(SINGAPORE) Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced it will shut down the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme on June 1, 2026, after saying the route has been widely abused by syndicates who used it to bring in foreign performers for work outside approved venues.
The change, announced on December 1, 2025, means public entertainment outlets will no longer be able to file new work permit applications for foreign performing artistes under this specific scheme after the June 1, 2026 cut-off. For nightlife operators who have long depended on rotating casts of overseas singers, dancers, and musicians, the decision sets a clear end date and forces a shift to other hiring models.
Why MOM is closing the scheme
MOM pointed to joint enforcement operations with the Singapore Police Force that uncovered outlets that were not operating as stated, but were instead “releasing performers to other sites.” The ministry described these cases as examples of how the permit pathway had become a tool for illegal deployment rather than a controlled channel for short-term entertainment work.
The ministry said the abuse was widespread and directly linked to syndicate activity, although it did not provide numbers of cases detected or performers involved in the materials shared.
Background: what the scheme was for
- The Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme was introduced in 2008.
- It allowed public entertainment outlets to hire foreign performers for short stints, up to six months.
- The scheme was open to artistes “of any nationality.”
- Over time, criminal groups learned to game the system by:
- Setting up venues that existed only on paper or were dormant.
- Moving performers into venues that were not approved under the permit.
MOM referenced enforcement actions and press releases dated September 27, 2024, September 4, 2025, and October 24, 2025.
What happens to current permit holders
- Existing work permits will continue until they expire or are cancelled.
- This is not an immediate stop-work order; it is intended to:
- Give outlets time to adjust.
- Avoid sudden disruptions to performers mid-contract and venues with booked shows.
Important: The pipeline for new hires through this route ends on June 1, 2026. After that date, bringing in new foreign performing artistes will depend on other work pass categories or operating models with their own eligibility rules and limits.
Who is most affected
The outlets most directly affected are those holding a Category 1 Public Entertainment Licence, typically:
- Bars
- Hotels
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants operating with Category 1 licences that built programming around imported acts
These venues often relied on rotating international performers because audiences expect changing lineups and because local supply may not match the performance schedule or style.
Government coordination and industry engagement
MOM signalled the change is part of broader oversight of nightlife operations and will work with:
- Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)
- Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA)
MOM engaged SNBA ahead of the announcement and provided a long lead time (Dec 2025 → Jun 2026) to allow operators to plan calendars, staffing, and marketing.
Alternatives highlighted by MOM
MOM pointed to three main alternatives venues can consider:
- Hire entertainment through service providers/agency contracts
- Shifts direct hiring to a third party.
- Makes deployment easier to monitor and hold accountable.
- Bring eligible performers on standard work passes such as Employment Pass or S Pass
- These are mainstream passes with eligibility criteria (job arrangement, salary, sponsorship).
- May require restructuring roles, pay, and contract length.
- Use the Work Pass Exempt (WPE) framework for short-term performances
- Strict limits apply.
- WPE is available for government- or statutory board-supported events or at public venues.
- WPE is explicitly excluded for: bars, discotheques, lounges, nightclubs, pubs, hotels, private clubs, and Category 1 Public Entertainment Licence restaurants.
Comparison table: Current scheme vs suggested alternatives
| Feature | Work Permit (Performing Artiste) — being closed | Agency contracts | Employment Pass / S Pass | WPE (limited) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intended for short stints | Yes (up to 6 months) | Depends on contract | Typically longer-term | Short-term, limited |
| Usable by bars/nightlife venues | Yes (historically) | Yes (via service provider) | Possible if criteria met | No (excluded for many nightlife venues) |
| Administrative visibility | Lower (abused) | Higher (fewer accountable intermediaries) | Higher (standard compliance tools) | High, but limited eligibility |
| Likely cost impact | Lower per stint (historically) | Higher (agency fees) | Higher (salary/benefits) | Low, but venue eligibility restricted |
Likely sector impacts
- Public events supported by government bodies may still host international acts through WPE.
- Routine nightlife entertainment inside private venues will face tighter constraints and may shift toward:
- Local talent
- Longer-term hires on standard passes
- Agency-based programming
Industry concerns:
- Larger operators with legal teams and cash flow can adapt more easily (agency contracts, restructured roles).
- Smaller bars may struggle to absorb higher costs, programming gaps, or compliance burdens after the scheme ends.
Enforcement rationale and broader context
The government’s rationale: the permit was intended for specific venues and specific work, but syndicates allegedly converted it into a way to move people into “unauthorized venues.” The core regulatory concern is that once a worker is in the country legally, illegal deployment can occur quietly unless there is robust tracking of actual work locations and licensed operations.
Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests this decision follows a pattern: when a narrow permit category becomes tied to repeated fraud, governments may end the category and push employers toward mainstream work pass systems with broader compliance tools.
Where to get official information
For employers and performers seeking authoritative guidance, MOM’s official pages remain the primary source for updates on pass rules and policy notices:
As the June 1, 2026 deadline approaches, stakeholders will be watching whether collaboration with MTI and SNBA results in new sector rules, stronger enforcement of deployment rules, or support measures to help venues remain compliant while operating viably.
Singapore’s MOM will end the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme on June 1, 2026, citing widespread abuse by syndicates that deployed performers to unauthorized venues. Existing permits remain valid until expiry or cancellation to limit disruption. MOM urged venues to adopt agency contracts, standard work passes (Employment Pass, S Pass), or limited WPE for supported events. Nightlife operators, especially small bars reliant on rotating foreign acts, will face higher costs and compliance needs during the transition.
