Your Helper's Contract Is Ending: Renewal, Costs & What to Do in Singapore (2026)
That little piece of paper with your helper's employment dates is about to run out — and if you're like most employers, you're suddenly realising you have no idea what happens next. Do you renew? How much does it cost? Can she just... keep working? Deep breath, lah. Here's the full playbook.
At a Glance:
A standard FDW contract runs 2 years; renewal extends the same helper without a new placement fee. Renewal is usually far cheaper than hiring someone new — mostly paperwork fees, insurance and the levy. You must renew before the Work Permit expires, or your helper's permit lapses and she has to go home. Check the expiry dates on the Work Permit, medical insurance and security bond — they all need renewing too. If she doesn't want to renew, you have options: a new helper, or a transfer from another household.
When Does a Helper Contract End?
A foreign domestic worker's contract is typically 2 years, tied to her Work Permit validity. When it ends, three things expire around the same time: the employment contract itself, the Work Permit, and usually the medical insurance policy you bought. Miss the renewal window and the permit lapses — at which point your helper legally can't keep working and has to return home.
For a plain-English read on everything the MOM FDW contract actually says, check What's Actually in the MOM FDW Contract? A Plain English Translation.
Renew vs New Helper: What Should You Choose?
If your helper has been great, renewal is almost always the smart move — you keep someone who already knows your family, your kitchen and your routines, and skip the interview-and-settling-in dance again.
Factor | Renew Same Helper | Hire New Helper |
Placement / agency fee | None or minimal | $1,000–$3,000+ |
Settling-in period | None needed | 1–3 months |
Risk of mismatch | None | Real |
Fresh energy / new skills | Depends | Possible |
Total cost | Low | High |
How Much Does Contract Renewal Cost?
Renewal is cheap compared to hiring. Here's the realistic breakdown:
Item | Typical Cost |
Agency renewal / admin fee (if any) | $0–$300 |
Medical insurance renewal (26 months) | From ~$280 |
Security bond (banker's guarantee) | ~$50–$80/year |
MOM Work Permit renewal | $35 |
6ME medical check | $38–$90 |
Total (rough) | ~$400–$700 |
That's a fraction of what a brand-new hire costs. For the full itemised monthly picture, see Cost of a Maid in Singapore 2026: Full Monthly Breakdown. For insurance specifics, Maid Insurance Singapore 2026 covers the $60,000 medical rule and co-payments.
MOM Renewal Steps, Step by Step
When | What to Do |
3–4 months before expiry | Talk to your helper — does she want to renew? |
2–3 months before | Renew insurance + security bond, book 6ME check |
1–2 months before | Submit Work Permit renewal via your agency or WP Online |
Weeks before expiry | Confirm approval, update pass if needed |
On renewal date | New contract signed, new permit card issued |
Your agency can usually handle the MOM paperwork for you. For the complete employer-side checklist (salary, levy, insurance, rest days and more), bookmark You Hired a Domestic Helper — Now What?.
What If You Don't Want to Renew?
If the relationship has run its course, that's okay — but do it properly. The rules around notice, return airfare and permit cancellation are specific and the costs can climb if you wing it.
We've written the definitive guide: Terminating a Maid in Singapore 2026: Real Costs from $600, Notice Rules & Step-by-Step. And if she's the one who doesn't want to renew — or drops the resignation bomb on you — When Your Helper Gives Notice: A Singapore Employer's Complete Guide walks you through the transition.
FAQ
How much does it cost to renew my helper's contract?
Roughly $400–$700 all-in — mostly the insurance renewal (from ~$280), the security bond and the $35 Work Permit renewal — with no new placement fee if you keep the same helper.
Do I need to pay a new agency fee to renew?
Usually no. The big agency placement fee is for finding a new helper. Renewal typically involves only a small admin fee, if anything.
Can my helper renew her contract if she wants to change employers?
That's a transfer, not a renewal. A transfer requires her current employer's consent and a new Work Permit under the new employer — a different process with its own rules.
What happens if I don't renew the contract?
If the Work Permit isn't renewed before it expires, it lapses and your helper must stop work and return home. You'd then need to hire and settle in a new helper.
When should I start the renewal process?
Start talking to your helper 3–4 months out, and get the paperwork moving 1–2 months before expiry so nothing lapses.
Can my helper go home first and then come back after renewal?
Yes, many helpers take home leave between contracts — but you must renew the Work Permit first (or time it carefully) so she can legally re-enter and resume work.
If your helper is good, renew her. It's cheaper, faster and safer than starting over — just don't let the dates sneak up on you.
Ready to find the help your home deserves? Check out our guide on which nationality suits you best.
Let us guide you home.
Contact iHome Agency:
📲 WhatsApp: 8042 6581
📜 EA License: 26C3446
📍 Punggol & Northshore Specialist
