Announcement and status
MOM, Police and HSA conducted a joint operation at two entertainment outlets on 23 October 2025. Fifty-eight people were arrested under EFMA: 32 foreign performing-artiste pass holders allegedly working there without valid authorisation, 22 other foreigners and four permanent residents.
Case details and examples
Two additional people were caught possessing e-vaporisers and six devices were seized. Investigations were ongoing. The release describes the then-existing performing-artiste scheme as allowing work only at eligible outlets for up to six months and says changes would be announced after a review; this is not a current availability statement.
Official advisory and follow-up
Employers’ illegal-hiring penalties were stated as S$5,000–S$30,000 or up to one year or both; unauthorised foreign self-employment up to S$20,000 or two years or both. A pass held for one role or employer does not automatically authorise other work.
Official source
This report is independently written from the MOM release dated above. Case status, policy announcements and historical figures refer to that release.
Read the complete MOM release ↗