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Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities Scheme (M-SEP)
The M-SEP scheme supports the growth of businesses that contribute to Singapore’s strategic economic priorities through ambitious investment, innovation, or internationalisation activities.
What is it
The M-SEP scheme gives firms some flexibility to temporarily hire S Pass and Work Permit holders above their existing Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) and S Pass sub-DRC. Eligible firms can obtain additional S Pass and Work Permit quota up to 5% of their base workforce headcount, subject to a cap of 50 workers per firm and fulfilment of the commitments listed below.
Condition 1: Participate in one of the following key economic priorities:
- Promote investments which support Singapore’s hub strategy
- Promote innovation or Research & Development (R&D)
- Support internationalization
Note: The list of initiatives and specified economic criteria will be updated from time to time.
Condition 2: Commit to hiring or training locals
- Renewal thereafter is conditional on firms’ continuous fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.
What are the criteria to apply for M-SEP?
To be eligible, firms must meet both of the following:
Condition 1: Participate in one of the following key economic priorities:
Firms must participate in at least one of the following initiatives by economic agencies, or meet any economic criteria to be eligible:
| # | Supporting Agency | Initiatives |
| 1a | Economic Development Board (EDB)
Email: EDB_MSEP@edb.gov.sg |
|
| 1b | EnterpriseSG
Email: MSEP_2@enterprisesg.gov.sg |
Note: The criteria for “high-growth startups” is the same as the Tech@SG criteria. |
| 1c | Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Email: MSEP_query@imda.gov.sg |
|
| 1d | Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
Email: MPA_MSEP@mpa.gov.sg |
|
| 1e | Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
Email: STB_MSEP_WL@stb.gov.sg |
|
Condition 2: Commit to hiring or training locals
Renewal thereafter is conditional on firms’ continuous fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.
Find out about the required supporting documents you need to qualify for each criteria.
Your firm must commit to one of the following:
| # | Commitment | Initiatives |
| 2a | Increase in Net Hiring of locals | Increase the overall local workforce size at the point of M-SEP renewal from the point of M-SEP application, i.e. those earning $1,400 a month or more.
Benefit: You will get 1 x M-SEP quota per net hire, subject to 5% of your firm’s base workforce headcount, and a cap of 50 quota. Note: There are no qualifying programmes under 2a. Companies can hire through its own means, or through Government programmes, such as:
|
| 2b | Workforce training resulting in job enhancement | Send local workers to one of the following training programmes. These training programmes require companies to demonstrate sufficient effort in directly training the individual, such as through structured on-the-job training or assigning dedicated mentors, that will result in job enhancements.
Job enhancements could include promotion with wage increment, expanding job scope or higher level responsibilities. Trainees can be a new entrant into the company or an existing worker.
Benefit: You will get 1 x M-SEP quota per worker you commit to train, subject to 5% of your firm’s base workforce headcount, and a cap of 50 quota.
Qualifying programmes Supporting agency: Economic Development Board (EDB)
Supporting agencies: Institutes of Higher Learning, supported by MOE and SSG
Supporting agency: Workforce Singapore (WSG)
Supporting agency: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
|
| 2c | Be an industry leader with training excellence | Firms will also have to maintain their local workforce share and show that they have met the above commitments by the end of the M-SEP support period.
Those that fail to do so will be suspended from being eligible for M-SEP renewal for 2 years. For firms that are reducing their overall workforce to become more manpower-lean, MTI and MOM will review these cases on a case-by-case basis. |
How to apply for M-SEP?
Use the below form if you wish to apply for M-SEP. Your request will be assessed by the Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) and relevant economic agencies. MOM will email you the outcome within 4 weeks, from the date of submission.
- https://form.gov.sg/62a6e96029946c00123e8f59
What are the required supporting documents to apply for M-SEP?
Click here to download MOM’s checklist
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click here to download MOM’s FAQ
Contact MOM for more details of M-SEP at:
- https://service2.mom.gov.sg/efeedback/Forms/eFeedback.aspx
Please refer to MOM website at www.mom.gov.sg or www.cpf.gov.sg for more detailed information and up-to-date guidelines with regulations.
