In 2025, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of Singapore has made major changes to the Work Permit system that will ensure a more controlled foreign employment but focus on the development of local workforce. Such changes have influenced both the employers and foreign workers in various sectors as they affect the eligibility, the salary threshold, the age limit, and the process of application.
Important Modifications to Eligibility and Age Limit
Since July 1, 2025, the maximum age of employment of the holders of the Work Permit has been increased by 3 years to 63 years old, which coincides with the national retirement age in Singapore. Moreover, the upper limit of ages of the new applicants of Work Permits has been raised to 61 years old as compared to 50 years old in non-Malaysians and 58 years old in Malaysians. This growth gives employers an opportunity to hire experienced foreign employees and offers an additional staffing choice. The former limit on the maximum number of years of employment (between 14 and 26 based on nationality and industry) is removed, where employment can be renewed and subjected to indefinite employment.
Increased Pay Floors and Industry-Based Revisions
In other areas like manufacturing, marine and construction, MOM has also increased minimum pay requirements. Employers are now left with no option but to pay high initial wages to foreign workers in such industries in order to maintain their competitiveness and motivate workforce. In case of Employment Pass holders, monthly qualifying salaries rose to S$5,000 to S$5,600 in majority of the sectors, and in the case of financial services, it went to S$6,200.
Application Process Digitalised
Starting in 2025, any work permit application or renewal will have to be applied through the online portal of MOM. The digitalisation is supposed to make submissions simpler in order to decrease the processing time and improve transparency. Before employers apply to take in foreign workers, they must post evidence of their local hiring process, including evidence of job postings, and local job fairs. The fact that compliance audits are conducted monthly, and non-compliance is penalized in real-time reflects the heightened regulatory stringency.
Increased Countries of Source and Extraction Occupations
Six countries, Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos, are introduced to the list of approved countries of source of foreign workers since June 2025. It is also broadened to the Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List that brings positions such as heavy vehicle drivers, manufacturing operators, and cooks of various cuisines in effect September 1, 2025. These reforms expand talent, and solve severe workforce deficiencies in certain areas.
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| Retirement Age of Maximum Employment | Increased to 63 years. |
| Ceasing Age of New Applicants | Increased to 61 years (Non-Malaysians and Malaysians) |
| Salary limits | Salaries raised on key sectors; EP minimum S$5,600. |
| Cap on employment Period | None removed (No limit) |
| Application Process | All digital through MOM portal. |
| New Source Countries | Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos added (June 2025) |
| Extended Occupations | Added cooks, heavy vehicle drivers, etc. (Sep 2025) |
FAQs
Who are the victims of these new work permit prescriptions?
Employers who employ the foreign and foreign job seekers when seeking employment or renewing their Work Permits and Employment Passes in Singapore.
What is the highest working age in work permit holders?
An increase of 3 years instead of 60 years, effective on July 1, 2025.
What does the employers do to demonstrate their attempts to employ locals?
Through the provision of such documentation like job postings or evidence of attending job fairs prior to application of foreign workers.
Such updates in 2025 are testimonies of the Singaporean effort to balance the desires of its domestic labor force and not to lose the access to international talent. To eliminate delays in application and fines, employers and foreign workers are advised to learn the new rules and comply with them to prevent this problem. On the MOM site, one can find official and detailed information.
