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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
All Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and expatriates (holding valid employment or work passes), having a valid reason to employ a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) at their residence, are eligible to apply but subject to MOM approval. For expatriate employers, they have to declare that their family members are living with them upon application.
No, you can only employ maid from MOM (Ministry of Manpower) approved source of countries for MDW (Migrant Domestic Workers). The countries are: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
Employers are required to pay a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) monthly levy of $300 (normal)or $60 (concessionary). Levy charges begin on the fifth day after the MDW arrival in Singapore, including the day of arrival.
Levy Payment should be made via GIRO only. The MDW's Work Permit (WP) will be cancelled if the employer fails to maintain a valid GIRO account. Employers can view their levy bills online using the Internet Foreign Worker Levy Billing (IFWLB) System via SingPass.
An employer is eligible for low levy for each MDW (max. for two MDWs for each household) if he/she satisfies conditions set by MOM. Generally, a household that has a child/grandchild who is a Singapore Citizen below 16 years old or an elderly (Employer/Spouse/Parent/parent-in-law/grandparent/grandparent-in-law) who is a Singapore Citizen aged 67 years old or above may be eligible to apply low levy but subject to MOM approval. Besides, a household living a person with disability may also be eligible for levy concession on appeal basis.
You can claim tax relief if:
1. you are a married woman and has elected for separate assessment; or
2. you are married and your husband is not resident in Singapore; or
3. you are separated or divorced or widowed and living with your unmarried child for whom you can claim child relief.
The relief is two times the amount of maid levy paid for one maid. It can only be set off against the earned income of the wife. Single taxpayers are not eligible for this relief. You can get the relief even if the levy is paid by the husband.
Yes, you can get refund for the maid-levy paid for the period your maid is not in Singapore. Is on overseas leave for at least 7 consecutive days. Capped at 60 calendar days per calendar year.
No. The employer need not do so unless this is provided for in the employment contract.
Employer is responsible for the repatriation of the maid. You are required to post a security deposit (bond) of $5,000 per maid with the Work Permit Department, MOM. If you fail to repatriate the maid after cancellation of her work permit, you risk losing the $5,000 securitydeposit (bond).
Yes, you can purchase an insurance policy with various options from Anda, NTUC Income, and others to avoid making the $5,000 deposit. However, you may (depending on the insurance package and options you purchase) still be liable for the $5,000 if you fail to repatriate the maid.
Within 14 days of your maid arrival to Singapore, she must undergo a medical examination, and certified fit. Thereafter, the maid is required to undergo six-monthly medical screening, for VDRL, pregnancy, and HIV.
Yes, as an Employer, you are required to bear the full cost of the medical care, including hospitalization. It is advisable to have insurance coverage for hospitalization expenses for your maid. Depending on the options you choose when purchasing personal accident insurance coverage, it may have been included.
In general, if you have not employed a maid before, you must attend an Employer's Orientation Programme before you submit your Work Permit application for your maid.
Only if you have valid reasons, for example, medical reason or disability. In this case, you must submit a form to exempt from taking the Programme.
a) Grace Management & Consultancy Services Pte Ltd
b) Nation Employment Pte Ltd
c) We Are Caring Pte Ltd
Please visit MOM (http://www.mom.gov.sg/)website.
a) In March 2002, an employer received a five-year jail term for abusing her 19-year-old MDW. For over 20 days, the employer scalded the MDW with boiling water, poked her thighs with a pair of scissors and hit the back of her head with the back of a chopper.
b) In July 2002, an employer who physically abused his MDW and caused her death was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 12 lashes of the cane. At her death, the MDW was found to have multiple scars and injuries.
c) In July 2006, an employer was fined $2,000 for asking her MDW to climb and prune a 6-metre mango tree in her yard.
d) In October 2004, an employer who failed to pay her MDW for almost two years was fined $3,000. She was also ordered by the court to pay her MDW the outstanding salary owed to her, which amounted to $3,580.
e) In September 2006, an employer instructed her MDW to climb out of the window of her 18th storey apartment and stand on a narrow ledge to clean the windows. The employer was convicted for breach of the Work Permit Conditions and fined $3,500
f) In September 2005, an employer deployed her MDW to help out at her food stall from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Friday. The MDW’s duties at the stall included serving customers, collecting money from customers and packing food. The employer was charged for illegal deployment and fined $3,000. Her security deposit of $5,000 was also forfeited.
g) In February 2006, an MDW fell eight stories to her death when hanging laundry on a narrow ledge. The employer claimed that it was her mother-in-law who had instructed the MDW to climb onto the ledge. The court rejected her claim and ruled that as the legal employer, she should bear the “ultimate responsibility” for the MDW’s safety. The employer was sentenced to two weeks in jail.
