How often does my FDW need a 6-monthly medical examination in Singapore?

Every six months, starting from the date her Work Permit was issued. MOM sends an SMS reminder roughly two months before each due date, but you should also set a recurring calendar reminder — missing the deadline can attract a fine of up to S$5,000 and risk forfeiture of your S$5,000 security bond.

Who pays for the FDW 6-monthly medical examination?

The employer pays. Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), the cost of the 6ME cannot be deducted from your helper's salary or passed on to her in any form. Expect to pay roughly S$60 to S$120 per screening at a MOM-approved clinic such as Anteh Dispensary, Raffles Medical or selected polyclinics.

What happens if my helper tests positive for pregnancy or HIV at the 6ME?

Her Work Permit will be revoked and she must be repatriated. The same applies to confirmed HIV, active tuberculosis or syphilis. Other findings such as hypertension or diabetes are NOT grounds for permit revocation — she can continue working, but you should arrange appropriate follow-up care.

Can my helper do the 6ME at any GP clinic in Singapore?

No. The 6ME must be performed at a MOM-approved clinic that can submit the result electronically to MOM. A regular GP report will not be accepted and you will still be considered non-compliant. Check the current approved-clinic list on mom.gov.sg before booking, as accreditation can change.

What if my helper becomes pregnant or sick between scheduled 6MEs?

You must notify MOM within 24 hours of becoming aware. This 24-hour reporting rule applies to pregnancy and to the listed infectious diseases (HIV, TB, syphilis, etc.) even if the diagnosis happens at a non-approved clinic or A&E. Failing to report on time is treated as a serious EFMA breach and can lead to security bond forfeiture.

FDW 6-Monthly Medical Examination Singapore 2026: Employer's Compliance Guide

By Upwill Editorial Team•MOM-licensed agency • EA Licence 24C2628

Reviewed by Wendy Tan, Director, Upwill Pte Ltd

Published: 20 May 2026

Singapore employer accompanying foreign domestic worker to MOM-approved clinic for 6-monthly medical examination — The 6ME is a regulatory screening, not a wellness check — employers must understand the rules.

Every six months, every Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) in Singapore must undergo a medical examination at a MOM-approved clinic. It is one of the most consistently misunderstood employer obligations in the work permit framework — many employers assume it is a general health check-up, when in fact it is a regulatory screening with specific tests, fixed deadlines, and serious consequences for missed appointments.

This 2026 guide explains the 6-monthly medical examination (6ME) in full: what gets tested, when it must be done, who pays, what happens if your helper tests positive, and how to avoid the S$5,000 fine that catches out roughly one in twenty employers each year.

1. What the 6-Monthly Medical Examination Actually Is

The 6ME is a MOM-mandated screening that every Work Permit holder employed as an MDW must complete every six months. It tests for a specific list of conditions that affect either the worker's continued eligibility for the permit or public health in Singapore.

The standard 6ME panel covers:

Pregnancy test (urine HCG)
Syphilis (VDRL blood test)
HIV (blood test)
Tuberculosis (clinical screening; chest X-ray only if symptomatic or flagged)
Malaria (where indicated)
A few other infectious diseases per the MOM panel of the day

What the 6ME is not: it is not a comprehensive medical check, it is not a wellness assessment, and it will not pick up everyday conditions like high cholesterol, anaemia or thyroid issues unless the doctor happens to spot something during the consult. If you want a proper health check for your helper, you need to book that separately.

2. When the 6ME Must Be Done

The clock starts the day MOM issues the Work Permit. The first 6ME must be completed by the 6-month anniversary of permit issuance, and every six months thereafter for as long as the permit is valid.

MOM sends an SMS reminder to the employer's registered mobile number roughly two months before each due date. The reminder includes the deadline and a link to the list of approved clinics. If your number has changed since you filled out the hiring application, you will not receive the reminder — and missing it is not a valid defence for late screening.

Tip: the moment your helper's Work Permit is approved, set a recurring calendar reminder every six months. Do not rely on the SMS alone.

3. Who Pays for the 6ME

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), the employer pays for the 6-monthly medical examination. This cost cannot be deducted from the helper's salary, recovered from her, or passed on to the agency. It is one of the non-transferable employer obligations, the same way the security bond and Work Permit levy cannot be charged back.

Typical 6ME cost in 2026: S$60 to S$120 per screening, depending on clinic and whether any add-on tests are needed. Polyclinics tend to be at the lower end; private chains like Raffles Medical and Parkway Shenton sit at the upper end. Over a standard two-year permit cycle, plan for roughly S$240–S$480 in 6ME costs alone — a small but recurring line item in your total cost of hiring.

List of MOM-approved 6ME clinics including Anteh Dispensary, Healthway Medical, Raffles Medical and Parkway Shenton in Singapore — Only MOM-approved clinics can submit a valid 6ME report — a regular GP visit does not count.

