Sources and restricted access
Manufacturing and services ordinarily recruit from Malaysia, PRC and NAS Hong Kong (HKSAR passport), Macau, South Korea and Taiwan. The NTS list permits Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand only for specified occupations.
Three conditions apply together
Keep NTS list workers within an 8% sub-DRC, pay at least S$2,000 fixed monthly salary and deploy the worker only in the occupation on the permit. The occupation-specific firm or worker conditions below apply in addition.
All listed occupations
The table summarises every occupation grouping and its specific conditions. Associated infant educator/childminder, educarer/early-years educator and assistant educator titles fall within the stated childcare groups.
| Occupation group | Required condition |
|---|---|
| Cabin attendants | CAAS Singapore AOC or Foreign Operator’s Permit operating scheduled services to/from Singapore. |
| Childcare: babysitters/infant caregivers; child/after-school care workers; teacher aides | Valid ECDC licence or appointment under ECDA’s ChildMinding Pilot. |
| Food processing | SFA processing/slaughterhouse licence in the ACRA-registered firm name. Excludes supervisors/foremen, tasters, graders, bakers, pastry cooks and confectionery makers. |
| Food services: butchers/fishmongers/related preparers, cooks, stall assistants, kitchen assistants, waiters | Services work-pass account and SFA Food Shop or Supermarket licence in the firm’s ACRA name. |
| Heavy vehicles: buses, lorries, trailer trucks | Page specifies Class 4/5 licence as of 1 September 2025; not Class 3 cars/light goods vehicles. |
| Housekeeping workers and porters | Licensed hotel. |
| Manufacturing: assemblers, machine operators, metal moulders/coremakers, quality checkers/testers, riggers/cable splicers, sheet-metal workers, structural-metal preparers/erectors, welders/flame cutters | Manufacturing work-pass account. |
Levy and skills
Monthly levy remains payable. Higher-skilled status is assessed under the relevant manufacturing or services criteria. Consult the linked sector guidance and NTS FAQs for the case; inclusion on this list does not automatically grant higher-skilled levy.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.