13 March 2025

Singapore announces changes to its foreign workforce policy

On 6 March 2025, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced several updates to the country's foreign workforce policy. These changes include increased salary requirements for S Pass holders, simplification of the Work Permit regulations and expansion of the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) Scheme. Under M-SEP, qualifying companies may temporarily obtain additional S Pass and Work Permit quotas of up to 5% of their base workforce headcount (over and above the general quota), enabling them to temporarily hire more foreign nationals to address urgent manpower needs.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY's People Advisory Services, and attached below, provides additional details.

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Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2025-0660