Official source hiring guide

How to Hire a Maid in Singapore

Start by choosing your hiring route, then check the MOM-controlled steps before private documents move.

Ask about my hiring route Start helper hiring enquiry

Quick answer

Choose the route first, then check the MOM steps

Choose the route first. Then check MOM employer/helper rules and application steps before private documents move [mom-employer-requirements][mom-helper-eligibility][mom-apply].

Official sources

Use this as a route map, not a substitute for MOM

Anson Mae Manpower helps with orientation. MOM controls regulated requirements.

MOM controls the rules

Use this page as a route map. MOM remains the source for requirements, fees, timings, permits, levy, and duties [mom-mdw-hub][mom-employers-guide].

Source date is visible

Checked against MOM on 2026-05-29. Recheck time-sensitive details before relying on them.

Figures stay cautious

Fees, bond amounts, timelines, and coverage rules appear only when tied to official sources.

Official source route map for hiring a maid in Singapore.

Verified route map

A safer hiring page has two layers

The public layer explains the route. The private layer holds sensitive records after the follow-up path is clear.

Public page: route, source anchor, checklist, careful CTA.
Private follow-up: sensitive records and case details.

Hiring sequence

The route map before documents move

A first path for employers, with regulated details tied back to MOM.

Choose the route

Decide whether you are starting a new hire, direct hire, transfer, or agency-supported path before you move into paperwork.

Check employer fit

MOM controls employer eligibility and first-time employer requirements. Treat this as an early dependency [mom-employer-requirements][mom-eop].

Check helper fit

Confirm helper-side conditions against MOM before treating a match as workable [mom-helper-eligibility].

Plan the application

MOM allows employers, sponsors, or authorised employment agencies to submit the Work Permit application [mom-apply].

Prepare arrival items

Insurance, security bond where applicable, arrival timing, and related records need to line up before the helper arrives [mom-insurance][mom-bond].

Handle arrival dependencies

SIP for first-time helpers and the medical examination can affect when work and issuance can proceed [mom-sip][mom-medical].

Issue and receive the pass

MOM controls issuance, fingerprint/photo registration where required, digital pass setup, and card delivery [mom-apply].

Keep up obligations

Levy, rest days, salary, accommodation, medical care, renewals, cancellation, and notifications remain part of the employer lifecycle [mom-levy][mom-employers-guide].

Choose by situation

Different hiring routes need different follow-up

Pick the closest lane first. Details can sharpen after that.

New hire

Start a helper hiring route

Use this when you need help from the beginning of the hiring journey.

Direct hire

Continue after a possible match

Use this when you already have a likely helper match and need the next step without attachments.

Transfer

Clarify transfer timing

Use this when the helper may be moving from one employer to another.

Unsure

Choose the closest employer route

Use this when the household need is clear but the hiring lane is not.

Readiness checklist

What to clarify before the case becomes document-heavy

A pre-handoff check before the case becomes private.

Before you enquire

Household need and timing are clear enough to explain.
You know whether this is a new hire, direct hire, transfer, or unsure route.
You have not placed private identity, permit, payment, salary, medical, or insurance records in a public message.

Before application

Employer requirements have been checked against current MOM guidance [mom-employer-requirements].
Helper-side eligibility has been checked against current MOM guidance [mom-helper-eligibility].
First-time employer EOP dependency has been considered where relevant [mom-eop].

Before arrival

Insurance and security bond requirements are checked against current MOM guidance [mom-insurance][mom-bond].
Arrival timing, SIP if relevant, and medical examination timing are planned [mom-sip][mom-medical].
Levy and ongoing employer duties are understood at a high level [mom-levy][mom-employers-guide].

Delay traps

The common blockers are usually sequence blockers

Clarify the route first, then check the official dependencies.

Route ambiguity

The enquiry starts before the hiring lane is clear.

Eligibility uncertainty

Employer or helper conditions have not been checked against MOM [mom-employer-requirements][mom-helper-eligibility].

Timing dependencies

EOP, SIP, medical, levy, or issuance timing is assumed instead of checked [mom-eop][mom-sip][mom-medical][mom-levy].

Document overexposure

Private records are sent before the handoff path is clear.

