Updated on 18 March 2026
If your domestic helper is planning to go home for a holiday or family visit, it is important to prepare properly before she leaves Singapore. Home leave rules are not just about booking a ticket. Employers and migrant domestic workers (MDWs) should also check Work Permit validity, return-entry requirements, levy waiver eligibility, and any home-country documentation that may be needed before the helper can travel and re-enter Singapore.
Immigration and departure requirements can vary depending on the helper’s nationality, her home country’s rules, and whether she is returning to the same employer in Singapore. This guide explains the current process for Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers in Singapore, plus the most important MOM rules employers should know before approving home leave.
Home Leave Process for Filipino FDWs
For Filipino domestic helpers, home leave usually involves Philippine labor-related compliance in addition to Singapore travel arrangements. In practice, this often means checking whether the helper needs contract verification, an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) -related process through DMW, or both, depending on her case. The Philippine Embassy in Singapore currently requires appointments for labor transactions, and its published schedule shows that contract verification and OEC application are handled through the Labor Section by appointment.
This is one of the biggest updates from older guides: rather than relying on a simple “less than 2 years vs more than 2 years” rule, it is safer to follow the current MWO/Embassy appointment system and case-specific instructions, because procedures may differ depending on whether the helper is returning to the same employer, renewing documentation, or updating employment records.
What employers and helpers should do
Before travel, Filipino helpers should:
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Check that their passport is valid
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Make sure their Singapore Work Permit remains valid for re-entry
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Confirm whether they need contract verification and/or an OEC or OEC exemption
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Book any required MWO/Embassy appointment early, since labor services are appointment-based
Do Filipino FDWs Still Need an OEC?
For returning Filipino workers, the key document has traditionally been the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) . DMW’s current FAQ pages still identify POPS-BaM / Balik-Manggagawa as the system used by returning OFWs to secure OEC-related processing and verify employment before going back abroad.
If the worker is returning to the same employer and same job site, she may qualify for an OEC exemption through the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System instead of going through a full OEC issuance process. That exemption framework remains part of DMW’s official guidance for returning workers.
If she is not exempt, she may need to proceed with an appointment and processing through the Philippine labor authorities. The Philippine Embassy in Singapore’s published labor schedule still lists OEC application as an appointment-based service.
Important practical note
Older articles often say a helper will automatically be denied boarding without an OEC. Today, the more accurate advice is this: Filipino helpers should verify their current DMW/Balik-Manggagawa status before travel, because some returning workers may be exempt while others still need formal processing.
Home Leave Process for Indonesian FDWs
For Indonesian domestic helpers, the process is generally more straightforward from the Singapore side. The most important Singapore requirement is that the helper must still be able to lawfully return on a valid passport and valid Work Permit status. MOM also encourages helpers to use the digital work pass in the SGWorkPass app for verification, which can reduce the risk of losing or damaging the physical card while travelling.
This is another area where older articles may now be outdated. In particular, references to older migration cards or legacy document systems should always be checked against the latest Indonesian government guidance before travel. For practical purposes, employers should make sure the helper has:
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A passport with sufficient validity
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A valid Singapore Work Permit
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A copy of her itinerary and employer contact details
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Any additional documents required by Indonesian authorities or the airline before departure or return
Other Important Things to Consider Before Your Helper Goes on Home Leave
1. Check Work Permit validity before she leaves
Your helper’s Work Permit must still be valid when she returns to Singapore. If she will not be returning to work for you, MOM says you must cancel her Work Permit within 1 week from her departure date.
2. Keep a copy of the travel itinerary
MOM specifically advises employers to keep a copy of the helper’s travel ticket or departure itinerary. This is important for your records and may also help if there is a later issue about return, levy waiver, or security bond discharge.
3. Levy continues during overseas leave, but waiver may be available
A very important MOM update is that employers continue to be charged levy while the helper is on overseas leave. However, you can apply for a levy waiver after she returns, as long as the overseas leave lasted at least 7 consecutive days. The waiver for overseas leave is capped at 60 calendar days per year.
If the helper does not return, MOM says the employer should cancel the Work Permit if it is still valid, then apply for waiver under the relevant category.
4. You may defer the 6-monthly medical examination
If your helper is due for her defer her 6-monthly medical examination,n while she is overseas, MOM allows employers to request to defer the 6ME during the home leave period.
5. Encourage use of the digital work pass
MOM now encourages MDWs to use their digital work pass in the SGWorkPass app for verification when needed. This is useful during travel because it lowers the risk of losing the physical card.
6. If the helper does not return to Singapore
If your helper remains overseas and will not come back to continue employment:
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Cancel the Work Permit
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Keep proof of departure or itinerary
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Ask her to cut the card in half and discard it to prevent misuse
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Apply for levy waiver if eligible
MOM states that after it verifies the helper has left Singapore and not re-entered, it will proceed to discharge the security bond if the conditions are met.
7. If the employer is travelling and leaving the helper behind
This is related but often overlooked. MOM has a separate e-service for employers who are travelling overseas and plan to leave their MDW with a friend, relative, or employment agency while they are away. Employers must notify MOM at least 7 days before the trip.
Final Thoughts
Home leave in Singapore is manageable when both the employer and helper prepare early. For Singapore compliance, the biggest things to check are Work Permit validity, levy waiver rules, itinerary records, and any needed 6ME deferment. For Filipino helpers, there may also be a separate DMW / MWO process for contract verification, OEC, or exemption, depending on the case.
Because rules and embassy processes can change, it is always best to verify requirements before booking flights—especially for helpers returning to the Philippines. A little preparation can prevent airport problems, missed flights, or unnecessary delays.