Yes, you can hire a live-in domestic helper in Singapore as a foreigner. Employment Pass and S Pass holders can apply for her Work Permit, and so can Personalised Employment Pass holders and holders of a valid Long-Term Visit Pass. The rules for the helper, the orientation course and your duties as her employer are the same as for Singaporean families. What differs is the paperwork, the levy and planning for the day you leave Singapore.
Who can be the employer
| Your pass | Can you apply? |
|---|---|
| Employment Pass or S Pass | Yes |
| Personalised Employment Pass | Yes |
| Long-Term Visit Pass | Yes, if the pass is still valid when you apply for her Work Permit |
You must also meet the rules every employer meets: at least 21 years old, not an undischarged bankrupt, and MOM must be satisfied that you need the help and can house and keep her properly. MOM considers household income, but it does not publish a figure. See who can hire a domestic helper.
The application names one employer. If this is your first helper, that person attends the Employers’ Orientation Programme first, about two hours online in English, and the name and passport or FIN on the course must match the application. Decide early which of you will be the employer. See EOP and SIP explained.
The documents MOM asks for
- A copy of your passport.
- Your work pass, or your spouse’s long-term pass.
- For Long-Term Visit Pass holders, your child’s birth certificate or student pass.
- The Income Tax Notice of Assessment for you and your spouse, for the current or previous year. Instead, you can let MOM check your income with IRAS.
New to Singapore and no Notice of Assessment yet? This is common in the first year. MOM accepts a short written explanation with an employment letter on company letterhead that states your start date and monthly salary. Other proof of income, an overseas notice of assessment or a fixed deposit statement with a local bank can also help. Send us what you have and we will tell you what to add.
The levy
Every employer pays MOM a monthly levy for a helper. The lower, concession rate applies only when the household has a Singapore citizen child under 16, a Singapore citizen aged 67 or above, or certain other family members who qualify. Most expat households do not qualify, so they pay the standard $300 a month. Details in the levy and the security bond.
Questions families often ask us
“Can she help the children with English homework?” English is widely spoken in the Philippines, so families who want English at home often look at Filipino helpers. Helpers from Myanmar and Indonesia often start with basic English and improve. Listen to her in her interview video, then talk to her on a video call.
“We cook vegetarian, or we do not eat beef or pork.” Tell us at the start. Each helper’s profile says what food she will handle and cook, and we only suggest helpers who are comfortable with your kitchen. Many families teach their own dishes in the first few weeks, whatever the cuisine.
“Our parents visit for long stays.” Say so before we search. Experience with older people is listed in her profile, and some helpers have looked after grandparents for years.
“We have a dog or a cat.” Pets are a common reason a placement does not work. We check with each helper before an interview, and her profile says whether she is comfortable with them.
“Our condo has a small helper’s room, or none.” Tell us where she will sleep. Whether she can share a room or sleep in another part of the home differs from person to person, and MOM checks that her accommodation is suitable. See employer duties.
“Our assignment is two years. The Work Permit is two years too.” It is, but you are not locked in. Plan the end from the start, as below.
When you leave Singapore
If you are relocating, or your pass is ending, there are two ways to end the employment.
- She goes home. Agree her last day, settle her salary and anything else owed, and cancel her Work Permit within one week of her last day of work. You buy her ticket home, with checked luggage, and the flight must be within two weeks of the cancellation. The levy stops the day before the cancellation.
- She moves to a new family in Singapore. If she wants to stay, she can transfer to another employer instead of going home. A helper who has worked well for an expat family is often in demand, and a transfer usually lets her keep working without a gap. Tell us a month or two before you leave and we help her find a new employer.
Your duties as her employer continue until the Work Permit is cancelled or she has moved to her new employer.
Going home for the summer? She normally stays in your home while you are away, and your duties continue: food, a place to live and her salary. If you would rather she does not stay alone, ask us about other arrangements before you travel.
What we do
We are a licensed agency (MOM licence 22C1012). We place helpers from Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines, including transfer helpers already working in Singapore. You watch each helper’s interview video and talk to her by video call before you decide. We prepare the contract and the MOM application, and we stay in touch after she starts. Our team works in English and Chinese. There is also a short overview in Japanese and Korean.
Source: MOM, can an Employment Pass or S Pass holder employ an MDW, hiring with a Long-Term Visit Pass, employer requirements and cancelling a Work Permit. Tell us about your household and we will tell you honestly what to expect.
General information as of the date above. MOM's current rules and your own service agreement are what apply.