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Work Permit route guide

Maid Work Permit Singapore: Application, Issuance, Levy, and What to Check First

Understand the MDW Work Permit path before application, arrival preparation, issuance, levy, renewal, or private paperwork moves.

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Quick answer

The simple version

If you are hiring a migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore, MOM says you need to apply for a Work Permit and follow the MDW Work Permit route [mom-mdw-hub].

The Work Permit path is not one form. It includes employer and helper eligibility, application, arrival preparation, pass issuance, possible fingerprint/photo registration, digital work pass setup, card delivery, levy, renewal, cancellation, transfer, and change notifications [mom-mdw-hub][mom-apply][mom-key-facts].

DecisionWhat to checkOfficial source
Can this employer hire an MDW?Age, bankruptcy status, mental capacity, caregiving need, financial ability, and first-time employer EOP where relevant.[mom-employer-requirements]
Can this helper qualify?Sex, age band, approved source country or region, education, work-address rule, SIP if first-time, relationship rule, and IPA/bond timing.[mom-helper-eligibility]
Who can apply?Employer, sponsor, or authorised employment agent.[mom-apply][mom-key-facts]
What must be ready before arrival?Security bond for non-Malaysian helpers, medical insurance, personal accident insurance, and other arrival dependencies.[mom-apply][mom-bond][mom-insurance]
What continues after approval?Issuance, Temporary Work Permit, possible registration, digital work pass, card delivery, monthly levy, and update notifications.[mom-apply][mom-levy][mom-notify]
Official sources

MOM is the source of truth for the MDW Work Permit route

This page is a plain-language route guide. MOM controls the current rules, fees, timings, eligibility, eServices, pass issuance, levy, renewal, cancellation, transfer, and notification requirements.

MDW Work Permit hub

Use MOM's hub to navigate eligibility, employer guide, levy, apply, renew, cancel, transfer, and notify-MOM pages [mom-mdw-hub].

Apply page

Use MOM's apply page for who can apply, current fee lines, processing time, application steps, arrival preparation, issue-pass sequence, digital work pass, and card delivery [mom-apply].

Route map

The MDW Work Permit lifecycle

The lifecycle starts before application and continues after the card is delivered.

PhaseMain questionWhy it matters
EligibilityCan the employer and helper qualify?MOM separates employer requirements from helper eligibility. A weak check here can waste time later [mom-employer-requirements][mom-helper-eligibility].
ApplicationWho submits and what fee/timing applies?MOM says the employer, sponsor, or authorised EA can apply; the FDW eService outcome is usually within 1 week unless more information is needed [mom-apply].
Arrival preparationAre insurance and bond ready?MOM places security bond, medical insurance, and personal accident insurance before arrival in the route [mom-apply][mom-insurance][mom-bond].
IssuanceCan the pass be issued and used?MOM's route includes getting the permit issued, Temporary Work Permit, and possible fingerprint/photo registration [mom-apply].
After issuanceWhat obligations continue?Levy, renewals, cancellation, transfer, and notifying MOM of changes remain part of the Work Permit lifecycle [mom-mdw-hub][mom-levy][mom-notify].
Application sequence

MOM's application-to-card sequence

This is the practical order an employer should understand before paperwork starts.

2

Check helper eligibility, including age, approved source country or region, education, first-time SIP, work-address rule, and relationship rule [mom-helper-eligibility].

3

Get written consent from the helper before applying, then submit through the relevant MOM route [mom-apply].

4

After approval, prepare for arrival: security bond for non-Malaysian helpers, medical insurance, personal accident insurance, and other arrival details [mom-apply][mom-bond][mom-insurance].

5

Get the permit issued, give the Temporary Work Permit to the helper, and check whether fingerprint/photo registration is required [mom-apply].

6

Guide the helper to set up her digital work pass in SGWorkPass and receive the physical Work Permit card when MOM delivers it [mom-apply].

Eligibility split

Employer check and helper check are separate

Do not blend employer readiness with helper eligibility. Both sides matter.

SideMOM-backed checksDo not assume
Employer21 or older, not an undischarged bankrupt, mental capacity to discharge employer responsibility, caregiving need and financial ability, plus EOP for first-time employers [mom-employer-requirements].Do not assume household need alone is enough.
HelperFemale, age from 23 to below 50 at application, approved source country or region, minimum 8 years of formal education with recognised certificate, and other MOM conditions [mom-helper-eligibility].Do not assume a willing helper can qualify without checking the source-country, age, education, and timing rules.
First-time helperSIP may be required and MOM will say so in the IPA letter [mom-helper-eligibility].Do not assume arrival can move straight into work without the required post-arrival steps.
New helper outside SingaporeMOM says employers can only bring helpers into Singapore after IPA and after buying the $5,000 security bond where required [mom-helper-eligibility].Do not arrange arrival before the source checks are complete.
Before arrival

What usually blocks the Work Permit route

Most problems are sequence problems. The public page should help the employer slow down before private records move.

