- Yes, you pay her full monthly salary when she comes on holiday with you.
- Her weekly rest day still applies overseas. Work it and you owe her at least 1 day's salary extra.
- At least 1 rest day a month cannot be paid away. MOM rule, holiday or not.
- You pay all her trip costs: air ticket, room, meals, visa fees.
- Her Work Permit must still be valid on the day you fly home, or she cannot re-enter.
- The levy keeps running while she is away with you.
Friends, planning a family trip with your helper? Most of us pack three phone chargers and zero plans for her.
Where does she sleep?
When does she rest?
Do I still pay her the same?
Here is what to sort out before the taxi comes.
Do I need to pay my maid when I bring her on holiday?
Yes. Her full salary.
She is still your employee on a Singapore Work Permit, and she is still working. Changing the kitchen to a hotel room does not change her contract.
There is no rule that says you must bring her along. That part is your family's choice.
But once she comes, pay her as usual, on the usual date. If payday falls mid-trip, settle it before you fly or send it to her account the same day.
Does my helper still get her rest day overseas?
She does. MOM's rest day rules travel with her.
So on a 10-day trip, plan at least one real day off for her. Or agree in advance that she takes it within a month of coming home.
Want the full maths on pay-in-lieu? Use MOM's rest day calculator, or ask your agency to check your numbers.
What trip costs should the employer pay for?
She is travelling for your family's needs. So the bill is yours.
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Cost | Who pays | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Air ticket / transport | You | Book her name exactly as on her passport. |
| Accommodation | You | A proper bed. Not the floor, not the sofa. |
| Meals | You | Same as at home: adequate food, every meal. |
| Visa fees | You | Depends on her nationality, not yours. |
| Travel insurance | You | Check if her maid insurance covers overseas. If unclear, add her to your travel policy. |
| Local SIM / data | You (nice to have) | Essential if she minds the kids while you are apart. |
Does my maid need a visa to travel with us?
Maybe. Your red passport is visa-free in many places. Hers probably is not.
- Check the destination's rules for her nationality (Filipino, Indonesian, Myanmar and so on).
- Check her passport validity. Many countries want at least 6 months left.
- Check her Work Permit expiry. It must still be valid when you return to Singapore.
- Bring her Work Permit card. She needs it to re-enter.
- Let her hold her own passport. Employers should not keep it.
Going to Malaysia with a Myanmar helper? We wrote it up here: Does my Myanmar maid need a visa to travel to Malaysia?
Do I still pay the maid levy when she is overseas with me?
Yes. The levy is charged while her Work Permit is valid. Where she is sleeping does not matter.
Same for the monthly salary, her medical insurance and your security bond. Nothing pauses.
How many hours should my helper work on holiday?
There is no special "holiday hours" rule. Common sense does the job.
Before you fly, sit down with her and agree on three things:
She will be in a new place, maybe her first plane ride.
If she looks lost, she probably is. A gentle reminder works better than a sigh. Pitch in yourself. You are on holiday too, so your hands are free.
What is the etiquette for meals and outings with my maid abroad?
- Order her a proper meal. Not leftovers from the kids' plates.
- If she is minding the kids at a nice dinner, let her eat first or take turns.
- Give her some pocket money for her own snacks and souvenirs. Optional, but she will remember it.
- Share the itinerary and hotel address. Save your number in her phone.
And sometimes the kindest thing is to leave her out of a family dinner, so she gets a real evening off. I explained why here: Why I purposely exclude my maid for my family dinner outside.
Should I bring my maid on holiday or leave her at home?
- You have babies, toddlers or elderly parents coming along.
- It is a slow resort trip, not a rush city tour.
- She wants to come. Ask her.
- It is a short weekend trip. The admin outweighs the help.
- She prefers quiet time at home.
- You have unresolved issues. A holiday is a bad place to test them.
Leaving her behind? Her salary still runs. Make sure she has enough food, money and an emergency contact.
Or use the time to send her home on her own leave. Win-win.
Browse thousands of helper profiles from agencies across Singapore. Filter by experience with kids or elderly care.
Browse SearchmaidP.S. Ask your helper to scout the food. She will find the best char kway teow stall in two hours while you are still reading Google reviews.
