Frequently Asked Questions
Hiring a helper for the first time? Explore our FAQs to better understand the process, requirements, and how we ensure a safe and reliable match for your home.
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How do I know whether I am eligible for the foreign domestic worker levy concession?
The employer is eligible for the levy concession if he or she satisfies one of the conditions stated below:
Condition A:
- the employer or spouse has a child who is a Singapore citizen below 12 years old and is living with him or her; or
- the employer or spouse has a grandchild who is a Singapore citizen below 12 years old and is living with him or her.
Condition B:
- the employer or spouse is a Singapore citizen who is 65 years old and above; or
- the employer or spouse is a Singapore citizen and the other party is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above and both are living together.
Condition C:
- the employer or spouse has a parent or parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singaporean and aged 65 or above and is living together with the employer or
- the employer is a Singapore Citizen and has a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above. The parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law must live with the employer.
How do I know whether I am eligible for the foreign domestic worker levy concession?
The employer is eligible for the levy concession if he or she satisfies one of the conditions stated below:
Condition A:
- the employer or spouse has a child who is a Singapore citizen below 12 years old and is living with him or her; or
- the employer or spouse has a grandchild who is a Singapore citizen below 12 years old and is living with him or her.
Condition B:
- the employer or spouse is a Singapore citizen who is 65 years old and above; or
- the employer or spouse is a Singapore citizen and the other party is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above and both are living together.
Condition C:
- the employer or spouse has a parent or parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singaporean and aged 65 or above and is living together with the employer or
- the employer is a Singapore Citizen and has a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above. The parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law must live with the employer.
How do I know whether I am eligible for the foreign domestic worker levy concession?
The employer is eligible for the levy concession if he or she satisfies one of the conditions stated below:
Condition A:
- the employer or spouse has a child who is a Singapore citizen below 12 years old and is living with him or her; or
- the employer or spouse has a grandchild who is a Singapore citizen below 12 years old and is living with him or her.
Condition B:
- the employer or spouse is a Singapore citizen who is 65 years old and above; or
- the employer or spouse is a Singapore citizen and the other party is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above and both are living together.
Condition C:
- the employer or spouse has a parent or parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singaporean and aged 65 or above and is living together with the employer or
- the employer is a Singapore Citizen and has a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above. The parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law must live with the employer.
Can I claim tax relief for maid levy?
You can claim tax relief if you meet the following conditions:
- you are a married woman and has elected for separate assessment; or
- you are married and your husband is not resident in Singapore; or
- you are separated or divorced or widowed and living with your unmarried child for whom you can claim child relief
If the domestic helper needs to return to her home country before contract expires, do I need to pay her return air ticket?
Yes. You are responsible for the maid’s return air ticket, unless you have certain different agreement with your employment agency.
Do I need to pay to renew the maid's passport?
This depends on the nationality of the maid. For maid from Indonesia, Embassy of Indonesia makes a rule that the employer needs to pay for all the fee relating to passport renewal.
In general, many employers choose to pay for all the relevant costs associated with the passport renewal.
Is it okay to keep Maid's Passport on her behalf to prevent her from running away?
Unless you have the permission of the maid, it is against the law for an employer to keep maid’s passport.
Is it still okay to ask maid to clean window?
As announced by the Ministry of Manpower, maids will not be allowed to clean the window exteriors of high-rise HDB flats or apartments unless supervised. This means that you have to be physically present to supervise the maid while she cleaned your window.
You can also ask maids to clean windows in a situation where window grilles have been installed and are locked at all times during the whole cleaning process.
This rule is not applicable for windows that are at the ground level or along common corridors.
Is insurance necessary for employing maids?
Employers are required by the Ministry of Manpower to purchase a minimum of $15,000 coverage on personal accident for the maid.
What medical checks does my maid have to go through?
Once your maid reaches Singapore, she is given 14 days to complete her medical examinations and certified fit to work under Ministry of Manpower’s standards.
In addition, the maid is required to undergo half yearly medical screening to ensure that her health continues to meet MOM’s standards.
Who is responsible for the medical expenses of the maid?
The employer will be responsible for these expenses. They are required to bear the full cost of the medical care, including hospitalization. Hence, we would advise employers to purchase a comprehensive coverage for their maids to ensure these costs are covered for.
How much is the maid levy?
$300/month – Standard levy (1st helper)
$450/month – For each additional helper
$60/month – Concessionary levy (if eligible)
The maids levy is to be paid by employers at the end of each month and should be done so only in the form of GIRO payments. If employers fail to maintain a valid GIRO account, the work permit of the maid will be cancelled.
The maids levy is to be paid by employers at the end of each month. The charges begin one day after the maid arrives in Singapore. For a first-time maid, the levy will begin on the fourth day of her arrival (excluding the day of arrival). Employers are given up to 17th day of the following month before the deduction is made. If the 17th is a non-working day, the deduction will be made on the next working day.
Are there any Levy concessions?
Maid employers may qualify for the concessionary levy rate of $120 per month under the following schemes:
· Young child/grandchild scheme
· Aged person scheme
· Persons with disabilities scheme
Maid went missing?
You should cancel her work permit immediately to stop the levy payment. After which, you are given 1 month to locate and repatriate her. Otherwise, you risk losing the $5,000 security deposit.
Maid got pregnant?
You must repatriate the maid as soon as possible once you have discovered it.
What is a Transfer maid?
Transfer maids are maids who are already in Singapore under the employment other employers and are seeking a new employer. This occurs when the 2 years contract of the maid is expiring or when an employer discontinues the service of the maid for whatsoever reasons.