• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • Transform borders Singapore immigration lawyer sulochanaTHE Singapore immigration lawyer to get your work permit
        • Driving in SingaporeDriving in Singapore – What you need to know
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Things to do in SingpaoreWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • puzzles octoberPuzzle Pages – answers for October 2023!
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – October 2023!
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • special needs education clinic TLCNeed special needs education support for your child?
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent Halloween costumes & more!
        • White Room photography studio in SingaporePortrait photography in Singapore: here’s some top studios!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture in Singapore?
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • solo exhibition in singaporeAmazing 3D-style artwork by Zhuang Hong Yi
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
        • stamp duty investing in property5 Reasons to Invest in Property in Sunny Spain!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • anti-frizz hair treatmentFrizzy hair? We review keratin treatments and more
        • hairdressers in singaporeBest Hair Salons in Singapore for Haircut, Colour & De-frizz!
        • Fashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • sensitive skin moisturiser skincare steps productsTried & Tested: Sensitive skin moisturisers, serums & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singaporeA star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work
        • mould service in singaporeChoose the right mould removal service in Singapore
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts on allergies, symptoms & insurance
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Helpers in Singapore: How to take your domestic worker on holiday

7th May 2020 by Expat Living 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/helpers-in-singapore-how-to-take-your-domestic-worker-on-holiday/

Going on vacation abroad and hoping your helper can join your family? Whether you need an extra hand with your little ones, or would like to invite them on holiday as a gesture, travelling with a domestic worker around Singapore is fairly straightforward.

Take the sting out of travelling with kids with these tips!
Take the sting out of travelling with kids with these tips!

When it comes to most countries around Singapore, a foreign domestic worker (FDW) will simply need to secure the right visa. This process will vary slightly based on your destination’s embassy, plus your helper’s nationality – but that’s what we’re here for!

To get you started (and save you from hitting each embassy’s website), we’ve put together this short and sweet guide to getting travel visas for Filipino and Indonesian helpers to the most popular pit-stops from Singapore.

To The UK

Helpers can apply for a Domestic Workers in a Private Household visa up to three months before they’re set to travel, and the approval process takes up to three weeks. At £289 ($593), it allows your helper to stay in the UK with you for up to 6 months, or until you head back to Singapore. To be eligible for the visa, your FDW needs to have worked with you for at least a year.

To Thailand

If a helper is a citizen of Indonesia or The Philippines, they can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. Easy breezy!

To Bali

Since Bali is part of their home country, Indonesian helpers are free to travel there at any time. Meanwhile, Filipino helpers will be granted a 30-day short visit permit when they touch down at the airport.

To Hong Kong

Indonesian passport holders are allowed to stay for 30 days without a visa, while a passport from the Philippines are allowed 14 days. For more info, check out their full list of visa requirements by country.

To Australia

Helpers can apply for a Temporary Work (Short Stay) visa if you can demonstrate that they’re helping with 1) looking after little ones aged 5 years or younger or 2)assisting an immediate family member who needs special care (medical records must be shown). Keep in mind that the Australia High Commission will question the helpers’ purpose for following thoroughly, and any form of work outside of what’s stated in the form will be considered a breach, so it’s a good idea to agree on this beforehand. This visa lets them stay up to three months from the date it’s issued.

However, if your helper is flying to Oz to enjoy the trip as a normal member of the family – taking on no domestic duties, they’ll be able to apply for the usual visitor’s visa.

To USA

Keep your fingers crossed for this one – getting a Domestic Employee visa is tough, because US immigrations simply won’t take any risks if they suspect your domestic worker (or non-US citizen in general) could make a run for it during a trip. To apply, helpers will have to fill out a form online and submit a valid passport, employment contract, 2×2 photo, receipt showing payment for the visa application, plus a copy of your own visa. You’ll also need to declare that they’ve worked for you for at least a year and that you’ve regularly hired domestic help for a good number of years. During the embassy interview, helpers will have to work hard to convince them that they won’t stay longer than their visa dictates or vanish once on US soil. If they’re one of the lucky souls to snag one, they can visit up to six months.

To Japan

You can download this Temporary Visit Visa form and Letter of Guarantee before heading to the Japanese Embassy. You’ll also need to present a letter explaining why you’re bringing a helper (e.g taking care of the kids or the elderly). If issued successfully, the visa is valid up to three months.

Like this? Read more at our travel section.

Categories: Australasia Living here Rest Of The World Travel Tags: Maid Singapore Helpers Singapore Travel

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

what's on in sydney theatre wicked

A Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!

migration to Australia

Is migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?

stamp duty investing in property

5 Reasons to Invest in Property in Sunny Spain!

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.