Quick answer: To hire a migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore you must be at least 21, not an undischarged bankrupt, and able to pay for her upkeep. First-time employers must complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme at least 2 working days before applying. The helper must be female, aged 23 to under 50 at application, with at least 8 years of formal education, from one of 13 approved source countries. Budget for a S$5,000 security bond (not needed for Malaysian helpers), medical insurance of at least S$60,000 a year, personal accident insurance of at least S$60,000, Work Permit fees of S$35 + S$35, and a monthly levy of S$300, or S$60 if your household qualifies for the concession.
Most families underestimate the recurring costs rather than the upfront ones. The agency invoice is a one-off, but the levy, insurance and six-monthly medicals continue for as long as she works for you.
This guide sets out the full cost picture first, then the rules and the eight steps MOM expects you to follow.
What it costs
One-time costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
| Employment agency fee | Varies | Only if you use a licensed EA. Compare quotes, and ask exactly what is included |
| Security bond | S$5,000 | Required for every helper except Malaysians. Usually bought as a bond insurance policy rather than paid in cash |
| Work Permit application | S$35 | Per application |
| Work Permit issuance | S$35 | Payable when the permit is issued |
| Medical examination | Varies by clinic | Pre-employment medical, within 14 days of arrival |
| Settling-In Programme | Varies | Required for first-time helpers |
| Airfare and arrival costs | Varies | Employer’s responsibility |
Recurring costs
| Item | Amount | Frequency |
| Levy, first helper | S$300 | Monthly |
| Levy, subsequent helper | S$450 | Monthly |
| Levy, concessionary rate | S$60 | Monthly, if your household qualifies |
| Medical insurance | Premium varies, coverage must be at least S$60,000 a year | Annual |
| Personal accident insurance | Premium varies, sum assured at least S$60,000 | Annual |
| Salary | Agreed in the contract | Monthly |
| Six-monthly medical examination | Varies by clinic | Every 6 months |
| Food and upkeep | Varies | Ongoing |
Singapore has no statutory minimum wage for helpers, but source countries set their own minimums and agencies will quote the prevailing range for each nationality.
The levy concession
The concessionary rate of S$60 a month applies if your household includes a qualifying person, such as a young child, an elderly member, or a person with disabilities certified as needing help with at least one activity of daily living.
Two limits to note: the concession is granted for one helper per eligible person, and it is capped at two helpers per household. Check your eligibility on MOM’s levy concession page before you budget.
Are you eligible to hire?
| Requirement | Detail |
| Age | At least 21 |
| Bankruptcy | Not an undischarged bankrupt |
| Mental capacity | Able to understand and discharge your responsibilities as an employer |
| Financial ability | Able to pay the levy, salary, insurance, medical and upkeep costs |
| Accommodation | Safe and proper accommodation for the helper |
| Employers’ Orientation Programme | Required for first-time employers. A 3-hour programme, completed at least 2 working days before you submit the Work Permit application |
Is the helper eligible?
| Requirement | Detail |
| Gender and age | Female, 23 to below 50 at the time of the Work Permit application |
| Education | At least 8 years of formal education with a recognised certificate |
| Source country | Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan or Thailand |
| Medical | Must pass the pre-employment medical examination, and six-monthly examinations after that |
| Settling-In Programme | Required for first-time helpers in Singapore |
Agency or direct hire?
| Licensed employment agency | Direct hire | |
| Cost | Agency fee on top of government costs | Lower, you do the work |
| Sourcing | They shortlist and vet candidates | You find the candidate yourself |
| Paperwork | They handle most of it | You handle all of it |
| Suits | First-time employers, or families with no time | Employers rehiring someone they know, or transfers |
Use only licensed agencies. Engaging an unlicensed agency is an offence. Check the licence in MOM’s employment agency directory, and look at the agency’s retention rate rather than just the price.
The eight steps
| Step | What to do |
| 1. Choose your route | Licensed agency or direct hire |
| 2. Find the right candidate | Match the work to her experience: cooking, childcare, eldercare, pets. Check her employment history on MOM’s FDW eService with Singpass, and interview her |
| 3. Prepare before arrival | Complete the EOP if you are a first-time employer, apply for the Work Permit, get the IPA, buy the security bond and both insurance policies, set up GIRO for the levy, prepare her accommodation, and send her the IPA letter to show at immigration |
| 4. First week | Enrol a first-time helper in the Settling-In Programme, arrange the medical examination within 14 days of arrival, then apply for the Work Permit to be issued. She may need to attend MOM Services Centre for photo and fingerprints, and the card follows within about 5 working days |
| 5. Contract and safety agreement | Put the salary, rest days, duties and termination terms in writing, and sign the safety agreement with her |
| 6. Pay her properly | On time, in full, into a bank account where possible. Keep records. No unauthorised deductions |
| 7. Give clear instructions | Work schedule, house rules, dietary needs, safety procedures, medication schedules, emergency contacts |
| 8. Keep checking in | Six-monthly medical examinations, and regular conversations about how she is coping |
Your IPA letter is the document she shows on arrival, so send it before she flies. If you want to track the application, see our guides on checking your IPA status and checking work pass status.
