Work Permit (Foreign Domestic Worker) - Before you apply

Employer Requirements

Employers who wish to employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW) should be aware of the following requirements and conditions to be fulfiled.

Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP)

The Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP) is a three-hour programme that provides employers with a basic understanding of their roles and responsibilities when hiring an FDW. The programme is compulsory for first-time employers before submitting the Work Permit application, except for those who are exempted. Employers who are applying for their fifth FDW within a 12-month period must also attend the classroom version of the programme.

Registration for EOP

Employers can choose to complete the programme in a classroom setting or online. It must be completed at least two working days before submitting the Work Permit application.

Employers and employment agencies must ensure that all the information submitted in the programme registration and Work Permit application forms are identical (e.g. identification numbers, name, date of birth) for easy matching of records.

Registration for the programme can be made at these MOM-stipulated training centres listed below:

A) Classroom EOP

Singapore Polytechnic

Venue:	Professional & Adult Continuing Education (PACE) Academy Singapore Polytechnic Room T1A12, Blk T1A 500 Dover Road Singapore 139651
Language:	English
Course Fee:	$20.00
Duration:	3 Hours
To register:	Online Registration
Operating Hours:	8.30am – 9.00pm (Monday to Friday)

Nation Employment Pte Ltd

Venue:	135 Jurong East St 13 #05-317 Singapore 600135.
Language:	English / Mandarin
Course Fee:	$20.00
Duration:	3 Hours
To register:	Walk-in registration at: 135 Jurong East St 13 #05-317 Singapore 600135
Operating Hours:	9.00am – 9.00pm (Monday to Friday)

B) Online EOP

With effect from 21st May 2007, employers who wish to register for the Online programme are required to use their SingPass for login.
Find out more information and application procedures on SingPass.
Registration for online EOP 

Language:	English
Course Fee:	$30.00
Contact No:	(65) 6772 1288

Exemption from EOP
First-time employers can be exempted from attending the programme if they satisfy any of these conditions.

Condition A:
The employer either:

1. suffers from chronic medical conditions; or
2. is unable to walk (eg.has a physical disability); or
3. is 60 years old and above and suffers physical discomfort

and a Sponsor or Representative of 21 years of age and above has attended the programme on the employer's behalf.

Condition B:
The employer either:

1. suffers from chronic medical conditions; or
2. is unable to walk (eg.has a physical disability); or
3. is 60 years old and above and suffers physical discomfort

and a Sponsor or Sponsor's spouse is or was an employer of an FDW.

Condition C:
The employer either:

1. is expecting and the date of delivery is within a month's time; or
2. has delivered a child one month or less from the date of exemption application

and their spouse has attended the programme on their behalf. 

Exemption from EOP  

Exemption from the EOP can be made through an online application. A third-party may apply for an exemption on the employer’s behalf. Employers will be notified of the application outcome immediately.

• Download Flowchart on Exemption Application Procedure

These documents and information are required for the application:

• SingPass ID;
• Employer's personal particulars;
• Sponsor's/Spouse's/Representative's personal particulars (Important: The identification number and name used in registering for the Programme must be identical to that cited in the application for exemption); and
• Employment Agency's contact details (if applicable).

NOTE:

• You must ensure that your Sponsor/Spouse/Representative has attended the programme on your behalf at least two working days before submitting the exemption application.

• If you have been granted exemption, you can only proceed with your Work Permit application two or more working days after notification of your successful exemption application.

Retention of documents for MOM’s audit

If you have been granted exemption, please retain following documents for three months for audit purposes. 

Exemption Criteria	Documents to be retained
a) Employer is suffering from chronic medical conditions.	Employer's NRIC / Passport Sponsor's / Sponsor's spouse's / Representative's NRIC / Passport Medical documents / doctor's letter Sponsor's / Representative's Certificate of Attendance of programme (if applicable)
b) Employer is unable to walk (e.g. physical disability).
c) Employer is 60 years of age and above and suffers from physical discomfort.
d) Expectant employer's expected date of delivery is within one month from date of exemption application.	Employer's NRIC / Passport Spouse's NRIC / Passport Birth Certificate of employer's child / Doctor's certification of expected date of delivery Spouse's Certificate of Attendance of programme
f) Employer's spouse or ex-spouse is or was an FDW Employer.	Employer's NRIC / Passport Spouse's / Ex-Spouse's NRIC /Passport Marriage / Divorce Certificate

For queries on exemptions, please email mom_peb@mom.gov.sg or call +65 6438 5122.

Opening hours:
8.30am - 6pm (Monday - Thursday)
8.30am - 5.30pm (Friday)  

 

Changing more than four FDWs in a year

Employers who are applying for their fifth FDW within a 12-month period must attend the Classroom EOP.

Employers who apply for their sixth or subsequent FDW within a 12-month period must attend an interview with an MOM officer before the Ministry processes the Work Permit application. The interview will allow the Ministry to gain an understanding of the employer's practices to assess the application.

Blacklist framework for employers

Employers deemed unsuitable to employ FDWs will not be allowed to apply for new Work Permits for FDWs or renew the Work Permits of their current FDWs. An employer will be debarred if found to have committed offences such as:

• Physical and/or psychological abuse of the FDW
• Exploitation and/or ill treatment of the FDW, for example:

- Failing to pay her salary; and/or

- Failing to provide for the upkeep and maintenance of the FDW such as
  adequate food and rest

• Requiring the FDW to perform dangerous tasks such as cleaning exterior windows of high-rise apartments and hanging out laundry without safety measures
• Illegally employing or deploying the FDW