Helper eligibility not checked

Age, source country or region, education, relationship, location, and SIP dependency can affect the route [mom-helper-eligibility].

Insurance or bond not ready

MI, PAI, and security bond for non-Malaysian helpers need correct timing before arrival [mom-insurance][mom-bond].

Levy exposure ignored

The Work Permit carries a monthly levy obligation; non-payment can affect applications, issuance, renewal, and the existing pass [mom-levy].

Public boundary

Do not use first contact as a document drop

A Work Permit enquiry can begin with route and timing only. Sensitive records should wait until the correct private follow-up path is clear.

This matters because Work Permit cases can involve identity records, helper biodata, medical results, insurance policies, security bond records, salary details, IPA letters, and payment evidence.

No NRIC, passport, FIN, IPA, Work Permit card, or digital pass screenshots in public contact.

No medical report, salary record, bank record, policy, bond, or payment proof in first contact.

No promise of approval, processing outcome, or case eligibility from public copy.

Use official MOM sources before relying on fees, timings, eligibility, or transaction instructions.

Guided pathways

Where this guide connects next

The Work Permit guide is the central route map. Use the nearby guide when the decision becomes more specific.

Hiring

Hiring guide

Use when the employer is still choosing the safest hiring route.

 Insurance

Insurance and bond guide

Use when MI, PAI, security bond, or before-arrival readiness is the main issue.

 Renewal

Renewal guide

Use when the permit exists and the deadline, insurance, bond, levy, or extension path matters.

 Docs

Documentation support

Use for a document-light first enquiry about paperwork readiness.
Notify MOM

The Work Permit route does not end after card delivery

MOM lists changes that need notification during employment, including contact details, residential address, helper passport details, salary, pregnancy, death, missing helper, appointing family members to act, feedback, and leaving the helper in someone else's care while overseas [mom-notify].

Treat change notifications as part of the live Work Permit lifecycle.

Use MOM's notify page for current categories and transaction paths.

Do not rely on memory for notification duties.

Employer questions

FAQ

Short answers, source-linked where needed.

Who needs a Work Permit for a domestic helper?

MOM says you need to apply for a Work Permit if you are hiring a migrant domestic worker in Singapore [mom-mdw-hub].

Who can apply for the Work Permit?

MOM lists employer, sponsor, or authorised employment agent as the parties who can apply [mom-apply][mom-key-facts].

How much does the Work Permit application cost?

MOM's current apply page states $35 when submitting the application and $35 when getting the pass issued [mom-apply]. Recheck MOM before relying on current fee lines.

How long does the application take?

MOM's current apply page states that FDW eService applications are processed within 1 week unless more information is required; application-form route timing is longer for most cases [mom-apply].

Can the helper enter Singapore before approval?

MOM's helper eligibility page says employers can only bring helpers into Singapore after receiving IPA and buying the $5,000 security bond where required [mom-helper-eligibility].

Does every employer need EOP?

MOM says first-time employers of helpers must attend the Employer Orientation Programme before applying for a Work Permit [mom-employer-requirements].

Does the Work Permit always last 2 years?

MOM's key facts page says the duration is up to 2 years, depending on the validity of the security bond [mom-key-facts].

What should I send Anson Mae Manpower first?

Send the route, timing, and what has already happened. Keep private identity, helper, medical, salary, policy, bond, and payment records out of the public first message.

Does this page replace MOM instructions?

No. This page is a plain-language guide. MOM remains the authority for Work Permit requirements, transactions, and current instructions [mom-mdw-hub].

Claim boundary

What this guide does not claim

Some claims need separate evidence and approval.

Official source links

Official source links

Last checked: 2026-06-16. Open the official source before relying on time-sensitive details.

Authority Official sources
Checked 2026-06-16
Link mode Direct source
Privacy boundary

Read first. Send documents later.

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

Connected guide layer

Main guide map

Move by decision point across hiring, insurance, agency discovery, verification, and renewal.

Open guide directory
01 Hiring Hire a maid

Choose the hiring path before paperwork gets heavy.

Open 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.

Current 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

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Send a short note with the route, timing, and what has already happened. Keep private records for the correct follow-up.

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