An employer holding your passport in Singapore without your willing consent breaks MOM rules. Ask for it back in writing, and if they refuse, call MOM on 6438-5122 (6438-5100 for FDWs).
Marami pa ring kababayan ang nakakaranas nito, lalo na FDWs and construction and service-sector workers. Below are the rules and the recovery steps.
Employers must not retain the FDW's personal documents, including her passport and Work Permit card, without her permission.
The same principle covers Work Permit, S-Pass and EP holders. Your passport is your property, and withholding it by force breaches the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).
Common employer excuses, at hindi totoo lahat
Excuse
Reality
"It's safer with me, baka mawala mo"
Not their call. You choose where it stays.
"Standard practice ito sa company"
Not standard. Illegal.
"I need to keep it for immigration / MOM"
False. MOM doesn't need your physical passport.
"If you leave I'll release it"
Coercion. Report to MOM.
"Recruitment agency told me to"
Still illegal.
"It's in our contract, you signed"
Contracts cannot waive your rights under EFMA. Such clauses are unenforceable.
The exception: voluntary safekeeping
You may choose to give your passport to your employer for safekeeping, but you must be able to retrieve it at any time, no questions asked.
If you can retrieve it within 24 hours, it's voluntary. If you must ask permission, wait or explain why, the employer has crossed the line.
Three-step recovery playbook
Step 1: Ask once, in writing
Send a written request (WhatsApp, Telegram or SMS, not verbal).
Keep it polite: "Sir/Ma'am, I'd like to take my passport back for safekeeping. Could I have it today?"
Screenshot every reply.
Step 2: If refused, escalate
Advertisement
MOM hotline: 6438-5122 (general); 6438-5100 for FDW issues.
CDE (Centre for Domestic Employees): 1800-225-5233, toll-free, mediation first.
Last reviewed 11 May 2026. Rules per MOM EFMA guidance current as of early 2026; verify at mom.gov.sg. Not legal advice, for binding interpretation consult MOM, MWO, or a licensed employment lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer keep my passport in Singapore?+
No. Under MOM regulations, an employer who holds your passport without your willing consent breaches the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. This applies to FDWs, Work Permit, S Pass and EP holders alike, and a signed contract clause cannot waive the rule.
Can I give my passport to my employer for safekeeping?+
Yes, as a voluntary choice, but you must be able to retrieve it at any time with no questions asked. If you can get it back within 24 hours, it counts as voluntary. If you have to ask permission, wait, or explain why, that crosses the line.
What should I do if my employer refuses to return my passport?+
Send a polite written request by WhatsApp, Telegram or SMS and screenshot every reply. If refused, call the MOM hotline at 6438-5122 (6438-5100 for FDW issues), the Centre for Domestic Employees at 1800-225-5233, the Philippine Embassy MWO at +65 6238 8455 or +65 6738 9333, or HOME at 1800-797-7977. If your safety is at risk, call the police at 999.
What happens to an employer who withholds a passport in Singapore?+
MOM contacts the employer and demands the passport back. If they keep refusing, MOM can fine them, in the S$5,000 to S$30,000 range, and bar them from hiring foreign workers. Your work pass status stays protected during the inquiry.
Can my employer fire me for reporting them to MOM?+
Not without consequence. The law protects MOM-filed cases from retaliation, and terminating you over a report creates further liability for the employer. Even if termination happens, MOM helps FDWs transfer to a new employer and gives other pass holders time to find a new job, and the Embassy MWO can advocate for you.
What if my employer says my passport got lost?+
Treat it as theft and file a police report. Then apply for a replacement passport at the Philippine Embassy Singapore, and submit an MOM complaint about the document handling failure so the loss sits on record.
