Work Permit (Foreign Domestic Worker) - Inform MOM
Foreign Domestic Worker Going on Home Leave
If a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) leaves Singapore on home leave, an employer can choose either to temporarily cancel the Work Permit or not to.
Temporary cancellation of Work Permit
If an employer choose to temporarily cancel the FDW’s Work Permit before she goes on home leave:
- The duration of the home leave must not be more than 60 calendar days; and
- The Work Permit must be valid for more than three months at the time of cancellation. This is to ensure that there is sufficient time to re-instate/renew the Work Permit following the FDW's return to Singapore.
These documents need to be produced at MOM’s Work Pass Services Counters for a temporary cancellation of a FDW’s Work Permit:
Upon cancellation, the FDW will be issued a Special Pass valid for not more than seven calendar days. The FDW must surrender this pass at the Immigration Checkpoint when leaving Singapore.
Foreign Worker Levy/Security Bond
The employer’s levy liability ceases on the day the Work Permit is cancelled and resumes on the second day of the FDW’s return.
The security bond will be discharged once it has been confirmed that the FDW has left Singapore. An employer must execute a new security bond before the FDW returns.
In-Principle Approval (IPA) Letter
An IPA letter to re-instate the Work Permit will be mailed to the employer within 10 days of the Work Permit cancellation. The letter is valid for only 60 calendar days after the Work Permit is cancelled. The FDW must return to Singapore before the letter expires.
Returning to Singapore
The Work Permit can be re-instated only after the FDW returns from home leave. Please approach MOM’s Work Pass Services Counters to reinstate the Work Permit within seven days of her return.
Failure to return to Singapore
If the FDW fails to return to Singapore following home leave, please cancel the Work Permit immediately to cease the levy liability.
No cancellation of Work Permit
Foreign Worker Levy
The employer should continue to pay the Foreign Worker Levy while the FDW is away on home leave.
Upon the FDW’s return to Singapore, please apply to waive the levy either:
Please bring along the FDW’s passport or boarding passes for verification. The waiver of levy should be applied within a year from the end of the month in which the levy was paid.
Returning to Singapore
The FDW must produce her Work Permit card and passport to re-enter Singapore after home leave.
Failure to return to Singapore
If the FDW fails to return to Singapore following her home leave, please cancel the Work Permit immediately to cease the levy liability.
Upon confirmation that the FDW has departed and not re-entered Singapore, an employer will be discharged of his/her liabilities under the security bond.
To prove that the FDW has left Singapore, please keep a copy of the travel ticket or a record of the FDW’s departure itinerary. Should the FDW re-enter Singapore before the security bond has been discharged, please arrange for the FDW’s immediate repatriation, or the security bond may be forfeited. Appeals for refund of the forfeited Security Bond will not be considered.
Skip to content
