Home Leave after COVID for Indonesian maids

 

Home Leave after COVID for Indonesian maids  

It is no secret that as soon as the Covid restrictions are lifted up, many Indonesian maids want to return for their home leave. After all, it has been more than 2 years from their last home leave.

 

Before, they embark on this journey, especially after the Pandemic, there are various special documents to prepare, so that they can return safely and journey back to Singapore without a hitch.

 

1)      Suitable air-ticket.

First, get a suitable air ticket, because many direct flights are not available. The maid may have to learn to travel to a city to transit to their hometown.  Of course, choose the city that they will be comfortable and they can get quick help if needed.

I will recommend having them fly via Jakarta as it is their own homeland, rather than transit thru, let’s say like Kuala Lumpur which is not their own country.

 

2)     Validity of passport       

 

First, check the length of passport validity which should be no less than 6 months. If needed, renew the passport which is now only done by a prior online appointment.

To apply for appointment, visit https://services.indonesianembassy.sg. Follow the instructions and you will be given an appointment by e-mail.

Please note that only the maid concerned will be allowed into the Embassy for the renewal. No one else is allowed to accompany her.

Further instructions:

1.       Bring SMARTPAC envelope from Singapore Post and complete disclaimer form.

 

2.      Checklist:

a)    Complete application form PERDIIM 11

b)    Valid current passport

c)     Document like IC, WP/ Employment Pass/etc

d)    All documents in original and photocopy in A4

e)    Fee: $35 to be paid cashless using PayNow or credit card

f)      Normal (3 working days), Express same day $100

g)    Service hrs 9am to 12 noon

h)    Collection 3pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday except Public Holidays

 

Passport Delivery by Post

Applicant to purchase SMARTPAC envelope at Singpost to hand to officer at photo taking/ biometric counter. Upon completion, passports will be packed sealed into SMARTPAC for posting.

 

3)    Apply for Employment Contract (EC)…essential for returning maids which may be requested to furnish at the Indonesian Immigration checkpoint before departing Indonesia en-route to Singapore.

 

First make appointment online thru https://services.indonesianembassy.sg.

Upon approval by email, both the Employer and the maid should proceed on the date of appointment to the Consulate office on the 2^nd storey of the Embassy with the following:

a)    Copies of any current or past employment contract

b)    Copies of Work permit card (Front and back)

c)     Copies of Employer (Front and back)

d)    Copies of Screenshot from SGWorkpass app showing the salary or other document showing salary

e)    Copies of maid’s passport

f)      Fill up Renewal Employment Contract Application Form (Form.pdf). Download this form from Indonesian Embassy website. See sample 

g)    Fee: Free

h)    Duration of service: Same day (Possible to collect within 1 to 2 hours)

If the maid’s passport has to be renewed, the Employment Contract can only make application after the new passport is issued.

However, I know of one case where the maid upon receiving the new passport is able to apply for the Employment Contract immediately after receipt of the new passport. They were  instructed to proceed to the Consulate for the issue of Employment Contract.

Usually this is not possible because the Consulate for issue of Employment Contract only opens in the morning between 9am to 12 noon and the collection of new passports only in the afternoon.

One more observation: the Embassy does not provide services for photostating documents anymore. 

If a document need to be photostated for processing, the applicant may proceed to the nearest shopping malls, such as Tanglin Mall or Lucky Mall. Then they can return with the photostated copy to submit the application. 

It is really so inconvenient, maybe the Embassy should resume this service again?

 

4)    Vaccination Certificate from Noratis (Website: www.notarise.gov.sg)                                      

 

Depending on the type of activities that the maid may engage in when she returns home, the vaccination certificate can help her gain entry to places that she wants to go, like a wedding venue, shopping malls, etc.

 

So, the Vaccination Certificate is essential.

 

Procedures to obtain the Vaccination Certificate.

 

1)      First the maid must open a new Singpass account. This can be done at most Community Centre.

 

If the application for a new Singpass is applied online, the code for activation of the Singpass will be sent to the registered address. The timeframe to receive the code can take up to 4 days. In addition, address can be updated if there is a change from the earlier address given to MOM.

 

When the Singpass Account is created, proceed to the website: noratis.gov.sg                                  

 

Follow the step-by-step instructions. The Vaccination Certificate will be forwarded to the registered email address. The security code to activate the download of the Vaccination Certificate will also be sent to the same registered email address.

 

Download the Vaccination certificate accordingly and print hard copies and also in PDF format.

 

5)     SG Arrival Card

 

For the maid to return speedily to Singapore, all travellers returning or arriving to Singapore have to make an electronic health declaration using the SG Arrival card with the ICA and it should be lodged 3 days prior to arrival. This can be done by the Employer on their behalf.

 

In conclusion, I hope this simple blog can help all concerned to get all the necessary documents to enable their maids to go back safely for their home leave and to return to Singapore without a hitch.

 

Happy holidays…Selamat berlibur semua kalian.