Employers are responsible for arranging and covering the costs of repatriation. We can help you better understand the maid repatriation process in Singapore.
In this post, we cover when repatriation is required, the legal responsibilities of employers, what to prepare, work permit cancellation, and more.
When Is Repatriation Required?
- The maid’s employment contract has ended or is not being renewed.
- The maid is unfit for work due to personal, health, or behavioral reasons.
- The maid wishes to return home voluntarily.
- The employer is relocating or no longer needs domestic help.
Regardless of the reason, repatriating the maid at the end of her employment is the employer’s responsibility.
Legal Responsibilities of Employers
- When an employer cancels the maid’s Work Permit, they are legally required to arrange and cover all repatriation costs. These include the ticket to the closest international airport in her home country.
- When hiring a maid, an employer must buy a $5,000 security bond. If the maid is repatriated properly after Work Permit cancellation, it will be discharged within 2 weeks. However, if law or Work Permit conditions are breached, the bond will be forfeited.
Preparation
Before starting the maid repatriation process Singapore, you need to do the following:
- Make sure your maid has a valid passport. If your maid is being repatriated to a country other than her home country, make sure she has the necessary visas.
- Settle all outstanding employment issues.
- Discuss and agree on transit arrangement (connecting flights, layover hours, etc.) and the amount of allowance that your maid needs to sustain herself during the transit.
- To prevent disputes, obtain written acknowledgement from your maid confirming receipt of travel arrangements and payments.
- Buy an air ticket and pay for any transport costs. The departure date must be within 2 weeks of the Work Permit cancellation.
Note that as an employer, you are responsible for paying your maid’s air ticket. Also, it must include check-in luggage.
Work Permit Cancellation
The maid repatriation process in Singapore involves cancelling the Work Permit of the maid. To cancel the permit, log in to the Ministry of Manpower FDW eService. Fill out the form and print the Special Pass.
Give the pass to your maid. It allows her to stay in Singapore until she departs from Singapore. She should give it to immigration when leaving.
Since the effect of work permit cancellation is immediate, make sure that everything is prepared so your maid can leave Singapore as scheduled.
Additional Consideration
Some employers prefer to escort the maid to the airport. Some others have a third party ensure she boards the flight.
While airport escort is not mandatory, it is something to consider as it adds a layer of confirmation that the repatriation was completed properly.
Repatriation to Another Destination
Can you repatriate your maid to another destination? Yes, you can. An employer can repatriate their maid to another destination that is not her home country if both parties agree to it.
Note that you need to inform the Ministry of Manpower of the arrangement when you cancel the maid’s Work Permit.
Getting Help
Maid agencies can help streamline the repatriation process. They can assist with work permit cancellation, flight arrangements, escorting the maid to the airport, and managing payments and necessary documentation.
FAQs About the Maid Repatriation Process in Singapore
Who pays for the maid’s repatriation?
The employer is legally responsible for arranging and paying for all repatriation costs, including the flight ticket to the maid’s home country.
What are the key preparations before my maid leaves?
You must settle all outstanding salaries, buy her an air ticket (with luggage), ensure her passport is valid, and get a written acknowledgement of the arrangements from her.
How do I cancel the Work Permit?
You must cancel it online via the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) portal. After that, print the “Special Pass” and give it to your maid for her departure.
Conclusion
While the maid repatriation process in Singapore is straightforward, it requires planning and preparation. Make sure that you discuss the process with your maid and get a written acknowledgment from her to avoid potential disputes later.
At Status Maids, a professional maid agency in Singapore, we are eager to assist employers with the repatriation process. Our maid agency offers a wide range of services, which include maid repatriation, and booking & purchasing of air tickets, among others.
For more information from what many consider the best maid agency for this service, contact us at Status Maids, your trusted International Plaza maid agency in Tanjong Pagar.