Employer questions

Common questions before contact

Short answers, source-linked where needed.

Can I apply for a helper Work Permit myself?

MOM's apply page states that an employer, sponsor, or authorised employment agency can submit the application. The right route depends on your situation and the support you want [mom-apply].

Do I need to complete EOP before applying?

MOM says first-time employers must complete the Employers' Orientation Programme before applying for an MDW. Recheck MOM before relying on current format, cost, or exemption details [mom-eop].

When does a first-time helper attend SIP?

MOM's SIP page controls current timing. As checked on 2026-05-29, MOM states that a first-time helper must attend SIP within 7 days of arrival, excluding Sundays and public holidays, and can start work only after attending SIP [mom-sip].

What should I send in the first enquiry?

Send the household need or route, timing, and preferred reply method. Do not send passports, biodata, permits, salary records, medical records, payment records, insurance records, or identity documents through public contact.

Is this official MOM advice?

No. This is an Anson Mae Manpower guide. MOM remains the official authority for MDW rules, fees, timings, eligibility, permits, levy, and employer obligations [mom-mdw-hub][mom-employers-guide].

Claim boundary

What this guide does not claim

Some claims need separate evidence and approval.

No licence-status, ranking, rating, endorsement, package, or pricing claim.
No final legal or compliance advice.
No outcome guarantee or public document upload instruction.

Official source links

Last checked: 2026-05-29. Open the official source before relying on time-sensitive details.

Authority Official sources

Checked 2026-05-29

Link mode Direct source

MOM.gov.sg [mom-mdw-hub]

MDW Work Permit hub

Top-level authority for the MDW Work Permit topic family.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-mdw-hub].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-apply]

Apply for Work Permit

Application channel, fees, processing, preparation, arrival, issuance, and card steps.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-apply].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-employer-requirements]

Employer requirements

Employer-side eligibility and first-time employer dependency.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-employer-requirements].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-helper-eligibility]

Helper eligibility

Helper-side eligibility and source-country conditions.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-helper-eligibility].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-eop]

Employers' Orientation Programme

First-time employer orientation timing and current EOP details.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-eop].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-sip]

Settling-In Programme

First-time helper SIP dependency and timing.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-sip].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-bond]

Security bond

Bond requirement, amount, and before-arrival timing.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-bond].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-insurance]

Insurance requirements

Medical insurance and personal accident insurance obligations.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-insurance].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-medical]

Medical examination

Pre-employment medical examination timing and issuance dependency.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-medical].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-levy]

Paying levy

Levy rates, payment timing, start/end timing, and non-payment consequences.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-levy].

MOM.gov.sg [mom-employers-guide]

Employer's guide

Ongoing employer obligations after hiring.

Open MOM source Checked 2026-05-29. Source key: [mom-employers-guide].

Privacy boundary

Read first. Send documents later.

Use guides to understand the route. Keep private records for the right follow-up.

No public document uploads.
No helper CV, passport, permit, medical, payment, salary, insurance, or identity files in first contact.

Connected guide layer

Main guide map

Move by decision point. The current guide stays marked.

Open guide directory

01 Hiring Hire a maid

Choose the hiring path before paperwork gets heavy.

Current guide 02 Eldercare Eldercare helper

Understand the AIC eldercare support landscape before asking for help.

Open guide 03 Work Permit Work Permit

Understand the Work Permit path before application or paperwork begins.

Open guide 04 Insurance Maid insurance

Understand insurance and bond basics before buying or renewing.

Open guide 05 Bond Insurance + bond

Separate MI, PAI, and security bond before buying a package.

Open guide 06 Renewal insurance Renewal insurance

Check MI, PAI, bond, and package validity before renewal.

Open guide 07 Agency Maid agency

Verify first, then choose who to speak with.

Open guide 08 Agency Licensed agency

Use MOM records before trusting agency licence or personnel claims.

Open guide 09 Verify Verify a maid agency

Check official records before trusting claims.

Open guide 10 Renewal Renew Work Permit

Check renewal readiness before the deadline pressure builds.

Open guide

Next action

Need help choosing the first route?

Send the household need, timing, and preferred reply method. Private records can wait.

Ask about my hiring route