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 manage their personnel demands while also maintaining Singapore’s continued 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 reports, 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 reforms will allow organizations to retain experienced personnel for extended periods of time.

 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 continued 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 foreign workers in particular areas such as construction, manufacturing, maritime, and services.  It enables firms to engage foreign 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 foreign talent

Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Manpower Minister, addressed concerns about foreign talent at a parliamentary session, underlining the importance of foreign workers to the local economy.  He stated:

“When we see a foreigner, 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 exist 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,” stated the president.

He noted that during the last 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, demonstrating the complementary role of foreign and local talent in supporting economic progress.

Additional modifications to the employment pass and M-SEP scheme

In addition to work permit reforms, the MOM, as mentioned in the study, will continue to improve the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS), which evaluates employment permit applications.  The government found a favorable trend in businesses lowering their reliance on foreign workers of a single nationality.

These changes are a crucial step in ensuring Singapore’s attractiveness to firms while also supporting worker development.