4. MOM-Approved 6ME Clinics

The 6ME can only be done at clinics on MOM's approved list. The result is uploaded directly to MOM by the clinic — a report from a non-approved GP will not be accepted, and you will still be considered non-compliant.

The most commonly used providers include:

Anteh Dispensary chain (multiple HDB-estate locations; popular with agencies)
Healthway Medical (selected branches — confirm before booking)
Raffles Medical (many outlets, including Orchard and Changi)
Parkway Shenton (CBD and suburban branches)
Selected polyclinics (cheapest option, but longer wait times)

The complete and current list is published on mom.gov.sg — always check it before booking, because clinic accreditation can change.

5. What Happens If the Helper Tests Positive

This is where the 6ME genuinely becomes a regulatory matter and not a health check. Outcomes split into two categories:

Conditions that cause Work Permit revocation:

Pregnancy — Work Permit is revoked. The helper must be repatriated. MOM will not issue an exception, even at the employer's request.
HIV positive — Permit revoked, repatriation required.
Active tuberculosis — Permit revoked; treatment in Singapore is generally not permitted under the MDW framework.
Syphilis — Permit revoked, fails the medical fitness condition.

In these cases, you'll need to follow the standard Work Permit cancellation process, arrange a return air ticket, and settle outstanding salary. Your helper insurance may or may not respond depending on the cause — check the medical policy wording in our helper insurance guide.

Findings that are NOT a permit issue:

Hypertension, pre-diabetes, diabetes, mild anaemia, vitamin deficiencies and most other chronic conditions are not grounds for permit revocation. The doctor may note them for your information, but the helper can continue working. You should arrange follow-up care and consider whether your insurance covers any treatment costs.

6. The 24-Hour Reporting Rule

If — between scheduled 6MEs — your helper becomes pregnant or is diagnosed with one of the listed infectious diseases, you have a hard 24-hour reporting window to notify MOM. This is true even if the diagnosis happens at a non-approved clinic or in an A and E setting.

Failing to report on time is treated as a serious breach. It can trigger investigation, security bond forfeiture, and disqualification from hiring another MDW.

Diagram of MOM 6ME test panel covering pregnancy, syphilis, TB, malaria and HIV for foreign domestic workers in Singapore — The 6ME panel is fixed by MOM — it screens for permit-affecting conditions, not general wellness.

7. Documents the Employer Must Keep

After each 6ME, the clinic issues a report (usually a PDF or printed certificate). MOM also receives the result electronically. As the employer, you should:

Save the 6ME report PDF in a dedicated folder
Retain it for the full duration of the Work Permit (and ideally one year after)
Be ready to produce it if MOM conducts a spot audit or compliance check

Audits are rare for individual households, but they do happen — especially if the helper has had multiple employers, late screenings, or a flagged complaint history.

8. Booking the Appointment

Almost all approved clinics require you to call ahead — walk-ins for 6ME are usually not accepted. The employer should ideally accompany the helper, but if that is impractical, you must provide her with a written authorization letter that includes your NRIC, the helper's FIN, and your signature.

Practical notes:

Fasting is NOT required for the standard MOM 6ME panel.
Bring the helper's Work Permit card and passport.
The appointment typically takes 30–45 minutes.
Schedule it on her rest day or paid working day — you cannot deduct salary for time spent at the clinic.

9. Why Employers Miss the Deadline — and What It Costs

The most common reason employers miss the 6ME is straightforward calendar overload. The reminder SMS lands during a busy week, gets ignored, and the deadline slips quietly past. Other common reasons:

Helper went on home leave and the screening wasn't rebooked
Employer changed mobile number and missed the SMS
Confusion between the 6ME and the initial PEME
Helper transfers — both employers assume the other booked it

The consequences of missing the deadline are real:

Up to S$5,000 fine under EFMA
Work Permit suspension or cancellation
Possible forfeiture of the S$5,000 security bond
Negative record affecting future MDW hiring applications

10. 6ME vs PEME — What's the Difference

The Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME) is the comprehensive one-time exam done before a new helper's permit is issued. It includes a chest X-ray, full blood panel, and a broader infectious disease screen. The 6ME is the abbreviated bi-annual repeat — same regulatory purpose, narrower test panel, no routine X-ray.

Think of it this way: the PEME confirms she is fit to work in Singapore; the 6ME confirms she remains fit every six months thereafter.

The Bottom Line

The 6-monthly medical examination is one of the simplest employer obligations to comply with — and one of the most expensive to ignore. Diarise the date the moment her permit is approved, use an approved clinic, keep the report, and report any positive findings within 24 hours. Done properly, it costs less than S$120 every six months. Done wrong, it can cost you S$5,000 and your security bond.