1. What is Security
Bond?
Under the Immigration Regulations for Security Bond
of the Immigration Act (Chapter 133), the Singapore Immigration department
will grant a Visit Pass to a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) who has
a valid Work Permit for the duration of her employment provided that
the employer executes a Security Bond of S$ 5,000.00 promising to
cancel maid's Work Permit and Visit Pass and to repatriate her when
the employer stops employing the domestic maid or when the domestic
maids does anything illegal that contradicts to the Work Permit rule
and regulations or the Immigration Regulations. Breaching any of the
conditions by either the employer or the domestic maids would render
the Security Bond of S$5000.00 forfeited.
2.
Do I have to pay the deposit of S$ 5,000 in cash?
The deposit can either be made in the form of cash or banker's or
insurance guarantee.
3.
Do I really have to pay the S$5000.00 if I fail to repatriate my maid?
Yes! But if you have purchased the Security Bond Protector Insurance,
the Insurer, subject to the terms and conditions may reimburse you
95% ($4750) of the amount.
4.
How long does the whole Work Permit application process take?
Under normal circumstances the work permit application process should
not take more than 3 working days.
5.
What are the steps involved in employing a Foreign Domestic Worker
(FDW)?
The followings are the steps in brief;
i ) Search and select your desired maid
ii) First time employer to complete the Employers Orientation Programme
iii) Apply work permit for the selected maid
When work permit approves;
i) Purchase the maids Personal Accident Insurance and get the security
bond done
ii) Make arrangement for the maid's arrival.
Upon arrival;
i) Collect the maid at the airport
ii) Bring the maid for a medical check-up
iii) Within the next 3 days after arrival, the maid has to attend
the compulsory Safety Awareness Course (SAC)and pass the MOM-stipulated
test.
iv) Within 14 day of arrival, submit documents to Ministry of Manpower
(MOM) for processing
v) Within 7 days after the document submission, bring the maid for
photo taking and thumb printing at the MOM.
vi) 4-5 days later, collect the work permit card at MOM
6. I am single and am
staying in a 3 room HDB flat, am I eligible to hire a maid?
You can hire a Foreign Domestic Worker(FDW) if your annual income is
S$30,000.00 and above.
7.
How much Is the Foreign Domestic Worker(FDW) Levy? I was told there
are high and low levies, what is the difference and am I eligible
for the low levy.
The normal FDW levy now stands at S$295.00 per month. Employers that
are eligible for concessionary levy (low levy) pay only S$200.00 per
month.
An employer is eligible for the levy concession if he satisfies one
of the conditions below:
Condition A:
(i) the employer or spouse has a child who is a Singapore Citizen
below 12 years old, and is living with him/her; or
(ii) the employer or spouse has a grandchild who is a Singapore Citizen
below 12 years old, and is living with him/her; or
Condition B:
(i) the employer or co-residing spouse is a Singapore Citizen who
is aged 65 years old and above; or
(ii) 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 at the same registered address as in NRIC;
or
Condition C:
(i) the employer or spouse has a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent
or grandparent-in-law who is a Singapore Citizen aged 65 years old
or above, and is living with him/her at the same registered address
as in NRIC; or
(ii) 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, and is living with him/her at the same
registered address as in NRIC.
8.
Do you provide training to your Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW)?
Yes we do, all the maids are trained at the training centres at the
country of origin prior to their departure to Singapore. Upon arrival
in Singapore, the maids are also trained at our training centre for
a few days before handing them over to their respective employers.
9.
Since the Foreign Domestic Worker had been trained, can we then expect
them to be able to handle all the appliances and housekeeping on their
own?
All the Foreign Domestic Workers are trained in basic housekeeping
and trained in handling basic household appliances. However, we still
advice you to brief and give guidance to your maid in the household
appliances & equipment that you have and the housekeeping method
that you preferred. Appliances of different make and brand may operate
differently too.
10.
What are the requirements to employ a 2nd Foreign Domestic Worker?
The general requirements are:
1) the combined income per annum of the employers should be at least
S$60,000
2) the employer should have one of the following living in the same
address:
a. 2 children below the age of 12
b. 2 elderly above the age of 60
c. 1 child below the age of 12 and 1 elderly above the age of 60
11. What is the age
limit for a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) to work in Singapore?
A first-time FDW must be 23 years old or above and below 50 years
old at the time of the work permit application. For FDW who has previously
worked in Singapore, her age must be 18 or above and below 50 years
old. The FDW is allowed to work in Singapore up to 60 years old provided
she is medically fit for employment.
