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WP — Work Permit (Foreign Domestic Worker)
VisasSingaporeWP — Work Permit (Foreign Domestic Worker)
SingaporeSingapore•Asia
Open

WP — Work Permit (Foreign Domestic Worker)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 week

Estimated Cost

SGD $70

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Up to 2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
Singapore flag

Living in Singapore

Cost of Living
30% more than United States
Avg SalarySGD 64,000
Quality of Life
148/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Work permit for migrant domestic workers (FDW/MDW) employed in Singapore households for domestic work. Limited to workers from pre-approved countries meeting specific age and education requirements.

Singapore's Work Permit for Foreign Domestic Workers, also called the Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) scheme, is an employer-sponsored permit for migrant women hired to do live-in household duties such as childcare, eldercare, and cleaning under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

Valid up to 2 years and renewable while the employer stays qualifying. Applicants must be 23 to below 50, from an approved source country, and meet health and education rules. Employers pay SGD 35 application and SGD 35 issuance fees, a SGD 5,000 bond (non-Malaysians), plus housing and insurance. No PR or dependents.

This visa is ideal for women from approved Asian source countries seeking regulated live-in domestic work with a Singapore household sponsor.

Singapore

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Cost Breakdown

Application FeeSGD $35
Pass Issuance FeeSGD $35
TotalSGD $70

Eligible Nationalities (13)

BangladeshBangladeshCambodiaCambodiaHong Kong SAR ChinaHong Kong SAR ChinaIndiaIndiaIndonesiaIndonesiaMacao SAR ChinaMacao SAR ChinaMalaysiaMalaysiaMyanmar (Burma)Myanmar (Burma)PhilippinesPhilippinesSouth KoreaSouth KoreaSri LankaSri LankaTaiwanTaiwanThailandThailand

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

S Pass
Singapore flagSingapore

S Pass

Validity2 to 3 years
Processing2 weeks
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Employer must be at least 21 years old.

Employer must not be an undischarged bankrupt.

Employer must have the financial ability to hire and maintain the MDW.

MDW must meet age (23 to below 50 years old), nationality, and education requirements.

MDW must not be related to the employer.

Employer must provide acceptable accommodation, medical insurance, and personal accident insurance.

Employer must pay a $5,000 security bond (for non-Malaysian MDWs).

MDW must not be in Singapore during the application.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

8 years of formal education or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Medical examination

Proof of identity

Employment contract

Employer identification (sponsor)

Work permit application (sponsor)

Security bond (sponsor)

Insurance policy (sponsor)

Proof of residence (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Allows legal employment of domestic help in a household setting
  • No minimum salary requirement for the worker
  • Provides a structured framework for employer and worker responsibilities

Worth Knowing

  • Employer is legally responsible for the MDW's upkeep, maintenance, and medical expenses.
  • Strict compliance with MOM regulations is required to avoid penalties or forfeiture of the security bond.
  • Mandatory Settling-in Programme (SIP) for first-time helpers.
  • Monthly foreign worker levy applies.

Application Process

1

Obtain written consent from the prospective MDW.

2

Log in to the MOM FDW eService to submit the application.

3

Pay the $35 application fee.

4

Wait for the outcome (typically 1 week).

5

If approved, receive the In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter.

6

Purchase required insurance and security bond.

7

Send the IPA to the MDW for entry into Singapore.

8

Arrange for the MDW's medical examination upon arrival.

9

Request for the Work Permit issuance via the eService and pay the $35 issuance fee.

10

Print the Temporary Work Permit.

Application Forms

Go to application portal
Work Permit Application for FDWFill online

Verified Claims (23)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application Steps
Obtain written consent from the prospective MDW.; Log in to the MOM FDW eService to submit the appli…
mom.gov.sg
Fee Breakdown
Application Fee: 35 SGD; Pass Issuance Fee: 35 SGD
mom.gov.sg
Fees
SGD 35 + SGD 35
mom.gov.sg
Forms
Work Permit Application for FDW
mom.gov.sg
Forms · Work Permit Application for FDW · url
https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/apply-for-work-per…
mom.gov.sg
Included Nationalities
BD; KH; HK; IN; ID; MO; MY; MM; PH; KR; LK; TW; TH
mom.gov.sg
Job Offer Required
true
mom.gov.sg
Application Portal
https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/apply-for-work-per…
mom.gov.sg
Apply Now Official Information
Singapore flag

Living in Singapore

Cost of Living
30% more than United States
Avg SalarySGD 64,000
Quality of Life
148/200
Full Country Guide

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