Transfer Maid in Singapore: Costs, MOM Process, and How to Hire One Fast (2026 Guide)

transfer-maid-in-singapore-costs-mom-process-and-how-to-hire-one-fast-2026-guide
At a Glance
  1. A transfer helper is already in Singapore, so she can usually start in about 1 to 3 weeks.
  2. MOM gives the transfer application outcome within 1 week.
  3. You need the current employer's consent through MOM's FDW eService, at least 30 days before her Work Permit expires.
  4. No airfare and no Settling-in Programme for a transfer, so upfront cost is lower than an overseas hire.
  5. Agency transfer fees run about $1,000 to $2,000 (indicative). A direct transfer has no agency fee.
  6. Monthly levy is $300, or $60 if you qualify for the concession.

Friends, when your helper gives notice or Ma suddenly needs help at home, two months of waiting for an overseas hire feels like forever.

That is when most families look at a transfer helper.

This guide is about three things only: what a transfer costs, how fast MOM moves, and how to find a good one quickly. If you are still deciding between a new and a transfer helper, start with our new vs transfer comparison guide.

What is a transfer maid in Singapore?

She is a migrant domestic worker who holds a valid Work Permit with her current Singapore employer and moves straight to you, without flying home first.

1-3 wks
Typical start
Overseas hires commonly take 2 months or more.
$0
Airfare and SIP
The SIP is only for first-time helpers. She is already here.
Face to face
Interview
Meet her in person before you commit.

How much does it cost to hire a transfer maid?

Here is the full upfront picture, side by side with an overseas hire. Agency figures are indicative ranges and vary by agency.

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Cost item Transfer helper Fresh overseas hire
Agency fee (indicative) $1,000 to $2,000, or $0 if direct Higher, includes overseas recruitment
Airfare None About $350 to $700
Settling-in Programme Not needed Required, fee paid by you
Security bond $5,000 bond, usually via insurance guarantee Same
Mandatory insurance About $200 to $400 a year (indicative) Same
Monthly levy $300, or $60 with concession Same
Salary Usually higher Usually lowest

The levy concession ($60) applies if you qualify, for example with a young child, an elderly person or a person with disabilities in the household. A second helper attracts $450 a month. Check MOM's levy page for the current criteria.

How much salary does a transfer maid ask for?

She already knows our food, our HDB flats and our MRT, so she usually asks a bit more than a first-timer. Indicative ranges as of 2026:

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Nationality Typical monthly salary (transfer, indicative)
Filipino From about $650, experienced often $750 and up
Indonesian About $600 to $800
Myanmar About $600 to $800
Sri Lankan About $550 to $900

Salary depends on experience, job scope and what you agree with her. Treat these as a guide only.

How long does a maid transfer take with MOM?

MOM's direct transfer runs in four steps. The same steps appear in our new vs transfer guide.

1
Check she has done her 6-monthly medical exam and her permit is valid for more than 30 days.
2
Request the current employer's consent in FDW eService, then apply. Outcome within 1 week.
3
Buy the security bond and insurance. Both of you sign the declaration form.
4
On the agreed date, issue the permit and give her the Temporary Work Permit. Her old one cancels automatically.
  • Steps 1 and 2 must happen at least 30 days before her current Work Permit expires.
  • The new permit must be issued within 21 days of approval or by her current permit's expiry, whichever is earlier.
  • The current employer pays levy until the day you issue the new permit, so agree a clear date early.
  • Official steps: MOM: Transferring an MDW.

How can I find a transfer maid fast?

Speed comes from a short, clear list before you start calling.

  • Write your must-haves first: elderly care, infant care, cooking, pets, rest days, budget.
  • Filter by availability date so you only see helpers whose timing works with yours.
  • Shortlist 3 to 5 and interview in person the same week.
  • Call the current employer early, since nothing moves without their consent.
  • Have your bond and insurance quote ready so step 3 does not hold up the start date.
Through an agency
About $1,000 to $2,000 (indicative). Agency handles paperwork, and many include a replacement guarantee. Best for first-time employers.
Direct transfer
No agency fee. You handle FDW eService, bond, insurance and the dates yourself. Keep everything in writing.

How do I check a transfer maid before hiring her?

Fast should never mean blind. Ask these before you apply:

  • Why is she leaving? Family emigrating or a contract ending are normal answers. Ask for it in writing.
  • How many Singapore employers, and for how long each? Check against MOM's records.
  • Can you speak to her current employer? A good reference takes five minutes.
  • What does she want? Salary, rest days, phone use. Agree it all up front.
Red flags worth slowing down for
  • Several short stints with no clear reason
  • A current employer who cannot be reached
  • Pressure to sign before you see her history
  • Vague or changing answers about why she is moving

More on checking history: Where do I check a maid's employment history?

Need a helper in weeks, not months?

See transfer helpers available now from MOM-licensed agencies.

Browse Searchmaid

P.S. The fastest transfer is the one where both families agree on a date early. The slowest is the one where everyone assumes the other side already clicked "consent" in FDW eService...

Frequently Asked Questions

A transfer maid's upfront cost is typically lower than a fresh overseas hire because there is no airfare or overseas recruitment involved. Budget a transfer agency fee of roughly SGD 1,000 to SGD 2,000, plus new insurance (SGD 200 to SGD 400 per year), the security bond arrangement (approximately SGD 60 to SGD 80 per year via insurance), and the monthly levy of SGD 300, or SGD 60 if you qualify for the concession.

A transfer typically takes one to three weeks once both employers have agreed and the new Work Permit application has been submitted to MOM. This compares with two months or more for a fresh overseas hire. The speed of the process is the primary reason employers choose a transfer when time is a factor.

Usually yes, on upfront cost. A fresh overseas hire commonly runs SGD 5,000 to SGD 8,000 all-in once placement fee, security bond, insurance, airfare, and the Settling-In Programme are included. A transfer skips the airfare and overseas recruitment, so the upfront total is materially lower. Monthly ongoing costs are broadly similar for both routes.

Yes. Direct transfer without an agency is legal in Singapore and saves you the agency fee. You and the current employer arrange the transfer directly, but you are responsible for the MOM Work Permit application, new insurance, and the security bond yourself. It is a viable option for experienced employers but carries more risk for first-timers if anything goes wrong.

The monthly FDW levy is SGD 300 at the standard rate. If you have a child aged 16 or below, an elderly person aged 67 or above, or a person with disabilities living in your household, you qualify for the concessionary rate of SGD 60 per month. A second helper in the same household is levied at SGD 450. The levy rate is the same for transfer maids as for any other FDW.

The most common reasons are that the employer's family is emigrating, the contract has ended naturally, or the household no longer requires a live-in helper. None of these reflect negatively on the helper. Always request the reason for transfer in writing and review her full employment history. Repeated short placements without a clear explanation are the one pattern worth examining carefully before you commit.

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