Reduction of entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents entering Singapore

At the end of last week, the Ministry of Manpower announced that they are reducing entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependents entering Singapore in the coming weeks.  

Please read the important notice below which includes the original announcement and additional context we have received from our Government colleagues for the clarity of our members. 

The update was announced as follows:

For those arriving from higher-risk countries/regions from Tuesday 11 May onwards who had earlier received approvals:

• Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) work pass holders who have earlier obtained approval will be allowed entry as approved, except for a small group with planned arrivals in June who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks.
• Migrant domestic workers who have obtained earlier approval will be allowed entry as approved except for some with planned arrivals prior to 7 June who will be rescheduled to arrive in subsequent weeks.
• Other work pass holders who obtained approval to enter prior to 5 July will not be allowed to enter. MOM will inform employers on when to re-apply for entry when the situation has stabilised and will prioritise them for entry approval then.

In view of the need to reschedule the entry of work pass holders who had already obtained approval to enter, MOM regrets that they will not be accepting new entry applications from higher-risk countries/regions (As of 7 May 2021, this refers to all countries/regions except Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao)with immediate effect, except for workers needed for key strategic projects and infrastructural works who they will continue to allow entry.

Starting 7 May 2021, MOM will be reaching out to affected work pass holders and their employers of the changes to their entry.

The above changes will not affect work pass holders already given or are seeking entry approval to enter Singapore from lower-risk countries/regions (As of 7 May 2021, this refers to Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Mainland China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao), under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) or Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL).

Important clarification for our members provided by the Ministry of Manpower:

• Singapore is not closing borders to work pass holders and dependants, but reducing entries from higher-risk countries. This means some work pass holders who had earlier obtained entry approvals will be rescheduled to arrive in later weeks instead. MOM will inform affected employers in June on when they can re-apply. Please reassure your members that they will be prioritised for entry approval.
• Work pass holders needed for key strategic and infrastructural works will still be allowed to enter Singapore. Employers of such projects can approach their respective sector agencies for assistance.
• Work pass holders already given, or are seeking entry approval to, enter Singapore from lower-risk countries/regions, or under the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and other approved travel lanes, will not be affected.
• As we need to reschedule those affected, we will not be accepting new entry applications from higher-risk countries/regions for the time being.

If you have any issues you would like to raise with us regarding these latest changes, members may contact david@britcham.org.sg.