What do you need to renew your work permit?

To renew your domestic helper’s work permit, there are a few things you need before heading to MOM’s online “Keep My Helper” portal to renew the work permit. This will ensure that the work permit process is smooth and fuss free.

Documents needed before you renew your domestic helper’s work permit

Before renewing your helper’s work permit, you need to have these documents and information ready:

• Helper’s latest passport
•  New insurance policy that meet the MOM minimum requirements of:
•  Personal accident insurance: at least S$60,000
• Medical expense insurance: at least S$15,000
• MOM Security bond from the Insurance Company: S$5,000
• Learn more about the MOM Security Bond here.
• Valid credit card in order to make the online payment fee of $30 for the work permit renewal

The renewal of the work permit on the MOM website should take no more than 10 minutes to complete, you will need to log in with your SingPass account. The new work permit will be delivered to your address within five working days. Do ensure that either the employer or helper is at home to receive and sign for the new work permit. You may also appoint others to sign, this can be done directly on the MOM Keep My Helper portal.

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1. The work permit renewal process and purchasing a new domestic helper insurance

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will send you a work permit renewal letter approximately five weeks before the expiry of your domestic helper’s work permit. Once you’ve received the letter, proceed to renew the permit online if you have already purchased a new domestic helper insurance for the new period of employment.

The starting date of the new domestic helper insurance will have to coincide with the new work permits date. When purchasing the insurance, in order to ensure smooth issuance and transmission of the necessary security bond information to MOM, it is important that accurate names, dates and numbers are submitted.

The Security Bond Transmission Number, “SB Transmission No.”, is particularly important as this information is what the insurance company will send to MOM. Its to indicate that they will undertake the guarantee of your Security Bond. Without successful transmission of this information, you will not be able to renew your work permit.

2. The earlier you renew, the better

It is recommended that you renew your helper’s work permit well ahead of its expiry. Especially if your helper is planning to return to her country on home leave before her work permit expires, this will ensure that there will be no issues with re-entry when your helper returns to Singapore.

The outcomes of late permit renewal are levy penalties or an overstaying fine, both of which are problems you would want to avoid.

3. A new employment contract

When you first employ your domestic helper, you had to create an employment contract that set out the rights and obligations of your domestic helper and yourself, as an employer. While it is not compulsory for the renewal of the work permit, it is good practice to refresh the contract between domestic helper and employer with updated details that have been agreed between both parties.

Having an employment contract is recommended to ensure clear communication and expectations to ensure that there are no misunderstandings between both parties.

4. Important documents like the passport needs to be valid

Before renewing your helper’s work permit, you need to make sure that all of her documents are in place. If her passport is expiring in the next 6 months, your helper will need to visit the embassy to renew her passport. Do start the process of renewing her passport early.

5. Ensure you have purchased the embassy bond if your helper needs to renew her passport or if she is going back on home leave

If your helper is Indonesian or Filipino, you will also need to purchase an Embassy Bond (also known as the Performance Bond) before the Embassy will carry out the paperwork required to renew the passport.

You can purchase the Indonesian Embassy Bond here for S$74.90, or the Philippines Embassy Bond here for $67. You can also learn more about the list of documents needed (e.g. what is needed to obtain your helper’s Authenticated Employment Contract and the OEC issuance requirements) when your helper goes on home leave here.

6. Other documents required for Indonesian domestic helpers – the work agreement and the kartu pekerja Indonesia Singapura (KPIS) card

One of the requirements of renewing your helper’s work permit is an interview set up by the Indonesian Embassy before the renewal of your helper’s permit. You can arrange an interview when you arrive at the Indonesian Embassy by visiting the Consular Department.

Questions regarding your helper’s employment arrangement with you including details on her revised salary, days off, leave and others will be asked.

It is best that you discuss these matters with your helper before the interview to make the process easier. You and your helper will be asked to sign the Work Agreement after. Do ensure that the documents are both stamped and certified by the Embassy before you leave.

If your helper does not already have one, you will need to apply for your helper’s Kartu Pekerja Indonesia Singapura (KPIS) card while you are at the Embassy. This KPIS card is a compulsory card launched by the Indonesian Embassy in 2017 for all Indonesian domestic helpers working in Singapore.

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On InsureDIY, you can apply for the required insurance coverage in order to help renew your domestic helper’s work permit. All of the plans on InsureDIY include the minimum MOM requirements and our experienced professionals will be able to guide you through a fuss-free renewal experience here and save on your domestic helper insurance!

InsureDIY has financial advisers that can help you make the right choice and answer any of your questions. Simply email us at [email protected] anytime!