How to Apply for a Work Permit When Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore

1. How to Apply for a Work Permit When Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore Modern Singapore households hire domestic helpers when they need help with their daily chores and caregiving services for their young children or elderly parents. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulates the employment of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore. An employer can hire a maid only if he or she meets the eligibility criteria set by MOM, such as he/she should be 21 years old or above, not be an undischarged bankrupt, and have the mental capacity to fulfill all the responsibilities as an employer. The foreign domestic worker you will hire also needs to meet age (23-50 years), nationality, and education requirements to get a Work Permit. If you’re working with the best maid agency in Singapore, you will not face any difficulty applying for a work permit for the maid you want to hire. Check out the below article to know how to apply for an FDW work permit. Who can apply for a work permit for a maid? As an employer, you can apply online for a work permit. If you’re working with a domestic helper agency in Singapore, it can take care of the application process. Documents you need to submit an online application? • The helper's passport details and her written consent such as a signed employment contract • You and your family members’ personal details and your income information Work Permit Online Application Process: • Visit the official site of MOM and find the digital application form in the eServices section. • Fill out the digital form and pay $35 when you submit the application. You will again need to pay $35 on the collection of the Work Permit • The processing time is 1 week, so login to view the status of your application. Work Permit Manual Application Process: • Download the Work Permit application form from the MOM site. • Fill out the form and attach a written consent from your FDW, your family’s personal details, your income information, and FDW’s passport details. • Pay $35 while submitting the above documents at any SingPost branch. • The processing time for the manual application process takes around 3 weeks The Work Permit is valid for up to 2 years, depending on the validity of the security bond. It is renewable. Employers can even extend, cancel, and reinstate Work Permit. If your application is approved by MOM, you will get a Letter of Notification or an In-Principal Approval Letter. The next step you need to do is to buy a security bond and take medical insurance coverage and personal accidental coverage. Send the approval letter to your maid if she is not in Singapore. Once

2. your domestic helper arrives in Singapore, request for a permanent work permit online. You will need to provide 3 authorised recipient address where you would like to get your Work Permit card delivered. Pay another $35 to MOM for card issuance. Print your Temporary Work Permit after you made the request. Register the fingerprints and photos of your FDW at any MOM Services Centre to receive the Permanent Work Permit card. Conclusion Hiring a foreign domestic helper in Singapore is usually what families do when they need a helping hand in their busy lives. The Ministry of Manpower provides guidelines, rules, and recommendations when it comes to hiring FDWs in the country. So if you’re looking to hire a maid for your family, you need to first apply for her Work Permit. You need to find the best maid agency in Singapore that can take care of all the paperwork involved in hiring a helper. Do make sure that the agency you’re hiring is certified by MOM and provides reliable maid employment services.