Hiring a helper in Singapore takes most families 3 to 8 weeks from shortlist to her first day. You choose a helper, MOM approves her Work Permit, and she arrives for her medical and paperwork before she comes home to you.
Here is who can hire, each step in order, what it costs every month and what MOM expects of you once she starts.
The short answer
To hire a helper in Singapore, complete MOM’s Employers’ Orientation Programme if it is your first time, choose a helper, and apply for her Work Permit. Once MOM approves it and the security bond and insurance are in place, she can enter Singapore. She has her medical and her Work Permit issued, then starts work.
| Check | What MOM asks for |
|---|---|
| You | 21 or older, not an undischarged bankrupt, and able to take on an employer’s responsibilities. |
| First-time employer | The Employers’ Orientation Programme. Online takes about 2 hours, classroom about 3. Finish it at least 2 working days before the Work Permit application goes in. |
| Her | Aged 23 to under 50 when first applying, from a MOM approved source country, with at least 8 years of formal education. |
| Your home | If a child under 7 is not fully vaccinated against measles, she must be immune to measles. |
Tell us what your home needs
Who lives with you, what the day looks like and your must-haves. Be clear at the start, so the first shortlist is the right one. Tell us your real deadline, not a comfortable one.
Shortlist and interview
We hold 350+ profiles, so there is no waiting for someone to become available. Families who know what they want finish this in a sitting or two. This is the stage most likely to stretch your whole timeline.
Confirm her
You sign the paperwork and pay the deposit. Nothing can start before this. Return the signed documents the same day, because that is what starts the application.
MOM approves the Work Permit
Applied online, MOM usually decides within a week. The approval letter is what lets her enter Singapore. Before she flies, a S$5,000 security bond (not needed for Malaysian helpers) and her insurance must be in place.
After she lands
Her medical within 14 days of arrival. If this is her first time working here, the one-day Settling-in Programme within 7 days, excluding Sundays and public holidays. Her Work Permit is issued within 2 weeks of arrival, and the card follows within 5 working days of registration.
She comes home to you
Allow at least 3 days after she lands before handover. We handle the bond, insurance, medical, thumbprint and card, and come back to you only when something genuinely needs you, which is usually a signature.
| Helper | Usual wait |
|---|---|
| Myanmar | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Indonesian | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Filipino | 6 to 8 weeks, or 4 to 5 if all goes smoothly |
| Transfer helper, already here | About 3 days, once papers and deposit are in |
These are the ranges we usually see, not a promise. The full breakdown is in our guide on how long it takes to hire a helper.
| Item | MOM rule |
|---|---|
| Work Permit | S$35 to apply, S$35 when issued |
| Monthly levy | S$300 for your first helper, S$450 for a second, S$60 with the concession. Due by the 17th of the next month. |
| Medical insurance | At least S$60,000 a year for in-patient care and day surgery |
| Personal accident insurance | At least S$60,000 sum assured |
| Security bond | S$5,000, not needed for Malaysian helpers |
Whether you qualify for the S$60 rate is in our levy concession guide. Our own fees are on the fees page.
MOM expects you to:
The right match matters more than the timeframe. Choosing the wrong helper and going through the whole process again is more painful than managing without one for a while.
For the first fortnight at home, see the first 14 days with your new helper. Rules and figures here are set by MOM and can change, so confirm the current position on the MOM website or ask us and we will check it with you.
Ready to start
Tell us who lives in your home and when you need her, and we will send you your first shortlist the same day. Browse who is available at unistarr.com.sg/helpers, or WhatsApp a consultant at either branch.
Bukit Timah +65 9723 4920
Katong +65 9647 4781
Mon-Fri 11am-7pm · Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
The Unistarr Employer Handbook. What to set up in the first week, how to talk about money and days off, and the mistakes that cost families a good helper. Written from over 4,000 placements since 2015.
Free, whether or not you are a Unistarr client. One email, no spam.
Unistarr Employment Pte Ltd · MOM EA Licence 15C7448
As featured on CNA + 8world, June 2026