EMPLOYER GUIDES

How to Direct Hire a Transfer Helper in Singapore (2026)

Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore does not always mean going through an employment agency. If you have found a suitable transfer helper who is already working in Singapore, you may be able to hire her directly and handle the transfer process yourself.

For families who are comfortable managing the necessary paperwork, direct hiring a transfer helper can give you more control over the hiring process. You can speak directly with potential helpers, discuss expectations before making a decision, and avoid unnecessary intermediary steps.

However, direct hiring also means that you are responsible for completing the required Ministry of Manpower (MOM) procedures correctly.

This guide explains how to direct hire a transfer helper in Singapore in 2026, from finding and interviewing a helper to obtaining the new Work Permit.

Important: DirectHelpers is an online marketplace that connects employers and helpers. We are not an employment agency and do not apply for Work Permits or perform employment agency services on behalf of employers or helpers. Work Permit applications and transfers should be completed directly through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), or through a licensed employment agency where required.

What Is a Transfer Helper?

A transfer helper is a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) who is already employed in Singapore and is moving from her current employer to a new employer.

Instead of hiring someone who needs to travel to Singapore from overseas, the new employer takes over the employment of a helper who is already here.

A direct transfer involves three important parties:

The helper
Her current employer
Her prospective new employer

The helper and new employer should first agree that they would like to work together. The current employer must also approve the transfer through MOM’s system before the Work Permit transfer can proceed.

MOM provides a specific process for employers who want to transfer a Migrant Domestic Worker directly to a new employer.

Why Direct Hire a Transfer Helper?

There are several reasons an employer may choose to direct hire a transfer helper.

One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to meet and interview a helper who is already in Singapore.

Instead of relying only on a biodata or profile, you can discuss her actual experience, previous responsibilities, expectations, preferred working arrangements and whether she is comfortable with your family’s needs.

For example, a family with a newborn may want someone with infant-care experience, while a household with elderly parents may prioritise elderly care and mobility assistance.

Direct hiring can also reduce reliance on agency services and associated agency fees because the employer handles the transfer process directly.

But direct hiring does not remove your legal responsibilities as an employer.

You still need to satisfy MOM’s eligibility requirements, obtain the appropriate Work Permit, purchase the required insurance and security bond where applicable, pay the monthly levy, provide appropriate accommodation and medical care, and comply with Singapore’s rules for employing an MDW.

Step 1: Check Whether You Are Eligible to Employ a Helper

Before searching for a transfer helper, make sure you are eligible to employ an MDW in Singapore.

According to MOM, an employer must:

Be at least 21 years old.
Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
Have the mental capacity to understand and fulfil the responsibilities of employing an MDW.

MOM also considers factors including your caregiving needs, financial ability to employ and maintain a helper, and whether you can provide acceptable accommodation.

You can check the latest requirements directly on MOM’s MDW employer requirements page.

First-Time Employers Must Complete the EOP

If this is the first time you are employing a helper, you generally need to complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP).

The programme covers your responsibilities as an MDW employer and must generally be completed at least 2 working days before submitting the Work Permit application.

You can check the latest requirements and approved providers on MOM’s Employers’ Orientation Programme page.

Step 2: Find a Suitable Transfer Helper

Once you know that you are eligible, you can start looking for helpers who are available for transfer.

This is where a marketplace such as DirectHelpers can help connect employers directly with helpers.

Instead of choosing purely from a list of names, look carefully at each helper’s experience and whether it matches the actual needs of your household.

Consider factors such as:

Baby and newborn care
Child care
Elderly care
Cooking experience
Housekeeping
Pet care
Languages spoken
Years of experience
Previous employment in Singapore
Preferred salary
Rest-day expectations
Availability or preferred transfer date

Don’t choose someone simply because she is available quickly.

A successful employer-helper relationship can last for years, so compatibility matters just as much as experience.

Browse Helpers on DirectHelpers

Step 3: Interview the Helper Properly

Once you find someone suitable, arrange an interview.

This is one of the most important parts of the direct hiring process.

A profile can tell you about someone’s experience. An interview helps you understand how that experience fits your household.

For example, instead of simply asking, “Do you have baby-care experience?”, ask her to explain the age of the children she previously cared for and what responsibilities she handled during a normal day.

If cooking is important, ask what meals she normally prepares rather than simply asking whether she can cook.

