Singapore raises salary thresholds for foreign PMET workers in 2025-2026
Singapore's government has implemented significant changes to its foreign worker policy for professionals and managers. Starting in 2025 and continuing through 2026, the Employment Pass minimum qualifying salary increased from 5,600 to 6,000 Singapore dollars, with higher requirements in financial services. Meanwhile, the S Pass salary threshold rose to 3,600 dollars. These salary hikes are designed to ensure foreign professionals earn at the top third of local PMET wages. The government also removed caps on work duration for foreign workers and expanded non-traditional source countries. Officials say the policy aims to attract quality talent while protecting local jobs. Over the past decade, 382,000 local PMET positions were created alongside 38,000 foreign professional roles. However, in 2025, foreign workers filled roughly 80 percent of new jobs, reviving debate about local employment opportunities.
Key facts
- EP qualifying salary increased to S$6,000 base by January 2025, rising to S$11,500 by age 45+
- S Pass qualifying salary increased to S$3,600 by 2025, with progression to S$4,500 by 2030
- In the past 10 years, resident PMET jobs grew by 382,000 while foreign PMET (EP/S Pass) roles increased by 38,000
- Singapore citizens comprised 86% of the 328,000 local PMET job growth over the past decade
- Nearly 80% of 55,500 new jobs created in 2025 went to foreign workers
- Dependency ratio ceiling reduced from 77.8% to 75% effective January 2026
- Work permit holders can no longer be capped at 14-26 years employment duration from July 2026
- Government claims for every 1 additional skilled foreign worker hired, 10 PMET jobs were created for locals over the past decade
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Opposition groups and critics argue that despite employment growth statistics, local workers face real challenges. They question whether the 4,000 new PMET jobs created by firms are stable or well-paying, and note that many recent employment gains went to permanent residents and new citizens rather than Singapore-born workers. Concerns persist about older workers, wage stagnation, and the reclassification of existing roles rather than genuine job creation.
Right-leaning coverage: Business and right-leaning outlets emphasize economic necessity and competitiveness. They argue Singapore's small population and aging demographics require foreign talent to maintain growth, tax revenues, and quality services for seniors. Higher salary requirements balance local protection with business needs. They warn that overly restrictive policies risk companies relocating headquarters elsewhere, and note that non-PMET sectors depend heavily on foreign workers for productivity gains.
Limits of this briefing
Data on job quality and stability of newly created PMET positions remains limited. Government figures emphasize aggregate job growth, but individual worker experiences with displacement or wage stagnation are harder to quantify. Critics question whether PR and new citizen growth is adequately separated from Singapore-born resident statistics in official reports.
Sources
- Singapore Government - Ministry of Manpower: Factsheet on Foreign Workforce Policy Announcements at COS 2025 Centre
- Progress Singapore Party: Local PMETs Face Systemic Challenges Left
- The Online Citizen: Tan See Leng's Job Growth Claim Questioned: 1 in 3 New PMETs Were Just Reclassified Left
- Taipei Times / Bloomberg Opinion: Singapore is Making Life Tougher for Global Talent Centre
- US ASEAN: Singapore Updates Foreign Workforce Policy to Support Industry Transformation Centre