Suria Employment Agency supports households planning to hire a domestic helper through its New Maid Placement service. If you are comparing candidates or preparing for a first-time hire, placement can be a practical next step alongside planning the SIP schedule and attendance. The agency also handles Work Permit Application and Renewal, as well as Home Leave Processing and Renewal & Endorsement of Passports when needed. SIP attendance is a separate programme requirement, so plan the class alongside placement and permit steps. Contact Suria Employment Agency to discuss your household’s hiring needs.

Plan the next step in your hiring process

Include SIP arrangements in your onboarding plan. Once you know which requirements apply to the worker, coordinate the class with the wider hiring steps and keep the relevant documents organised. This gives you a clear plan for welcoming a helper into your household.

If you are considering a new placement or transfer, discuss your household’s needs and the hiring process. Including settling-in programme SIP requirements in that discussion can help align the worker’s arrival and onboarding steps.

Contact Suria Employment Agency to discuss your domestic-helper arrangements. With the right preparation, you can approach the next stage with clarity and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign my worker up for SIP?

Create an account through the SIP registration process, then select a class suited to the worker’s sector and language. Have the worker’s passport, full In-Principle Approval letter, educational certificate and digital arrival card ready for registration and centre checks. Submit the booking by the relevant deadline, as registration cut-offs vary by weekday and interpreter needs. Confirm the session details before arranging transport.

What is the purpose of settling?

Settling in means helping a worker understand the practical expectations of living and working in Singapore. SIP introduces topics such as employment conditions, local laws, workplace safety, health and support channels. For example, a worker can learn where to seek help and how to raise workplace concerns. This orientation can support clearer communication between the worker and employer from the start of employment.

What is Singapore’s Settling-in Programme (SIP)?

Singapore’s SIP is an orientation programme for covered foreign workers, including migrant domestic workers. It provides information relevant to their employment and daily life, with classes offered in several languages. SIP is distinct from an employer’s household briefing: the programme covers broader topics, while employers should explain household routines, duties and communication preferences directly.

Who is required to attend the SIP in Singapore?

The Ministry of Manpower requires all first-time migrant domestic workers to attend SIP. Other covered non-Malaysian Work Permit holders include first-time workers in specified sectors, such as Manufacturing, Construction, Marine shipyard and Process. Sector and work-pass history matter, so identify both before booking. A specific exemption applies to qualifying returning CMP workers from 1 August 2025.

What are the eligibility and registration requirements for SIP?

For a first-time migrant domestic worker, eligibility includes at least 8 years of formal education and a recognised certificate. Employers or employment agencies must create an account before registration. Prepare the worker’s passport details, full IPA letter, educational certificate and ICA-issued digital arrival card. At the centre, the worker should bring the original passport and full original employee-copy IPA letter.

When must migrant workers complete the SIP after arriving in Singapore?

First-time migrant domestic workers must attend within 7 days of arrival, excluding Sundays and public holidays, and cannot attend on arrival day. Other covered foreign workers generally have 14 calendar days. Manufacturing-sector Work Permit holders and female CMP workers must attend within 2 weeks. These windows are not interchangeable, so use the worker’s category to set the booking deadline.