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Published on 14 Mar 2025 by Rose C.
Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in Singapore can be a beneficial decision for busy employers who need household support. However, the process involves various regulations and requirements that every employer must be aware of.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from hiring a domestic helper to managing employment requirements, paying levies, and arranging medical check-ups and insurance.
1. Understanding the basics of hiring a domestic helper
Before hiring a maid, it’s crucial to understand the rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Employers must:
- The employer must be at least 21 years old.
- The helper must be at least 23 years old and below 50 at the time of application.
- Employers must pay the MOM maid levy either through AXS, GIRO, or online payment methods.
- Employers are responsible for the medical check-ups and insurance coverage of their helper, including policies like DBS maid insurance, NTUC Income maid insurance, or the cheapest maid insurance options in Singapore.
- Domestic helpers must hold a valid FDW work permit and undergo a mandatory domestic worker medical check-up (FDW medical check-up) every six months.
- The domestic worker medical check-up includes tests for infectious diseases and pregnancy.
- Employers must pay for the helper’s medical expenses and insurance coverage.
You can hire a domestic helper through a licensed helper agency in Singapore or directly employ a maid using the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI).
2. Hiring a domestic helper through an agency
If you’re considering hiring through a helper agency in Singapore, it’s important to choose a MOM-licensed agency. Some of the best and cheapest maid agencies in Singapore offer competitive rates for domestic helper hiring while ensuring a legal and efficient process.
How to find a cheap maid agency in Singapore
- Search for a cheap maid agency in Singapore through reputable platforms such as Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or accredited online directories.
- Check for agencies with a Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) to ensure credibility.
- Compare agency fees, service packages, and customer reviews before making a decision.
- Look for agencies that offer comprehensive FDW work permit services, medical check-ups, and insurance options to make the process hassle-free.
3. Understanding maid insurance requirements
Employers must purchase insurance for their Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) in Singapore. Several options include:
- Cheapest maid insurance in Singapore: Comparing multiple policies can help save costs.
- DBS maid insurance and NTUC Income maid insurance are two popular providers offering various plans.
- Income maid insurance provides additional benefits such as hospitalization coverage and personal accident insurance.
- Insurance Market is one of the most trusted by employers
The MOM maid levy payment can be made via different methods, including AXS machines, Internet banking, or GIRO.
3. Applying for FDW work permit
A FDW work permit is required for every migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore. Employers must:
- Apply for the permit online via the MOM website or a helper agency in Singapore.
- Ensure compliance with Singapore maid rules and regulations.
- Arrange for a maid medical check-up (FDW medical check-up) before the helper starts working.
Employers must also pay the MOM maid levy as per the applicable rates. MOM maid levy payment can be done through GIRO or at an AXS machine.
4. FDW home leave & application process
Foreign domestic workers in Singapore may apply for home leave when they wish to visit their home country temporarily. Here’s what you need to know:
- To process FDW home leave, your helper needs a home leave application that includes an employer’s consent.
- Some helpers, like those from the Philippines, require an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) before traveling home. This can be obtained through the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or via a cheap maid agency in Singapore that provides FDW home leave processing services.
- The cheapest maid insurance Singapore plans may include home leave cover, ensuring financial security during your helper’s leave.
4. Paying your domestic helper’s levy and insurance
The Singapore government requires employers to pay a domestic worker levy every month. Here’s how to manage it efficiently:
- The MOM maid levy payment is mandatory and can be made via GIRO, Internet banking, or at AXS machines.
- Employers can also opt for income maid insurance or cheapest maid insurance Singapore plans for cost savings.
- MOM allows FDW levy concessions in certain cases, such as when hiring a domestic helper for an elderly person or a person with disabilities.
- The FDW renewal process includes a mandatory maid medical check-up (FDW medical check-up).
- Maid agencies or employers must ensure the completion of the domestic worker medical check-up before renewing the FDW work permit.
As the MDW Singapore landscape continues to evolve, technology and digital platforms like Ministry of Helpers make it easier than ever to find an affordable helper through a cheap maid agency in Singapore.
Hiring a helper doesn’t have to be a complex process. By understanding the legal requirements, utilising technology, and leveraging digital platforms like Ministry of Helpers, employers can efficiently manage household responsibilities while ensuring a smooth and fair experience for their domestic workers.
