Key Steps to Apply Home Leave for Your Indonesian Maid

Applying for home leave for your Indonesian maid in Singapore may be fairly straightforward, but proper planning is necessary to avoid complications. For instance, while Indonesian maids no longer need to register with the Indonesian Embassy before leaving, they must have the correct travel documents to return to Singapore. This article will walk you through the home leave process and the documents required in order for your maid to leave and return without a hitch.

Essential Documents for Home Leave

In order to successfully apply for home leave, you will need to gather several key documents and ensure that they are in order:

1. Valid Indonesian Passport

• Your maid should possess an Indonesian passport with at least six months of validity left from the date of departure.
• If it is expiring soon, arrange for a renewal before she leaves.

2. KTKLN Card

• This is an Indonesian overseas worker identification card. Your maid must ensure it is valid before travelling.

3. Work Permit Validity

• The work permit validity must be checked to ensure she can re-enter Singapore.
• Before boarding her return flight, she must present her valid Indonesian passport and Work Permit to immigration officers.

Key Considerations Before Your Maid Goes on Home Leave

Although your maid’s home leave application may be successful, don’t forget that there are a few important matters left to handle before she goes back home. These include:

1. Check Work Permit Validity

• Ensure that her work permit validity extends beyond her planned return date.
• If her work permit expires while she is overseas, your maid may not be allowed to re-enter Singapore.
• If you do not intend to continue her employment, cancel her work permit before she leaves.

2. Apply for a Levy Waiver

• If your maid is overseas for at least seven days, you can apply for a levy waiver via the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website. This allows you to temporarily stop paying the monthly foreign domestic worker (FDW) levy while your maid is abroad.
• Submit the waiver request after she returns to Singapore.

3. Ensure She Has All Necessary Travel Documents

• Besides ensuring that your maid’s travel documents—like her work permit card and passport—are up to date, you should also remind her to keep them with her when travelling. If she forgets these documents, she may be denied entry upon arriving in Singapore.
• Keep a copy of her travel itinerary for your reference. If her flight schedule changes, she should inform you immediately.

4. What to Do If She Does Not Return

• If your maid decides not to return to Singapore after home leave, cancel her work permit as soon as possible.
• Retain her flight itinerary or proof of departure to avoid forfeiting your security bond.
• Notify MOM of the work permit cancellation and ensure all outstanding salary or benefits are settled before her departure.

5. Deferring Her Medical Examination

• If your maid in Singapore is due for a biannual medical examination, you can request a deferral while she is on home leave.
• However, she must complete the medical check-up promptly upon returning to Singapore.

Handling your maid’s travel documents properly will ensure a smooth home leave application and allow her to depart and return without issues. Make sure her work permit validity is up to date, apply for any necessary levy waivers, and keep copies of her itinerary. If she decides not to return, cancel her work permit immediately to avoid issues with MOM.

Here at JForce Employment Service, we help employers make sense of the home leave application process for domestic helpers, including Indonesian maids. Whether you need assistance with document preparation, work permit checks, or other maid services in Singapore, we are here to help.

For more information about our services, please contact us today.