At the Committee of Supply debate in March 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced the following foreign workforce changes.
Employment Pass (EP)
- Minimum qualifying salary raised to S$6,000 (from S$5,600), rising with age to S$11,500 for candidates aged 45 and above.
- Financial services: S$6,600 (from S$6,200), rising with age to S$12,700.
- Applies to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals from 1 January 2028.
S Pass
- Minimum qualifying salary raised to S$3,600 (from S$3,300), rising with age to S$5,100. Financial services: S$4,000 (from S$3,800).
- Applies to new applications from 1 January 2027 and renewals from 1 January 2028.
Local Qualifying Salary (LQS)
- Raised to S$1,800 per month (from S$1,600) from 1 July 2026.
- Locals earning S$900 to below S$1,800 count as half a local employee for quota purposes.
Work Permit (from 2028)
- Marine Shipyard: Basic-skilled (R2) levy raised to S$600 (from S$500).
- Process: Basic-skilled (R2) levy raised by S$150.
- Services and Manufacturing: Levy tiers simplified from three to two.
- NTS Occupation List: More occupations in food services, social services and air transport added from September 2026.
ONE Pass (AI and Tech) Track
- From January 2027, replaces the Tech.Pass for top AI and technology talent.
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