Recruiting a maid in Singapore

When a need comes to recruit maid, employers usually look for maid agencies. Maid agencies arrange for interviews with employer and got free replacement if the is issue in the maid settling in with the employer. But the employer need to fork out services charges for the maid agencies. As being the first time employer few years back, i didn't have any idea on how to recruit a maid and resorted to a maid agency.

I had lots of problems with the first maid i employed but got to know few of her friends during her employment. When the problem with the maid became severe, i had to return the maid to the agency and let her return back to her home country. Later we found that during her employment, lots of articles missing and we dealt with her accordingly.

I already changed few maids and all are through word of mouth. So the processing is below:

Source of recruitment

1. If you are recruiting through a maid agency, each agency has their own process and follow them accordingly. 
2. If you are recruiting and doing the permit processing of a maid on your own, then follow the below steps to ensure, the filtering is done properly and processing is permit is successful.
1. Has the maid worked before here? If yes, check her employment history from MOM website. If the maid frequently changes job, then ask the reason and if it sounds reasonable, then think of employing her. If not, better to choose other available alternatives.
2. Get the contact of the maid and either meet her personally if she is available locally or call her if she is in overseas. Use the attachment given below for the questions to ask her.

                    Maid Interview Question

                3.  From the above link, all questions may not be relevant in your case. Just this can be a                           reference.

               4.  Once you are comfortable with the maid and decided to recruit her, ensure she fulfills
                    the criteria as set out by MOM like minimum and maximum age, educational
                    qualification  etc. Refer to MOM website for more updated information.
               5. Besides, as an employer, you need to pass a course over the internet as defined by MOM
                  to  be eligible as an employer and know the responsibilities.

Application Process

1. All applications can be processed over online through MOM website.

APPLICATION FOR NEW PERMIT - Already worked in Singapore but FDW not in Singapore

1. This is the type of application where the maid is not in Singapore and the previous permit has been cancelled.
2. Get the passport and permit details from the maid. While applying for permit, the application process will be simpler if you enter the previous work permit number. During application, MOM system will fetch out all the details of the maid and pre-fill the application once the permit number is entered.
3. Submit the application after paying necessary fee and get a print out of the application as well as acknowledgement pages.
4. Once the permit has been approved, a notification with In-Principle approval will be sent to the email address that was given during application process and this IP will serve as visa for the maid to enter Singapore.
5. Now take down the Security Bond No. (SB No) as reflected in the application.
6. Look for any insurance company providing maid insurance services and buy insurance premium as stipulated by MOM. You can prefer to buy an insurance package with more coverage also. While buying take note of the processing time required by the insurance company. This determines when the insurance company can transmit the bond to MOM which give the guarantee that the maid will be allowed entry into Singapore.
7. The maid can enter Singapore once the insurance company confirms that it has transmitted the security bond to MOM. Using IP alone and without security bond, maid can't enter into Singapore.
8. When the maid enters Singapore, she will be given temporary pass for 14 days and the maid has to undergo full medical examination. Then employer has to upload the medical reports, signed declaration forms and book appointment online with MOM for permit to be issued.
9. While booking appointment, employer has to give three ID number whom any one will be available to collect the permit card when it is delivered.
10. On the appointment date, the maid has to go down to MOM to register her finger print.
11. MOM will update you on the date and time of work permit card delivery through SMS and either the maid or any authorized person given in point 9 should be available to collect at given address during permit issue process.

Initiate the full medical examination immediately once the maid has landed in Singapore as only 14 days of visa is given for the maid. The detailed medical examination involves X-Ray and blood test and some clinics take 5 to 7 days to process the samples and give report. If the reports are not uploaded and a temporary pass wasn't issued before 14 days, it will be considered overstay. Take public holidays and weekends into account into this.

If getting the medical report is delayed, login into WP Online and request for special pass to extend the stay of the maid.

Once the medical report is out, you need to request for permit to be issued by MOM. There will a declaration form for the application that will be sent out to you as part of approval. That declaration form should be printed, signed by the maid and employer. This signed form should be uploaded along with medical report during the process of requesting for permit to be issued.

