How to Renew Maid Permit in Malaysia (2026 Guide): New FOMEMA & FWCMS Rules
- Chern Jiek
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 17 hours ago
Last Updated: January 2026
If you have hired a foreign domestic helper (FDH) or a maid in Malaysia, you might be wondering how to renew their work permit in 2026. A work permit (PLKS) is a legal document that allows your FDH to stay and work in Malaysia for a certain period of time. It is important to renew your FDH’s work permit before it expires; otherwise, you might face heavy fines, blacklisting, or legal action from the authorities. In this article, we will guide you through the steps and requirements of renewing your FDH’s work permit in Malaysia under the 2026 regulations, as well as the benefits of hiring a maid from PCR, the leading
the leading licensed maid agency in Malaysia.
Table of Contents
Eligibility & Important Considerations
Before you begin the renewal process for your FDH’s work permit, please ensure that you meet the following eligibility criteria:
Employer Eligibility: Employers who are blacklisted or have been declared bankrupt are not eligible to renew an FDH’s work permit. Verify your financial and legal standing before applying to avoid complications.
[New] JTKSM & Section 60K: As of 2026, ensure you are compliant with Section 60K of the Employment Act. While renewals generally don't require a new JTKSM approval, your records must be up to date. [Certain regulatory conditions may apply to the pairing of employers and FDHs.]
Note: These requirements are subject to change. It is advisable to check the latest updates from the Immigration Department of Malaysia or the FWCMS/MYEG portal to ensure compliance.
Step 1: Check the Expiry Date & Passport Validity
The first step is to check the expiry date of your FDH’s work permit. As of 2026, Immigration has fully transitioned to the digital e-Pass, which has replaced physical stickers for most renewals. It is advisable to renew your FDH’s work permit between three months and seven days before its expiry date to avoid "Illegal Stay" status.
To verify your current permit status, you can use the following official 2026 inquiry portals:
Official Immigration Online Inquiry (SPO): Visit the Official Immigration SPO Portal — This is the primary helpdesk and inquiry system for all pass statuses.
MyIMMs e-Services Hub: Check Status via MyIMMs e-Services — Select "Inquiry for Foreign Domestic Helpers" from the list.
MyEG e-Pass Check: Check e-Pass Information on MyEG — Use this if your previous renewal was done via MyEG.
Important: Ensure your FDH’s passport is valid for at least 12 months beyond the current permit’s expiry. If not, the passport must be renewed at the respective Embassy (Indonesian/Philippine) before you proceed with the work permit renewal. A permit cannot be issued if the passport validity is shorter than the permit duration.
Step 2: How to Renew Maid Permit via Online or Agency
The next step is to choose a renewal method for your FDH’s work permit. You can attempt to renew the permit yourself via the MyEG or FWCMS portals, or through an employment agency registered with the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
The Challenge of Self-Renewal in 2026: While self-renewal is possible, many employers face "System Mismatches" between the new FWCMS portal and the old Immigration database. If you choose to renew the work permit by yourself, you must navigate the technical requirements of the e-Pass system, ensure all medical data is synced from FOMEMA, and handle the complex insurance filings manually.
Why 2026 Employers Choose Agensi Pekerjaan PCR
However, you should be careful when choosing an employment agency. Many "freelance" agents operate without a license, which can lead to your maid being accidentally blacklisted if the digital permit (e-Pass) is not filed correctly. This is why thousands of employers trust PCR, a Type C Licensed Agency—the highest level of certification granted by JTKSM (Ministry of Human Resources).
PCR is the leading maid agency in Malaysia because we provide a true "One-Stop" solution:
End-to-End Handling: We handle everything for you, from mandatory annual FOMEMA registration to passport renewal at the Embassy and final e-Pass issuance.
2026 Legal Expertise: We stay updated on the latest MoUs and labor laws, ensuring you never face a late-renewal fine.
Guaranteed Validity: With PCR, you can rest assured that your FDH’s e-Pass, passport, and insurance (SPIKPA) are updated and valid at all times within the Immigration system, not just on paper.
Step 3: Prepare the Documents and Fees
The third step is to prepare the documents and fees for renewing your FDH’s work permit. In 2026, the process is almost entirely paperless, but the legal requirements have become stricter.
You will need to ensure the following are ready in the digital system:
Mandatory Annual FOMEMA Result: CRITICAL: Effective since 2024, all foreign domestic helpers must undergo a FOMEMA medical check-up EVERY YEAR to renew their permits. You must register your helper at the Official FOMEMA Portal and pay the medical fee (approx. RM217 for females) at least 3 months before the permit expires.
Maid Insurance (SPIKPA & IG): You must have valid Medical Insurance (SPIKPA) and an Insurance Guarantee (IG). In 2026, these policies must be digitally linked to your MyEG or FWCMS account before the system allows you to pay the government levy.
FWCMS Registration: Since February 2025, the old ePLKS portal has been replaced by the FWCMS (MyPass@JIM) system.
Why PCR is your best choice for Step 3: If you choose to renew through PCR, you don’t have to manually manage these portals or track FOMEMA results. We act as your professional representative to ensure your maid is never 'Unfit' in the system due to a clerical error. We handle the insurance purchase, the FOMEMA scheduling, and the government payments in one seamless package.
Important Clarification: SOCSO registration is governed under labour law and is separate from Immigration requirements. It is not required for PLKS renewal applications and does not affect the approval of a maid’s work permit renewal.
Step 4: Receive the e-Pass and Update Records
The final step is to receive the work permit and ensure your helper’s records are updated. In 2026, the Immigration Department has officially transitioned to the e-Pass (Electronic Pass), meaning physical stickers are rarely used.
1. Digital e-Pass: Once your application is approved in FWCMS or MyEG, an e-Pass will be generated as a PDF. You must print this digital permit and keep it with the helper's passport at all times.
2. System Verification: You should verify that the new expiry date is reflected correctly on the [Immigration Online Inquiry Page].
3. Embassy Notification: While not always mandatory, PCR recommends notifying the respective Embassy (especially for Indonesian and Filipino maids) to ensure their labor contracts are updated for 2026.
If you choose PCR: You don't have to worry about downloading PDFs or system glitches. We provide you with a verified, printed e-Pass and ensure the digital record is 100% accurate in the Immigration database. We also handle the Embassy contract updates, which is a common reason for maids being stopped at the airport when they go on home leave.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I renew if my maid is over 45? Generally, renewals are allowed up to age 45, but special extensions may be requested for long-term helpers.
What if my maid fails FOMEMA? You have 14 days to file an appeal. If the appeal fails, a "Check Out Memo" (COM) must be generated for repatriation.
Does the maid pay for the renewal? No. Under the latest Malaysia-Indonesia MoU, the employer must bear all renewal costs.
Conclusion
Renewing your FDH’s work permit is a necessary and important process. You need to follow the proper steps—especially the mandatory annual FOMEMA and FWCMS digital submission—to renew your FDH’s work permit in Malaysia 2026, to avoid any penalties, blacklisting, or deportation of your helper.
Save Time and Avoid Legal Risks with PCR: However, if you find this digital process complicated and time-consuming, let the experts at Agensi Pekerjaan PCR handle it. We are a Type C Licensed Agency (the highest government grade), meaning we have direct access to expedite and resolve permit issues that ordinary employers cannot.
Don't wait until the last minute! Late renewals can result in a "Special Pass" fee of RM100+ or a blacklist status. Click here to fill in our 2026 Maid Renewal Form or contact us directly via WhatsApp: +60123827009 today. Let PCR, the leading maid agency in Malaysia, give you the peace of mind you deserve!