Your Indonesian helper has been with you for a while now, and somewhere between school runs and cooking dinner, nobody noticed her passport was about to expire. It happens more often than you'd think. The good news is that renewing it in Singapore is straightforward as long as you know the steps and book early.
Here's everything you need to know, updated for 2026.
Why Renew Early?
A passport that's expired or running low on pages can create real headaches. Work permit renewals depend on a valid passport, and if she needs to travel home unexpectedly, an expired passport means she can't leave or return without sorting this out first. Give yourself at least a few months' buffer before expiry.
Step 1: Book an Online Appointment First
This is non-negotiable. The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore requires all passport applicants to book an appointment in advance through their online portal at register.indonesianembassy.sg. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Slots fill up fast, so don't wait until the last minute. If her passport expires in three months, start looking for an appointment slot now.
Step 2: Get the Documents Ready
Your helper needs to bring the following to her appointment:
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Completed Form PERDIM 11 - this is the official Indonesian passport application form
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Her current passport, plus a photocopy
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Her Singapore work permit card OR In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, plus a photocopy
All photocopies must be printed on A4 paper. Originals must be brought along for verification. The embassy does not provide photocopying services on-site, so come prepared.
One thing to double-check: the details on her passport and her Singapore work permit must match exactly. Discrepancies in name spelling or date of birth will delay the whole process.
Optional: Get the New Passport Mailed to You
If collecting in person on a separate trip is inconvenient, your helper can opt for SMARTPAC delivery instead. Here's how:
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Purchase a SMARTPAC envelope from any SingPost branch before the appointment
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Bring it along on the day of submission
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Submit a completed SmartPAC disclaimer form at the biometric counter
This is entirely optional. If she prefers to collect in person, she can do so during the afternoon collection window.
Step 3: Costs and Payment
Payment at the embassy is cashless only via PayNow. Here's what to expect:
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Standard 48-page passport: S$31
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Electronic 48-page passport (e-passport): S$57
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Express same-day service (collected the same afternoon): S$88
Hold on to the payment receipt. She'll need it for collection or for the SMARTPAC delivery option.
Step 4: Service Hours
Submission: 9:00am to 12:00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Collection: 3:00pm to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Plan accordingly. If she submits in the morning, the passport is ready for collection that same afternoon only if she paid for the express service. Standard processing takes longer, so she'll return on a separate day to collect.
A Few Things That Will Get Your Application Rejected
The embassy is strict about this. Applications will be turned away on the spot if:
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Any documents are missing or incomplete
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Photocopies are unclear, blurry, or hand-written over
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There are discrepancies between her passport and Singapore ID details
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The photocopies are not A4 size
Save yourself a wasted trip by going through the checklist twice before the appointment.
When to Start This Process
A good rule of thumb: start at least three months before her passport expires, or earlier if you can. Factor in the time it takes to get an appointment slot, which can be several weeks out during busy periods.
If her work permit renewal is coming up around the same time, prioritise the passport first. MOM will not process a work permit renewal without a valid passport.
Staying on top of these renewals is just part of running a smooth household. Set a reminder six months before her passport expiry date and you'll never be caught scrambling at the last minute.
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