Suspension of Accounts for Work Permit Holders
Following the cancellation of work permit and departure from Singapore, work permit holders' accounts will be suspended. To avoid disruption, work permit customers are encouraged to ensure all funds are withdrawn, transferred or that the account is closed prior to departure.
For Work Permit Holders
Why must Work Permit Holders (WPHs) withdraw their funds or close their bank accounts before leaving Singapore?
This is to lower the risk of criminal syndicates using work permit holders' (WPHs') banking credentials for unlawful purposes if the accounts remain active after WPHs leave Singapore.
As part of the government's efforts to combat scams and money laundering, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) are working with banks to progressively suspend the accounts of former work permit holders who have left Singapore (e.g., cancelled or expired work passes) to prevent account misuse by criminal syndicates.
As part of the government's efforts to combat scams and money laundering, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) are working with banks to progressively suspend the accounts of former work permit holders who have left Singapore (e.g., cancelled or expired work passes) to prevent account misuse by criminal syndicates.
When will my bank account be suspended?
Your account will be suspended (frozen) when your work permit expires or is cancelled and you have left Singapore. Your account will be suspended (frozen), meaning it will not be closed, and your funds will remain in the account. However, you will be unable to access the account or its balance during the suspension. Your funds remain safe, and you can access them again upon returning to Singapore and reactivating your account.
What happens if my account is suspended?
Your funds remain safe and protected, but you will be unable to access your account or conduct any transactions (deposits or withdrawals). The account remains suspended, not closed. Your funds will be held until you return to Singapore to work and can reactivate your account. You are therefore advised to withdraw all funds before leaving.
Am I allowed to keep my account active for my friends and family to use?
No. Using your personal account for transactions on behalf of others or allowing third parties to use your account is prohibited. Your account will be suspended upon cancellation or expiry of your work permit and your departure from Singapore.
How does this affect me, and what should I do?
Once your work permit is cancelled or expires, and you have left Singapore, your account will be suspended (frozen). Your funds will remain in the account, as it will not be closed but suspended (frozen). You will be unable to access your account or its balance. Your funds are protected and held for you should you return to Singapore to work in the future. To avoid inconvenience, work permit holders are advised to transfer their bank balances before their work permit is cancelled or expires and before they leave Singapore.
I am a Malaysian and frequently travel to Singapore, even though my work permit has expired. Can I keep my account?
There is a risk that criminal syndicates may use former work permit holders' (WPHs') banking credentials to access and abuse their accounts for unlawful purposes if the accounts are not closed after the WPHs leave Singapore. Once your work permit has expired or been cancelled and you have left the country, your bank account will be suspended (frozen).
What should I do if I return to Singapore and want to reactivate my suspended account?
Upon your return to Singapore, you may submit an online request to have your account reactivated.
Can I digitally transfer funds from my suspended Singapore account to my home country account?
No. You will not be able to access your suspended account digitally via internet banking.
If my account is suspended, can I still receive funds (e.g. salary payment)?
No. If your account is suspended, you will not be able to receive funds to your account. You may need to coordinate with your employer to receive the funds to your overseas bank account directly.
For employers
My employee (a WPH) is leaving for a short break and will return to work (their work permit remains valid). Do they need to close their account?
No. If their work permit remains valid (e.g., for home leave), their account will not be suspended.
What if my former employee (a WPH) did not close their account before leaving Singapore after their employment ended?
If the worker did not close their account before leaving Singapore after their work permit was cancelled or expired, their bank account will be suspended.
My employee (a WPH) is under investigation, and I cancelled their work permit, but they remain in Singapore. Do they need to close their account or withdraw the balances?
They should close their account or withdraw their funds after the investigation concludes and before leaving Singapore.
My employee's work permit expired, and they left Singapore for a break. They intend to return to work. Will their account be suspended?
Yes. Their account will be suspended after their work permit expires and they have left Singapore. Upon their return to Singapore, they may submit an online request to have their account reactivated.
I'm cancelling my employee's work permit, and they're returning home. They've filed a work injury/salary claim with MOM. Do they need to close their account?
No. Their account will not be suspended while a claim is pending with Ministry of Manpower(MOM).
We have employees awaiting final payouts after their work permits were cancelled and they left the country. What should we do?
If payment crediting fails because the former work permit holder's account has been suspended, please arrange for payment to be made to the worker's overseas bank account directly.
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