How to Renew a Helper Work Permit in Singapore

Renewing a migrant domestic worker’s Work Permit is short online work only after the supporting items are ready. The low-risk approach is to use the MOM renewal letter as the master checklist, arrange the insurance package and any required medical examination early, confirm whether a new card is needed, then submit before the current permit expires.

Renewal at a glance

According to MOM’s current MDW Work Permit renewal guide, the renewal letter should arrive about eight weeks before expiry. The employer, sponsor or authorised employment agency can renew. MOM lists a $35 fee, an immediate online outcome and a renewed permit of up to two years, although it may be shorter in specified situations.

Step 1: read the renewal letter line by line

Do not use a generic checklist as a substitute for the actual letter. Page 2 tells you whether a medical examination is required and which documents apply. If the letter does not arrive, MOM provides an online route to print a copy. Confirm the helper’s name and pass details, the expiry date, the medical instruction and whether card delivery information will be required.

Step 2: arrange the insurance package and bond

Extend or replace the medical insurance and personal accident insurance. MOM’s insurance requirements currently require medical insurance with at least $60,000 annual coverage for inpatient care and day surgery, plus personal accident insurance with at least $60,000 sum assured per year. The employer must pay for these policies.

For a non-Malaysian helper, arrange the new security bond. MOM says the bank or insurer may take up to three working days to send the new bond details. Do not submit before those details have reached MOM. If the insurance package is valid for less than 26 months, the renewed permit will end two months before the package expires.

Step 3: complete only the medical check requested

Check the renewal notice to see whether a full medical examination form must be completed and uploaded. This is separate from the routine six-monthly medical examination. Follow the form and clinic instructions rather than assuming a recent 6ME replaces the renewal requirement.

Step 4: review passport and household changes

MOM’s current renewal page says the helper’s passport is no longer tied to her Work Permit duration: the permit can be renewed even if the passport has expired or has less than two years’ validity. That is a recent point employers may miss. It does not make an expired passport valid for travel. If a trip is planned, renew the passport as required by the issuing embassy and keep MOM’s passport record updated.

Also review the household declarations. From 1 September 2025, MOM says households with children below seven who are not fully vaccinated against measles must ensure the helper has measles immunity. Follow the renewal page and letter for the current evidence needed in your case.

Step 5: submit, pay and read the result

• Log in through MOM’s linked MDW eService and upload the documents requested in the letter.
• Pay the $35 fee by an accepted method shown in the eService.
• Save the acknowledgement and print the Temporary Work Permit.
• If it says to continue using the existing card, let the helper keep it.
• If it says a new card will be issued, follow the delivery instructions and cut the old card in half once required.
• Help the helper access her digital pass in SGWorkPass using her Singpass account.

Avoid the common renewal traps

The most common avoidable problems are waiting for the last week, buying a policy with dates that shorten the permit, assuming bond data reaches MOM instantly, overlooking a medical instruction, returning a card that should be retained, or booking overseas travel around the expiry date. If renewal cannot be completed on time, use MOM’s official short-extension process rather than allowing the pass to lapse.

How this guide avoids overlap

This page owns the transaction intent “renew helper Work Permit”: timing, documents, payment and post-renewal evidence. For the broader cost stack, read Work Permit, levy and insurance explained. For the recurring health-screening process, use the 6ME employer guide. For policy-selection questions, see the maid insurance guide.

Sources and review note

Reviewed on 12 September 2026 against MOM’s renewal, insurance, security-bond and 6ME pages. Fees, forms and policy requirements can change, so treat the MOM renewal letter and linked eService as authoritative for the individual case.