Immigration & foreign manpower

Gho Sze Kee raised concerns about long-term overstayers and inquired about discrepancies in immigration records and trends in median overstay length. K Shanmugam responded that there are currently 500 to 600 overstayers the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is monitoring, which constitutes less than 0.001% of annual visitor arrivals. He also indicated that the median duration of overstays for arrested foreigners has remained stable at around three months since 2019.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for Manpower about the acquisition of AI start-up Manus, specifically concerning the percentage of Singapore citizens in its workforce, local headcount retention guarantees, and the Ministry's role in ensuring foreign start-ups aid local skill transfer. The Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, explained that the Ministry does not intervene in acquisitions and keeps individual company workforce demographics confidential. He emphasized that the Economic Development Board (EDB) supports skills transfer and development for Singaporeans while ensuring that all companies comply with local manpower laws. Low expressed concerns about redomiciled companies potentially exploiting Singapore's business environment and inquired about specific hiring targets for such companies, to which Koh reaffirmed that all companies must adhere to the same hiring practices without differentiation.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim requested data on the proportions of Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students among PhD students in science disciplines at autonomous universities over the past five years, as well as historical comparisons from 20 years ago. Desmond Lee reported that approximately 6,000 STEM PhD students are enrolled annually, with stable proportions of Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents at around one-third of the total. About 90% of these students receive government funding, with Singapore Citizens receiving the highest stipends. PhD students also fulfill teaching and research duties as part of their service obligation during their studies.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned the Minister for Education on the distribution and funding of government-funded PhD scholarships in science disciplines over the past five years, focusing on the award count among Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students, as well as scholarship values and bond completion rates. Desmond Lee reported that approximately 6,000 STEM PhD students enroll annually in autonomous universities, with about one-third being Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents. Government funding covers about 90% of these students, with Singapore Citizens receiving the highest stipends at $4,300 monthly, followed by Permanent Residents and international students at lower rates. PhD students are required to complete teaching and research duties as part of their service obligations during their candidature.

He Ting Ru questioned the Minister for Home Affairs about the number of non-residents in Singapore for over five years, unsuccessful residency applications, support for integration, and tracking of social outcomes. K Shanmugam indicated that as of December 2025, approximately 390,000 non-residents have been in Singapore for more than five years, primarily work permit holders and domestic workers, many of whom are unlikely to qualify for Permanent Residency. He stated that the government does not track unsuccessful residency applications and highlighted that while most long-term non-residents cannot settle in Singapore, they can engage with the community through cultural programs, volunteering, and local events. The government aims to balance resources while addressing integration needs and regularly seeks feedback from both locals and non-residents on these issues.

Charlene Chen asked if the Government would support the adoption of foreign children by Singaporeans through expedited citizenship applications, subsidized healthcare, temporary insurance coverage, and backdated levy concessions for domestic workers. Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that citizenship applications can only be submitted after a court-adopted order and take time for assessment. He clarified that healthcare subsidies and coverage are exclusive to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, but financial assistance is available for Singaporean adoptive parents facing medical expenses. The levy concession for migrant domestic workers will be granted automatically upon the child's citizenship, and retrospective applications for concessions will be considered.

He Ting Ru asked if the Ministry of Manpower would consider a statutory fund for providing financial support to workers of all nationalities during corporate liquidations and bankruptcies without means testing. Tan See Leng responded that the Government currently has schemes in place that offer means-tested financial support to unemployed workers, ensuring resources are allocated to those most in need. Local workers can receive temporary assistance through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, while lower-income households can seek help from Social Service Offices. Foreign workers can access financial support through the Migrant Workers' Centre.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik requested information on the number of individuals aged 65 and above who were granted Singapore Citizenship, Permanent Residency, Employment Passes, S Passes, and Dependant's Passes since June 2024. K Shanmugam provided data for the period from June 2024 to December 2024, indicating the numbers for citizenship, permanent residency, and various passes, while noting that figures for 2025 are not yet available.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if the Ministry of Home Affairs would require applicants to declare if their immigration application documentation was prepared by a third party. K Shanmugam clarified that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) does not endorse commercial services for immigration applications and emphasized that the responsibility to ensure the accuracy of applications lies solely with the applicants. Engaging third-party services carries risks, and any false declarations in applications result in accountability for the applicants themselves. The ICA believes maintaining this principle is crucial to prevent misuse or false defenses by applicants.

Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower about plans to reduce upfront costs for hiring migrant domestic workers (MDWs) for families with young children or vulnerable elderly and to enhance protections against misrepresentation and misconduct by MDWs. Shawn Huang responded that the median upfront cost is around $4,700, with measures in place requiring agencies to refund employers if MDWs leave within six months. Families with young children and elderly already receive significant subsidies, and the Ministry is committed to regularly reviewing protections for both employers and MDWs. In a follow-up, Choo requested benchmarks for agency fees to ensure affordability, to which Huang noted that prices are primarily determined by market forces while additional financial support is available for families in need.

Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Manpower about the total number of S Pass holders participating in the Cultural Orientation Programme (COP) pilot from December 2023 to 2025 and whether the Ministry would assess the effectiveness of online versus in-person programs. Tan See Leng responded that the COP, launched in December 2023, has seen 6,574 S Pass holders complete it by December 2025, with approximately 95% finding the content useful. The Ministry chose an online format to enhance reach, while also encouraging participation in community activities organized by various groups.

Hany Soh questioned the Acting Minister for Transport about reports of foreigners without valid work passes driving vehicles into Singapore for business activities, particularly in construction and commerce. Jeffrey Siow replied that the Land Transport Authority has received reports of foreign-registered vehicles being used for commercial purposes but lacks information on the drivers' work pass status. The Ministry will collaborate with other government agencies to find ways to prevent unauthorized use of vehicles for commercial purposes by foreigners without valid work passes.

Elysa Chen requested information on the approval rate for Long-Term Visit Pass (LTVP) applications from spouses of Singapore citizens over the past three years. K Shanmugam responded that the average annual approval rate from 2022 to 2024 was approximately 91%.

Yeo Wan Ling highlighted the critical role of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore's caregiving landscape, emphasizing that they support working families by providing essential care. She proposed several measures to improve the situation for both MDWs and their employers, including expanding training grants for advanced caregiving skills and language training, and professionalizing employment agencies to ensure better matches between families and MDWs. The need for affordable healthcare for MDWs and mental health support was also stressed, along with the suggestion to develop regulated part-time care pathways. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Shawn Huang acknowledged the importance of MDWs and outlined government initiatives to support their welfare and enhance employers' access to quality care services.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the population parameters for determining new mosque construction, specifically regarding the inclusion of the daytime working population and foreign workers. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim responded that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) adopts a sustainable approach in planning mosques based on projected population changes and land development. MUIS monitors worship patterns to ensure adequate prayer spaces for both residents and workers. They also facilitate additional prayer spaces as needed, such as dual worship sessions and spaces at dormitories, to support the community's religious needs.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis requested salary percentile data for new Employment Pass (EP) applications over the past five years, specifically for the financial services sector and other sectors. Tan See Leng indicated that the Ministry of Manpower regularly reviews the EP qualifying salary, which has increased from $5,000 to $6,200 for financial services and from $4,500 to $5,600 for other sectors between 2021 and 2025. The median fixed monthly salary for new EP applications rose from $13,300 to $15,000 in financial services and from $8,000 to $9,200 in other sectors during the same period. The Ministry provides targeted flexibilities for EP holders while ensuring compliance with the qualifying salary criteria.

Hamid Razak asked about the enforcement of employers' obligations to provide acceptable accommodation and adequate food to Work Permit holders during pending Employment Claims Tribunal or Work Injury Compensation claims. Tan See Leng responded that this question has been addressed in a written reply to a previous question in the Order Paper for 6 November 2025. Further details can be found in the "Publication of Provisional Guidelines for Adequate Support Towards Workers in Pending Cases and/or Claims" section of the Official Report.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about sanctions against employers for submitting false recruitment records for Employment Pass applications and the potential consequences for complicit foreign hiring managers. Tan See Leng confirmed that the Ministry of Manpower actively enforces regulations against employers who do not adequately consider local candidates, with an average of 140 employers sanctioned yearly for such violations between 2023 and 2025. Enforcement actions can include warnings or debarment from hiring foreign workers for up to 24 months. Foreign hiring managers found involved in fraudulent practices may also face serious repercussions, including the revocation of work passes and debarment from employment in Singapore.

Cai Yinzhou asked about the number of foreigners with valid In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) denied entry in 2025 and the reasons for these denials, as well as measures to inform employers and facilitate appeals under the upcoming No-Boarding Directive. K Shanmugam responded that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not track denied entries for foreigners holding IPAs, emphasizing that an IPA does not guarantee entry, and these individuals are subject to immigration assessments upon arrival. He noted that with the No-Boarding Directive, affected individuals should inform their employers and that the process for appealing entry denials will remain similar to current practices.

Hany Soh asked about the appeal process for travellers affected by the new No-Boarding Directives (NBD) starting 30 January 2026 and potential adaptations at sea and land checkpoints. K Shanmugam clarified that travellers with NBD can appeal to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) through their website, but there is no immediate appeal mechanism. The NBD will be implemented at air checkpoints from January 2026 and at sea checkpoints by the end of 2028, while there are currently no plans for NBD at land checkpoints due to screening challenges.