Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 14 entries shown

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Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 1 Jan 2026
Announced Visa & immigration

COMPASS scoring updated — sector benchmarks, qualifications list, Shortage Occupation List

MOM published an updated COMPASS scoring round in September 2025: sector-specific salary benchmarks recalibrated (most upward), recognised institutions list refreshed (additions to top-tier and degree-equivalent professional qualifications), and the Shortage Occupation List updated with new eligible roles and tighter conditions.

Who it affects: New EP applicants from January 2026; renewals from July 2026.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · Singapore Economic Development Board ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jul 2025
In force Labour

Work Permit maximum employment age raised to 63

MOM raised the maximum employment age for Work Permit holders from 60 to 63 from 1 July 2025, with the maximum permissible employment period in Singapore extended in parallel for non-Malaysian Work Permit holders. Reflects continued structural labour shortages in lower-skill sectors.

Who it affects: Foreign Work Permit holders in construction, marine, manufacturing, and services.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Apr 2025
In force Residency

Overseas Singaporean Unit talent-attraction programme expanded

The Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) under the Public Service Division expanded its return-to-Singapore programme for overseas Singaporean professionals — accelerated EP processing for foreign spouses, additional housing-search support, and signalling-targeted partnership with Contact Singapore. Indirect effect on the EP pipeline; explicit prioritisation of Singaporean-citizen-led talent flows.

Who it affects: Singaporean citizens overseas considering return; broader signal on talent attraction.

Prime Minister's Office, Singapore ↗ · Singapore Economic Development Board ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Visa & immigration

Employment Pass minimum salary raised to S$5,600 (S$6,200 financial services)

MOM raised the Employment Pass minimum monthly salary from S$5,000 to S$5,600 for general sectors and from S$5,500 to S$6,200 for financial services, effective for new applications from 1 January 2025 and renewals from 1 January 2026. Age-band progression also recalibrated — minimum for mid-40s applicants now S$10,700 / S$11,800.

Who it affects: New EP applicants from 1 January 2025; existing EP holders affected at next renewal.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · Singapore Economic Development Board ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2024
In force Visa & immigration

S Pass minimum salary raised to S$3,150 (S$3,650 financial services)

MOM raised the S Pass minimum monthly salary from S$3,000 to S$3,150 (general) and to S$3,650 (financial services) effective 1 September 2024. Continuing the steady multi-year tightening of the lower-skill foreign-worker bands. Foreign Worker Levy and Dependency Ratio Ceiling rules unchanged in this round.

Who it affects: Mid-skilled foreign workers and Singapore employers using the S Pass.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 May 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Dependant's Pass Letter of Consent (LOC) work pathway tightened

From May 2024, MOM further tightened the Letter of Consent pathway under which Dependant's Pass holders could work in Singapore. New LOCs are issued only in narrowly-defined situations; most DP holders seeking work must apply for a substantive work pass (EP/S Pass) in their own right. Existing LOCs remain valid for the duration of the underlying DP.

Who it affects: Dependant's Pass holders previously working in Singapore via LOC.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Apr 2024
In force Labour

Workplace fairness and Tripartite Guidelines updated

The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices issued updated workplace-fairness guidance in early 2024 ahead of the upcoming Workplace Fairness Legislation (expected 2025-2026). Strengthened guidance on hiring discrimination based on nationality and the obligation to consider Singaporeans first under the Fair Consideration Framework — which remains foundational to the COMPASS sector-diversity criterion.

Who it affects: All Singapore employers and employees, including foreign hires.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · Prime Minister's Office, Singapore ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Visa & immigration

Tech.Pass programme relaunch under EDB administration

EDB relaunched the Tech.Pass programme in 2024 with restructured eligibility (any 2 of 3 criteria: salary ≥ S$22,500/month, leadership of a tech product/team with ≥ 100k MAU or US$100M revenue / US$10M funding, lead role launching a tech product). Programme had been quietly de-emphasised between 2022 and early 2024; the relaunch signals renewed prioritisation.

Who it affects: Senior tech-sector leaders and product founders.

Singapore Economic Development Board ↗ · Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Residency

Permanent Residence eligibility frameworks unchanged but applications competitive

No formal eligibility changes to the Singapore Permanent Residence schemes (Professionals/Technical Personnel and Skilled Worker; Investor; Foreign Artistic Talent; Global Investor Programme) through 2024–2025. ICA continues to operate a discretionary, points-influenced selection process; approval rates remain low and unpublished. PR application timelines remain 4–6 months typical.

Who it affects: Long-term EP and S Pass holders considering PR application.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

GST raised from 8% to 9% (second tranche of 2022 reform)

Goods and Services Tax rose from 8% to 9% on 1 January 2024 — the second tranche of the staged GST increase announced in Budget 2022 (first tranche took GST from 7% to 8% on 1 January 2023). Offset by enhanced GST Voucher payouts to lower-income households; not offset for foreign residents.

Who it affects: All Singapore residents and visitors — direct cost-of-living input.

IRAS — Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ↗ · Prime Minister's Office, Singapore ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2024
In force Taxation

Top personal income tax rate raised to 24%

The top marginal personal income tax rate rose to 24% on chargeable income above S$1 million from year-of-assessment 2024 (previously 22%). The lower bands were unchanged. A meaningful but not-dramatic move; Singapore's overall personal-tax position remains highly competitive against North American or Western European jurisdictions.

Who it affects: High-income Singapore tax residents.

IRAS — Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2023
In force Visa & immigration

COMPASS framework introduced for Employment Pass applications

The Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) — Singapore's points-based EP eligibility test — came into effect for new applications from September 2023 and for renewals from September 2024. Applicants must score ≥ 40 points across four foundational criteria (salary, qualifications, diversity contribution, skills shortage). Applicants with a fixed salary ≥ S$22,500 are exempt. Has materially reshaped employer hiring pipelines and demonstrably tightened the EP filter.

Who it affects: All EP applicants and Singapore employers sponsoring EP candidates.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · Singapore Economic Development Board ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Sept 2023
Repealed Visa & immigration

Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) discontinued for new applications

MOM discontinued new Personalised Employment Pass applications from September 2023. The PEP — which had allowed mid-tier mobile professionals to retain a Singapore work-pass independent of any single employer — was effectively superseded by the higher-bar ONE Pass and the recalibrated EP. Existing PEP holders continue to operate under their existing terms until expiry.

Who it affects: Mid-tier global mobile professionals previously using the PEP.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass introduced

The ONE Pass — Singapore's top-tier work pass — launched 1 January 2023. Two pathways: salary track (fixed monthly S$30,000+ for past year, or confirmed Singapore role at that level) or extraordinary-talent track (recognised peer-evaluated achievements in arts, sports, science, academia, technology). 5-year validity, renewable; allows multi-employer concurrent work.

Who it affects: Top-tier global talent considering Singapore.

Singapore Ministry of Manpower ↗ · Singapore Economic Development Board ↗ · verified 2026-04-19