MOM Rules for Domestic Helpers: Work Permits & Employer Obligations (2026)

Hiring a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore is a great way to manage your household, but it comes with strict legal responsibilities. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has established clear rules to protect both employers and domestic workers.

Failing to comply with MOM rules for domestic helpers can result in hefty fines, the forfeiture of your $5,000 security bond, or a ban on hiring helpers in the future.

Whether you are hiring through an agency or using a direct-hire platform, this 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about FDW work permits and your mandatory employer obligations.

1. Employer Eligibility & The EOP

Before you can apply for a domestic worker work permit, you must meet MOM’s basic eligibility criteria:

• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must not be an undischarged bankrupt.
• You must have the financial capacity to employ, house, and maintain the helper.

First-Time Employers: If you have never hired a helper before, MOM requires you to complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP). This is a mandatory 3-hour course (available online or in-person) that explains your role and responsibilities. You must complete the EOP at least two working days before submitting a Work Permit application.

2. The FDW Work Permit Application Process

Getting the work permit approved requires a specific sequence of steps:

1. Submit the Application: You (or your employment agency) must submit the Work Permit application online via MOM’s FDW eService.
2. In-Principle Approval (IPA): Once approved, MOM will issue an IPA letter. This letter allows you to bring the helper into Singapore.
3. Purchase Mandatory Insurance & Bond: Before your helper arrives (or before her current permit expires if she is a transfer maid), you must purchase medical insurance, personal accident insurance, and a $5,000 security bond. (Read more: Security Bond for Maids in Singapore: A Guide for Employers
4. Issue the Work Permit: After your helper arrives and passes her medical check-up, you must log into the MOM portal to officially issue the work permit.

3. Mandatory Costs: Salary, Levy, and Insurance

As an employer, you are legally obligated to cover several monthly and annual costs:

• Monthly Salary: You must pay your helper’s salary promptly, no later than 7 days after the last day of the salary period. You are strongly encouraged to pay via GIRO or bank transfer to maintain a clear record. (Read more: Maid Salary in Singapore 2026: A Comprehensive Guide and visit our Employment Contract Generator
• Monthly FDW Levy: You must pay a monthly foreign worker levy. As of 2026, the normal levy rate is $300, while the concessionary rate (for households with a young child, elderly person, or person with disabilities) is $60.
• Medical Obligations: Employers are 100% responsible for their helper’s medical care. You cannot deduct medical consultation fees or hospitalisation costs from her salary.

4. Ongoing Employer Obligations & Living Conditions

MOM enforces strict rules regarding how your helper lives and works.

Six-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME)

Every six months, your helper must undergo a medical screening (6ME) to check for pregnancies and infectious diseases like syphilis. MOM will notify you by mail or email when the 6ME is due. You must cover the cost of this check-up, and your helper must attend the clinic without you being present in the consultation room.

Rest Days

By law, your helper is entitled to one rest day per week. While employers and helpers can mutually agree for the helper to work on her rest day, she must be compensated with at least one day’s salary for each rest day worked, or be given a replacement rest day within the same month. Important: As per recent MOM updates, at least one rest day per month cannot be compensated away, she must take the day off.

Accommodation Guidelines

You must provide adequate shelter and basic amenities. MOM guidelines dictate that:

• Your helper must have a safe, private, and well-ventilated sleeping area.
• She must be provided with a mattress, pillow, blanket, and storage space for her belongings.
• She cannot sleep in the same room as a male adult/teenager.
• You must provide adequate food (typically 3 meals a day) and basic toiletries.

5. Work Location and Job Scope

A crucial MOM rule for domestic helpers is that she can only work at the residential address stated on her Work Permit. Deploying your helper to work at your commercial business, a friend’s house, or a relative’s home is strictly illegal and can lead to a fine of up to $10,000. Furthermore, her duties must be strictly limited to domestic chores (cleaning, cooking, child-minding, eldercare).

6. Contract Termination and Repatriation

If the employment relationship ends, whether the contract finishes or either party decides to terminate early, you have specific obligations:

• Notice Period: Follow the notice period stated in the employment contract.
• Cancellation: You must cancel the Work Permit via the MOM portal.
• Repatriation Costs: You must bear the cost of her air ticket to the international airport nearest to her hometown in her home country. You are also responsible for her upkeep until she leaves Singapore.

(Note: If you are terminating the contract but allowing her to transfer to a new employer, you do not need to buy an air ticket. Learn more about the transfer process here: Transfer Maid Direct Hire article

Conclusion

Navigating the MOM rules for domestic helpers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding the EOP, the Work Permit timeline, and your ongoing employer obligations (like the 6ME and rest days), you can foster a safe, compliant, and harmonious relationship with your helper.