The SIP is a mandatory one day programme for all first-time MDWs, prior to deployment. The SIP aims to better orientate and equip MDWs with basic knowledge about living and working in Singapore. It includes modules on:
• Introduction to Singapore;
• Conditions of employment;
• Safety at home;
• Safety in other areas; and
• Relationship and stress management
The Safety Awareness Course will be subsumed under the SIP. The SIP will be conducted in the MDW's native language, to maximize understanding and retention.
A first-time MDW is one who:
- Has no employment record with MOM's Work Pass Division; or
- Has Work Permit records with MOM but did not collect her Work Permit cards previously. This includes Migrant Domestic Workers who have worked in Singapore for brief periods in thepast, or who have applied for Work Permits but did not eventually work in Singapore.
The SIP will better orientate first-time MDWs by equipping them with basic knowledge about living and working in Singapore. This will include modules on how to manage stress and adapt to working in a foreign, urban environment. These will help MDWs adapt better to working in local households and foster better working relationships with their employers.
First-time MDWs must attend the SIP within seven days of their arrival in Singapore, excluding the day of arrival.
Working days are Monday to Saturday, excluding Sunday and Public holiday.
How much does the Settling-In Programme (SIP) cost? Who has to bear the course fees?
The Work Permit system keeps a record of employers and their employment history. The system will identify which Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) are new to Singapore.
Employers and Employment Agencies (EAs) will be informed of this requirement in the Letter of Notification to bring MDW into Singapore
Employers can check if their MDW is required to attend the SIP via WP Online. What languages will the Settling-In Programme (SIP) be taught in?
The SIP is conducted in the MDW's native languages, such as Bahasa Indonesia, Myanmese and Tagalog.
SIP will also be conducted in English. You may wish to check with the training providers on the schedules for the SIP classes.
All first-time MDWs are required to attend the mandatory SIP within the first seven days of arrival in Singapore, excluding the day of arrival. Working days are from Monday to Saturday, excluding Sunday and Public holiday.
Has no employment record with MOM's Work Pass Division; or
Has Work Permit records with MOM but did not collect her Work Permit cards previously.
This includes Migrant Domestic Workers who have worked in Singapore for brief periods in the past, or who have applied for Work Permits but did not eventually work in Singapore. As the SIP is a mandatory programme, no first-time MDWs will be exempted. The SIP is focused on adapting MDWs to working and living in a foreign environment, especially on observing work safety.MDWs will also learn about their rights and responsibilities while working in Singapore, as well as relationship and stress management. The SIP will help MDWs be better oriented and adjusted when starting work at your household, which can help reduce conflicts and accidents at the workplace.
MDWs who fail to attend the SIP within seven days of arrival in Singapore, excluding the day of arrival, will not be issued their Work Permits and will be repatriated.
Working days are Monday to Saturday, excluding Sunday and Public holiday.
If your MDW is a first-time MDW in Singapore, she is required to attend the SIP.A first-time MDW is one who:
Has no employment record with MOM's Work Pass Division; or
Has Work Permit records with MOM but did not collect her Work Permit cards previously.
This includes Migrant Domestic Workers who have worked in Singapore for brief periods in the past, or who have applied for Work Permits but did not eventually work in Singapore. The SIP is focused on adapting MDWs to working and living in a foreign environment, especially on observing work safety. MDWs will also learn about their rights and responsibilities while working in Singapore, as well as relationship and stress management. The SIP will help MDWs be better oriented and adjusted when starting work at your household, which can help reduce conflicts and accidents at theworkplace.
Hiring through a maid agency in Singapore ensures that all legal requirements, including work permits and MOM regulations, are fully handled. Agencies like AA Celest Employment provide thorough background checks, training, and post-placement support, giving you peace of mind and a smooth hiring experience.
A good helper is someone whose skills, experience, and personality match your household's needs. At AA Celest Employment, we offer extensive profiles for domestic helpers in Singapore, including Myanmar, Indonesian, and Filipino helpers, etc, and guide you through the selection process to ensure a good fit.
We provide skilled domestic helpers in Singapore for:
• Childcare – caring for infants, toddlers, and school-age children.
• Elderly Care – assisting with mobility, medication, and companionship.
• House Cleaning & Household Duties – cooking, laundry, and general home management.
As an affordable maid agency, AA Celest Employment offers competitive and transparent pricing. Our service includes candidate shortlisting, document preparation, work permit application, and post-placement support, ensuring no hidden fees.
