The renewal letter from MOM arrives about eight weeks before your helper's Work Permit expires. That sounds like plenty of time. It is, if you do things in the right order, because one step depends on another and one of them takes several working days.
Here is the renewal, step by step, based on MOM's current rules.
The Short Version
| Step | What to do | Time it takes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read the renewal letter, including page 2 | — |
| 2 | Get a new security bond (non-Malaysian helpers) | Up to 3 working days to reach MOM |
| 3 | Extend or buy medical and personal accident insurance | Same day with most insurers |
| 4 | Renew online in the FDW eService and pay S$35 | Minutes |
| 5 | Print and check the Temporary Work Permit | — |
Step 1: Read the Renewal Letter Properly
MOM sends the letter about 8 weeks before the Work Permit expires.
Read page 2. It tells you whether your helper needs a medical examination before you can renew. Many employers skip this page and only find out at the last step.
If the letter does not arrive, you can still renew. Log in to MOM's FDW eService with Singpass to see her permit details.
Step 2: Security Bond and Insurance First
You cannot submit the renewal until these are in place.
- Security bond (for non-Malaysian helpers): get a new bond, usually S$5,000, through a bank or insurer. Ask them to send the bond details to MOM. This can take up to 3 working days, so do it first.
- Medical insurance: extend her existing policy or buy a new one. MOM's minimum is S$60,000 a year for inpatient care and day surgery.
- Personal accident insurance: extend or buy a new policy. The minimum sum assured is S$60,000.
Most employers buy all three from the same bank or insurer as one package, which keeps the paperwork simple.
The 26-month rule
A renewed Work Permit is usually valid for 2 years. But MOM shortens it if the insurance package is valid for less than 26 months.
So when you buy the package, choose a term that covers at least 26 months. Buying a shorter policy to save a little now can leave you renewing again early.
Step 3: Her Passport No Longer Decides the Permit
This rule changed, and many older guides still get it wrong.
MOM no longer ties your helper's passport to her Work Permit duration. You can renew her Work Permit even if her passport has expired or has less than 2 years left.
That said, she still needs a valid passport to travel home or go on leave. If hers is close to expiry, it is worth sorting out with her embassy around the same time.
Step 4: Renew Online
- Who can renew: the employer, the sponsor, or an authorised employment agency
- Where: MOM's FDW eService, logged in with Singpass
- What to upload: the documents the eService asks for, including a scan of the personal particulars page of her passport
- Fee: S$35 per renewal
If an agency handles it for you, you first authorise them in the FDW eService. They cannot act on your behalf until you do.
Step 5: After You Renew
Print the Temporary Work Permit and check the details. It also tells you what happens next with her new card.
Two Things That Can Shorten the Permit
| Situation | Effect |
|---|---|
| Insurance package valid for less than 26 months | Permit shortened |
| Helper approaching 60 years old | Permit shortened |
Need More Time? The 4-Week Extension
If you need longer before renewing, or you plan to end the employment but need her for a few more weeks, you can request a 4-week extension.
- Request it in the FDW eService
- You must request it within 2 months before the Work Permit expires
- If you do not plan to continue, cancel her Work Permit before the extended expiry date. Otherwise your security bond may be forfeited.
What If You Renew Late?
Renewing after the expiry date does not erase the gap.
- You are still liable for levy after the permit expires
- Levy penalties or an overstaying fine may also apply
Late renewal is one of the most avoidable costs of employing a helper. The letter comes eight weeks ahead, which is enough time for every step above if you start in the first week.
Renewal Is Also the Moment to Talk
A two-year renewal is usually when salary, home leave and the terms of the next contract come up. Those conversations go better when you have the last two years written down, not reconstructed from memory. We cover them in our contract renewal guide below.
A Renewal Checklist
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| Letter arrives (about 8 weeks before) | Read page 2 for the medical exam requirement |
| Week 1 | Order the security bond and the insurance package, covering at least 26 months |
| Week 2 | Confirm the bond has reached MOM, then renew in the FDW eService and pay S$35 |
| Right after | Print and check the Temporary Work Permit |
| If you need time | Request the 4-week extension within 2 months before expiry |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my maid's Work Permit in Singapore?
Get a new security bond for a non-Malaysian helper, extend or buy her medical and personal accident insurance, then renew in MOM's FDW eService with Singpass and pay S$35. The employer, the sponsor or an authorised agency can submit it.
When should I renew my helper's Work Permit?
MOM sends the renewal letter about 8 weeks before expiry. Start in the first week, because the security bond can take up to 3 working days to reach MOM.
Can I renew the Work Permit if my helper's passport is expiring?
Yes. MOM no longer ties the passport to the Work Permit duration, so you can renew even if her passport has expired or has less than 2 years left. She still needs a valid passport to travel.
Why is my helper's renewed Work Permit shorter than 2 years?
The most common reason is an insurance package valid for less than 26 months. A Work Permit is also shortened if the helper is approaching 60 years old.
Can I extend my helper's Work Permit for a few weeks?
Yes, you can request a 4-week extension in the FDW eService, within 2 months before the permit expires. If you are not continuing the employment, cancel the permit before the extended expiry date or the security bond may be forfeited.
What happens if I renew my helper's Work Permit late?
You remain liable for levy after the permit expires, and levy penalties or an overstaying fine may apply.
How HelperMate Helps
Renewal goes wrong when it starts too late. HelperMate reminds you of the Work Permit expiry at 60, 30 and 7 days before, alongside the 6-monthly medical and her passport, so the eight weeks start when they should. Your helper sees the same household record in her own language.