Work Permit basics for a new employer

How long it lasts

A Work Permit is valid for up to two years. Renew it before it expires. Vibrant Employment recommends at least four weeks in advance and sends renewal reminders six weeks out. An expired permit means the helper can no longer legally work, and both employer and helper can face penalties.

Who can apply

You must be a Singapore Citizen, PR, or hold a valid EP, S Pass, or Work Permit. You must be at least 21, with household income of at least S$3,000 a month, or a S$3,000 bank guarantee in lieu. First-time employers complete the Employers' Orientation Programme before the application can be submitted.

Documents the FAQ lists

• Your NRIC or ID, and proof of income or a bank guarantee.
• The helper's passport, a recent photo, and biodata.
• Medical examination results.

Your consultant turns that into a checklist for your household. The monthly levy is paid by you: S$300 standard, or S$60 concessionary if the household has a child under 16, an elderly member aged 67 or older, or a person with disabilities.

A transfer is a new application

A permit is not handed from one employer to another. The current employer cancels it and the new employer applies again. Vibrant Employment runs that process and states that transfer helpers are often placed in one to two weeks because they are already in Singapore. When employment ends, cancel the Work Permit within 7 days and arrange the return flight unless a transfer is underway.