Summary:
- The MOM renewal letter arrives about 8 weeks before expiry, so aim to submit at least 4 weeks ahead to allow time for preparations.
- Sort out your helper’s insurance, security bond, any required medical exam, and the measles requirement before you renew.
- Submit online via MOM’s WP Online using Singpass; the $35 fee is paid by Visa, Mastercard, or PayNow, with an immediate outcome.
- After submitting, print the Temporary Work Permit and check whether your helper keeps her existing card or gets a new one.
- Set up the SGWorkPass app so your helper can show proof of her active permit anytime.
Need to renew a Work Permit for your domestic helper with MOM (Ministry of Manpower)? If your helper is coming up to her 2nd year with you, the renewal letter should arrive before her permit expires. The process is more straightforward than it looks, and this guide walks you through it from start to finish, covering what to prepare and when to act, so you can renew with plenty of time to spare.
When to Act on Your MOM Renewal Letter
A work permit renewal is easier when you give yourself enough time. Medical checks, insurance updates, and security bond details can take a few days to arrange, so starting early keeps the process manageable.
- About 8 Weeks Before Expiry: MOM usually sends the renewal letter around this time. Open it when it arrives and set a calendar reminder.
- 4 Weeks Before Expiry: Use this as your working deadline. It gives you time for medical checks, insurance, and any document reissue.
- At Least 3 Working Days Before Submission: Make sure your bank or insurer has sent the security bond and insurance details to MOM.
If the letter does not arrive, print a copy online and renew before the expiry date. The responsibility to renew on time stays with you as the employer, and late renewal may lead to levy charges, levy penalties, or an overstaying fine.
What Do You Need to Prepare Before You Renew?
Getting your documents ready early keeps the actual submission quick and painless. Before you log in, sort out these 4 items:
|
What You Need to Do |
|
|
Insurance and Security Bond |
Arrange medical insurance with at least $60,000 of annual coverage, personal accident insurance, and a $5,000 security bond for non-Malaysian helpers. |
|
6-Monthly Medical Examination |
Check page 2 of your renewal letter to see whether MOM requires a fresh 6-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME) for your helper, then follow the next steps listed. |
|
Measles Immunity Requirement |
If there are children below 7 years old in your household who are not fully vaccinated against measles, make sure your helper has immunity against measles before renewal. |
|
Contract and Passport Details |
Re-issue the employment contract with any agreed changes to salary or rest days, and keep a scanned copy of her passport’s personal particulars page ready. Her passport validity is no longer tied to the renewal. |
In a few cases, the renewed permit may be shorter. If the insurance package is valid for less than 26 months, the permit runs until 2 months before the insurance expires. And if your helper is approaching 60, the permit can be renewed only up to the date she turns 60.
Submitting Your Helper’s Work Permit Renewal Online
When your documents are ready, the submission itself is quick. Log in to MOM’s WP Online, also known as the FDW eService, using your Singpass, then find your helper’s record and select renew. The whole thing usually takes around 20 minutes, so it helps to set aside a quiet slot rather than squeezing it between other tasks.
You may need to upload a few items, including:
- A copy of your helper’s passport personal particulars page
- The medical examination form, if one is required
- Any other documents listed in your renewal letter.
The $35 renewal fee can be paid by Visa, Mastercard, or PayNow. It is worth taking a screenshot of each confirmation page before you close the tab, just for your own peace of mind. Helpfully, the portal flags any missing items before submission, so you can fix incomplete details before the application goes through.
How Long Does MOM Take, and What Happens After You Submit?
As soon as you submit, the system issues a Temporary Work Permit on the spot. Print this for your helper, as it serves as her valid proof of status while she waits for the physical card, if a new one is needed.
The Temporary Work Permit will state one of 2 outcomes:
- Your helper can continue using her current card, or
- MOM will send the new card by registered mail to your nominated address.
If a new card is being issued, take note of the following:
- Make sure the phone numbers for all authorised recipients are correct.
- You can nominate up to 3 people to sign for the card.
- A missed delivery may mean collecting the card from the MOM Services Centre.
- Use the SGWorkPass app to check the permit status if needed.
If the Temporary Work Permit says your helper should keep her existing card, do hold on to it rather than returning it, as MOM charges $65.40 to replace a pass that is sent back unnecessarily. If a new card is issued, simply cut the old card in half and discard it once the new one arrives.
If the admin side of renewal is adding to an already full plate, get in touch today and let us guide you through every step and make sure everything is in order before you log in to submit.
What the SGWorkPass App Does After Renewal
Setting up the SGWorkPass app together is a small step that makes daily life easier for both of you. Download the app and help your helper set up her own access using Singpass, so she can view her digital work pass and employment details on her own, without needing to check with you each time.
The app is MOM’s official tool for confirming that a permit is active after renewal. It is genuinely handy at clinics, banks, and remittance counters, where your helper may be asked to show proof of her work pass status.
A quick look at the app every few months is a good habit, especially around the 6ME due date or after any change of address. Bookmarking it on her home screen during setup keeps it within easy reach whenever she needs it.
Let Jayamaids Handle Your MOM Work Permit Renewal
Renewing a Work Permit involves a lot of moving parts, and missing one can mean penalties or a last-minute scramble. At Jayamaids, we guide you through the process for renewing your domestic helper’s Work Permit with MOM.
We show you what to prepare and how, from choosing insurance and booking medicals to getting your documents ready, so the actual submission through WP Online is quick and straightforward. We guide you at every stage, so nothing slips through.
We are also happy to help with trickier situations, such as renewals where timing is tight before home leave, delayed medical results, or cases where the permit duration may be shorter than expected.
Ready to get started? Speak to our team at our Hougang, Bedok, or Bukit Timah branch on WhatsApp, or give us a call, and we will walk you through what comes next.
