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News & Updates

MOM/embassy policy changes, exchange rates, scam alerts, and community news — reviewed by an admin before appearing here.

Community13 Sept 2026

Bukit Panjang LRT closes Sep 20 and 27 for final renewal works — buses provided

If you use the Bukit Panjang LRT on these two Sundays, plan for a replacement bus instead.

Source: LTA

Safety13 Sept 2026

MOM arrests 4, questions 21 over fake 'phantom worker' scheme

Some employers may ask a worker to let them claim CPF contributions without any real job — accepting this can make you complicit in a crime.

Source: MOM

Housing7 Sept 2026

Your employer must provide proper housing — and pay the rent on time

Housing that meets MOM standards is the employer's legal duty, not a favour. They must also register your address with MOM and update it within 5 days of any move.

Source: Ministry of Manpower

Health7 Sept 2026

Your employer must insure you for at least $60,000 a year — and cannot charge you for it

Work Permit and S Pass holders must be covered for at least $60,000 a year for hospital stays and day surgery, including illness unrelated to work.

Source: Ministry of Manpower

Community7 Sept 2026

How to pay for buses and the MRT — and the $0.60 daily fee on foreign bank cards

You can tap a contactless bank card with no registration, but a foreign-issued Visa or Mastercard costs an extra $0.60 for every day you use it. A local card avoids that.

Source: SimplyGo (TransitLink)

Safety7 Sept 2026

Not sure if it's a scam? Call 1799 — free, 24 hours, any language

The government's ScamShield helpline answers around the clock before you send money or give out details. It cannot take a police report — that is done separately, online.

Source: ScamShield (Singapore Police Force)

Money7 Sept 2026

GST Vouchers are for Singapore citizens only — work pass holders do not receive them

If you hold a Work Permit, S Pass or Employment Pass, you are not eligible for GST Voucher cash payouts. Knowing this saves you a wasted trip and makes related scam messages easy to spot.

Source: GovBenefits (Ministry of Finance)

Work7 Sept 2026

China: consular section opening hours and phone numbers in Singapore

The Chinese Embassy's consular section handles passports, travel documents and notarisation. It is open mornings and afternoons on weekdays, with a break in the middle of the day.

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Singapore

Money7 Sept 2026

Before you send money home, check the company is licensed by MAS

MAS publishes a free public directory of every licensed remittance company and money changer in Singapore. If a company is not on it, you have no protection when the money disappears.

Source: Monetary Authority of Singapore

Safety7 Sept 2026

An agency can charge you at most 2 months' salary — anything more is illegal

A Singapore employment agency may charge one month of your fixed monthly salary for each year of your contract, capped at two months in total. Fees above that break the law.

Source: Ministry of Manpower

Work6 Sept 2026

S Pass minimum salary rises to $3,600 for new applications from January 2027

If you hold an S Pass, your salary will need to meet a higher minimum when your pass is renewed from January 2028.

Source: MOM

Work6 Sept 2026

Eight more job types open to Myanmar and other NTS workers from September 2026

MOM is adding eight occupations in food services, social services and air transportation to the list of Work Permit jobs open to workers from non-traditional source countries, which include Myanmar.

Source: MOM (COS 2026 Factsheet)

Work6 Sept 2026

Myanmar requires 25% of overseas wages to be remitted via official channels

Since September 2023 (expanded August 2024), Myanmar's government requires citizens working abroad to remit at least 25% of their foreign wages home through an official channel — a licensed bank or registered remittance provider linked to the banking system. Informal transfer methods (e.g. hundi) are not accepted. Non-compliance has been reported to affect passport renewal and the right to work overseas, so it is worth keeping proof of your official remittances. Always confirm current requirements with the Myanmar Embassy.

Updates are researched daily and reviewed by an admin before publishing, but always confirm important decisions (visa, legal, large payments) with the official source directly.