Our process is simple and efficient:
1. Consultation to assess your household needs.
2. Shortlisting suitable domestic helpers in Singapore.
3. Interviews and selection.
4. Handling all MOM documentation, medical checks, and contracts.
5. Post-placement support to ensure a smooth transition.
Yes! AA Celest Employment also assists with direct hire transfer, domestic helper services in Singapore arrangements. We handle all legal paperwork and ensure compliance with MOM requirements for a smooth transition.
We maintain high standards through:
• Rigorous screening and verification of all domestic helpers in Singapore.
• Structured training programs in childcare, eldercare, and house cleaning.
• Continuous support and guidance for both employers and helpers after placement.
Getting started is easy! Browse our selection of domestic helpers in Singapore (https://aacelest.netmaid.com.sg/all-maids?utm_source=chatgpt.com)or contact AA Celest Employment directly to discuss your household’s needs. Our team will guide you every step of the way.
Myanmar maids are known for their strong work ethic, caregiving skills, and adaptability. They are ideal for childcare, elderly care, and household management.
Direct hire refers to a helper newly arriving in Singapore, while a transfer maid is already employed locally. Transfer maids adapt faster and require less initial training.
All helpers placed by AA Celest Employment undergo thorough background checks, medical screening, and verification of past employment to ensure reliability and safety.
Depending on your requirements and helper availability, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months. Using an experienced, trusted Myanmar maid agency helps streamline placement.
We offer continuous post-placement support, including guidance on contracts, duties, and resolving any adjustment challenges to ensure a smooth employer-helper relationship.
Indonesian maids are known for their strong work ethic, caregiving skills, and adaptability. They are suitable for childcare, elderly care, and household management.
Outside hire refers to a helper newly arriving in Singapore, while a transfer maid is already employed locally. Transfer maids adapt faster and require less initial training.
All experienced Indonesian maids placed by AA Celest Employment undergo thorough background checks, medical screening, and verification of past employment to ensure safety and trustworthiness.
Depending on your preferences and availability, the process can take from a few weeks to a couple of months. Using a trusted Indonesian maid agency like AA Celest Employment streamlines placement.
We offer post-placement guidance for contracts, duties, and resolving adjustment issues, ensuring a smooth and lasting employer-helper relationship.
A foreign domestic worker is a helper from overseas employed to assist with childcare, elderly care, and household duties.
AA Celest Employment guides you through the application process, including MOM compliance, medical checks, insurance, and work permits.
A transfer domestic helper is already working in Singapore and can be hired by a new family. This option is faster and ensures prior experience.
Direct hire transfer maids are employed locally by a new family directly, while agency hires are placed through the agency from overseas. Both comply with MOM regulations.
Depending on requirements and availability, the process can take several weeks. Using a trusted foreign domestic maid agency ensures efficiency.
To begin hiring a maid in Singapore, first assess your household needs—childcare, eldercare, or general house cleaning. Browse profiles of helpers in Singapore on our listings page, shortlist suitable candidates, and contact AA Celest Employment for guidance on applications and compliance with Ministry of Manpower (MOM) regulations.
We provide a wide range of maids in Singapore, including:
• Childcare helpers
• Elderly care helpers
• General household house cleaning and cooking helpers
• Experienced Myanmar, Indonesian, and Filipino helpers
Each helper is verified, trained, and ready to meet your household requirements.
While direct hiring is possible, using a maid agency in Singapore like AA Celest Employment ensures that all legal requirements, work permits, medical screenings, and contracts are properly handled. This reduces risk and provides post-placement support for both employer and helper.
Costs include:
• MOM levy and security bond
• Agency fees (one-time, transparent, as part of an affordable maid agency package)
• Medical checkups and insurance coverage
AA Celest Employment provides clear, upfront pricing so there are no surprises.
• Outside Hire: A helper newly coming to Singapore for employment.
• Transfer helper: A helper already employed in Singapore, looking to change employers.
Both options are fully supported by our agency, ensuring compliance with MOM regulations and a smooth transition.
A good helper is someone whose skills, experience, and personality fit your household. Look for:
• Relevant work experience (childcare, eldercare, house cleaning)
• Compatibility with family routines and communication style
• Verified background and references
AA Celest Employment helps match you with suitable helpers in Singapore based on these factors.
We offer ongoing support to help resolve any challenges, assist with contract renewals, and guide employers and helpers on legal obligations and workplace expectations. Our goal is to ensure a smooth, long-term employment relationship.
If you’re unsure which helper in Singapore is right for your household, our friendly team is available to provide personalised guidance. Contact Us Today (https://aacelest.netmaid.com.sg/contactus)to discuss your needs and start the process of hiring a trusted maid in Singapore.
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