IPA application explained: what it is, what it does, and who needs to act

Before a migrant domestic worker can board a flight to Singapore, there is a document that has to exist first. It is called the In-Principle Approval, or IPA. Most employers have heard the term. Fewer understand what it does — or what happens when it is handled carelessly.

What the IPA actually is

The IPA is a conditional approval issued by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM). It confirms that MOM has, in principle, agreed to grant a work permit for a specific worker, in a specific household. It is not the work permit itself. Think of it as a formal green light that unlocks the next steps.

The IPA is tied to the employer, the worker, and a validity window. It typically remains valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If the worker does not arrive within that window, the IPA lapses and the process has to restart.

Who applies for it

The employer applies — or authorises a licensed employment agency to apply on their behalf. If you are hiring directly through a platform like Anisya, you handle the application yourself via MOM's Work Permit Online (WPOL) system. MOM provides clear step-by-step guidance on the portal, and the process is more straightforward than many employers expect.

You will need the worker's personal details, passport information, and the details of any previous Singapore work permit if she has worked here before. Accuracy matters. Errors delay approval and, in some cases, require a fresh application.

What the IPA means for the worker

Once issued, the IPA letter is sent to the worker in her home country. This document is what allows her to apply for a visa (where required) and to board her flight. It also contains important information she should read carefully: the employer's name and address, her agreed salary, and the levy rate that applies to her placement.

Workers should keep a copy of their IPA. It is a record of the agreed terms before the work permit is finalised. If anything on the IPA looks different from what was discussed — salary, employer details — that is the moment to raise questions, not after arrival.

After arrival

Within three working days of the worker arriving in Singapore, the employer must complete the work permit formalities with MOM. This includes the medical examination and the settling-in programme for first-time MDWs. The work permit is issued once all conditions are met.

At Anisya, we help employers navigate each of these steps directly, without a middleman inflating the cost. Understanding the IPA is the first step to hiring with confidence.