Singapore has expanded its Work Permit system under the Non-Traditional Sources Occupation List (NTS-OL), opening up eight new job sectors including food services, social services and aviation to foreign workers, including Sri Lankans.

Introduced by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to address labor shortages in industries where employers face difficulties hiring local workers, the policy applies to nine eligible countries: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.

The eight newly qualifying job categories include butchers, fishmongers, and related food preparers, food and drink stall assistants, kitchen assistants, waiters, cabin attendants, babysitters and infant caregivers, educarers, and teacher aides. Under the new regulations, employers hiring foreign workers through this occupation list must provide a fixed monthly salary of at least S$2,000. Additionally, employers must ensure that workers recruited under this scheme do not exceed 8% of the company’s total workforce.

While these updates create new employment opportunities for Sri Lankans seeking jobs in Singapore’s hospitality, food service, childcare, and aviation sectors, the new rules do not automatically guarantee work permits or job security, meaning Singaporean employers must still fulfill the necessary criteria and obtain proper approvals. Originally announced in March 2026, the policy has been in effect since last September.