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

 

24. What should I do if I found out that my Foreign Domestic Worker has been abusing my child/stealing from us?
You should make a police report and let the law deal with your maid or simply cancel her work permit and repatriate her. You may also want to consult your agency for advice.