How to renew Foreign Domestic Worker work permit

I am fortunate enough to have a good helper, thanks to my wonderful own mother. When my daughter was born, she sent her helper here to care for her precious grand daughter. That was a good 9 years ago. So by now, I have seen how Ministry of Manpower has improved their service. Renewing Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Work Permit (WP) is becoming more and more convenient. Three cheers to that!

They have a detailed information on how to renew FDW WP:

http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/work-permit-fdw/cancelation-renewal/Pages/pass-renewal.aspx

Six to eight weeks before expiry date

Renewal notice will be sent to employer/FDW address.

My first step is to buy/renew the FDW insurance. I bought mine from NTUC Income because it has an office nearby. If you already has a policy with them before, they will remind you to extend. Even before the renewal notice arrive.

It will take a few working days for the insurance company to process, such that the WP online status is updated.

Please note that WP validity period granted will depends on the passport expiry date and banker/insurance guarantee. If either one of those are expiring in less than 2 years, WP validity will follow the earliest to expire.

After insurance is done, below steps must be done in quick succession within a few working days (if I'm not wrong, 5 days). So stay on alert on those days.

Sign, scan and print as PDF the following docs:

1. FDW passport (I scanned both front and back page, just in case)

2. Renewal notice (2 pages)

3. Security bond

Login to WP online for employer (SingPass required).

Follow the online instruction. Basically, you will need to complete an online form, then upload the documents. There will be a payment at the end, so get the card information ready.

So now, this is the new feature that got me really confused since I was unprepared. Now, we no longer need to visit MOM office to collect the new card and return the old card. So at the end of the online service, you will be required to indicate (1) location for the courier to send the new card, and (2) three authorized persons details to receive it. We need to mail back the old card to MOM. More of this below.

A few working days later

Application status can be checked online, through WP Online for employer.

After receiving the new card, return the old card to Work Pass Division, Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764.

Before returning, I do scan front and back of the card.

After return, by right, online card return status should be updated. When I check, the status was not updated yet so I called to enquire. The lady helped me to update the status :)

Hooray! Done!