As Indian professionals face growing uncertainty in the U.S. due to restrictive immigration policies under Donald Trump’s administration, Indian media is pointing job seekers toward Singapore, where new visa reforms and workforce policies are creating clearer pathways for foreign workers.
A Times of India report on 6 March highlighted key employment reforms announced by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which will allow employers to retain skilled foreign workers for longer periods and expand job opportunities—a stark contrast to the increasing visa hurdles faced by foreign hires in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Budget 2025, delivered by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, introduced additional workforce measures, including higher salaries, levy changes, and the expansion of hiring sources—all aimed at strengthening Singapore’s labour market.
U.S. tightening foreign worker pathways under Trump
For years, Indian professionals have relied on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program as a key pathway to transition into long-term U.S. employment under H-1B visas.
This program allows international students to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months, with STEM graduates eligible for an extension of 24 months—a total of three years of work experience that strengthens H-1B visa applications.
However, under Trump’s policies, OPT has become a target for anti-immigration groups. Critics argue that it takes jobs away from Americans, and legal challenges—such as the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (WashTech) lawsuit—have made its future increasingly uncertain.
Even though the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case in 2023, Trump’s allies continue to push for restrictions.
Employers now face stricter compliance checks, visa processing delays have increased, and companies sponsoring H-1B visas are under greater scrutiny—making it harder for Indian professionals to secure long-term employment in the U.S.
Singapore’s employment reforms offer a stable alternative
While the U.S. creates more barriers, Singapore is actively making it easier for Indian professionals and labourers to secure long-term jobs.
According to the Times of India, key changes in Singapore’s employment policies include:
- Lifting the maximum employment period for work permit holders – From 1 July, workers will no longer be subject to a fixed limit of 14 to 26 years, allowing them to build long-term careers in Singapore.
- Raising the maximum employment age from 60 to 63 – This change aligns with Singapore’s national retirement age, ensuring that experienced foreign workers can contribute for longer.
- Increasing the age limit for new applicants from 50 to 61 – This allows older professionals and skilled labourers to apply for work permits.
- Expanding job sectors for foreign workers – From 1 September, new roles such as cooks, heavy vehicle drivers, and manufacturing operators will be added to the Non-Traditional Sources (NTS) Occupation List.
India’s job market struggles to absorb its growing workforce
While Indian graduates continue to seek opportunities abroad, employability remains a key challenge.
The India Skills Report 2024, which surveyed hundreds of thousands of final-year students and postgraduates, found that only 51.25% of Indian graduates were deemed employable based on industry requirements.
This mismatch between India’s rapidly expanding workforce and the needs of its evolving labour market has made it increasingly difficult for fresh graduates to secure meaningful employment. As a result, many highly skilled professionals are looking abroad for better job prospects.
The same report also found that nearly 83% of India’s unemployed workforce is made up of youth aged 15 to 29.
Strikingly, nearly two out of three unemployed people in India in 2022 were young and educated, meaning they had at least secondary or higher education but struggled to find suitable jobs.
In addition to the above reforms reported by the Times of India, Singapore’s Budget 2025 introduced additional workforce policies, including:
- Expansion of the M-SEP scheme – From 1 May, the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities (M-SEP) scheme will be extended from two years to three years. This allows companies to temporarily hire more foreign workers beyond industry quotas, provided they contribute to Singapore’s key economic priorities and invest in local workforce development.
- Higher S Pass salaries and levy increases – From 1 September, the minimum salary for S Pass holders (mid-skilled workers) will rise from SGD 3,150 to SGD 3,300, with age-based salary increases reaching up to SGD 4,800 for mid-career professionals. In financial services, the minimum will rise to SGD 3,800, increasing up to SGD 5,650 for mid-career hires.
- The S Pass Tier 1 levy will also rise from SGD 550 to SGD 650, aligning it with the Tier 2 levy.
For many Indian professionals, Singapore offers significantly higher earnings than India.
According to Glassdoor, the average base salary in India is INR 9,45,489 per year (SGD 15,400). Salaries in India range from INR 8,000 per month (SGD 130) to INR 1,43,000 per month (SGD 2,330).
In comparison, even the minimum qualifying salary for S Pass holders in Singapore is nearly double the average Indian salary—making it an attractive option for those seeking financial stability.
U.S. tightens, Singapore streamlines
The stark contrast between U.S. and Singapore immigration policies highlights a fundamental difference in approach.
The U.S. is making foreign hiring more difficult, introducing more scrutiny, delays, and visa restrictions under Trump’s policies.
Singapore, meanwhile, is removing employment caps, expanding job sectors, and increasing salary incentives—all of which make it easier for skilled professionals to remain in the workforce for longer.
While the U.S. creates more hoops for foreign workers to jump through, Singapore’s structured reforms provide a clearer, more predictable employment pathway.
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