< FAQ's >
APPLICATION of WORK PERMIT
< FDW >
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Q.
Aside from employing a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW), what other alternatives are available for dual-income families to take care of children or elderly persons in the home?
A.
Depending on the individual circumstances, families could engage domestic cleaning services to take care of household chores or tap on the traditional extended-family system to look after the child or the elderly. There are also childcare/after-school care and elderly day care facilities available.
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Q. Can employers who have been debarred from hiring Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) appeal against the decision?
A. Employers who wish to appeal their debarment can write to the Minister for Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764.
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Q. Can I extend the validity of the 'Letter of Notification to bring my Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore' if my FDW is unable to come to Singapore within the 3 months' validity period?
A. Yes, employers can request for an extension on the validity of the 'Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore' from the Domestic Permit Section, Work Pass Division at Fax No: (65) 6538 7275 or send an email to mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg. Please provide the following information:

a) Your worker's full name and Work Permit Number
b) The employer's full name and NRIC Number / CPF Reference Number
c) The employer's residential address and direct contact number
d) The reason(s) for the extension.
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Q. Can Long-Term Visit Pass holders employ Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A. Yes are eligible to apply for a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW), provided your Long-Term Visit Pass is valid at the time of the Work Permit application for the Foreign Domestic Worker. You will also be subjected to all other prevailing criteria for employing FDWs.
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Q. Can Ministry of Manpower provide information on how long employers are debarred from hiring Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) for the various types of offences?
A. Each case is assessed on its own merits and the period for which employers are debarred from hiring Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) is based on the severity of the offences committed. Individual employers would be informed of the period for which they are debarred. In general, an employer will be debarred from hiring foreign domestic workers if he is found to have committed offences such as:

1. Physical and/or psychological abuse of FDWs.
2. Exploitation and/or ill treatment of FDWs, for example.
- Failing to pay FDWs' salary; and/or
- Failing to provide upkeep and maintenance for FDWs under the Work Permit conditions, such as adequate food and rest.
3. Requiring FDWs to perform dangerous tasks such as the cleaning exterior windows of high-rise apartments and hanging out laundry without safety measures.
4. Illegally employing or deploying FDWs.
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Q. How can I apply for Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) levy concessions?
A. Employers need not separately apply for levy concession as long as they provide the full details of their household in the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Work Permit application form. However, if there is new information available, employers can apply for FDW levy concessions by completing the levy concession form.
View criteria to qualify for levy concessions.
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Q. How do I apply Work Permit for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A. Work Permit applications for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) can be made online using Work Permit Online (WPOL), the Work Permit application form, or through an Employment Agency. For more details on Application Requirements, please click here.

Once your application is approved, the following must be obtained before your FDW can enter Singapore.
(i) In-Principle Approval letter (IPA)
(ii) Personal Accident Insurance
(iii) Security Bond
More details can be found in "Preparing to Enter Singapore". With effect from 1st January 2008, FDW employers need to purchase Medical Insurance for new FDWs entering Singapore and renewals for existing FDWs. More details on Medical Insurance can be found here.
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Q. How do I change the date of transfer for my Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)?
A. To request for a change of the transfer date, both the new and current employers have to consent to the change and agree on a new transfer date.
If there is a need for employers to defer the transfer date and the new transfer date falls within 7 calendar days from the original scheduled date, the new employer can request online for Issuance of Work Permit via Work Permit Online (WPOL) for Employer of Foreign Domestic Worker. The current employer is required to pay the foreign worker levy until the day before the Work Permit is issued to the worker employed under the new employer's name.
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Q. Under what circumstances will the Ministry of Manpower debar employers from hiring Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A. Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will debar employers who are deemed unsuitable to employ Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs). Such employers would have committed infringements of the various rules and regulations under MOM's purview, such as the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
MOM will also take into consideration ongoing investigations against employers for such offences, when they apply for new FDW work permits, or renew existing FDW work permits.
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Q. What are the entry requirements for a first-time Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)?
A. A first-time Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) would be required to submit her educational certificates, pass the entry test (within three attempts) and complete the Safety Awareness Course (SAC) within the first three working days of her arrival in Singapore (excluding the day of arrival).
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Q. What can I do if I have not received or misplaced the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter or 'Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore'?
A. You can print a duplicate copy of the In-Principle Approval letter/ 'Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore' using Work Permit Online (WPOL). Alternatively, you may request for a duplicate copy from the Domestic Permit Section, Work Pass Division at Fax No: (65) 6538 7275, or send an email to mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg with the following information:

a) Your worker's full name, Work Permit Number and Date of Birth
b) The employer's full name and NRIC Number/ CPF Reference Number
c) The employer's residential address and direct contact number
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Q. What happens when Ministry of Manpower debars employers from hiring Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A. Employers who are debarred will not be allowed to apply work permits for new Foreign Domestic Workers, as well as renew the work permits of their existing Foreign Domestic Workers.
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Q. What is the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) guidebook?
A. Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be sending a guidebook to all Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) employers which will include a set of employment guidelines currently available on our website. This will help employers better understand their roles and responsibilities in managing their FDWs. The employment guidelines illustrate the expected standards for the management of FDWs by their employers.
MOM will also launch a six-monthly newsletter for FDWs. All FDWs working in Singapore will receive a copy of the newsletter, which provides useful information on FDWs' rights and responsibilities, including the importance of workplace safety especially when working in high-rise buildings.
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