Singapore Latest Immigration Rules For Jobs 2026
Do you intend to find employment in the Lion City in 2016? Singapore has officially been in a new era of Strategic Mobility as of January 2026. Beyond a mere piece of paperwork, the most recent modifications to the Immigration (Amendment) Act and the COMPASS system have altered the manner in which foreign specialists are entering the country and operating.
With the high-tech No-Boarding Directive (NBD) to the revamped Shortage Occupation List (SOL), the future of one’s career move is either a successful one or refusal to take it. This is the ultimate handbook to manoeuvuring the employment-linked immigration laws in Singapore in 2026.
Upstream Border Security: The No-Boarding Directive (NBD)
The most vital change to be applied to 2026 is the introduction of the “Upstream Screening. Happening Jan. 30, 2026, your in-migration check in effect starts before you equal get to the airport.
- No-Boarding Directive (NBD): The ICA now sends real-time notifications to the airlines. In case you are marked as undesirable or without any valid documents (a visa or a passport with the validity of less than 6 months), you will non be allowed to board during the point of origin.
- Advance Traveller Content (ATI): ICA apply information on your SG Reaching Card and airline evident to pre-screen achievement. Your online station are now affected to legal quality.
- ICA Feedback Channel: Oh! You cannot just book another flight when you are hit with an NBD. Before you attempt to travel again you have to request the official clearance via the ICA Feedback Channel.
COMPASS 2026: The Refresh of the professional pass
The Complementation Classification Framework (COMPASS) of Line of work Passes (EP) has been word the first time since its achievement in 2023. In dictation to be eligible to change state an EP in 2026, you need to have a score of 40 points.
Occupation List Refined Shortage Occupation List (C5)
The criteria Ability Bonus 2026 has been exchanged towards high-growth and high-need environment:
- New Additions: Intensive emphasis on the Healthcare (Clinical Psychologists, Diagnostic Radiographers, Registered Nurses) and Agritech/Green Economy (Alternative Protein Scientists, Carbon Project Managers).
- Removals: The jobs such as Cyber Risk Specialist and Product Manager (Digital) have been eliminated because the supply of local talent has stabilized.
- The Reward: SOL Roles can be used to earn an automatic +20 points and may be used to fund a 5-year EP duration in technical positions.
Qualification Lists (C2) that have been updated
- Faculty-Specific Scoring: In 2026, you will not be able to get away with your university being Top-Tier anymore. The institutions today are giving no more than 20 points in particular faculties (e.g., Engineering or Medicine), whereas others are Group A (all faculties).
- Checking is Essential: to be recognized to receive points every degree should be certified by an agency that is approved by MOM (e.g., Avvanz or Veremark).
Work Permit and S Pass: Talent Retention of Experienced Talent
As far as mid-level and semi-skilled employees are concerned, 2026 is approximately retention and accountability.
- Maximum Employment Age (63): In an unprecedented act to keep talented employees, the maximum age of the current holders of Work Permit has been increased by one year to a retirement age of 63 years, in line with the Singapore retirement age.
- S Pass Salary Increases: By the end of 2025, the minimum S Pass remuneration is increased to S one thousand three hundred dollars ( S one thousand eight hundred dollars when it comes to Finance ). To renew in 2026, you need to attain these new thresholds otherwise your pass will not be renewed.
- Harmonized Levy (S$650): The monthly charge has been simplified to a S Pass of S650 regardless of the industry, in lieu of the complexities of the past few years.
The article is titled Why Applications Are Failing in 2026
The New Era reasons by which your visa can be denied even with the high salary are as follows:
- Faculty Counterpart: Give yourself 20 points to your best-loved university: only Grouping B (faculty-restricted) to your state.
- “Stale Job Ads: Using an advertisement of MyCareersFuture which is over 90 days old.
- Incomplete ATI: The inability to submit the SG Arrival card within 3 days before arrival and raising an NBD flag.
FAQs
Is there a 63-year age restriction to new applicants?
No. In the case of new applicants of Work Permit, the age restriction is 61. The 63-year cap is aimed to assist employers to retain the current experienced employees.
Is it possible to appeal a No-Boarding Directive (NBD) in the airport?
No. As soon as NBD is issued, the airline cannot override it. You are to address the ICA Feedback Channel online. This can be approved in a number of days.
Is my Cybersecurity degree worth 20 points?
Although the degree in itself can be considered to satisfy the Criterion 2 (Qualifications), the Cyber Risk Specialist position is no longer eligible to receive the 20 points of the Bonus 20 of the Shortage Occupation List (C5).
What will be the minimum salary to renew an EP in 2026?
Renewals now have to comply with the existing standards of S$5,600 in general sectors as well as S$6,200 in financial services (more so in older candidates).
Does it have digital work passes to get in?
Yes. Digital Passes (using the Singpass or SGWorkPass application) under the 2023 Amendment Act are legally accepted as demonstrations of status in any checkpoint.
Final Thought
The immigration policies in Singapore in 2026 is a transition to a digital-first, skills-based economy. It is either the NBD, which is pre-screening or the points-heavy COMPASS, the aim is the same: to make sure that only the most compatible talent gets to the workforce. Winning the game, apply the MOM Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) each time you apply or renew it, it is your ultimate insurance against the new 2026 limitations.
Disclaimer
The paper is informational and educational. It is recommended that the readers should always check the information of reliable sources such as Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or ICA to make decisions.