APPLICATION FOR NEW PERMIT - FDW never worked in Singapore before

1. This is the type of application where the maid has not worked in Singapore previously.
2. Get the passport details from the maid and submit all details required.
3. Submit the application after paying necessary fee and get a print out of the application as well as acknowledgement pages.
4. Once the permit has been approved, a notification with In-Principle approval will be sent to the email address that was given during application process and this IP will serve as visa for the maid to enter Singapore. Sometimes the FIN number may not have been generated when the permit is approved and FIN is needed to apply security bond. Login to MoM and download the forms again the next day. The FIN would reflect in that. 
5. Now take down the Security Bond No. (SB No) as reflected in the application.
6. Look for any insurance company providing maid insurance services and buy insurance premium as stipulated by MOM. You can prefer to buy an insurance package with more coverage also. While buying take note of the processing time required by the insurance company. This determines when the insurance company can transmit the bond to MOM which give the guarantee that the maid will be allowed entry into Singapore.
7. The maid can enter Singapore once the insurance company confirms that it has transmitted the security bond to MOM. Using IP alone and without security bond, maid can't enter into Singapore.
8. When the maid enters Singapore, the maid will be given 14 days of temporary pass. She has to go for Settling-In-Program (SIP) where the rights of FDW, working environment and other details will be briefed by MOM appointed agency. The employer has to book and an appointment with MOM appointed agency for the maid to undergo the program. The maid has to submit her O level educational certificates along with passport and IP copy. Once the maid completes the SIP, the appointed agency will update the details to MOM. Search google for appointed SIP agencies. Appointment for this training may not be easily available, so it is better to book the appointment once the permit is approved and before the maid lands in Singapore.  The maid has to undergo this training within 3 days of landing in Singapore excluding Sat, Sun and PH. 
9. Register for training at https://app.gmcs.com.sg/grace/login The courses will be specific days of week for specific language. So, book in advance. For training in Tamil, it will be Mon, Wed and Fridays.
10. Besides, the maid has to undergo full medical examination. Then employer has to upload the medical reports, signed declaration forms and book appointment online with MOM for permit to be issued. The permit can't be issued if the helper is vaccinated overseas and the vaccination details should be update to NIR by visiting any of the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centers (JTVC). The request to issue permit can only be made when maid complete the SIP as stated in point 8.
11. While booking appointment, employer has to give three ID number whom any one will be available to collect the permit card when it is delivered.
12. On the appointment date, the maid has to go down to MOM to register her finger print.
13. MOM will update you on the date and time of work permit card delivery through SMS and either the maid or any authorized person given in point 9 should be available to collect at given address during permit issue process.

Initiate the full medical examination immediately once the maid has landed in Singapore as only 14 days of visa is given for the maid. The detailed medical examination involves X-Ray and blood test and some clinics take 5 to 7 days to process the samples and give report. If the reports are not uploaded and a temporary pass wasn't issued before 14 days, it will be considered overstay. Take public holidays and weekends into account into this.

If getting the medical report is delayed, login into WP Online and request for special pass to extend the stay of the maid.

Below are the documents to be carried by the helper when entering from overseas:

• Original Passport
• In-principle approval - Helper's copy
• Ticket
• Status of security bond transmission downloaded from MoM website
• SG Arrival card (SIP Program will need this)
• COVID vaccination certificate. The certificate should reflect name as in passport, passport number and date of birth
• Educational Certificate - Original / Photocopy of transfer certificate if the helper is new as she needs to go for SIP. The certificate should show the helper has completed 8 years of formal education.

Once the medical report is out, you need to request for permit to be issued by MOM. There will a declaration form for the application that will be sent out to you as part of approval. That declaration form should be printed, signed by the maid and employer. This signed form should be uploaded along with medical report during the process of requesting for permit to be issued.

APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER PERMIT - FDW is in Singapore and willing to change employer

   

1. This is the type of process where the maid is already working here and wants to change employer and won't be leaving Singapore.
2. First both of the employers should agree in writing that they want to transfer the maid. This is according to the MOM and this can be of any arbitrary format but meaning both are agreeing for the transfer.
3. If you have two kids and already have a maid and want to relieve the current maid after the transfer maid comes in, the permit for new maid can be applied without terminating the permit for the current maid. But if you have only one kid and want to terminate existing maid once the transfer maid comes in, it may not be possible. First cancel the permit of the current maid then apply permit for transfer maid and specify the date of commencement of work for the transfer maid.
4. Now apply for transfer permit and download and take print out of the application forms. These forms should be signed by both employers and should be uploaded to MOM site as part of requesting permit to be issued.
5. Take down the security bond number and apply for maid insurance. Maid insurance company will update you once the security bond has been transmitted successfully to MOM. New maid's starting date should be after the bond transmission date.
6. Once the maids permit is cancelled, as new employer you can request for new permit to be issued and part of the process, you have uploaded the signed documents downloaded during application process.
7. MOM will update you on the date and time of work permit card delivery and either the maid or any authorized person should be available to collect at employer address.
8. For transfer maid, the maid doesn't need to go for finger print registration.

After on-board

1. Sign a formal agreement with the maid using the format given below:

             Maid contract

      2. Get the maid signature provided in the above form once salary is paid every month.   

      3. Install a IP camera to monitor with two way audio to monitor closely.

Finally, employing a maid needs lots of tolerance and patience from employer because for maid they don't care and keep changing employers and employer are the one suffer paying insurance, doing processing etc. For me, as far as the maid doesn't commit theft, doesn't bring in boy friend into my house and do take care of kids, i still have to tolerate with the assurance that someone at home to take care of my kids. One of my previous maid was very poor in cooking but other areas were fine. So, i still carried on for 2 years with that maid.

Many of my colleagues not able to have a maid employed and changed few maid and finally looked out for other alternative like child care or elder care.

CANCELLING A PERMIT

Once a maid has ceased employment and ready to go back to her home country , you have to cancel her permit. MOM will issue a special pass for 14 days by which the maid has to be sent back. Ensure her return ticket is confirmed and the work permit is collected from her before she goes back.

This card should be posted back to MOM.

If a maid's employment is terminated before 26 months and no claim is made against her policy, you should be able to claim pro-rated premium back from the insurance company. Many of the insurance companies have this clause of claiming back the premium if no claim is made. Check the insurance policy for details regarding this. If there is such clause, the insurance company will process this after two weeks the maid has departed the country.

Cost of recruiting a new maid:

Application: $35.00

Security Bond: $420

Training: 75.90

Medical : $35 (MCR Clinic)

Work Permit Card: $35

Disclaimer: I have created this post for my own reference to check the steps when i recruit new maid. All the process were correct at the time of writing.

If there is any change in the process described, please comment below.