Eligible activities for a work pass exemption

Providing arbitration or mediation services relating to any case or matter which:

• Does not relate directly or indirectly to any religious belief or to religion generally.
• Does not relate directly or indirectly to any race or community generally.
• Is not cause-related or directed towards a political end.

Participation in any exhibition as an exhibitor.

You must be registered with the organiser of the exhibition to:

• Provide information on, or put up a performance, or give a demonstration of anything related to the subject of the exhibition.
• Display or sell goods or services that are the subject of the exhibition.

These activities can only take place at the exhibition during the exhibition's official opening hours.

This exemption does not apply to the following, for which a work pass is needed:

• Temporary fairs (such as a 'pasar malam'), stage shows or any other functions or activities that require a permit under section 35 of the Environment Public Health Act (Cap. 95)
• Providing peripheral services for the event (e.g. cleaning and catering services); or setting up, maintaining, repairing and dismantling the exhibition sites or booths.

Journalism activities (including media coverage for events or media tours) supported by the Government, or any statutory board.

International Judges of Supreme Court who are:

• Sitting in the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) to hear cases, as specified by the Chief Justice.
• Sitting in the Court of Appeal in an appeal from any judgement or order of the SICC.
• Carrying any other work or activity (such as consultancy, advisory or promotional work) related to their appointment with the Supreme Court and the SICC.

• Granted full registration under Section 36P of the Legal Profession Act to represent, plead, or provide any form of assistance in any relevant proceedings or subsequent appeals.
• Granted restricted registration under Section 36P of the Legal Profession Act to give advice and prepare documents to make submissions in any relevant proceedings or appeals, which are permitted by the relevant Courts.

Activities relating directly to the organisation, promotion or conduct of a junket in a casino and performed by:

• Junket representatives employed by a junket promoter who is based overseas.
• Self-employed junket promoters who are based overseas.

Note: Junket representatives and junket promoters are required to hold a valid junket representative licence issued by the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA).

Involvement as an actor, model, director, member of the film crew or technical crew, or photographer for:

• Location filming leading to TV or movie production. Excludes business-to-individual services such as videography or photography for weddings.
• Fashion shows.

Note: If you are a foreigner performing at a venue with a Public Entertainment Licence, you will need a Work Permit for performing artiste. Such venues include bars, discotheques, lounges and night clubs.

• Performing as an actor, singer, dancer or musician, or involvement as a key support staff in an event supported by the Government or any statutory board.
• Performing as an actor, singer, dancer or musician, or involvement as a key support staff in an event held at a public performance venue. (This includes any theatre or concert hall to which access can be paid or unpaid).

Note: If you are a foreigner performing at a venue with a Public Entertainment Licence, you will need a Work Permit for performing artiste. Such venues include bars, discotheques, lounges and night clubs.

Providing expertise relating to:

• Commissioning or audit of any new plant and equipment.
• Installing, dismantling, transfer, repair, or maintenance of any machine or equipment.
• Transfer of knowledge on process of new operations in Singapore.

The exemption does not apply to the following, for which a work pass is needed:

• Conducting activities that involve the sale of products or services to the public.
• Manufacturing any products to be sold.
• Providing renovation or carpentry services.

Carrying out activities directly related to organising or conducting a seminar, conference, workshop, gathering or talk (e.g. speaker, moderator, facilitator or trainer).

The event must not:

• Have sale or promotion of goods or services as its main purpose.
• Relate to any religious belief or to religion generally.
• Relate to race or community generally.
• Be cause-related or directed towards a political end.

The exemption does not apply to the following, for which a work pass is needed:

• Providing peripheral services for the event (e.g. cleaning and catering services).
• Setting up, maintaining, repairing and dismantling the exhibition sites or booths.
• Doing administration work, such as invigilation, marking and setting exam papers.

Persons involved in a sports competition, event or training supported by the Government or any statutory board (e.g. sportsman, coach, umpire, referee or key support staff).

Note: If you are hired as a sportsman under a contract of services with a Singapore sports organisation, you are not eligible for the work pass exemption.

Tour facilitation refers to the provision of logistical support for the visiting tour groups (such as handling hotel arrangements and border crossings). It is usually carried out by tour leaders or tour facilitators employed by a foreign company.

Tour facilitation does not include tour-guide activities, which are not work pass-exempt. To provide tour-guiding services in Singapore, you will need:

• A work pass issued by MOM.
• A tourist guide licence issued by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Note: “Foreign company” whose main business is located and operates outside Singapore.