If you work in Singapore and your employer has taken your passport, you are not alone — and the law is firmly on your side. Passport confiscation is one of the most common abuses faced by foreign workers in Singapore, and it is explicitly illegal.
Under Singapore's Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), employers are prohibited from retaining the personal property of their employees, including passports and travel documents. MOM (Ministry of Manpower) treats this as a serious violation.
Employers found guilty can face fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment, or both. They may also be barred from hiring foreign workers in the future.
Some employers claim they hold passports "for safekeeping" or to prevent workers from leaving. Neither excuse is legally valid. Your passport is your personal property issued by your government — no one else has the right to hold it.
Many workers hesitate because they fear losing their job or being deported. MOM has protections in place — if you report passport confiscation, your employer cannot legally terminate or repatriate you while the case is being investigated. You may also be eligible for a Special Pass to remain in Singapore during proceedings.
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General legal information only. For specific advice, contact MOM or a qualified lawyer.