Singapore NTS Occupation List Expansion 2025–2026: New Jobs, Countries & Rules – Complete Guide for Employers & Workers

Singapore NTS Occupation List expands in 2025–2026 with new jobs and countries.

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) continues to refine its foreign workforce policies to address labor shortages while protecting local jobs. The Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List is a key tool allowing employers in the Manufacturing and Services sectors to hire Work Permit holders from specific countries for designated roles — often at lower salary thresholds than S Pass requirements.

Recent updates (announced in Budget 2025 and 2026 debates) have expanded both eligible occupations and source countries. Here’s the full, up-to-date breakdown as of March 2026.

What Is the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List?

The NTS Occupation List lets approved employers hire foreign workers under Work Permits (instead of higher-tier S Passes) for hard-to-fill, non-PMET (non-professional, managerial, executive, technical) roles where local supply is limited.

Key controls remain strict:

• Minimum fixed monthly salary: SGD 2,000

• NTS hires capped at 8% of the company’s total workforce (NTS sub-Dependency Ratio Ceiling)

• Subject to sector quotas, levies, and other Work Permit rules

This helps businesses retain experienced workers amid rising S Pass salary thresholds.

Major 2025 Update: Expanded Occupations & New Source Countries

March 2025 announcement (effective dates below):

• From June 1, 2025: Added Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos to NTS countries (Joining existing: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand)

• From September 1, 2025: Added new occupations including:

  • Heavy vehicle drivers (e.g., trailer truck/lorry drivers — requires valid Class 4 or 5 license as of September 1, 2025)

  • Various manufacturing operator roles

  • Cooks (now in any restaurant, removing previous restrictions like “Indian restaurants only”)

These changes provide more flexible Work Permit options for non-PMET roles, helping raise overall quality standards for S Pass holders.

Latest 2026 Update: Eight More Occupations Added from September 2026

March 3–11, 2026 announcement (effective September 1, 2026):

MOM will add eight new occupations across Food Services, Social Services, and Air Transportation sectors to the NTS Occupation List.

New roles include:

• Butchers, fishmongers, and related food preparers

• Food and drink stall assistants

• Kitchen assistants

• Waiters

• Cabin attendants (cabin crew)

• Babysitters or infant caregivers

• Educarers

• Teacher aides

These additions target sectors facing persistent manpower challenges and limited local interest, allowing employers to hire higher-quality non-PMET workers from NTS countries.

More detailed hiring requirements (e.g., qualifications, licensing) will be published on MOM’s website closer to implementation.

Full List of NTS-Eligible Countries (as of 2026)

Employers can hire NTS Work Permit holders from:

• Bangladesh

• Bhutan

• Cambodia

• India

• Laos

• Myanmar

• Philippines

• Sri Lanka

• Thailand

(Note: Malaysia, PRC, and North Asian sources like Hong Kong/Macau/South Korea/Taiwan have separate rules and are not part of the main NTS list for these expansions.)

Who Benefits & Why These Changes Matter

• Employers (especially in F&B, manufacturing, social services, aviation): Gain access to a wider, more diverse talent pool amid labor shortages.

• Workers from NTS countries: More job opportunities in Singapore for mid-skilled roles with regulated protections (minimum salary, quotas).

• Overall policy goal: Balance foreign manpower needs with local employment priorities, while pushing companies to upgrade roles and wages.

These expansions follow earlier NTS introductions (e.g., housekeepers/porters in hotels from 2023) and aim to ease pressure from higher S Pass/EP salary thresholds.

How to Apply or Prepare

1. Check your company’s sector (Manufacturing/Services) and current dependency ratios/quotas via WP Online.

2. Ensure candidates meet minimum salary (SGD 2,000 fixed monthly) and any role-specific requirements (e.g., licenses for drivers).

3. Submit Work Permit applications through MOM’s portal — never use unlicensed agents.

4. Monitor mom.gov.sg for exact implementation details, especially for the September 2026 additions.

Pro tip for workers: Focus on building relevant skills/certifications (e.g., food handling, caregiving qualifications) to stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can any employer hire from the NTS list?

No — only firms in Manufacturing/Services sectors, with valid licenses where required (e.g., SFA for food roles), and within quotas.

Does this replace S Pass?

No — it provides an alternative for specific lower-skilled roles; S Pass remains for higher-skilled positions with higher salary thresholds.

Will locals lose jobs?

MOM emphasizes these roles have low local take-up. Companies must still prioritize locals and face strict caps.

Any changes to levies or bonds?

Standard Work Permit levies apply; no major changes announced for NTS specifically.

Stay Updated on Singapore Work Permits & Immigration

Singapore’s foreign workforce rules evolve quickly to support economic needs. For the latest official announcements:

• Visit MOM’s NTS page: Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List

Need more guides on USA, Singapore, or global visas? Check our full collection: USA & International Visa Updates

Your gateway to Singapore work opportunities just got wider — prepare now for these exciting changes in 2025 and 2026!

Last updated: March 2026 | Sourced from MOM official announcements