🌏 Can Foreigners Legally Offer PMU or Make-Up Services in Singapore? Here’s What You Need to Know (2025 Update)
In recent years, Singapore has tightened its regulations around freelance creative work — especially when it involves foreigners offering services on short-term visits. If you’re a PMU artist, make-up artist, or beauty professional wondering whether you can legally work in Singapore, this guide breaks down everything you need to know under the latest 2025 rules.
What Singapore’s Latest Rules Say (2025 Advisory)
In 2025, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) together with the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (VICPA) issued a clear advisory:
Companies are not allowed to engage foreign freelancers for creative services — including photography, videography, make-up, PMU, and similar work — if the services are performed in Singapore. Source: The Straits Times
In addition:
Foreigners entering on tourist, student, or other short-term visit passes are explicitly prohibited from doing paid creative work locally.
Performing such work without a valid pass is considered illegal employment under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
Penalties are serious — up to S$20,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both.
Employers or clients who hire foreigners illegally are also liable.
Bottom line:
If you’re a foreigner, you cannot simply travel to Singapore to offer paid PMU or beauty services — even if it’s just a few appointments or a one-day workshop.
“Can I register a company instead?”
Some beauty professionals consider registering a business in Singapore to work legally. While this is possible, business registration alone does not grant the right to work.
Here’s why:
1. Foreigners can register a Singapore company… but it needs a local director
To set up a private limited company, you must have at least one director who is “ordinarily resident” in Singapore — typically a citizen, PR, or valid pass holder.
2. Registering a company does not give you the right to work
If you want to perform PMU or make-up services (even under your own company), you still need a valid work pass, such as:
Employment Pass (EP)
S Pass (in some cases)
Other employer-sponsored passes
3. EntrePass usually doesn’t apply to beauty services
EntrePass is designed for:
Venture-backed founders
High-tech or innovative startups
Investors and entrepreneurs creating IP or new technology
Traditional service businesses — like brow embroidery, lash extensions, or make-up studios — typically do not meet the innovation criteria.
4. Freelancing without a valid work pass is not allowed
Singapore does not have a “freelancer visa” for foreigners.
Unless you are a Citizen or PR, you cannot legally freelance without a work pass linked to an employer or your company.
⚠️ What This Means for Foreign PMU and other Beauty Artists
To legally offer PMU or beauty services in Singapore as a foreigner:
✔ You must have a valid work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
❌ Tourist / student / visit passes do not allow paid work.
✔ Setting up a company is possible — but not enough on its own.
❌ The government does not currently offer a pass specifically for freelance creative workers.
✔ You may operate legally only if your work pass is approved (e.g., EP under a registered company).
It’s important to research and apply for the right pass — beauty services often don’t meet the ‘innovative’ or ‘high‑value’ criteria required for schemes like the EntrePass.
Final Thoughts
As of 2025, Singapore’s rules are stricter than ever:
If you’re a foreigner wanting to do paid PMU or make-up services in Singapore, you need both a properly registered company (or employer) and a valid work pass.
Freelancing on a short-term pass is illegal and carries heavy penalties.
If you’re serious about building a long-term PMU career in Singapore, the safest approach is to:
Explore legitimate work-pass options,
Consult a licensed corporate service provider, and
Avoid any “under-the-table” work that could lead to fines, jail time, or being banned from re-entering Singapore.
Think of this as a starting point: do your own research, consult MOM or a licensed provider, and choose the path that keeps your career safe and sustainable in Singapore.
This blog is for general guidance only — always verify details directly with MOM before making decisions.