Hiring a transfer helper
A transfer helper is already in Singapore and moving from one employer to another. It is usually faster and cheaper than hiring from overseas.
| Point | Detail |
| Settling-In Programme | Not needed again if she has worked in Singapore before |
| Medical examination | Check that her current employer has completed the required medical before the transfer |
| Work Permit | Apply for issuance under your name. She must not start work until the new permit is issued |
| Airfare | No inbound airfare, but you still take on the repatriation obligation |
| What to check | Why the transfer is happening, and her employment history on the FDW eService |
The levy, bond and insurance requirements are the same as for a new helper.
Your ongoing obligations
| Obligation | Detail |
| Levy | Pay monthly by GIRO. Late payment attracts penalties and can affect future applications |
| Insurance | Keep medical and personal accident cover valid, and renew it with the Work Permit |
| Six-monthly medical | Arrange and pay for the 6ME |
| Rest days | She is entitled to a weekly rest day. At least one rest day a month cannot be compensated away in cash |
| Salary | Pay on time and keep records |
| Accommodation and food | Provide adequate accommodation and meals |
| Work Permit renewal | Renew before expiry. See our guide on renewing your helper’s Work Permit |
| Repatriation | You are responsible for sending her home at the end of employment |
Timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
| EOP (first-time employers) | 3 hours, at least 2 working days before applying |
| Work Permit application | Submitted online, IPA follows |
| Travel and arrival | Within the IPA validity |
| Settling-In Programme | In the first days after arrival |
| Medical examination | Within 14 days of arrival |
| Work Permit card | About 5 working days after issuance |
From decision to a helper legally at work, a straightforward overseas hire usually takes a few weeks. A transfer can be considerably faster.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence |
| Budgeting only for the agency fee | The levy, insurance and 6ME continue every month and every year |
| Leaving the EOP to the last minute | You cannot submit the application until 2 working days after completing it |
| Letting a transfer helper start work before the new permit is issued | Illegal employment |
| Buying insurance that is below the minimum | The policy will not meet MOM’s requirement of at least S$60,000 for each cover |
| Assuming the concessionary levy applies automatically | You must qualify and apply for it |
| Missing the medical examination deadline | The Work Permit cannot be issued |
| Compensating away every rest day | At least one rest day a month must actually be taken |
| Using an unlicensed agency | An offence, and you lose any protection if things go wrong |
How First Immigration can help
We are an immigration consultancy, not a maid agency, so sourcing and placement go through a licensed employment agency. Where we help is the pass side of the process.
- Work Permit applications and renewals for domestic helpers, including the documents and deadlines.
- Fixing problems: expiring IPAs, late renewals, and transfers that stall.
- Household planning: if your family is also working on Singapore PR or a long-term pass for relatives, we handle those alongside.
- Other work passes: see our guides to Work Permits and the different pass types.
Book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a maid in Singapore?
Budget for a S$5,000 security bond (except for Malaysian helpers), Work Permit fees of S$35 to apply and S$35 to issue, medical and personal accident insurance of at least S$60,000 cover each, the medical examination, the Settling-In Programme for first-timers, and any agency fee. The recurring costs are her salary plus a levy of S$300 a month, or S$60 if you qualify for the concession.
What is the maid levy in Singapore?
S$300 a month for the first helper and S$450 for a subsequent helper at the normal rate. Households with a qualifying young child, elderly member or person with disabilities can pay S$60. The concession covers one helper per eligible person and is capped at two helpers per household.
Who can hire a domestic helper in Singapore?
Anyone aged 21 or above who is not an undischarged bankrupt, has the mental capacity to take on the responsibility, can afford the costs and can provide safe accommodation. First-time employers must complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme.
What is the Employers’ Orientation Programme?
A 3-hour programme for first-time employers of a migrant domestic worker. Complete it at least 2 working days before submitting the Work Permit application.
How old can a domestic helper be?
She must be aged 23 to below 50 when the Work Permit application is submitted, with at least 8 years of formal education and a recognised certificate.
What insurance do I need to buy for my helper?
Medical insurance covering inpatient care and day surgery with an annual claim limit of at least S$60,000, and personal accident insurance with a sum assured of at least S$60,000. Both must stay valid for the whole employment period.
Do I need a security bond?
Yes, S$5,000 for each helper, except for Malaysian helpers. It is usually arranged as a bond insurance policy.
Is it cheaper to hire a transfer helper?
Usually, because there is no inbound airfare and no Settling-In Programme if she has worked in Singapore before. The levy, bond and insurance requirements are identical, and she cannot start work until the new Work Permit is issued.
Can I hire a helper without an agency?
Yes, direct hire is allowed, and you then handle the sourcing and the paperwork yourself. Never use an unlicensed agency, which is an offence.
How long does it take to hire a helper?
Allow a few weeks for an overseas hire: the EOP, the Work Permit application and IPA, travel, the Settling-In Programme, the medical examination within 14 days of arrival, and about 5 working days for the permit card after issuance.
Official sources: MOM, Eight steps to hiring a helper, Employer requirements for hiring an MDW, Employers’ Orientation Programme, Migrant domestic worker eligibility, Insurance requirements for MDWs, Security bond requirements for MDWs, Paying levy for a migrant domestic worker and Levy concession for a migrant domestic worker. Figures checked 1 October 2026.
Disclaimer: Fees, levy rates, insurance minimums and eligibility rules are set by MOM and can change. Confirm the current figures on MOM’s website before you commit to hiring.
