Home Leave for Your Filipino Helper: What to Do Before She Travels
Before a Filipino helper goes home on leave, she needs four things to return to Singapore and the same employer: a valid, verified employment contract, a valid work permit, an OEC or OEC exemption, and a valid OWWA membership. She now arranges these herself with the Migrant Workers Office (MWO); agencies can no longer do it for her. We Are Caring's guide shows which steps apply.
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First, check her work permit
Her work permit must be valid until after her return. If it expires during her trip, renew it first; we recommend starting six weeks before it expires. Renewing a work permit
Which situation is she in?
| Her situation | What she does |
|---|---|
| Her contract has been verified, and she has not changed employer, job or place of work | Apply for an OEC exemption in her DMW e-registration account. No new contract verification is needed. |
| Her verified contract has expired, but she still works for you (for example after a renewal) | Check her employment records are up to date in her DMW account, and attach the new contract to the expired verified one; the new contract does not need verifying. Then request an OEC exemption. |
| She has no verified contract yet, or she has changed employer, job or place of work | Book a contract verification appointment with the MWO to register her employment in Singapore, then get her OEC. |
Her OWWA membership
OWWA membership is renewed every two years, whoever her employer is. She can check her status in the OWWA mobile app, and renew it by appointment at the MWO.
Appointments and embassy fees
- Appointments: booked online with the MWO, and they depend on availability. Book as soon as her dates are known, ideally both on the same day if she needs contract verification and an OWWA renewal.
- Where: Philippine Embassy, 20 Nassim Road, Singapore 258395.
- Fees, in cash: contract verification S$15; OWWA renewal S$36. They can be paid by the helper or by the employer.
Before she flies, and before she returns
- At least 3 days before travel: she files her eTravel arrival clearance for the Philippines.
- Before returning to Singapore: she submits her SG Arrival Card.
Can We Are Caring do it for her?
No longer: the Philippine Embassy now requires the helper to complete these steps herself. We are happy to explain each step to you both, and to answer her questions on our helpers' WhatsApp line.
Migrant Workers Office Singapore: OFWs returning to the Philippines
FAQ
Can an agency still process my Filipino helper's home leave documents?
No. The Philippine Embassy no longer allows employment agencies to do this. Your helper completes the steps herself with the Migrant Workers Office, and We Are Caring can guide you both.
Does she need a new contract verification every time she goes home?
No. Only if her contract was never verified, or if she has changed employer, job or place of work. Otherwise she applies for an OEC exemption online.
What is an OEC exemption?
A Filipino worker returning to the same employer, with a verified contract, can get an exemption from the Overseas Employment Certificate. She requests it in her DMW e-registration account.
Who pays the embassy fees?
They can be paid by the helper or by the employer.
How early should we start?
As soon as her travel dates are known, because embassy appointments depend on availability.