Hiring a helper
The maid levy in Singapore
MOM's monthly levy for a migrant domestic worker, who gets the concession, and what a helper costs a year in levy and insurance, before salary.
Levy rates checked against MOM on 19 Oct 2026; insurance prices as of 28 Oct 2026.
Levy rates
| Levy | A month | A day | A year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal, first helper | S$300.00 | S$9.87 | S$3,600.00 |
| Normal, each further helper | S$450.00 | S$14.80 | S$5,400.00 |
| Concessionary | S$60.00 | S$1.98 | S$720.00 |
For a first-time helper the levy starts on the 5th day in Singapore, counting the day of arrival (for others, the day after arrival), and stops when the Work Permit is cancelled or expires. It is due by the 17th of the following month.
Who gets the concessionary rate
- A Singapore citizen child under 16 in the household.
- An elderly Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged 67 or older.
- A person with disabilities certified by a doctor as needing help with at least one activity of daily living (apply through the Agency for Integrated Care).
One helper per eligible person, and at most two helpers a household. An elderly person who is not your spouse, or a person with disabilities, must share your NRIC address. Full rules at MOM.
A helper's yearly cost, before salary
| Household | Levy a year | Insurance a year | Together |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal levy | S$3,600.00 | S$206.71 | S$3,806.71 |
| Concessionary levy | S$720.00 | S$206.71 | S$926.71 |
Insurance is a year's share of today's lowest price for new helper, 26 months, with bond waiver (S$447.88 for 26 months, at MSIG; 14 insurers priced it), which includes the S$5,000 security bond guarantee. Salary, agency fees, food, the six-monthly medical examination and home leave are on top.
The insurance MOM requires
MOM requires every helper to have at least S$60,000 a year of hospital and surgical cover and S$60,000 of personal accident cover. Most employers must also lodge a S$5,000 security bond; maid insurance provides it as a letter of guarantee.
- Does maid insurance cover dengue?
- Does maid insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
- Does maid insurance cover pregnancy?
- Does maid insurance cover dental treatment?
- Does maid insurance cover outpatient treatment?
- Does maid insurance pay to send a helper home?
- Does maid insurance cover the security bond?
- Does maid insurance cover mental illness?
Questions people ask
How much is the maid levy?
S$300.00 a month for the first helper and S$450.00 for each further helper, or S$60.00 a month at the concessionary rate.
Who gets the levy concession?
A household with a Singapore citizen child under 16, an elderly Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged 67 or older, or a person with disabilities who needs help with daily activities. One helper per eligible person, up to two helpers.
When is the levy paid?
Monthly, by the 17th of the following month; by GIRO it is deducted on that day, or the next working day.
What insurance does a helper need?
MOM requires every helper to have at least S$60,000 a year of hospital and surgical cover and S$60,000 of personal accident cover. Most employers also need a S$5,000 security bond, which maid insurance provides as a guarantee. Maid insurance for a 26-month Work Permit costs from S$447.88 today.