FAQ

  1. What criteria are needed to hire a foreign maid in Singapore?
  2. What if I am 60 years & above and I do not have a monthly income, can I hire a maid?
  3. What is Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP)?
  4. Who can be exempted from Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP)?
  5. What are the costs involved in hiring a maid?
  6. What is the monthly levy and how much is it?
  7. What are the liabilities for an employer?
  8. Can the employer waive the $5,000 security bond?
  9. What are the necessary medical checks for my maid?
  10. What nationalities can I hire as a maid in Singapore?
 

1. What requirements are needed to hire a foreign maid in Singapore?

The combined annual income of both employer and spouse must be sufficient to support the upkeep of the helper. And those who never hire a foreign maid in Singapore before must take the Employers’ Orientation Programme first before application.

 

2. What if I am 60 years & above and I do not have a monthly income, can I hire a maid?

If you are a Singapore Citizen/PR and already 60 years old and above, you may hire a maid by providing financial proof to support the application, provided you are not staying with a working adult. For those with children, you can try sponsorship scheme.

 

3. What is Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP)?

A course by required by the Ministry of Manpower to educate first time employers with a basic understanding of their role and responsibilities when engaging a foreign maid.

 

4. Who can be exempted from Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP)

The employer either
i.suffers from chronic medical conditions; or
ii.is unable to walk (eg.has a physical disability); or
iii.is 60 years old and above and suffers physical discomfort and a Sponsor or Representative of 21 years of age and above has attended the programme on the employer's behalf.
iv.is 60 years old and above and suffers physical discomfort and a Sponsor or Sponsor's spouse is or was an employer of a foreign domestic worker.
v.is expecting and the date of delivery is within a month's time; or
vi.has delivered a child 1 month or less from the date of exemption application and their spouse has attended the programme on their behalf.

 

5. What are the costs involved in hiring a maid?

Insurance is a must to cover the expenses in case of an accident,death or hospitalization. Also one-time agency fee, monthly salary and levy and medical expenses. Others include her daily basic necessities such as shampoo and toothbrush.

 

6. What is the monthly levy and how much is it?

The monthly levy paid to the Singapore government. The normal rate is SG$300. Levy concession applies if your family has a child aged below 16 or have an elderly aged 65 or above. The concession levy rate shall be SG$60.

 

7. What are the liabilities for an employer?

Besides the basic well-being of their maid, employers must ensure that they repatriate their maid when her employment has ended. Failure to do so would breach the security bond conditions and employers would be required to pay $5,000 as penalty.

 

8. Can the employer waive the $5,000 security bond?

Yes, by purchasing an insurance policy from selected insurers or our recommended insurer, you can waive the $5,000 security deposit by paying the excess. However, depending on the insurance package which you purchase, you may still be liable for the $5,000 if you fail to repatriate the maid.

 

9. What are the necessary medical checks for my maid?

Your maid must undergo a medical examination and certified fit within 14 days from her arrival in Singapore. After that, the maid is required to undergo six-monthly medical screening, for VDRL, pregnancy, and HIV.

 

10. What nationalities can I hire as a maid in Singapore?

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.