Singapore to end work permit scheme for foreign performing artistes from June 2026

This comes as recent enforcement operations revealed misuse of the passes by syndicates. Existing performers can remain until their passes expire or get cancelled, the Manpower Ministry said. 

Singapore’s Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme will cease from 1 June 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced earlier this week. Introduced in 2008, the scheme allows licensed public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and nightclubs to hire foreign performing artistes on a short-term basis of up to six months.

Recent enforcement operations by MOM and the Singapore Police Force revealed syndicates of non-operating entertainment outlets that hired foreign artistes under the scheme and subsequently released them to work at other public entertainment locations. In view of this widespread abuse, MOM said it has assessed that the scheme no longer serves its original purpose.

In that vein, from 1 June 2026, the ministry will stop accepting new applications for hiring foreign performers under the scheme. Public entertainment outlets may continue to retain existing foreign artistes until their work passes expire or are cancelled.

MOM said it had consulted with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) before finalising the decision, providing outlets sufficient time to make alternative arrangements. Post the scheme's cessation, businesses can hire performers via service providers, employ eligible foreign artistes on a regular work pass, or use the Work Pass Exempt (WPE) framework for short-term performances at government-supported or statutory board events.

The WPE framework allows certain foreigners to carry out specific short-term activities in Singapore without a work pass. To qualify for a WPE, the following conditions must be met:

• You must be engaged for the WPE activity before entering Singapore.
• You must hold a valid short-term visit pass (STVP) issued by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that covers the duration of your activity.
• You must notify MOM of your intention to work in the exempted activity after arriving in Singapore and before starting work.
• You must comply with any other legal requirements in Singapore, such as registration to practise for selected professions.

A WPE activity can be performed over multiple visits, but the total duration must not exceed 90 days in a calendar year.

The framework also covers specific activities such as arbitration or mediation services, exhibitions, and journalism. To find out more, click here.

However, short-term performances at bars, nightclubs, lounges, pubs, hotels, private clubs or restaurants with a category one public entertainment licence remain restricted under WPE. Activities must be pre-arranged, and foreigners must hold a valid short-term visit pass and notify MOM before starting work. Total WPE work is capped at 90 days per calendar year.

MOM and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will continue to work with SNBA to monitor developments in the nightlife sector and ensure smooth transitions for businesses and artistes alike.

The move reflects Singapore’s continued efforts to maintain the integrity of its work pass frameworks while supporting a responsible and well-regulated entertainment sector.

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