Singapore To Change Work Permit Rules To Help Employers Hire And Keep Foreign Talent The Singapore government plans to make modifications to its work permit laws to provide employers more freedom in attracting and keeping international talent.
The amendments, which take effect on July 1st, 2025, are intended to provide companies with more opportunities to better administer their personnel demands while also maintaining Singapore’s abide competitiveness in the global job market.
According to Channel News Asia (CNA), work visa holders would no longer be limited to a maximum employment time beginning July 1st.
Previously, the duration varied between 14 and 26 years, based on characteristics such as skill level, sector, and place of origin.
This change brings work permit holders in line with current laws that apply to workers from Malaysia and four North Asian countries: Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan, who have no time limits on their employment.
Increased the maximum employment age
Along with the end of the maximum employment duration, the government plans to raise the employment age for work permit holders. According to reveals, the maximum employment age would increase from 60 to 63, which corresponds to Singapore’s statutory retirement age.
Furthermore, the age restriction for new work visa applicants will rise to 61 from 50 for non-Malaysians and 58 for Malaysians. These improves will allow organizations to retain experienced personnel for extended periods of time.
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Expanded worker resources
According to rumors, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) would broaden the list of sources for work permit holders to include other nations in order to meet the abide labor need.
Additional adjustments will take effect on September 1st, when the list of qualified jobs for workers in manufacturing and services will be expanded to include cooks, heavy vehicle drivers, and manufacturing operators.
Pass qualifying wage increased
To ensure that firms hire competent workers, the government will increase the qualifying pay for S Pass holders.
The Singapore government issues the S Pass, a work visa for mid-skilled alien workers in particular areas such as construction, manufacturing, maritime, and services. It enables firms to engage alien workers who meet specified conditions, such as a minimum salary and necessary educational or skill-based requirements.
According to the study, from September 1st, 2025, the qualifying wage will increase from S$3,150 to S$3,300.
Furthermore, the qualifying income in the financial services sector will rise from S$3,650 to S$3,800, with additional increases dependent on age.
Minister Tan See Leng’s remarks regarding alien talent
Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Manpower Minister, addressed concerns about alien talent at a parliamentary session, accentuating the importance of alien workers to the local economy. He disclosed:
“When we see an outlander, we think, ‘They are taking a job that a local could have had.'” But what is more difficult to comprehend is that without access to foreigners, the company and its workers may not breathe in Singapore at all.”
“We should never develop a ‘Singaporean only’ mentality, because this would deprive us of talent needed to anchor global businesses that benefit Singaporeans,” said the president.
He noted that during the latest decade, while the number of employment pass and S Pass holders increased by 38,000, the number of local professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) increased by 382,000, protesting the complementary role of alien and local talent in backing economic progress.
Additional modifications to the employment pass and M-SEP scheme
In addition to work permit amends, the MOM, as mentioned in the study, will endure to amend the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), which assesses employment permit applications. The government found a favorable trend in businesses lowering their reliance on alien workers of a single nationality.
These changes are a crucial step in ensuring Singapore’s attractiveness to firms while also indorsing worker development.
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Category: World-News
Tag: Singapore To Change Work Permit Rules To Help Employers Hire And Keep Foreign Talent
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Published 3/7/2025