Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW), or maid, in Singapore is straightforward once you know the requirements: you must qualify as an employer, arrange the security bond and insurance, pay the levy, and complete a few mandatory steps. This guide walks employers through hiring a domestic helper in 2026, the costs, and the process from start to work permit.
Quick answer: To hire a domestic helper you must be at least 21, not an undischarged bankrupt, able to afford the costs, and provide proper accommodation. You pay a S$5,000 security bond (for non-Malaysian helpers), buy medical and personal accident insurance, and pay a monthly levy (S$300 standard, or S$60 concessionary for eligible households). The helper completes a medical exam and, if first-time, the Settling-In Programme. Apply for the Work Permit through MOM.
Are you eligible to hire a helper?
MOM sets employer conditions:
- At least 21 years old.
- Not an undischarged bankrupt.
- Financially able to pay the salary, levy, insurance, and upkeep (MOM assesses this).
- Able to provide safe, proper accommodation at your registered address.
First-time employers (and those who have not employed a helper in the past three years) must complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP) before applying.
The helper’s eligibility
The foreign domestic worker must also meet MOM’s rules, generally:
- Aged 23 to 50 at first application.
- From an approved source country.
- Pass a pre-employment and ongoing medical examination.
What it costs to hire a helper
| Cost | Amount (2026) |
| Security bond (non-Malaysian helpers) | S$5,000 (a banker’s or insurer’s guarantee, not a fee lost) |
| Monthly levy | S$300 standard; S$60 concessionary (young child, elderly, or person with disability in the household); up to S$450 for a subsequent helper |
| Medical + personal accident insurance | Per MOM minimum coverage (personal accident at least S$60,000 a year; confirm the current medical minimum) |
| Work Permit fees | Around S$35 to apply and S$35 to issue |
| Helper’s salary | Varies by nationality and experience |
Confirm the latest figures with MOM, as levy and insurance rules change.
How to hire, step by step
- Complete the EOP if you are a first-time employer.
- Find a helper, through a licensed maid agency or a direct hire (transfer).
- Buy insurance and arrange the security bond.
- Apply for the Work Permit through MOM (the agency usually does this).
- Receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA), which lets the helper enter Singapore.
- Complete the medical examination and, for first-timers, the Settling-In Programme (SIP) within the first days.
- Issue the Work Permit and register the helper.
Your ongoing obligations
- Pay the monthly levy on time.
- Keep insurance valid and renew it with the permit.
- Send the helper for the 6-monthly medical examination (6ME).
- Provide rest days and follow MOM’s employment rules.
- Renew the Work Permit before it expires. See our guide on renewing a domestic helper’s Work Permit.
How First Immigration can help
If you would rather not handle the paperwork, or you have a complex situation, First Immigration can help you hire and manage a domestic helper correctly. We also advise on the full range of Singapore work passes and immigration matters. Speak to our consultants through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Who can hire a domestic helper in Singapore?
Anyone at least 21, not an undischarged bankrupt, financially able to afford the costs, and able to provide proper accommodation. First-time employers complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme.
How much does it cost to hire a maid in Singapore?
A S$5,000 security bond (non-Malaysian helpers), a monthly levy (S$300 standard or S$60 concessionary), medical and personal accident insurance, Work Permit fees of around S$35 each, plus the helper’s salary.
What is the maid levy in 2026?
S$300 a month at the standard rate, or S$60 at the concessionary rate for households with a young child, an elderly person, or a person with disabilities. A subsequent helper can cost up to S$450.
Do I need to buy insurance for my helper?
Yes. Medical and personal accident insurance meeting MOM’s minimum coverage (personal accident at least S$60,000 a year), plus the S$5,000 security bond for non-Malaysian helpers.
What is the Settling-In Programme (SIP)?
A one-day orientation that first-time helpers must complete within the first days in Singapore, covering their rights, safety, and adjustment.
Do I need to complete anything as a first-time employer?
Yes, the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP) before applying.
How long does it take to hire a helper?
Once documents are ready, the Work Permit is usually approved quickly, and the helper completes the medical and SIP after arrival before the permit is issued.
How do I renew my helper’s Work Permit?
Through the FDW eService, with insurance and the bond in place, before the permit expires. See our renewal guide.
