Renewing your domestic helper’s Work Permit is straightforward if you start early and have the paperwork ready, but miss the window or the insurance details and it gets stressful fast. This guide walks employers through renewing a maid (migrant domestic worker) Work Permit in 2026: when to start, what you need, what it costs, and the exact online steps.
Quick answer: MOM sends a renewal notice about 8 weeks before your helper’s Work Permit expires, and you can renew online through the FDW eService (with Singpass) from 7 to 12 weeks before expiry. Before you renew, arrange valid medical insurance (at least S$15,000), personal accident insurance (at least S$60,000), and a S$5,000 security bond for non-Malaysian helpers, and make sure the passport and 6-monthly medical are in order. The renewal fee is S$35, and approval usually comes in 1 to 3 working days.
When should you renew?
Timing is the thing employers most often get wrong. The key dates:
- MOM sends a renewal letter about 8 weeks before expiry.
- You can renew online 7 to 12 weeks before the permit expires.
- Start early, ideally 10 to 12 weeks out, to leave room for insurance, a passport renewal, or a medical if one is due.
A renewed Work Permit is usually valid for up to two years, though it can be shorter if your helper is over 60, the passport does not cover the full period, or the insurance is for a shorter term. Do not let the permit lapse: working on an expired permit is an offence.
What you need before renewing
Get these in place before you open the eService.
| Requirement | Detail |
| Valid passport | At least 7 months’ validity; if it does not cover the full 2 years, the permit may be shortened |
| Medical insurance | Minimum S$15,000 a year in coverage |
| Personal accident insurance | Minimum S$60,000 a year in coverage |
| Security bond | S$5,000 for non-Malaysian helpers, issued to MOM |
| 6-monthly medical exam (6ME) | Kept up to date; a further medical may be required if MOM’s notice says so |
| Updated declarations | Your details and the helper’s, current in the FDW eService |
Insurance and the security bond can usually be bought together as a package, and your insurer sends the bond details to MOM for you.
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost |
| Renewal fee | S$35 per Work Permit (card or eNETS) |
| Insurance and security bond | Roughly S$600 to S$750 combined at renewal |
| Monthly levy | Continues: currently S$300 a month, or S$60 concessionary for eligible households |
So the renewal itself is cheap; the real cost is the insurance, bond, and ongoing levy. Confirm your levy rate with MOM, as the concessionary rate depends on having a young child, an elderly person, or a person with disabilities in the household.
How to renew, step by step
The whole thing is done online and takes a well-prepared employer under 30 minutes.
- Sort out insurance and the security bond first. Renew or buy the medical and personal accident insurance to meet MOM’s minimums, and arrange the S$5,000 bond for non-Malaysian helpers.
- Log in to the FDW eService on the MOM website with your Singpass.
- Complete the renewal form, following your renewal letter, and upload any required documents.
- Pay the S$35 fee by card or eNETS.
- Wait for approval, usually 1 to 3 working days for straightforward cases.
- Download and print the temporary Work Permit once approved. The physical card is mailed to you within about 4 to 5 working days.
Medical and insurance, explained
- The 6-monthly medical examination (6ME) is a standing requirement for domestic helpers and must be current. Separately, MOM may require a renewal medical, and its notice will say if one is due.
- Insurance minimums are S$15,000 for medical and S$60,000 for personal accident cover per year. Buying a policy that meets or exceeds these avoids a rejected renewal.
- The security bond of S$5,000 applies to non-Malaysian helpers and is a guarantee to MOM, not a fee you lose.
After renewal
Once approved, keep the temporary Work Permit printout until the card arrives. Check the new permit’s validity and the details on it. It is also a good moment to review your helper’s employment contract and salary so both sides are clear for the next term.
Can you renew it yourself?
Yes. Employers can renew a helper’s Work Permit themselves through the FDW eService without an agency. Some prefer to use their maid agency to handle the insurance, bond, and paperwork, but there is no requirement to, and doing it yourself saves the agency fee.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the renewal window, which risks the permit lapsing and penalties.
- Insufficient insurance that falls below MOM’s minimums.
- Overlooking passport validity, which can shorten the renewed permit.
- Skipping or lapsing the 6-monthly medical.
- Leaving it to the last week, with no buffer for follow-up requests.
How First Immigration can help
If you would rather not manage the paperwork, or you have a more complex situation, First Immigration can help you handle the renewal correctly and on time. We also advise on the full range of Singapore work passes and immigration matters.
For related passes, see our guides to the Employment Pass and S Pass, or speak to our consultants through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
When should I renew my domestic helper’s Work Permit?
MOM sends a renewal notice about 8 weeks before expiry, and you can renew online 7 to 12 weeks before the permit expires. Aim to start 10 to 12 weeks out.
How do I renew a maid’s Work Permit in Singapore?
Arrange the insurance and security bond, log in to MOM’s FDW eService with Singpass, complete the renewal form, pay the S$35 fee, and wait for approval, usually within 1 to 3 working days.
How much does it cost to renew a helper’s Work Permit?
The renewal fee is S$35, but insurance and the security bond typically add S$600 to S$750, and the monthly levy continues separately.
How long is a renewed Work Permit valid?
Usually up to two years, though it can be shorter if the helper is over 60, the passport does not cover the full period, or the insurance is for a shorter term.
Do I need a medical exam to renew?
The 6-monthly medical must be current. MOM’s renewal notice will indicate if a further renewal medical is required.
Can I renew my helper’s Work Permit myself?
Yes. Employers can renew through the FDW eService with Singpass, without an agency, which saves the agency fee.
What insurance do I need to renew?
Medical insurance of at least S$15,000 a year and personal accident insurance of at least S$60,000 a year, plus a S$5,000 security bond for non-Malaysian helpers.
How long does the new Work Permit card take to arrive?
Approval usually comes within 1 to 3 working days, and the physical card is mailed within about 4 to 5 working days. Use the temporary printout in the meantime.
What happens if I renew late or the permit lapses?
Letting the permit lapse means your helper cannot legally work and you may face penalties, so renew within the window and do not leave it to the last week.
