Whoever works abroad needs a valid passport, especially for Indonesian maids who stay and work in Singapore for a long period. If you are one of them, renewing your passport is crucial. In this article, we are going to delve into the 2 ways to renew an Indonesian maid passport and help you decide which one to choose.
Importance of Renewing Indonesian Maid Passport in Singapore
If you are an Indonesian maid working in Singapore, it is vital to have your maid’s passport renewed in time. Here are the reasons why:
- An Indonesian passport with validity is a necessary document for you to stay in Singapore legally. Holding an expired passport puts you at risk of legal issues and deportation.
- A valid passport is necessary for some administrative processes, such as the renewal of work permits and residential permits. These permits are important and affect your stay in Singapore as well.
- Many employers do not allow maids to take long leave and go back to Indonesia. Under this circumstance, you have to renew your Indonesian passport in Singapore.
- The processing time for a passport renewal depends on the Embassy of Indonesia in Singapore. It is essential to start the process in advance before it expires.
When Should You Renew Your Maid’s Passport?
The Singapore government requires foreign visitors to carry a passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond their stay. This means if you are not in Singapore, you will be refused entry if you hold a maid’s passport with a validity of no more than 6 months, let alone an expired one. On the other hand, if you are in Singapore, you should renew your maid’s passport when it is going to hit the 6-month mark before expiration.
Indonesian Maid Passport Renewal: DIY vs Maid Agency Options
In Singapore, over 50% of foreign maids come from Indonesia because they have advantages in terms of language, cooking style, etc. With the great demand for Indonesian maids, many maid agencies offer passport renewal services for Indonesian maids. Outsourcing passport renewal to an agency costs you an extra fee, but it can save you time and effort from dealing with the renewal process by yourself. Here is the procedure for passport renewal through maid agencies:
- Staff from the maid agency will ensure you have all the necessary documents.
- The maid agency will make an appointment with the Indonesian Embassy.
- Maids will be picked up from their employer’s house to the Indonesian Embassy to submit the required documents.
- On the date of the appointment, the staff of the maid agency will help the maid until the whole process is completed. Then, the maid will be sent back to the employer’s house.
- Pick-up and drop-off services will be arranged for the collection of passports as well.
While choosing a maid agency to renew your maid passport is convenient, DIYing the renewal process online is not as complicated as you may think, and it has some advantages too. Check out the below table to compare the 2 options:
| Renew Indonesian Maid Passport By Yourself | Hire a Maid Agency | |
| Cost | $35 | around $350 or more |
| Time | 3 working days for standard service | 3 working days for standard service |
| Convenience | Applicants have to go to the Embassy on their own for the appointment and collection. | Travel service will be arranged for the applicants and the staff will help the applicants on the date of appointment. |
| Expertise | Applicants need to find out about the procedure online and understand the requirements and process by themselves. | The maid agency is familiar with all the requirements and procedures. Applicants can simply follow their instructions. |
| Success Rate | Applicants may be rejected if the documents provided are not complete or incorrect. | The maid agency will ensure the applicants have proper documents and help them through the appointment. The success rate is relatively higher. |
| Flexibility | Applicants can book or cancel their appointment according to their schedule, which gives them more flexibility. | Applicants need to cooperate with the maid agency throughout the whole process. |
| Privacy and confidentiality | Applicants gather all the documents by themselves. No personal information will be disclosed to a third party. | The maid agency will have access to the applicants’ documents which may result in leakage of private information. |
Both options have pros and cons. DIYing is much cheaper compared to using a maid agency, but you need to spend time to find out what the passport renewal requirements are and go through the process all by yourself. On the other hand, hiring a maid agency can save you trouble from doing research but you need to bear the high cost. For Indonesian maids, it is best you DIY the passport renewal, while for employers who intend to renew passports for your maids, we suggest you hire a maid agency. Either way you prefer, preparing the documents according to official requirements is a must.
Required Documents for Indonesian Maid Passport Renewal in Singapore
Submitting proper documents is an essential part of the renewal process. You need to make sure you have gathered all the documents as required, or your application may be rejected. Here is the list of documents needed:
- Current passport. Both original and photocopy are required.
