Do cleaners have the S Pass?

Generally, no. S Pass is for middle-skilled employees which have to reach a minimum salary requirement (S 3,150 as of 2025) and possess more advanced education.17 Cleaner and Cleaning Staff positions almost always fall under the category of Work Permit (WP).

What is the required Medical Check-up on a Work Permit?

The Medical Check-up is a condition by MOM to take care of the Foreign Worker to be free of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. The issuing and further Renewal of the WP.18 is mandatory.

Can I be employed Part-Time as a Cleaner on a Work Permit?

No. Work Permit holder is legally bound to his/her primary employer and may only serve them in the given matching role and industry as declared to MOM.19 Working Part-Time to another employer is a grave violation of Visa Requirements and the Employment Act.

Singapore Cleaner Jobs – Work Visa Explained

Singapore boasts of cleanliness and efficient services socially around the world. This credibility is anchored on a solid reputation of a committed workforce of Housekeeping Attendants and Cleaners. As a foreigner, getting a Cleaning Job Vacancy Singapore is an option to pursue, although one needs to have a proper knowledge of the system of Work Permit (WP), the stringent government policies, and the compulsory Progressive Wages Model (PWM).

Major Roles and Industries in Cleaning staff

The Cleaning Staff industries are in demand in all sectors of the Singaporean small economy. Being aware of the exact job titles and industries will be helpful in need of reducing your search and make your application.

Common Job Title

Cleaner / Cleaning Staff: The General jobs, which are common in Residential (HDB, Condo) or Commercial Cleaner.
Housekeeping Attendant / Room Attendant: This is a specific role in the Hospitality Industry (Hotels, Resorts).
Industrial Cleaner / Factory Cleaner: These are jobs which need specialised training and involve either machinery or dangerous waste.
Janitor / Custodian: This is usually applied to school or Government Buildings.
Cleaning Specialist / Hygiene Officer: More professional, with or without supervisory responsibility or particular Food Safety expertise in F&B outlets.

Local job boards can also provide results of the Malay search term, Jawatan Kosong Pencuci (Vacancy Cleaner).

High-Demand Industries

Facility Management / Cleaning Companies: The biggest employers that offer Contract Cleaner services to various venues.
Hospitals / Healthcare: Hygiene standards are vital, and they need experienced personnel and in many cases certain training.
Shopping Centre / Mall: This type of shopping centre involves night shift or shift work with high traffic and must always be in good condition.

Work visa explained: The Work Permit (WP)

With the majority of the international applicants, obtaining a Singapore Cleaner Job implies applying to a Work Permit (WP). The WP is targeted at semi-skilled Foreign Workers of approved source countries. More importantly, all the operations in the Work Visa Application are done by the employer.

The 3 MOM Hurdles of the Employers

An employer cannot just hire an unlimited number of Foreign Workers; he or she should overcome three major regulatory barriers imposed by the MOM:

Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC): This is the Quota representing the percentage of the total workers that a company may hire with Work Permit and S Pass vice-versa.8 In the services Industry, which encompasses the majority of Cleaning Companies, and Hospitality Sector businesses, the DRC is normally 35%.
Local Qualifying Salary (LQS): A local worker has to receive a minimum of a Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) to qualify as a local worker (S$1,600 at present).10 This will ensure that companies are actually hiring locals in addition to Migrant Workers.
Foreign Worker Levy: The employer is required to pay a monthly fee (a hiring tax) on each holder of a Work Permit.12 The Foreign Worker Levy increases the closer the employer moves towards filling his/her DRC Quota.

Significant Work Permit Rules of Cleaners

You are bound to the employer or the one who applied concerning your WP and you can only work under the occupation listed in your Employment Contract.
Your upkeep and maintenance together with the cost of mandatory Medical Check-up is paid by the employer.
The employer shall have to pay the cost of repatriation (Cancellation of the permit) on termination of the contract.

Practical Advice on How to lock in the job

Identify the Appropriate Companies: Find the big licensed Facility Management or Cleaning Companies because they have the highest Quota capacity and most applications of the Work Permits.

Check Experience Requirements: Although entry-level is typical of many Cleaner jobs, certain specialised jobs such as Industrial Cleaner or Hygiene Officer can have safety certificate or previous experience requirements.
Confirm Contract Terms: Before you accept an offer, make sure your Employment Contract has defined your Basic Pay, Shift Work pattern (unless none), your benefits such as Annual Leave and Accommodation Provided are mentioned. A Retention Bonus is an indicator of a quality employer.

Learn the Law: Employment Act (Singapore). In case you are having problems with your pay or working environment, you may refer to MOM to help you out.

FAQs

Do cleaners have the S Pass?
Generally, no. S Pass is for middle-skilled employees which have to reach a minimum salary requirement (S 3,150 as of 2025) and possess more advanced education.17 Cleaner and Cleaning Staff positions almost always fall under the category of Work Permit (WP).
What is the required Medical Check-up on a Work Permit?
The Medical Check-up is a condition by MOM to take care of the Foreign Worker to be free of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV. The issuing and further Renewal of the WP.18 is mandatory.
Can I be employed Part-Time as a Cleaner on a Work Permit?
No. Work Permit holder is legally bound to his/her primary employer and may only serve them in the given matching role and industry as declared to MOM.19 Working Part-Time to another employer is a grave violation of Visa Requirements and the Employment Act.

Final Thoughts

Singapore Cleaner Jobs industry opens a structured career ladder with evident wage growth, supported by the robust Progressive Wage Model proposed by the government.20 The Work Permit system is associated with a strong Visa Requirement and the adherence to the regulations of MOM, although, the transparent and responsible employers (who are often the big Cleaning Companies) negotiate it effectively to find the committed Migrant Workers.

Disclosure

This employment data is provided both for educational and informational purposes. The MOM policies of Singapore such as salary floors (PWM), Levy rates and Quota rules are always revised and updated as per the official ministry of man power (MOM) site or official employer before implementation or making any decision.