Helper Prepaid SIM Card in Singapore: What Employers Need to Know
Getting a helper prepaid SIM card is one of the first practical steps after your domestic helper arrives in Singapore. A working SIM card helps her stay in touch with family, settle in more comfortably, and reduce homesickness during the adjustment period.
For employers, it is also important to understand the registration rules. If the SIM card is first registered using the helper’s passport, it must later be updated using her Work Permit within the required timeline. Otherwise, the SIM card may stop working.
Why a helper prepaid SIM card matters
A domestic helper prepaid SIM card allows your helper to contact her loved ones and stay connected after arriving in Singapore. This can make it easier for her to adjust to a new environment and focus on her work with peace of mind.
A prepaid SIM card is also useful because it gives flexibility. Your helper can top up when needed and continue using the number as long as it remains active.
What employers should know about the first SIM card
Many employers assume the first SIM card is issued by MOM, but that is not the case. The first SIM card is usually given during the helper’s Settling-In Programme (SIP) and is sponsored by Singtel or Starhub. First-time helpers receive either a Singtel or Starhub prepaid SIM card with at least a 2GB of free data as part of the programme.
This means the first MOM helper SIM card is not actually provided by MOM. It is simply a prepaid SIM card given during SIP for initial use.
Passport registration vs Work Permit SIM card registration
When a helper first arrives in Singapore, she usually has not received her Work Permit card yet. Because of that, the first prepaid SIM card is commonly registered using her passport.
This is where helper SIM card registration becomes important. A SIM card registered using a passport is only temporary. It must later be updated to a Work Permit SIM card registration once the Work Permit is issued.
What to do within 30 days
From 15 July 2024, SIM cards registered using passports are only valid for 30 days. After that, the helper must re-register the SIM card using her Work Permit. If this is not done in time, the SIM card may be suspended without prior notice.
To avoid disruption, employers should:
- bring the helper’s Work Permit
- visit a Singtel Shop or Singtel Exclusive Retailer
- complete the re-registration within 30 days of the first SIM card registration
This step is important if you want to keep the original helper prepaid SIM card active.
What happens if the SIM card is not re-registered
If the SIM card is not updated in time, it may be suspended. This means your helper may lose access to calls, messages, or mobile data. That can create unnecessary stress and communication problems.
That is why employers should treat helper SIM card registration as part of the arrival checklist once the Work Permit is ready.
Buying a new prepaid SIM card for your helper
If you are unable to go to Singtel / Starhub within the 30-day period, there is another option. You can buy a new prepaid SIM card for helper in Singapore from a local phone shop or telco outlet instead.
To buy a new card, you will need your helper’s Work Permit or SingPass. A new SIM card purchased using the Work Permit does not need re-registration.
This can be a simple alternative if the original maid SIM card Singapore setup is no longer practical.
Where to buy a helper prepaid SIM card in Singapore
You can buy a new helper prepaid SIM card from:
- neighbourhood phone shops
- Singtel stores
- StarHub stores
- M1 stores
- other telephone service provider outlets
Top up regularly to keep the SIM card active
After activation, it is important to teach your helper how to top up the SIM card. The Ready Employment page notes that prepaid SIM cards may become inactive after 30 days without a top-up.
Regular top-ups help keep the SIM active so your helper can remain reachable and stay connected with her family.
Privacy and phone usage reminder
Besides arranging a helper prepaid SIM card, employers should also set clear and respectful expectations about phone use. CNA’s coverage on phone use among domestic workers highlights concerns around oversharing on social media, including videos or photos taken inside employers’ homes, children appearing in videos, and posts that may reveal household details over time.
That is why it is a good idea to remind your helper:
- not to post photos or videos of your family without permission
- not to share pictures of bedrooms, home interiors, or private spaces
- to use her phone responsibly and at appropriate times
- to respect household privacy and safety rules
CNA also notes that communication is key. There are no explicit MOM rules on how employers must manage smartphone use, so it is helpful for employers to explain house rules clearly and fairly from the start.
Related video for employers
To better understand the issue of mobile phone use, privacy, and communication between employers and helpers, you may also find this CNA Talking Point video useful:
When Mobile Phone Usage Comes Between Employers and Domestic Workers
The programme looks at both sides of the issue, including homesickness, phone restrictions, oversharing online, and privacy concerns in the home. It is a useful supporting resource for employers who want to go beyond SIM card setup and think about responsible phone use as well.
Quick summary
- The first SIM card is usually given during SIP, not by MOM.
- The first SIM card is often registered using the helper’s passport.
- Passport-registered SIM cards are only valid for 30 days.
- The SIM card should be re-registered using the helper’s Work Permit.
- If you cannot do that in time, you can buy a new prepaid SIM card using the helper’s Work Permit or SingPass.
- Teach your helper how to top up the SIM card regularly.
- Set clear house rules on privacy, social media, and responsible phone use.