- A filled-out passport renewal form.
- KTP.
- KK.
- Education certificate.
- Letter of request from the employer.
- Singapore ID cards, such as work permits, employment passes, long-term visit passes, etc.
- Residence permit or a visa proving your legal stay in Singapore.
- A bank book as proof of income.
- Employment contract proving that you are currently working as a maid.
- Proof of remittance to Indonesia. You need to show that you have sent money to your family in Indonesia regularly.
- 2 photos of the maid and her employer with a white background.
- An insurance policy to prove that you are protected during your employment.
The list may be long, but checking all the boxes will help you go through the renewal process efficiently.
How to Renew Indonesian Maid Passport in Singapore by Yourself
As we mentioned above, renewing a maid passport by yourself has some advantages over going to an agency. To renew your Indonesian passport online can be easy if you follow the right instructions. Here are the steps:
Prepare the necessary documents
Preparing all the necessary documents, including your current passport, Singapore IDs, and so on. Please refer to the detailed list of documents required above.
Make an appointment online
- Go to the website of the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore and click the blue button under “Immigration”.
- Select the service type by clicking “passport service”, then click “Continue”.
- Select an available date for your appointment. Dates in red on the calendar mean full queue. Click “Continue” after you choose an available date.
- Enter your name and e-mail.
- Tick the checkbox if you have prepared the necessary documents.
- Confirm that you have provided correct information and completed requirements by clicking the checkbox and then clicking “Submit”.
- A notification will appear and you will receive an e-mail for verification.
- Find the e-mail and click the yellow button.
- You will be redirected to a page where you need to enter your phone number.
- Finally, your e-mail verification will be accepted and approved.
Attend the appointment
Go to the Indonesian Embassy on the scheduled date to undergo interviews and other processes.
Submit documents & Pay the passport renewal fee
Bring the required list of documents with you. Once the procedure at the immigration office is finished, you will need to pay the passport renewal fee. Payment can be made through banks or other authorized payment methods.
Collect the new passport
If you have submitted complete and correct documents, your new passport will be ready soon. Go to the Indonesian Embassy again to collect your renewed passport or have it delivered to your doorsteps if a delivery service is available.
How Much Does Indonesia Maid Passport Renewal Cost?
The cost of maid passport renewal is one of the most concerning issues for applicants. Standard service is S$35. If you choose the standard service, your new passport will be ready for collection within 3 working days. Also, if you need your new passport urgently, there is the Express Same Day service you can choose, which costs S$100. Besides, additional charges may occur depending on the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore.
How Long Will I Get the New Indonesia Maid Passport?
Generally speaking, after you have submitted all the relevant documents and gone through the appointment, your new Indonesian maid passport will be processed and issued within 3 working days. If you need it urgently, you can ask for the Express Same Day service to get it sooner. That being said, the final processing time will depend on the Indonesian Embassy’s workload, and delays are possible.
What to Do Next After I Renew the Indonesian Maid Passport
After you receive your new Indonesian maid passport, it is important to renew your work permit by registering it with the Singapore authorities. New passport data should be uploaded online to the Ministry of Manpower. This will make sure your work permit is valid. Apart from that, all relevant documents need to be updated, such as insurance.
FAQ
Can I renew my maid’s passport online?
No. Application appointments with the Embassy can be made online, but you need to go to the Embassy in person to go through the renewal process.
Can I go to the Indonesian Embassy without an appointment?
No. You need to schedule an available date with the Indonesian Embassy online in advance.
What is the WhatsApp number for the Indonesian Embassy?
The WhatsApp business number for the Indonesian Embassy is (65) 9648 0017.
Where is the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore?
The address for the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore is 7 Chatsworth Road Singapore.
Do I need to bring an Indonesian passport photo?
No. You don’t need to bring an Indonesian passport photo.
Conclusion
Renewing your Indonesian maid passport before it expires is very important if you want to keep working in Singapore. Keep in mind that you should renew your passport 6 months before the expiration date, or you may be facing the risk of being deported and other related legal issues. Before you apply, it is necessary to understand the process thoroughly and follow the above instructions to avoid being rejected.
Dolores Xiao