Budget 2026 made MRA significantly more generous and accessible. Here’s exactly what changed and what stays the same.
What Changed in MRA After Budget 2026?
| Before Budget 2026 | After Budget 2026 | Effective | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support level (SMEs) | 50% of eligible costs | 70% of eligible costs | 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2029 |
| Support level (non-SMEs) | N/A (SME-only) | N/A (SME-only) | — |
| Cap per market | S$100,000 (lapsing Mar 2026) | S$100,000 (extended) | 1 Apr 2026 |
| Market eligibility | New market only (annual sales no more than S$100,000 in any of the preceding 3 years) | Unchanged on MRA's page — removal announced for 2H 2026 via EDGE refresh | Budget 2026 Annex B-1 |
| OMP sub-cap | S$20,000 | S$20,000 (unchanged) | — |
| OBD sub-cap | S$50,000 | S$50,000 (unchanged) | — |
| OMS sub-cap | S$30,000 | S$30,000 (unchanged) | — |
How Much More Do You Get? Worked Example
Scenario: Your company spends S$100,000 on eligible overseas expansion activities in one market.
| Before Budget 2026 | After Budget 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible costs | S$100,000 | S$100,000 |
| Support rate | 50% | 70% |
| MRA reimbursement | S$50,000 | S$70,000 |
| You pay | S$50,000 | S$30,000 |
Result: S$20,000 more per market under the new rules.
This applies across all three MRA pillars:
- OMP (Overseas Market Promotion): S$20K cap — up to S$14K back (was S$10K)
- OBD (Overseas Business Development): S$50K cap — up to S$35K back (was S$25K)
- OMS (Overseas Market Set-up): S$30K cap — up to S$21K back (was S$15K)
When Do the Changes Take Effect?
| Change | Effective Date |
|---|---|
| Support level raised to 70% | 1 April 2026 |
| S$100K per-market cap extended | 1 April 2026 |
| MRA applications are accepted through 29 September 2026 | 29 September 2026 |
| 70% support period ends (for approved projects) | 31 March 2029 |
Key note: The 70% rate took effect from 1 April 2026 and applies to eligible MRA applications submitted through 29 September 2026. The “new market” requirement (annual sales no more than S$100,000 in any of the preceding 3 years) applies to applications submitted by that date.
The “New Market” Requirement
Budget 2026 (Annex B-1) announced that the ‘new market’ requirement (annual sales in the target market not above S$100,000 in any of the preceding three years) would be removed from 2H 2026, letting businesses get support to deepen presence in existing overseas markets. MRA’s own page continues to apply the requirement through its final application day:
- The requirement applies to all applications submitted through 29 September 2026
- The announced removal is being implemented as part of Enterprise Singapore’s grant refresh, through the EDGE Grant from 30 September 2026
- For current market-entry activities, see the EDGE Grant and check its market-expansion activities for confirmed terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reapply if I have a pending MRA application?
No. Applications submitted before 1 April 2026 are processed under the previous rules. The 70% rate applies to applications submitted on or after 1 April 2026. Applications under MRA are accepted through 29 September 2026; EDGE applications start on 30 September.
Can I apply for an existing market under MRA?
No — MRA accepts new applications through 29 September 2026; EDGE applications start 30 September, and the “new market” requirement (annual sales in the target market no more than S$100,000 in any of the preceding three years) applies through MRA’s final application day. Budget 2026 announced this criterion would be removed from 2H 2026 so businesses can get support in existing overseas markets too; that change is being delivered through the EDGE Grant — check its market-expansion activities for current terms.
Does the 70% rate apply to all MRA pillars?
Yes. OMP, OBD, and OMS all moved from 50% to 70% support for SMEs.
Is MRA still SME-only?
Yes. MRA remains restricted to SMEs (group turnover ≤S$100M or ≤200 employees).
Can I combine MRA with DTDi?
Yes, for different expenses. You cannot claim the same cost under both MRA and DTDi. See the Budget 2026 Expansion Grants Decision Matrix for stacking scenarios.
Related Guides
- Budget 2026 Internationalisation Grants Overview — all Budget 2026 grant changes at a glance
- MRA Grant Explained — full MRA guide with eligibility and application steps
- MRA Quick-Start Checklist — 2-minute eligibility check
- MRA’s Three Pillars Explained — OMP, OBD, OMS deep dive
- 5 MRA Pitfalls That Get Applications Rejected — common mistakes to avoid
- Budget 2026 Expansion Grants Decision Matrix — MRA vs DTDi vs BizAdapt comparison
- Budget 2026 AI & Innovation Grants Overview — AI, EIS, PSG, and CIT changes at a glance
- Budget 2026 CIT Rebate & Cash Grant — 40% CIT rebate + S$1,500 cash grant details
- Grant Pitfalls Guide — common mistakes across all grants
- Corppass Setup Guide — required for BGP applications
- Singapore Grants Glossary
Official Links
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