Starting July 1, 2025, Singapore will implement significant changes to its work permit system. The most notable change is the removal of the maximum employment period for work permit holders, which currently ranges from 14 to 26 years.
This change will not apply to migrant domestic workers, who operate under different regulations.
The maximum employment age for work permit holders will also increase from 60 to 63 years, aligning with Singapore's local retirement age. This means your company can retain foreign workers until they reach 63 years of age.
Additionally, the age limit for new work permit applications will be raised to 61 years old (two years below the new maximum employment age).
These modifications aim to help businesses maintain experienced workers who can still contribute productively to the workforce.
Currently, the requirements differ by nationality:
Work Permit Age Requirements (Current vs. New)
| Category | Current Age Limit | New Age Limit (from July 1, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum employment age | 60 years | 63 years |
| New applications (non-Malaysian) | Below 50 years | Below 61 years |
| New applications (Malaysian) | Below 58 years | Below 61 years |
Starting July 1, 2025, Singapore will implement significant changes to its work permit system. The most notable change is the removal of the maximum employment period for work permit holders, which currently ranges from 14 to 26 years.
This change will not apply to migrant domestic workers, who operate under different regulations.
The maximum employment age for work permit holders will also increase from 60 to 63 years, aligning with Singapore's local retirement age. This means your company can retain foreign workers until they reach 63 years of age.
Additionally, the age limit for new work permit applications will be raised to 61 years old (two years below the new maximum employment age).
These modifications aim to help businesses maintain experienced workers who can still contribute productively to the workforce.
Currently, the requirements differ by nationality:
Work Permit Age Requirements (Current vs. New)
Starting from July 1, 2025, the age limits for employment and work pass applications will be updated as follows:
From September 1, 2025, the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List will expand to include more occupations.
This list allows employers in the services and manufacturing sectors to hire workers from a wider range of countries under the work permit scheme rather than through S Passes.
New additions to the list will include:
To qualify for these positions, workers must:
Currently, the NTS economies include:
From June 1, 2025, three more countries will be added:
This expansion gives your business more options for building a skilled and adaptable workforce. Typically, services and manufacturing employers can only hire work permit holders from China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan.
The Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities scheme, which allows eligible companies to temporarily hire more foreign workers beyond the standard quotas, will also see improvements. Starting May 1, 2025:
Extended Support Period: Approvals will last for three years instead of two years.
More Flexible Qualifying Conditions: Your company can now qualify by:
Expanded Eligible Programs: More programs will count toward qualification for the scheme.
The final stage of previously announced changes to the S Pass system will take effect from September 1, 2025, for new applications, and for renewals of passes expiring from a year later:
Minimum Qualifying Salary Increases:
| Sector | Current Minimum | New Minimum (Sept 1, 2025) | For Mid-40s Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most sectors | $3,150 | $3,300 | Up to $4,800 |
| Financial services | $3,650 | $3,800 | Up to $5,650 |
The S Pass levy rate will be standardized at $650 for all S Pass holders.
To support businesses through these changes, the government has allocated over $400 million for an Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package. This initiative aims to help your company start transformation efforts, with a particular focus on job redesign.
Key components include:
SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant: Launching in phases in 2026, this grant consolidates various existing transformation schemes under a single application channel through the Business Grants Portal.
Program Partners: Your business can access advisors for guidance through every stage of the workforce transformation process.
Enhanced Job Redesign Support: Additional assistance specifically for redesigning jobs to improve productivity.
Redesigned SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit: Updated to better support your company's transformation needs.
A new Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development has been formed by the Ministry of Manpower, together with the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation. This group, which began meeting in February 2025, aims to:
These changes represent a significant shift in Singapore's approach to foreign workforce management. By removing the maximum employment period and increasing the maximum employment age, your company can now:
The Work Permit conditions will still apply, but these changes provide greater flexibility in workforce planning and development.
The Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities scheme, which allows eligible companies to temporarily hire more foreign workers beyond the standard quotas, will also see improvements. Starting May 1, 2025:
Extended Support Period: Approvals will last for three years instead of two years.
More Flexible Qualifying Conditions: Your company can now qualify by:
Expanded Eligible Programs: More programs will count toward qualification for the scheme.
The final stage of previously announced changes to the S Pass system will take effect from September 1, 2025, for new applications, and for renewals of passes expiring from a year later:
Minimum Qualifying Salary Increases:
Starting from September 1, 2025, the minimum salary requirements for S Pass holders will be updated as follows:
The S Pass levy rate will be standardized at $650 for all S Pass holders.
To support businesses through these changes, the government has allocated over $400 million for an Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package. This initiative aims to help your company start transformation efforts, with a particular focus on job redesign.
Key components include:
SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant: Launching in phases in 2026, this grant consolidates various existing transformation schemes under a single application channel through the Business Grants Portal.
Program Partners: Your business can access advisors for guidance through every stage of the workforce transformation process.
Enhanced Job Redesign Support: Additional assistance specifically for redesigning jobs to improve productivity.
Redesigned SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit: Updated to better support your company's transformation needs.
A new Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development has been formed by the Ministry of Manpower, together with the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation. This group, which began meeting in February 2025, aims to:
These changes represent a significant shift in Singapore's approach to foreign workforce management. By removing the maximum employment period and increasing the maximum employment age, your company can now:
The Work Permit conditions will still apply, but these changes provide greater flexibility in workforce planning and development.
