Entry, engagement and notification requirements
The person must be engaged for the exempt activity before entering Singapore. This does not guarantee entry: eligibility is assessed at immigration checkpoints. Hold a valid ICA Short-Term Visit Pass covering the activity period, notify MOM after arrival and before starting work, and satisfy any other legal requirements such as professional registration. Starting work without the required notification is an offence.
The 90-day annual limit and permission to stay
Exempt activities may span multiple visits but cannot exceed 90 days cumulatively in a calendar year, for example three visits of 30 days. On each visit, the permitted activity period is limited by the Short-Term Visit Pass issued at entry. Requests to extend that visit pass to perform exempt activities will not be considered.
Visits that do not require notification
For the valid Short-Term Visit Pass period, notification is not required for company meetings, corporate retreats or business-partner meetings; study tours, visits, courses, workshops, seminars and conferences attended as a participant; or exhibitions attended as a trade visitor. These activities must not involve a contract of service or contract for service with a Singapore employer. A trainer or speaker at a course or workshop instead needs a qualifying exemption notification or a Miscellaneous Work Pass. On-the-job training requires a work pass.
Arbitration and mediation
Arbitration or mediation services qualify only where the case or matter does not directly or indirectly concern religious beliefs or religion generally, race or community generally, and is not cause-related or directed towards a political end.
Exhibitions
A registered exhibitor may provide information, performances or demonstrations related to the exhibition subject, or display and sell the goods or services that are the exhibition’s subject, only at the exhibition and during its official opening hours. Temporary fairs such as pasar malam, stage shows and other activities requiring a permit under section 35 of the Environment Public Health Act are excluded. Cleaning, catering and other peripheral services, as well as setting up, maintaining, repairing or dismantling sites or booths, require a work pass.
Journalism
Journalism, including event media coverage and media tours, qualifies when supported by the Government or a statutory board. The support requirement distinguishes this category from unsupported journalism assignments considered under the Miscellaneous Work Pass rules.
Singapore International Commercial Court duties
Supreme Court International Judges may hear SICC cases designated by the Chief Justice, hear Court of Appeal proceedings arising from SICC judgments or orders, and carry out related consultancy, advisory or promotional work. Foreign lawyers fully registered under section 36P of the Legal Profession Act may represent, plead or assist in relevant proceedings and appeals. Restricted registration permits advice and document preparation for submissions in proceedings or appeals allowed by the relevant court.
Junket activities
The exemption covers organising, promoting or conducting a casino junket by representatives employed by an overseas-based junket promoter or by an overseas-based self-employed junket promoter. MOM’s source states that junket representatives and promoters must hold a valid junket representative licence issued by the Casino Regulatory Authority.
Location filming and fashion shows
Actors, models, directors, film or technical crew and photographers may qualify for location filming leading to a TV or film production, and fashion shows. Individual-client services such as wedding videography or photography are excluded. A foreign performer at a venue with a Public Entertainment Licence, such as a bar, discotheque, lounge or nightclub, generally needs a Work Permit for performing artiste as described in this source.
Performances
Actors, singers, dancers, musicians and key support staff qualify at events supported by the Government or a statutory board. They may also qualify at a public performance venue, including a theatre or concert hall whether admission is paid or free, subject to exclusions for bars, discotheques, lounges, nightclubs, pubs, hotels, private clubs and restaurants with a Category 1 Public Entertainment Licence. At a licensed entertainment venue, government or statutory-board support is required for the event to qualify.
Specialised services for plants, equipment and new operations
The category covers expertise not generally available for commissioning or auditing new plants and equipment; installing, dismantling, transferring, repairing or maintaining machinery or equipment; and transferring knowledge on new operations in Singapore. Activities outside that specialist scope require a work pass, including public sales, manufacturing products for sale, renovation or carpentry, and general underwater ship-husbandry diving such as inspection, surveys, hull or propeller cleaning and polishing, and sea-chest blanking.
Seminars and conferences
Activities directly connected with organising or conducting seminars, conferences, workshops, gatherings or talks may qualify, including speakers, moderators, facilitators and trainers. The event must not primarily sell or promote goods or services, relate to religion or race/community generally, or be cause-related or politically directed. Peripheral cleaning or catering, site or booth installation/maintenance/repair/dismantling, and administrative examination work such as invigilation, marking and setting papers are excluded and require a work pass.
Sports
Sports competitors, coaches, umpires, referees and key support staff may qualify for competitions, events or training supported by the Government or a statutory board. A sportsperson hired under a contract of service with a Singapore sports organisation is not eligible for this exemption.
Tour facilitation is different from tour guiding
Tour leaders or facilitators employed by a foreign company may provide logistical support to visiting groups, including hotel arrangements and border crossings. A foreign company has its principal business and operations outside Singapore. Tour guiding is not exempt: it requires both a MOM work pass and a Singapore Tourism Board tourist guide licence.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.