Singapore Immigration Update 2026: 7 Major Changes You Need to Know

Expanded Non-Traditional Source Occupation List From 1 September 2026

One of the biggest developments in the latest Singapore Immigration Update 2026 is the expansion of the Non-Traditional Source Occupation List (NTS-OL).

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower expanded the list from 1 September 2026, adding eight occupations in areas where employers may face difficulties attracting local workers.

The 8 Newly Added NTS Occupations

• Cabin attendants
• Babysitters and infant caregivers
• Child and after-school care centre workers
• Teacher aides
• Butchers, fishmongers and related food preparers
• Food and drink stall assistants
• Kitchen assistants
• Waiters

The expansion is particularly relevant to the food services, social services and air transportation sectors.

For example, employers hiring cabin attendants must meet relevant Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore requirements. Childcare employers must meet applicable Early Childhood Development Centre or ChildMinding Pilot requirements, while food-service employers must satisfy the relevant work-pass and Singapore Food Agency licensing requirements.

NTS workers must also be paid a fixed monthly salary of at least S$2,000.

If you are an employer or candidate considering one of these occupations, you can check your eligibility for Singapore immigration options before beginning the application process.

Singapore Employment Pass Qualifying Salary Increase 2027

The Employment Pass remains one of Singapore’s main routes for foreign professionals, managers, executives and specialised employees.

The current minimum qualifying salary for general sectors is S$5,600 per month. For financial services, the current minimum is S$6,200 per month.

However, from 1 January 2027, the minimum will rise.

The salary is also progressive according to age. Therefore, older applicants generally face a higher qualifying salary than younger applicants.

Meeting the salary requirement is only the first stage. Applicants normally also need to satisfy the COMPASS framework unless an exemption applies.

Employers planning 2027 recruitment should therefore review salary packages early rather than waiting until the new threshold takes effect.

Singapore EP COMPASS Requirements: What Applicants Need to Know

The Employment Pass system uses the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) for eligible applications.

COMPASS considers factors such as:

• Salary compared with local professionals, managers, executives and technicians.
• Applicant qualifications.
• Nationality diversity within the employer’s workforce.
• The employer’s support for local employment.
• Skills-shortage considerations.
• Strategic economic priorities in applicable cases.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that reaching the basic salary floor automatically means an EP will be approved.

For employers, the practical question is not simply whether the candidate earns S$5,600 or S$6,000. The company should also examine whether the proposed position and candidate can satisfy the wider EP framework.

You can evaluate your EP salary and eligibility requirements before submitting an application.

Singapore S Pass Qualifying Salary Increase 2027

The S Pass is designed for eligible foreign skilled workers, particularly associate professionals and technicians.

The current minimum qualifying salary for most sectors is S$3,300 per month. Financial-services applicants currently face a minimum of S$3,800.

The S Pass also operates within Singapore’s foreign-worker quota system. This means employers must consider both the candidate’s salary and the company’s workforce composition.

Employers can calculate their workforce eligibility and review S Pass requirements before hiring.

New ONE Pass AI & Tech Track From January 2027

Singapore is also changing its approach to attracting senior technology talent.

The Ministry of Manpower has announced a new ONE Pass (AI and Tech) track from January 2027. It is intended to replace the Tech.Pass and provide more attractive terms for established technology professionals.

The new route is particularly relevant to senior talent working in areas such as artificial intelligence and advanced technology.

Existing Tech.Pass holders can continue to stay in Singapore until their approved pass expires. However, EDB will stop accepting new and renewal Tech.Pass applications from 28 January 2027.

Senior technology professionals should therefore compare their current Tech.Pass options with the upcoming ONE Pass AI & Tech framework before making a 2027 immigration decision.

Singapore Work Pass Processing Times in 2026

Another important part of the Singapore Immigration Update 2026 is processing time.

These are official processing or update timelines rather than guarantees of approval. Applications requiring additional documents or clarification may take longer.

Singapore PR Fees and Processing Time

For eligible foreign professionals and families, Singapore Permanent Residence remains an important long-term immigration option.

The current PR application fee is S$100 per applicant.

For approved applicants, additional completion fees can include:

• S$20 for the Entry Permit.
• S$50 for a five-year Re-Entry Permit.
• S$50 for the Singapore Identity Card.

ICA states that PR applications are generally processed within 6 months when the required documents are submitted and in order, although some applications can take longer.

For applicants considering permanent settlement, the PR process should be treated as a separate assessment rather than an automatic result of holding an Employment Pass or S Pass.

If you are planning your long-term settlement strategy, contact our visa specialists for Singapore PR guidance.

Singapore Immigration Update 2026: Key Numbers at a Glance

What Singapore Immigration Changes Mean for Applicants and Employers

The latest Singapore Immigration Update 2026 shows that Singapore is following a targeted immigration strategy.

For professional workers, the direction is toward higher salary expectations and stronger assessment standards. The upcoming EP and S Pass increases demonstrate this clearly.

For employers in sectors facing recruitment challenges, the NTS expansion provides additional access to foreign workers in selected occupations.

For senior technology professionals, the upcoming ONE Pass AI & Tech pathway represents a potentially attractive alternative to the existing Tech.Pass framework.

For PR applicants, ICA continues to assess applications individually, with a stated processing period of around six months when documentation is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions About Singapore Immigration Update 2026