12.
We used to have a Vietnamese Foreign Domestic Worker while we were
stationed in Vietnam few years ago, can I apply for the same maid
to work with me in Singapore?
No, I am afraid you can’t employ Vietnamese FDW to work in Singapore
as Vietnam is not one of the approved sources for the FDW Scheme.
The approved sources are Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar,
India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Thailand.
13.
What Insurance should I get for my Foreign Domestic helper?
Employers are required to provide a personal accident insurance with
a minimum sum assured of S$10,000.00 for the maid. You may also want
to include coverage for Hospital & Surgical and repatriation.
14.
Is it advisable to purchase the H & S (hospital & surgical)
insurance for my maid since it is not a requirement by law in Singapore?
As an employer, you are responsible for the medical benefits of your
maid. You are required to bear full cost of medical care should your
maid require medical treatment including Hospitalisation. It is therefore
advisable to cover your maid for H&S under an insurance plan.
15.
My house is quite small, what sort of accommodation for the Foreign
Domestic Worker (FDW) is expected from an employer?
Your FDW should be given a separate room of her own where possible.
If this is not available, you should respect the need of your FDW
for privacy and ensure that sufficient private space for sleep is
provided. You are also expected to provide basic needs like a bed
with mattress, a blanket, towels and bathroom amenities.
16.
I am visiting Singapore on a short term visit. I have 3 young children
below the age of 12 and an elderly above 70, can I employ a Foreign
Domestic Worker (FDW) during my short stay in Singapore?
Foreigners visiting Singapore on social visit or short term visit
are not allowed to apply for a work permit for a FDW.
17.
I understand that first time employer of a Foreign Domestic Worker
is required to attend a course, could you tell me more?
Yes, first-time employers of FDWs in Singapore are required to attend
the compulsory “Employers Orientation Programme” before they can apply
for a work permit for the FDW. For more information on the Employers
Orientation Programme (Exemption, Course providers, sponsored work
permit, etc)
click here http://www.mom.gov.sg/FMMD/CompulsoryOrientationProgramme.htm
18.
I am holding a Long-term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP). Can I employ a
Foreign Domestic Worker?
You can apply for a FDW if your LTSVP is valid for at least four months
at the time of application and your child/children should be holding
valid Student Pass/es in Singapore
19.
Are there any educational requirements for Foreign Domestic Workers
(FDWs) to work in Singapore?
She must have a minimum of 8 years of formal education and possess
the necessary educational certificates as a documentary proof of her
education (applicable to first-time FDW in Singapore). Please click
here for the List of Acceptable Educational Certificates for New FDWs.
20.
Upon arrival in Singapore, apart from passing the medical examination,
what are the other requirements the Foreign Domestic Worker should
meet before she is being issued a work permit?
She must pass a MOM-stipulated test and attend the compulsory Safety
Awareness Course (SAC), if required, within 3 working days of her
arrival in Singapore (excluding the day of arrival) and before the
issue of her Work Permit (applicable to first-time FDWs in Singapore).
Please click
here for more details on the MOM-stipulated test. Please click
here for more information on the Safety Awareness Course.
21. How long is
the Work Permit issue for?
A Work Permit is usually issued for two years subject to the validity
of the foreign domestic worker's Passport (one month before its expiry),
the Banker's/Insurance Guarantee (two months before its expiry) and
the Personal Accident Insurance (two months before its expiry), whichever
is shorter.
22.
I am a US citizen and I will be relocating to Singapore in a few months
time. Can I select and apply for a FDW now so that when I am there
I could have her to assist me immediately?
In order for an employer who is not a Singapore Citizen/Permanent
Resident to put in an application for a domestic worker in Singapore,
the employer needs to provide the following:
Local address
Employment Pass/Dependent
Pass/Long Term Social Visit Pass
Certification
of employment/income by his/her employer in Singapore
Valid Passport
The employer
should have also undergone the Employers’ Orientation Programme if
he/she is a first time employer in Singapore
23. I would be leaving
Singapore for good and I am just wondering if I could bring my helper
to work with me in Hong Kong?
Yes, you can bring the domestic helper to work with you in HK, provided
the following are met:
1) You have obtained a valid work permit/work visa in HK for the domestic
helper to work legally there
2) The domestic worker is aware and has agreed to work with you in
HK
3) The domestic worker’s agent in Singapore is aware and agreed to
the arrangement
