Singapore has expanded the range of jobs available to foreign workers under its work permit scheme, with three new occupational categories set to take effect on September 1, 2026.
The country’s Ministry of Manpower confirmed an update to its Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List (NTS Occupation List), which governs the types of roles that employers can fill with foreign workers from non-traditional countries.
The change creates opportunities in aviation, childcare, and food services.
Occupations added to the NTS Occupation List
The following roles will be eligible for foreign worker hiring beginning September 1, 2026:
- Cabin attendants
- Childcare workers (including babysitters, after-school care workers, and teacher aides)
- Food service workers (such as butchers, food and drink stall assistants, kitchen assistants, and waiters). Each category has its own set of employer requirements, which must be met before a company can hire foreign workers in these positions.
Singapore: What employers need to qualify
For cabin attendant positions, the hiring company must have a valid Air Operator’s Certificate or a Foreign Operator’s Permit issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and operate scheduled flights into Singapore.
Employers looking to hire childcare workers must have a valid Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) licence or be appointed by the ECDA through its ChildMinding Pilot program.
Firms must maintain an active work pass account in the services sector, as well as a valid Food Shop or Supermarket licence issued by the Singapore Food Agency and registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.
The update is relevant for Nigerians and other Africans looking for work in Singapore, especially given the ongoing japa wave, which is driving many skilled and semi-skilled workers to seek employment abroad.
Singapore’s structured work permit system means that eligibility is determined not only by the worker’s qualifications, but also by whether the employer meets the government’s licensing requirements.
The Ministry of Manpower’s official website contains full details on the requirements.
Singapore Re-Entry Permit: Full Conditions
Similarly, Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has outlined the requirements for permanent residents (PRs) applying for or renewing a Re-Entry Permit (REP).
To be eligible for a REP or its renewal, an applicant must have PR status and a valid travel document with at least three months of validity.
Renewals must be submitted online through the ICA’s e-Service within three months of the permit’s expiration date, with no supporting documents required unless specifically requested by the ICA.
