Singapore has announced sweeping reforms to its foreign manpower regulations set to take effect in 2025. These changes, spanning Work Permits, S Passes, and Employment Passes, are designed to enhance workforce stability, address labor shortages, and better align foreign hiring with local economic goals.
From July 1, 2025, the Ministry of Manpower will abolish the maximum employment duration for Work Permit holders, which previously ranged from 14 to 26 years depending on nationality and sector. Workers can now remain employed indefinitely, provided they continue to meet eligibility and business needs ASEAN BriefingSeasia.coseamlessbs.com.
Effective July 2025, the upper age limit for Work Permit holders will increase from 60 to 63 years, aligning with Singapore’s official retirement age. Additionally, new applicants will be eligible up to 61 years—a jump from 50 for most non-Malaysians and 58 for Malaysians ASEAN Briefingheysara.sgNairametrics.
From June 1, 2025, employers may hire Work Permit holders from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos, expanding beyond traditional source countries ASEAN BriefingTrinity PassSeasia.co.
Moreover, effective September 1, 2025, the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List will expand to include roles like heavy vehicle drivers, additional manufacturing jobs, and cooks across all cuisines (not just Indian cuisine) ASEAN BriefingSeasia.cobatamnewsasia.com. Employers must offer a minimum monthly wage of S$2,000, and NTS workers are capped at 8% of total headcount (excluding EP holders) Seasia.co.
Starting September 1, 2025, minimum qualifying salaries for S Pass holders will rise:
General sectors: from S$3,150 to S$3,300
Financial services: from S$3,650 to S$3,800
The Tier 1 levy will increase from S$550 to S$650; Tier 2 will remain unchanged ASEAN BriefingSeasia.coB A L | Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP.
Although not specific to Work Permits, adjustments for Employment Passes are key to the broader foreign workforce picture:
From January 1, 2025, new EP applicants must meet higher salary thresholds:
General: from S$5,000 to S$5,600
Financial sector: from S$5,500 to S$6,200
Older applicants (e.g., in their 40s) may need to earn significantly more, with thresholds reaching up to S$10,700 or higher americansephardifederation.comwokd.com.auPeople Matters.
Introduction of the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) point-based system (effective 2025) assesses EP applicants based on salary, qualifications, diversity, local hiring commitment, strategic skills, and sector alignment. A minimum score—around 40 points—is required for approval americansephardifederation.comPeople Matters.
The Fair Consideration Framework (FCF) is strengthened: employers must advertise job openings for at least 14 days and maintain documentation to justify hiring foreign over local candidates americansephardifederation.comPeople MattersWikipedia.
These changes reflect Singapore’s strategic shift toward:
Strengthening workforce retention by removing employment caps and raising age limits.
Enhancing hiring flexibility through expanded national and occupational pools.
Raising quality standards for foreign talent—particularly via S Pass increases and the COMPASS framework.
Ensuring local integration via stricter compliance and consideration of Singaporean candidates first People Mattersseamlessbs.combatamnewsasia.com.
Primary keywords to highlight:
Singapore 2025 Work Permit changes
Work Permit rules Singapore
S Pass salary increase 2025
Employment Pass COMPASS framework
Singapore foreign worker reforms 2025
SEO strategies:
Use H2/H3 headers for clarity and keyword placement.
Write concise meta descriptions emphasizing key changes (“abolished employment caps,” “expanded source countries,” “higher salary thresholds”).
Include FAQ section targeting common queries like “When does Singapore remove WP duration cap?” or “What new S Pass salary thresholds are in 2025?”
Q1: When will Work Permit employment caps be removed in Singapore?
A: From July 1, 2025, the maximum duration limit for Work Permit holders is abolished.
Q2: Which new countries are eligible for Work Permits?
A: From June 1, 2025, employers can hire from Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos.
Q3: What are the new S Pass salary requirements for 2025?
A: Starting September 1, 2025, S Pass salary minimums are S$3,300 (general) and S$3,800 (financial services), with the Tier 1 levy rising to S$650.
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