Salary Thresholds for Calculating Foreign National Worker Quota Set to Increase
June 6, 2017

Effective July 1, 2017, the Ministry of Manpower will implement planned increases in the salary thresholds used to categorize local workers as either full-time or part-time employees for purposes of calculating the available foreign national worker quota for employers sponsoring S Pass and Work Permit applications. A further increase is set to take effect next year on the same date.
Increased Salary Thresholds Expected
For one year, starting from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, local workers earning at least SGD 1,100 will be counted as full-time employees, while those earning SGD 550 to below SGD 1,100 will be counted as part-time employees.
On July 1, 2018, the threshold will again increase with local workers earning at least SGD 1,200 counted as full-time employees, while those earning SGD 600 to below SGD 1,200 counted as part-time employees.
For purposes of calculating the foreign national worker quota, two part-time local employees are equivalent to one full-time local employee. Employers with more local workers in their workforce are generally granted higher quotas to sponsor foreign national workers. Local employees earning less than the threshold amount will not be counted towards the quota.
The government regularly reviews these figures in order to line up with current income trends. The last review was completed in 2013.
What This Means for Employers
Employers of S Pass or Work Permit holders will be affected by this change. They can consider increasing the salaries of local employees or hiring more local workers in order to offset any loss of allocated quota as a result of the impending change.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Video
In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Blog post
Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Fragomen news
Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Media mentions
Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Blog post
Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Blog post
Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Video
In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Video
In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Blog post
Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Fragomen news
Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Media mentions
Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Blog post
Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Blog post
Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Blog post
Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Video
In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Blog post
Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Media mentions
Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.