Issued jointly by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Vicpa), the policy impacts advertising, design, photography, videography, makeup artistry, event coverage, and content creation across the city.
Under the revised Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), companies are prohibited from engaging or promoting the services of creative freelancers who are in Singapore on tourist or student visas—even for short-term assignments. Enforcement is set to be rigorous, with fines of up to S$20,000, imprisonment, or permanent bans from future employment in Singapore for those in breach.
Authorities say the move is designed to level the playing field and shield Singapore’s own creative workforce against wage pressure and unfair competition from international freelancers. By prioritising local creative talent, the government hopes to encourage fairer hiring practices and drive professionalism in the sector.
Creative agencies and brands operating in Singapore must now implement tight right-to-work checks, ensuring all freelancers have the legal authority to work locally. The ban extends to commercial campaigns, weddings, digital content, and community events, meaning every shoot and collaboration must be staffed accordingly.
Social media and online portfolios will be monitored for violations, and tip-offs from industry professionals are encouraged for non-compliant activities. As the crackdown rolls out, experts believe this will reshape how shoots, campaigns, and content creation are staffed, with a renewed focus on local creatives.
For international freelancers, Singapore just became a tougher landscape—only those with valid work passes will be able to work on local projects. For local creative professionals, these rules present new opportunities in a market with stronger support and reduced external competition.