How to apply

Step	Who does this	Result
Submit an application	Employer or EA	In-principle approval or rejection letter
Prepare for MDW’s arrival	Employer or EA	Security bond, insurance, etc.
Get the permit issued	Employer or EA	Temporary Work Permit
(If required) Register fingerprints and photo	Helper	Complete registration
Set up digital work pass	Helper	Digital work pass
Receive the card	Employer or EA	Work Permit card

Employers with Singpass and employment agencies can apply using the FDW eService for a faster outcome.

Otherwise, you can submit an application form online.

Submit using the FDW eService

Processing time: within 1 week. Some cases will take more time.

You will need this information for applying:

• Helper’s passport details
• Your and your family members’ personal particulars
• Your income information

To submit an application:

1. Get a written consent from the helper to apply for a Work Permit.
2. Log in to fill up the application.
3. Pay $35 for each application. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard or PayNow.
4. Log in to check the status of your application after 1 week.

It takes about 1 week to process the application. It may take longer if additional information is required. We will email you the application outcome.

Processing time: within 3 weeks. Some cases will take more time.

To submit:

1. Get a written consent from the helper to apply for a Work Permit. 
2. Download the Work Permit application form (for online submission). 
3. Complete the application form as a softcopy to get the bill reference number. Do not print the form out.
4. Pay the $35 fee for each application by PayNow or FAST (Fast and Secure Transfers).
5. Submit your application online and upload the following:
   • Completed application form
   • Screenshot of banking page confirming your payment
   • Supporting documents listed in the application form

It takes around 3 weeks to process the application. It may take longer if additional information is required. We will email you the application outcome.

If your application is approved

We will email the in-principle approval (IPA) letter and declaration forms for you and your helper to sign.

Send your helper her copy of the IPA. She needs it to enter Singapore. If she needs more time to arrive, use our FDW eService to extend her IPA validity. 

Prepare for MDW arrival

You need to complete these steps to prepare for your helper’s arrival in Singapore. 

Before your helper arrives

Role	Responsibilities
Employer	Buy a security bond for a non-Malaysian helper:Please ensure your insurer sends us the security bond details. It takes up to 3 working days. If your insurer asks for your helper’s FIN, you can find it on her in-principle approval letter.The security bond must also take effect when she arrives. Otherwise, the immigration officer will not allow her to enter. We are unable to change the security bond effective date to allow her to enter Singapore, and you will have to send her home immediately.Buy medical and personal accident insurance for her.(Only for first-time helpers) Register her for the Settling-In Programme (SIP).
Helper	Print the in-principle approval (IPA) letter. She will need to show the IPA letter to the immigration officer upon arrival.Ensure that she complies with the latest travel requirements.

After your helper arrives

You need to:

1. (Only for first-time helpers) Send her for the SIP within 7 days, excluding Sunday and public holidays.
2. (For all helpers) Send her for a medical examination within 14 days. 

Set up digital work pass

When: On the day of card registration

After she is registered for a Singpass account, inform your helper to:

1. Download SGWorkPass (if they have not done so yet)
2. Log into the app with their Singpass
3. View their digital work pass and employment information

SGWorkPass app allows her easy and secure access to her digital work pass. She can check her status, expiry date and procure services earlier, without having to wait for delivery of her physical work pass card.

If your helper is not required to report to MOMSC for card registration, please guide them to set up their digital work pass.

Receiving the card

When: Within 5 working days after registration or document verification

We will deliver the Work Permit card to the given address within 5 working days after your helper registers and has her documents verified. If your helper does not need to register, we will deliver the card within 5 working days after verifying her documents.

Guide your helper to set up her SGWorkPass app to view her digital work pass and employment information.

The authorised recipients will get an SMS or email with the delivery details at least 1 working day before delivery.

When collecting the card, you will need to show these documents for identification:

Person receiving the card	Required documents
Helper	Passport or digital work pass
Authorised person	NRIC, FIN or passport

If you do not receive the card within 5 working days, check if you have uploaded the correct documents.

You can also check your card delivery status using WP Online.

If card delivery fails

After two unsuccessful card delivery attempts, you’ll have to collect the card at the service desk of MOM Services Centre – Hall C.

You can collect it 3 working days after the second attempted delivery. You don’t need an appointment for collection. You can also authorise a representative or employment agent to collect the card on your behalf.

Bring along these documents for card collection:

• Helper’s original passport or digital work pass
• Temporary Work Permit

If you authorise someone to collect it on your behalf, make sure they bring these along:

• An authorisation letter from the employer
• NRIC or passport for verification
• Helper’s original passport
• Temporary Work Permit