You might be interested in:
How to Train Your Helper to Handle Emergencies at Home
Balancing Work and Rest: A Guide for Employers to Support Their Helpers
Hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in Singapore can be a beneficial decision for busy employers who need household support. However, the process involves various regulations and requirements that every employer must be aware of.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from hiring a domestic helper to managing employment requirements, paying levies, and arranging medical check-ups and insurance.
1. Understanding the basics of hiring a domestic helper
Before hiring a maid, it’s crucial to understand the rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Employers must:
- The employer must be at least 21 years old.
- The helper must be at least 23 years old and below 50 at the time of application.
- Employers must pay the MOM maid levy either through AXS, GIRO, or online payment methods.
- Employers are responsible for the medical check-ups and insurance coverage of their helper, including policies like DBS maid insurance, NTUC Income maid insurance, or the cheapest maid insurance options in Singapore.
- Domestic helpers must hold a valid FDW work permit and undergo a mandatory domestic worker medical check-up (FDW medical check-up) every six months.
- The domestic worker medical check-up includes tests for infectious diseases and pregnancy.
- Employers must pay for the helper’s medical expenses and insurance coverage.
You can hire a domestic helper through a licensed helper agency in Singapore or directly employ a maid using the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI).
2. Hiring a domestic helper through an agency
If you’re considering hiring through a helper agency in Singapore, it’s important to choose a MOM-licensed agency. Some of the best and cheapest maid agencies in Singapore offer competitive rates for domestic helper hiring while ensuring a legal and efficient process.
How to find a cheap maid agency in Singapore
- Search for a cheap maid agency in Singapore through reputable platforms such as Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or accredited online directories.
- Check for agencies with a Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) to ensure credibility.
- Compare agency fees, service packages, and customer reviews before making a decision.
- Look for agencies that offer comprehensive FDW work permit services, medical check-ups, and insurance options to make the process hassle-free.
3. Understanding maid insurance requirements
Employers must purchase insurance for their Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) in Singapore. Several options include:
- Cheapest maid insurance in Singapore: Comparing multiple policies can help save costs.
- DBS maid insurance and NTUC Income maid insurance are two popular providers offering various plans.
- Income maid insurance provides additional benefits such as hospitalization coverage and personal accident insurance.
- Insurance Market is one of the most trusted by employers
The MOM maid levy payment can be made via different methods, including AXS machines, Internet banking, or GIRO.
3. Applying for FDW work permit
A FDW work permit is required for every migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore. Employers must:
- Apply for the permit online via the MOM website or a helper agency in Singapore.
- Ensure compliance with Singapore maid rules and regulations.
- Arrange for a maid medical check-up (FDW medical check-up) before the helper starts working.
Employers must also pay the MOM maid levy as per the applicable rates. MOM maid levy payment can be done through GIRO or at an AXS machine.
4. FDW home leave & application process
Foreign domestic workers in Singapore may apply for home leave when they wish to visit their home country temporarily. Here’s what you need to know:
- To process FDW home leave, your helper needs a home leave application that includes an employer’s consent.
- Some helpers, like those from the Philippines, require an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) before traveling home. This can be obtained through the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or via a cheap maid agency in Singapore that provides FDW home leave processing services.
- The cheapest maid insurance Singapore plans may include home leave cover, ensuring financial security during your helper’s leave.
4. Paying your domestic helper’s levy and insurance
The Singapore government requires employers to pay a domestic worker levy every month. Here’s how to manage it efficiently:
- The MOM maid levy payment is mandatory and can be made via GIRO, Internet banking, or at AXS machines.
- Employers can also opt for income maid insurance or cheapest maid insurance Singapore plans for cost savings.
- MOM allows FDW levy concessions in certain cases, such as when hiring a domestic helper for an elderly person or a person with disabilities.
- The FDW renewal process includes a mandatory maid medical check-up (FDW medical check-up).
- Maid agencies or employers must ensure the completion of the domestic worker medical check-up before renewing the FDW work permit.
As the MDW Singapore landscape continues to evolve, technology and digital platforms like Ministry of Helpers make it easier than ever to find an affordable helper through a cheap maid agency in Singapore.
Hiring a helper doesn’t have to be a complex process. By understanding the legal requirements, utilising technology, and leveraging digital platforms like Ministry of Helpers, employers can efficiently manage household responsibilities while ensuring a smooth and fair experience for their domestic workers.
You might be interested in:
How to Train Your Helper to Handle Emergencies at Home
Balancing Work and Rest: A Guide for Employers to Support Their Helpers