SINGAPORE – Permissible Activities for Work Pass Exempt Category Restricted
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has restricted the specialized skills that foreign nationals are allowed to perform under the Work Pass Exempt (WPE) category. The amended activities that foreign nationals are now able to perform under the WPE include providing expertise related to the commissioning or audit of a new plant and equipment, and the installing, disassembling, transferring, repairing or maintaining of machines or equipment. Software installation has been removed as a Work Pass exemption activity.
The WPE category allows foreign nationals to perform accepted activities for the duration of a short-term visit pass or 60 days, whichever is shorter. The WPE category limits foreign nationals to a cumulative stay of 90 days per calendar year so if they wish to extend their stay beyond 90 days, they must instead apply for a work permit.