If you are planning to take a leave and go back to your homeland for the holidays, know that there are certain rules you need to comply with to be allowed to re-enter Singapore. Immigration requirements vary depending on factors such as your nationality and on how long you have been working with your current employer.
Home Leave Process for Filipino FDWs
For Filipino FDWs, the process is a bit more tedious as strict home leave procedures must be followed. You are required to register with your Embassy and then apply for a temporary exit document. As a result of registration, you will obtain what is referred to as an authenticated contract.
The registration process will differ depending on how long you have been working for your current employer. If you have been with them for less than 2 years, your employer and you will have to go through an agency. If it’s been more than 2 years, you will be able to process the registration yourself together with your employer. In the latter case, you can just walk in anytime during the Embassy’s opening hours (along with all the required documents).
Get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)
For Filipino workers, the next step is getting an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) – a document that will enable you to clear immigration back to the Philippines and return to Singapore. You will be required to present it to the immigration officer before boarding. If you are not able to produce such a document, you will be denied boarding (even if you have a valid Work Permit).
You can get the OEC online through the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System. If you are returning to the same employer and job site, the system will display a confirmation message indicating that you are exempted from securing the OEC and payment of processing fee. If not, you will be redirected to the Appointment Page. Select your preferred POEA office and schedule for the processing of OEC and payment.
For more information about home leave procedures, please refer to the Philippines Embassy’s FAQ.
Home Leave process for Indonesian FDWs
It is relatively easy. As an Indonesian FDW you do not need to register with your Embassy. Just make sure that your passport has at least 6 months’ validity and that your KTKLN card is still valid to be able to return to Singapore. These documents along with your Work Permit need to be presented to the immigration officer before boarding your return flight.
Other important things to consider before your maid goes on home leave
You should also ensure that your maid’s work permit will be valid when she returns to Singapore. If she is to remain an employee, your security bond with the Ministry of Manpower will remain in effect. If your worker is overseas for more than 7 days, you can apply for a levy waiver after she has returned.
Employers should remind their maids to take their original work permit cards and passports with them. If maids return to Singapore without their work permits, they will likely not be allowed to enter the country. Employers should also always keep a copy of their workers’ itinerary for their reference and ask their workers to inform them if their flights are changed or delayed.
If your maid does not return to Singapore for whatever reason, you can cancel her work permit and keep her itinerary details for proof so that you do not forfeit your security bond.
While the worker is on leave, you can request to defer her 6-monthly medical examination, though your domestic helper should take the examination after returning.
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