Important Updates
Important Updates
October 6, 2025 | CanadaToronto Star: How Canada Can Take Advantage of Donald Trump’s $100,000 Charge for Skilled Worker Visas — and How Canada Can Lose Out
October 7, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: EU Entry/Exit System Implementation Forthcoming
October 7, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
October 7, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Electronic Arrival Card to Replace Paper Disembarkation Card
October 7, 2025 | UruguayUruguay: Delays in Renewals of Local Identification Cards
October 6, 2025 | CanadaToronto Star: How Canada Can Take Advantage of Donald Trump’s $100,000 Charge for Skilled Worker Visas — and How Canada Can Lose Out
October 7, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: EU Entry/Exit System Implementation Forthcoming
October 7, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
October 7, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Electronic Arrival Card to Replace Paper Disembarkation Card
October 7, 2025 | UruguayUruguay: Delays in Renewals of Local Identification Cards
October 6, 2025 | CanadaToronto Star: How Canada Can Take Advantage of Donald Trump’s $100,000 Charge for Skilled Worker Visas — and How Canada Can Lose Out
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Singapore: Temporary Increase in Work Pass Quotas for Eligible Companies

December 16, 2022

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • SingaporeSingapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • The Singapore government is now accepting applications for temporary increases in work pass quotas under the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme. 
  • Companies seeking to apply under the M-SEP must participate in at least one of the economic schemes under any of the five agencies of the Singapore government and must commit to hire or provide suitable training to the same number of locals as the additional quotas that are being sought.
  • Eligible companies will be given a renewable increased work pass quota of up to 5% of their existing base workforce, capped at 50 additional workers, for two years at a time.

The situation

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of Singapore is now accepting applications (per entity) for temporary increases in S Pass and Work Permit quotas under the new Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme.

A closer look

  • Eligibility. Applicants must meet both the following two conditions in order to be eligible to apply for additional quotas under the M-SEP:
    • The company applying for additional quotas must either be already part of at least one industry deemed part of the country’s economic scheme (i.e., investments supporting Singapore’s ‘hub strategy’, innovation or research and development and internationalization), or been deemed to meet certain economic criteria by any of the following Singapore government agencies:
      • Economic Development Board (EDB);
      • Enterprise Singapore;
      • Infocomm Media Development Authority;
      • Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); and
      • Singapore Tourism Board.
    • The company applying for additional quotas must commit to hire, or send for training the same number of locals as the additional quota it seeks within two years.
      • These local workers sent for training must be enrolled in one of 10 recognized training programs from the EDB, SkillsFuture, Workforce Singapore or MPA.
      • Companies who are considered industry leaders that fill critical skill gaps and benefits their sector also can be considered to meet the second condition.
  • Additional quotas. Successful applicants, which the government will cap at 1% of all registered business entities in Singapore, will receive an additional 5% quota of their existing base work force but cannot exceed an additional 50 workers for two years at a time (renewable) under the M-SEP scheme. Generally, companies are capped at hiring S Pass holders at 10% of the company’s total workforce in the services sector and 18% (15% starting January 1, 2023) in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process sectors.

Impact

  • Addressing skills shortage. Eligible applicants benefit from additional S Pass and Work Permit slots that will allow them to access a larger talent pool beyond the local labor market in Singapore, especially those in the construction, manufacturing, marine shipyard and process sectors where the S Pass quota is set to decrease from 18% to just 15% starting January 1, 2023.
  • Compliance. Applicants seeking to apply for or renew the increased quota grant will be required to show that they have met their commitments and maintained their local workforce share. Companies who fail to do so will be ineligible to apply for renewal for two years and may jeopardize future participation in government-led programs. 

Background

  • Exception to the regular tightening of quotas. This is the first time the MOM is introducing an exception to quota requirements, which is regularly reviewed and has been progressively cut since July 2012.
  • Complementing forthcoming immigration framework. The changes are in line with the government’s aim of supporting companies’ contributions to Singapore’s economy, which would have otherwise been restricted by the forthcoming immigration schemes, such as the points-based system for Employment Pass assessments.

Looking ahead

It is likely that the Singapore government will continue to tighten on the general number of S Pass and Work Permit holders but may continue to introduce new temporary immigration schemes that will allow high-value companies in certain industries to address skills shortages as exceptions.

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].

Country / Territory

  • SingaporeSingapore

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Italian Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Process

Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: How Canada Can Take Advantage of Donald Trump’s $100,000 Charge for Skilled Worker Visas — and How Canada Can Lose Out

Partner Rick Lamanna shares key insights on how Canada can retain skilled workers and navigate shifting talent flows under changing US visa rules.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Video

Italian Citizenship by Descent: Eligibility, Benefits and Application Process

Learn how to claim Italian citizenship through ancestry. This complete guide covers eligibility requirements, benefits and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: How Canada Can Take Advantage of Donald Trump’s $100,000 Charge for Skilled Worker Visas — and How Canada Can Lose Out

Partner Rick Lamanna shares key insights on how Canada can retain skilled workers and navigate shifting talent flows under changing US visa rules.

Learn more

Video

Bangladesh: Security Clearances and Challenges

Senior Manager Corrine Tan and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Joycelyn Ang discuss Bangladesh’s work permit security clearance process.

Learn more

Media mentions

The American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible

Partner Bo Cooper outlines how the proposed H-1B changes could affect Big Law hiring for foreign lawyers.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年9月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Computer Weekly: How UK Immigration Must Evolve to Attract the Best Global Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev highlights how UK immigration must adapt to attract, retain and support the world’s top talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Compliance: Is Your Firm Violating Visa Rules?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Amanda Ong highlight rising UK construction sponsor licence risks and how businesses can stay compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Abeer Al Husseini Recognised at the Gulf Business Awards 2025

Partner Abeer Al Husseini is recognised on the shortlist for "Women Leader of the Year" at the Gulf Business Awards 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Washington Post: How Companies Might Avoid Trump’s New $100K Visa

Co-Chair Enrique Gonzalez highlights approaches for companies navigating changes to the H-1B visa process.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.