The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced that it will close the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme from June 1, 2026.
The scheme was introduced in 2008 to allow licensed public entertainment outlets such as bars, hotels and nightclubs to hire foreign performing artistes of any nationality on a short-term basis of up to 6 months.
However, recent enforcement operations conducted by MOM and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) uncovered syndicates of non-operating public entertainment outlets that hired foreign performing artistes under the scheme and subsequently released them to work at other public entertainment outlets and locations.
In view of the widespread abuse of the scheme, MOM, in consultation with relevant agencies, has assessed that the scheme is no longer serving its original purpose and will thus cease the scheme.
From June 1, 2026, MOM will stop accepting new applications to hire foreign workers under the scheme. Public entertainment outlets may retain their existing foreign performing artistes under the scheme until their passes expire or are cancelled.
This arrangement was decided following consultation with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA), to provide sufficient lead time for public entertainment outlets that currently hire foreign performing artistes under the scheme to make alternative arrangements.
For example, businesses can engage entertainment services from service providers instead of hiring performers directly or continue to hire eligible foreign performing artistes on a regular work pass.
Businesses can also engage foreigners for short-term performances under the Work Pass Exempt (WPE) framework for events supported by the government or any statutory board, or held at a public performance venue, except for bars, discotheques, lounges, nightclub, pub, hotel, private club or restaurant venues with a Category 1 Public Entertainment Licence (PEL).
MOM and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will continue to partner with the SNBA to review developments in the nightlife sector.
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