Foreign Freelancers Beware: Those Caught without Work Passes Face up to S$20K Fine, 2 Years' Jail

Foreign freelancers beware: Those caught without work passes face up to S$20K fine, 2 years' jail

SINGAPORE: In a joint statement issued late last week, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore) (VICPA) said that there have been foreigners without valid work passes who have been engaged to do creative work in Singapore. “These arrangements are illegal and constitute a contravention of the Employment […]

MOM and Vicpa warn against illegal hiring of foreign freelancers in creative sectors

Companies in Singapore’s creative services sector have been warned not to hire foreign freelancers who lack valid work passes, following enforcement concerns raised by industry stakeholders and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). In a joint advisory issued on 11 September, 2025, MOM and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore), or Vicpa, stated that foreigners on tourist or student visas are prohibited from providing…

Firms not allowed to engage foreign freelancers to provide creative services in Singapore: MOM, Vicpa

Companies in industries such as those involving photography, videography and make-up services are not allowed to engage foreign freelancers for clients in Singapore.