Companies in Singapore’s creative services sector have been warned not to hire foreign freelancers who lack valid work passes, following enforcement concerns raised by industry stakeholders and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
In a joint advisory issued on 11 September, 2025, MOM and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore), or Vicpa, stated that foreigners on tourist or student visas are prohibited from providing freelance services in Singapore. This includes work in photography, videography, make-up artistry, and related fields.
The advisory comes after MOM received reports that some firms had engaged foreign freelancers to provide creative services at local weddings—an arrangement that violates the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
Such offences carry significant penalties. Foreigners found working without a valid pass may face fines of up to S$20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
They may also be barred from entering or working in Singapore in future. Employers who engage them could face similar legal consequences.
The warning marks an escalation in efforts to curb illegal freelance activity in the sector, which has seen increased scrutiny due to competition concerns raised by local professionals.
Vicpa’s executive secretary Jagathishwaran Rajo said the association had received growing feedback from Singapore-based creatives over difficulties posed by foreign freelancers operating without legal clearance.
Among the key issues cited was unfair pricing, with some foreign freelancers offering significantly lower rates than what local professionals charge—raising concerns over undercutting and sustainability.
In contrast, locally registered freelancers must make MediSave contributions, maintain equipment, pay taxes, and meet insurance and business overhead requirements.
The rise in illegal freelance work has been fuelled in part by social media platforms, which allow foreign individuals to promote their services directly to clients in Singapore without oversight.
Vicpa said the issue is not limited to wedding events, but extends across various sectors requiring freelance creative work.
In response, the association has been monitoring social media platforms, identifying suspected violations, and providing tip-offs to MOM to aid enforcement.
At the same time, Vicpa said it is stepping up efforts to educate clients and companies about hiring obligations under Singapore law and encouraging ethical employment practices.
“Our objective is not to stifle competition,” Vicpa said in the statement. “It is to uphold a fair and level playing field where Singapore’s creative talent is respected, valued and supported.”
Members of the public can report suspected breaches of the EFMA through MOM’s eService portal at www.mom.gov.sg/eservices/services/report-an-infringement.
Foreign students seeking clarity on work eligibility can refer to MOM’s guidelines at www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-pass-exemption-for-foreign-students.
Vicpa, established in 2021 with support from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), represents freelancers and self-employed professionals in Singapore’s creative content industry. According to its website, it promotes a code of ethics, professional development, and fair treatment across the sector.
The post MOM and Vicpa warn against illegal hiring of foreign freelancers in creative sectors appeared first on The Online Citizen.
