Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme will cease from 1 June 2026

Businesses can retain existing Work Permit (Performing Artiste) holders until their passes expire or are cancelled.

The Work Permit (Performing Artiste) 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 the Ministry of Manpower (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.¹

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. MOM will thus cease the scheme. 

From 1 June 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 MTI will continue to partner the SNBA to review developments in the nightlife sector.

FOOTNOTE

¹ You may refer to the press release dated 27 Sep 2024, 4 Sep 2025 and 24 Oct 2025.