How long does it take to apply for a domestic helper in Singapore?

For a new helper from source country, expect 4-12 weeks total: 3-5 days for EOP and eligibility, 1-2 weeks for shortlisting and interviews, 1-2 weeks for Work Permit application and IPA, and 2-6 weeks for source-country processing and flight. Transfer helpers already in Singapore typically take only 2-3 weeks.

Do I have to use an employment agency to hire a maid in Singapore?

No, direct hire is legal — but most first-time employers use a MOM-licensed Employment Agency because the EA handles WPOL submission, source-country liaison, insurance, and arrival logistics. Direct hire is more common for re-hires or transfers where the employer already knows the helper.

What is the IPA and why does it matter?

The In-Principle Approval (IPA) is the official letter MOM issues once your Work Permit application is approved. It confirms the helper's identity, agreed salary, off-day arrangement, and employer details — and it is what allows the helper to enter Singapore. Always cross-check every field on the IPA the moment you receive it.

How much does it cost to hire a domestic helper in Singapore the first time?

Upfront costs for a first-time employer typically run SGD 2,100-4,400, covering EOP, agency fees, Work Permit fees, security bond, insurance, medical exam, and Settling-In Programme. On top of that, monthly recurring costs include helper salary (SGD 550-700+), MOM levy (SGD 60 concessionary or SGD 300 standard), plus food and utilities.

What is the Employer's Orientation Programme (EOP) and is it really mandatory?

Yes, the EOP is mandatory for first-time employers and for anyone who has not hired a helper in the past 5 years. It is a 3-hour online or classroom course covering your legal obligations, the helper's rights, safety, and dispute resolution. It costs SGD 30-40 and you cannot submit a Work Permit application until your certificate is logged with MOM.

How to Apply for a Domestic Helper in Singapore — Complete 8-Step Guide for First-Time Employers (2026)

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

Reviewed by Wendy Tan, Director, Upwill Pte Ltd

Published: 20 May 2026

You've decided your household needs a domestic helper. Now what? Applying for a migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore is a regulated process governed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and most first-time employers underestimate how many moving parts there are. The good news: if you follow the right sequence, you can go from "we want to hire" to "she has arrived" in roughly 4 to 12 weeks, depending on nationality, document readiness, and whether you choose a transfer helper (already in Singapore) or a new helper from source country.

This is not another cost guide — we have one of those here. This is the action sequence: the exact 8 steps in order, what you do at each stage, and how long each one realistically takes.

Reviewed by Wendy Tan, MOM-licensed Employment Agency Personnel (EA Licence 24C2628). Last updated May 2026.

The typical 4-12 week timeline

Stage	Typical duration
Eligibility check + EOP completion	3-5 days
Choosing an EA + biodata shortlisting	1-2 weeks
Candidate interviews + selection	3-7 days
Work Permit application + IPA issuance	1-2 weeks
Source country processing + flight	2-6 weeks
Arrival, SIP, medical, permit issuance	4-5 days

Transfer helpers (already in Singapore on existing Work Permits) compress this to roughly 2-3 weeks total because there is no source-country processing and no inbound flight to arrange.

Step 1: Check your eligibility as employer

Be at least 21 years old
Be a Singapore citizen, PR, or work pass holder
Be mentally sound and able to discharge employer duties
Have a household income that allows you to maintain and pay your helper — MOM expects at least SGD 2,000/month
Not be an undischarged bankrupt

If anyone in your household is over 60, has young children, or is a person with disabilities, you may also qualify for the Levy Concession (S$60/month vs S$300).

Step 2: Complete the Employer's Orientation Programme (EOP)

If this is your first time hiring a helper — or you haven't hired one in the past 5 years — you must complete the EOP before submitting your Work Permit application. Cost: around SGD 30-40, 3 hours online or classroom. Practical tip: do the EOP as soon as you decide to hire — agencies cannot submit your application without it.

Step 3: Choose an MOM-licensed Employment Agency

How to verify an agency is legitimate:

Look up their licence number on MOM's EA Directory
Check their star rating and retention rate — see our MOM agency ratings guide
Read the service agreement carefully — what is included, what is extra, refund/replacement terms

See our EA selection guide for what to look for. Agency fees typically S$1,500-3,500.

Step 4: Select your candidate (nationality + interview)

Nationality	Min monthly salary (2026)	Common strengths
Filipina	SGD 670+	English fluency, infant/elderly care
Indonesian	SGD 600+	Cooking, Malay-speaking, elderly care
Myanmar	SGD 550+	Patient, lower cost, longer-term retention
Sri Lankan	SGD 560+	Cooking, child care

Your agency will send biodatas. Shortlist 3-5, then conduct video interviews — 20-30 minutes each. Ask scenario questions, not just yes/no.

Step 5: Submit Work Permit application

NRIC/FIN of employer
EOP completion record (auto-pulled from MOM)
Household details
Helper's biodata and passport scan
Signed employment contract terms

The application fee is SGD 35. MOM typically issues a decision within 1-7 working days.

Step 6: Receive IPA — verify everything

When approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. Cross-check every field. A typo in the helper's name or passport number can delay arrival by days. Learn how to verify it independently in our IPA check guide.

Step 7: Insurance + security bond purchase

Security bond — SGD 5,000 to MOM. Usually purchased as a bond insurance policy costing around SGD 65-75 per year. Details: security bond guide.
Medical insurance + Personal Accident Insurance — minimum SGD 60,000 inpatient coverage and SGD 60,000 personal accident. Typical cost: SGD 280-450 for 26 months. Compare plans in our insurance comparison.

Step 8: Helper arrives, SIP + medical, permit issued

Within 3 working days of arrival she must:

Complete a medical examination — about SGD 100-160 (see our cheapest medical guide)
Attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) — a 1-day course, around SGD 70-80
Have her biometrics captured at MOM's Employment Pass Services Centre

Once these are done MOM issues the physical Work Permit card. Plan a proper onboarding in her first 30 days — our first-month settling-in guide walks you through it.

Total cost across all 8 steps

Item	Typical cost (SGD)
EOP	30-40
Agency fees	1,500-3,500
Work Permit application fee	35
Work Permit issuance fee	35
Security bond (annual premium)	65-75
Medical + PA insurance (26 months)	280-450
Medical exam on arrival	100-160
Settling-In Programme	70-80
Total upfront	~2,115-4,375

Full month-by-month calculator in our comprehensive cost guide.

First-time hire checklist

Confirmed I meet MOM employer eligibility
Completed EOP and have certificate
Shortlisted 2-3 MOM-licensed EAs and checked their EA Directory listing
Signed transparent service agreement with chosen EA
Conducted at least 3 video interviews
Reviewed and agreed candidate's biodata, salary, off-day
Work Permit application submitted via WPOL
Received IPA — all fields verified correct
Security bond purchased
Medical + PA insurance policy bought
Helper's flight booked, arrival date confirmed
Booked SIP slot and medical exam clinic
Prepared helper's room, basic toiletries, work phone

Reviewed by Wendy Tan — MOM-licensed Employment Agency Personnel, Upwill Employment Agency (EA Licence 24C2628). Wendy specialises in matching first-time employers with the right candidate profile.