Less than you fear, stricter than you hope: usually just a chest X-ray and an HIV test — but active TB or a positive HIV result still blocks long-term passes under the Immigration Act.
Overview
Singapore's medical screening is narrow but consequential. For work passes, the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter states whether a medical examination is required at all; where it is, MOM's medical examination form centres on a chest X-ray taken in Singapore (screening for tuberculosis) and an HIV test done at an MOH-approved laboratory, alongside a general clinical examination — lower-wage Work Permit categories face the fuller version of the form, including malaria film and VDRL. For permanent residence, Long-Term Visit Passes and Student's Passes, ICA's medical examination report covers exactly two items: a TB chest X-ray and an HIV test. Any registered doctor can examine you — Singapore has no panel-physician system — first-time applicants may test in their home country, the report is only accepted within 3 months of issuance, and a report submitted to ICA or MOM within the previous two years can be re-used by declaration. The hard edge: under section 8(3)(ba) of the Immigration Act and Regulation 12 of the Immigration Regulations, HIV-positive foreigners may visit short-term but remain restricted from long-term stay — a policy MOH confirmed in Parliament in February 2025 it keeps under periodic review. Verified against mom.gov.sg, ica.gov.sg and moh.gov.sg as of June 2026.
Who Needs a Medical Exam — By Pass Type
| Pass / application | Medical exam? | What is tested |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Pass / S Pass | Only if stated in the IPA letter (check yours — many candidates do need it) | MOM medical examination form or medical declaration: chest X-ray taken in Singapore, HIV test at an MOH-approved lab, clinical examination |
| Work Permit (foreign workers) | Yes — full medical examination | MOM full medical form: clinical examination, chest X-ray, HIV, malaria blood film, VDRL, urine tests; ECG for some categories |
| Migrant domestic workers | Yes — plus six-monthly medical examinations (6ME) during employment | Pregnancy and infectious disease screening per MOM's 6ME regime |
| Permanent residence (ICA) | Yes | ICA medical examination report: TB chest X-ray and HIV test only |
| Long-Term Visit Pass / Student's Pass (ICA) | Yes — at completion of formalities | Same two-test ICA report |
| Dependant's Pass | Per IPA letter | As stated for each dependant |
| Short-term visitors | No | No medical screening for tourist/business visits |
Continue reading — paid members only.
This guide is part of our full paid membership library. Upgrade to access all 10 Singapore guides, plus Migration Fee Protection up to USD 25,000 if your application doesn't go ahead for a qualifying reason.
See Paid Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Employment Pass holders need a medical exam for Singapore?
No — your IPA letter is the authority. When MOM approves the pass, the In-Principle Approval letter states whether you must complete a medical examination, which can be done after you arrive in Singapore (or before, for some categories). Where required, expect the MOM medical examination form: a chest X-ray taken in Singapore to screen for tuberculosis, an HIV test done at an MOH-approved laboratory, and a clinical examination. The pass cannot be issued until the results are in, so book promptly — and if your visit pass risks expiring while you wait, your employer can request an extension 7–14 days before expiry with the doctor's memo.
What does the ICA medical for PR actually involve?
Just two tests: a chest X-ray checked for active tuberculosis and an HIV test — recorded on ICA's medical examination report, with no vaccination review, blood panel or general fitness assessment. Any registered doctor at a licensed clinic can do it; there is no approved-panel system. First-time applicants may do the exam in their home country, renewals must test in Singapore, and the completed report is only accepted within 3 months of issuance. If you already submitted the same information to ICA or MOM within the past two years — typically via your work pass medical — you can declare that instead of re-testing. Incomplete or annotated reports are rejected outright.
What is Singapore's current policy on HIV-positive applicants?
As of June 2026, the long-stay restriction remains law. Section 8(3)(ba) of the Immigration Act treats HIV infection as a prohibiting ground, and Regulation 12 of the Immigration Regulations permits HIV-positive foreigners to enter only as short-term visitors — long-term stay (work passes, long-term passes, PR) remains restricted. The Ministry of Health confirmed this position in a Parliamentary answer on 26 February 2025, while noting it periodically reviews HIV policies as treatment science advances. The HIV test in pass and PR medicals is how the rule is applied. If this affects you, verify the current position on moh.gov.sg before committing to relocation, as review is explicitly ongoing.
Can I do my medical exam before leaving my home country?
For ICA applications (PR, Long-Term Visit Pass, Student's Pass), yes — first-time applicants may have the examination done by a registered doctor in their home country or place of residence; only renewal applicants must test in Singapore. Mind the 3-month validity: the report must reach ICA within 3 months of issuance, so don't test too early. For MOM work passes the chest X-ray must be taken in Singapore where the full form applies, and the HIV test must be at an MOH-approved laboratory — practically, work pass medicals happen after arrival, during the IPA window before issuance. Keep copies: a report submitted within the past two years can be reused by declaration.
Will diabetes, hypertension or a mental health history block my Singapore pass?
The screening tests target tuberculosis and HIV — those are the two conditions with statutory consequences for long-term stay. The fuller MOM medical form for Work Permit categories does record declared medical history (including mental illness, epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease) and the doctor certifies fitness for the stated occupation, so a condition incompatible with the specific job could matter for lower-wage work passes. But for EP/S Pass medicals and ICA's two-test PR report, chronic managed conditions are not screening grounds, and there is no health-cost assessment of the Australian or New Zealand type. Declare honestly — false statements on medical forms are offences under the Immigration Act.
What vaccinations does my family need for Singapore?
Adults: none for immigration purposes — no work pass or PR medical includes vaccination requirements (yellow fever certificates apply only when arriving from affected countries, under separate travel health rules). Children are different: Singapore's compulsory vaccination laws require diphtheria and measles immunisation, and admission to childcare, kindergarten and dependant pass processes involves verification of immunisation records against the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, administered through the Health Promotion Board. Foreign-issued vaccination records may need translation and verification, so bring complete, English-language (or officially translated) immunisation documentation for each child — it is far easier to assemble before departure than from Singapore.