Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore means taking on quite a bit of paperwork before your helper even steps through the door. Central to all of it is the MDW work permit, the legal pass your helper needs to live and work in your home.
If you’re doing this for the first time, the process can feel confusing. There are eligibility checks, application steps, levy payments, and ongoing obligations that many employers don’t fully expect. This guide walks you through everything, from what the permit actually is to how work permit transactions for domestic helpers are managed over time.
Quick Answer: An MDW work permit is an official pass issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that allows a Migrant Domestic Worker to live and work legally in Singapore as a domestic helper. The permit is tied to a specific employer, is valid for two years, and must be applied for through MOM’s WP Online portal. Employers are responsible for paying the Foreign Worker Levy, providing a security bond, and arranging medical insurance.
What Is an MDW Work Permit in Singapore?
The MDW work permit is a type of pass under Singapore’s foreign worker framework. “MDW” stands for Migrant Domestic Worker, and this permit specifically covers helpers employed to do domestic work in a private household. This includes tasks like housekeeping, cooking, caregiving for the elderly or young children, and general household management.
Without this permit, a foreign national cannot legally perform domestic work in Singapore. It is the employer’s responsibility, not the helper’s, to apply for and maintain the permit. If the permit lapses or is not properly transferred when the helper changes employer, both parties can face penalties from MOM.
The domestic helper’s work permit is different from other pass types in Singapore, such as an S Pass or Employment Pass. It is specifically designed for residential domestic work and comes with its own set of employer obligations and levy requirements.
Who Is Eligible to Hire a Domestic Helper in Singapore?
Not every Singapore resident is automatically eligible to hire a helper. MOM requires employers to meet certain criteria:
– must be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or hold an eligible pass such as EP, SP, or LTVP+.
– must be at least 21 years old.
– must not be an undischarged bankrupt.
– have the mental capacity to fully understand and discharge your responsibility as an employer.
– must have a registered residential address in Singapore where the helper will live.
– must not have a record of offences that disqualify you from employing an MDW.
The Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) is charged to the employer monthly:
| Employer Situation | Monthly Levy |
| First domestic helper | $300 |
| Second or subsequent domestic helper | $450 |
Additionally, employers are required to purchase a security bond (currently $5,000 for helpers from non-Malaysian source countries) and arrange for medical insurance with minimum annual coverage of $60,000, plus personal accident insurance of at least $60,000.
What Are the Requirements for the Helper?
Before you hire, she must also meet MOM’s eligibility criteria for helpers before a work permit for a domestic helper can be issued:
- She must be female.
- She must be a national of a MOM-approved source country, which currently includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
- She must be between 23 to below 50 at the point of a new Work Permit application.
- Helpers aged 50 and above may only have existing permits renewed, up to a maximum age of 60.
- She must have completed at least 8 years of formal education.
- She must be medically fit, confirmed through a pre-employment medical examination.
Some source countries have additional requirements. Filipino helpers must have completed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) certification and the Household Service Worker (HSW) accreditation.
How to Apply for a Domestic Helper Work Permit Through a Maid Agency: Step by Step
Step 1: Select Your Helper
Work with a licensed maid agency or source the helper directly. The agency will then gather need her full particulars, including passport details and other necessary documents. If this is your first time hiring a domestic helper, you must complete the EOP online before she starts work.
Step 2: Submit the Application Via MOM’s WP Online Portal
With your authorization, your appointed maid agency will submit the application through WP Online. MOM reviews the application and typically responds within a few working days.
Step 3: Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA)
If approved, MOM issues an IPA letter that allows your helper to travel to Singapore.
Step 4: Medical Examination Upon Arrival
Within the first two weeks of arriving in Singapore (normally within 1-2 working days upon arrival), the agency will arrange for your helper to complete a full medical screening at an approved clinic. She is only allowed to work if she passes the medical exam.
Step 5: Settling-In Programme (SIP)
First-time MDWs in Singapore must attend the SIP, which covers rights, responsibilities, and emergency procedures. It must be completed within the first 7 days of arrival
Step 6: Work Permit Card Is Issued
Once all conditions are satisfied, MOM issues the physical permit card. Your helper must carry this at all times.
Cancellation of the FDW Work Permit
You must cancel the permit within seven days of the helper’s last day of work if she is:
- Returning to her home country
- Moving to a new employer
- No longer required in your household
Cancellation is handled through WP Online. Failing to cancel on time is an offence.
If your helper is leaving Singapore at the end of employment, the employer must pay for the repatriation cost including transport, air ticket to the international port of entry nearest to her hometown, and checked baggage allowance.
Common Mistakes First-Time Employers Make
A few things that frequently catch new employers off guard:
- Letting the permit expire. A helper working on an expired helper work permit is working illegally, and both parties can be penalised. Engage a maid agency to start renewal process as soon as you receive renewal notification email/ letter from MOM
- Forgetting the security bond and insurance. These must be effective before the IPA is used to bring the helper to Singapore.
- Assuming the permit transfers automatically. It does not. Any change in employer requires a new application from scratch.
Working with a licensed maid agency handles much of this administrative load for you and makes sure the right documents are in place at every stage.
Conclusion About Work Permit for Domestic Helpers
Getting the MDW work permit right from the start sets the foundation for a smooth and legal working arrangement for both you and your helper. From the initial application through to managing ongoing work permit transactions for domestic helpers, understanding your responsibilities keeps you compliant and your helper properly protected.
At Inter Great Employment Pte Ltd (MOM EA Licence No: 14C6931), our recruitment consultants guide you through every step of the permit process, from selecting the right helper to making sure all documentation is completed correctly and on time.
(Disclaimer by Inter Great: All above information and/or monetary figures are meant for reference only. Please refer to MOM’s official website for updated and accurate information, or approach and consult our recruitment consultant if you need professional advice and consultation.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Work Permit for Domestic Helpers
How Long Does It Take to Process a Domestic Helper Work Permit?
The In-Principle Approval is typically issued within a few working days of a complete application submission. The full process, including overseas processing, embassy processing (if applicable), the medical examination and Settling-In Programme, may take between 1-2 weeks for a transfer helper, to about 1-2 months for an overseas candidate depending on the source country.
Can an MDW Work Permit Be Transferred to a New Employer?
New employer needs to submit a fresh application for work permit and wait for approval by MOM. . The helper cannot start work in the new household until the new permit is issued under the new employer.
What Happens If the Helper Work Permit Expires Without Renewal?
Your helper would be working illegally, which can result in fines and penalties for both you and her. Start the renewal process around 5-6 weeks before the expiry date, upon receiving renewal notification from MOM.
What Are My Responsibilities as an Employer Under the MDW Work Permit?
Employers are responsible for the helper’s accommodation, food, medical and dental expenses, levy payments, insurance, and at least one rest day per week. Failure to meet these obligations can result in penalties or disqualification from hiring MDWs in future.