Foreign Worker Medical Insurance (FWMI) is mandatory medical insurance that MOM requires employers to buy for every Work Permit and S Pass holder they employ. The enhanced requirement — an annual claim limit of at least S$60,000 per worker — has been fully in effect since 1 July 2025, and it applies on top of, not instead of, your WICA work injury insurance obligations.
Who must be covered
FWMI applies to every Work Permit holder and every S Pass holder, in every industry — construction workers, F&B crew, cleaners, technicians, and mid-skilled S Pass staff alike. There is no salary threshold and no exemption for short employment periods: if you sponsor the pass, you carry the cover for as long as the worker is employed.
Employment Pass holders are not subject to FWMI, though many employers extend group medical benefits to them voluntarily. If you're unsure which passes your team holds, check before you assume — the obligation follows the pass type, not the job title.
What MOM requires of the policy
The core requirements of the enhanced FWMI framework, fully in force since 1 July 2025:
- Annual claim limit of at least S$60,000 per worker per policy year — a substantial increase on the older minimum, reflecting the real cost of serious hospitalisation.
- Age-differentiated premiums — insurers price cover by the worker's age band rather than one flat rate.
- Co-payment above thresholds — above certain claim thresholds, the framework provides for co-payment between insurer and employer, so very large bills are shared rather than falling entirely on one party. The exact mechanics are set by MOM and your policy terms.
Figures and structures can be updated, so confirm the current requirements on MOM's website or with a licensed professional before buying or renewing.
FWMI vs WICA: what each one does
| FWMI | WICA insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Medical treatment costs, including illness and conditions not related to work | Compensation for work-related injuries and diseases: medical costs, medical leave wages, lump sums for permanent incapacity or death |
| Who it applies to | Every Work Permit and S Pass holder | All manual-work employees (any salary) and non-manual employees earning ≤S$2,600/month — local and foreign |
| Minimum cover | At least S$60,000 annual claim limit | Statutory compensation limits (e.g. up to S$346,000 for total permanent incapacity for accidents from 1 Nov 2025) |
| Can one replace the other? | No. They are separate legal obligations; you need both for a foreign worker doing manual work. | |
Why this matters beyond compliance
Employers are responsible for their foreign workers' medical costs — that responsibility exists whether or not you insure it. A single serious hospitalisation can run well into five figures; without FWMI, that bill lands on the company. The S$60,000 minimum exists precisely because older, lower limits were being exhausted by real cases.
Non-compliance also puts your work pass privileges at risk: maintaining required insurance is a condition of employing foreign workers, and MOM can act against employers who let cover lapse. Set renewals to auto-remind, and treat FWMI as part of the cost of each hire, not an optional extra.
Buying FWMI sensibly
- Buy before the worker arrives or the pass is issued — cover is typically required as a condition of the pass process, not something to arrange later.
- Budget by age band. Premiums are age-differentiated, so a workforce with older workers will cost more to cover. Get quotes based on your actual roster.
- Don't double-count. FWMI is not group hospitalisation insurance for locals, and it doesn't satisfy WICA. Map each obligation to its own policy.
- Confirm current figures with MOM. Requirements were enhanced in stages through 1 July 2025 and may evolve further.
Frequently asked questions
Is medical insurance compulsory for foreign workers in Singapore?
Yes. MOM requires every employer to maintain medical insurance (FWMI) for each Work Permit and S Pass holder, with an annual claim limit of at least S$60,000 per worker — a requirement fully in effect since 1 July 2025. Confirm current details with MOM.
What is the minimum FWMI coverage amount?
At least S$60,000 in annual claim limit per worker, under the enhanced requirements fully in force since 1 July 2025. Policies also feature age-differentiated premiums and co-payment arrangements above certain claim thresholds. Check MOM's website for the current specifics before buying.
Does FWMI cover Employment Pass holders?
No — the FWMI requirement applies to Work Permit and S Pass holders only. Employment Pass holders are not covered by the mandate, though many employers include them in voluntary group medical plans as part of their benefits package.
Is FWMI the same as WICA insurance?
No. FWMI covers medical treatment costs, including illness unrelated to work; WICA insurance compensates work-related injuries and diseases. They are separate legal obligations, and for a foreign worker doing manual work you must carry both.
How much does foreign worker medical insurance cost?
Premiums are age-differentiated and vary by insurer, so there's no single figure — younger workers generally cost less to cover than older ones. Get quotes based on your actual workforce; actual premiums depend on your business and roster.
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