If elderly care is required, discuss the person’s needs and what assistance will actually be expected.

Your interview should cover areas such as:

Previous employment and responsibilities
Reason for transfer
Infant or child-care experience
Elderly-care experience
Cooking abilities
Household responsibilities
Pet care, if applicable
Expected salary
Rest days
Mobile-phone arrangements
Sleeping arrangements
Daily routine
Religious or dietary considerations
Start or transfer date
Expectations from both sides

This should be a two-way conversation.

You are deciding whether the helper is suitable for your family, but she is also deciding whether your household and expectations are suitable for her.

Clear expectations at this stage can prevent misunderstandings later.

Step 4: Check References Where Possible

If the helper and her current or previous employer are comfortable with it, consider speaking with the employer about her previous work.

Useful questions include:

What were her main responsibilities?
How long did she work with the family?
What were her strongest areas?
Was she responsible for children or elderly family members?
What types of meals did she prepare?
Were there any areas where she needed more guidance?
Why is the employment relationship ending?

Try to ask open-ended questions rather than questions that can be answered with only “yes” or “no”.

At the same time, remember that employment relationships involve two parties. A transfer does not automatically mean that either the helper or employer did something wrong.

Families relocate, children grow older, caregiving requirements change, financial situations change, and sometimes an employer and helper simply decide they are not the right long-term match.

Use references as one part of your assessment, not the entire assessment.

Step 5: Agree on the Employment Terms

Before starting the official transfer process, you and the helper should be clear about the proposed employment arrangement.

Discuss the salary, rest days, responsibilities and other important working conditions before either side commits.

MOM encourages employers and MDWs to have a written employment contract to reduce the possibility of disputes.

Important terms can include:

Monthly salary
Number and arrangement of rest days
Compensation for agreed rest days worked
Main duties
Notice period
Compensation in lieu of notice
Household arrangements
Other mutually agreed employment conditions

MOM states that an MDW is entitled to one rest day each week. If she agrees to work on a rest day, compensation requirements apply. At least one rest day every month cannot be compensated away and must be taken.

Read MOM’s latest guidance on MDW rest days and well-being before finalising your arrangement.

Putting important terms in writing protects both sides and gives everyone something clear to refer to later.

Step 6: Coordinate With the Helper’s Current Employer

Finding a helper and agreeing to hire each other does not automatically transfer her employment to you.

Her existing Work Permit is still tied to her current employer.

For a direct transfer, MOM requires both the current and new employers to complete their respective parts of the process.

Before submitting your application, check that the helper has completed any required 6-monthly medical examination (6ME) and that you are starting the transfer process early enough before her existing Work Permit expires.

The prospective employer initiates the transfer process through MOM’s FDW eService. The current employer then receives the transfer request and needs to approve it through the eService.

Once the required consent has been given, the prospective employer can proceed with the Work Permit application.

This is why communication between everyone involved is important. Discuss the intended transfer date early instead of leaving the process until the final days of the existing Work Permit.

Follow MOM’s latest instructions here: Transfer an MDW directly to a new employer.

Step 7: Apply for the Helper’s Work Permit

After the required consent has been provided, you can proceed with the Work Permit application through MOM’s FDW eService.

If the application is approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA).

The IPA is important because it confirms that the Work Permit application has been approved subject to the required conditions being completed.

Do not allow the helper to start working for you simply because you have agreed to hire her.

She should only begin working for you after the new Work Permit has been properly issued under your employment.

For official information, refer to MOM’s Work Permit for Migrant Domestic Workers information.

Step 8: Purchase the Required Insurance and Security Bond

Once the application is approved, complete the requirements stated in the IPA.

As an MDW employer, you need to purchase the required medical insurance and personal accident insurance.

Insurance requirements can change, so check MOM’s latest coverage requirements before purchasing your policy.

You can find the current requirements on MOM’s medical and personal accident insurance requirements page.

What About the S$5,000 Security Bond?

Employers must generally purchase a S$5,000 security bond for each non-Malaysian MDW they employ.

The helper cannot be asked to pay for the security bond.

The security bond is usually arranged through a bank or insurer, which submits the necessary bond information to MOM.

Read MOM’s latest security bond requirements for Migrant Domestic Workers before making the arrangements.

Because insurance and security bond requirements can change, always verify the current requirements directly with MOM and your insurer rather than relying only on an older hiring checklist.

Step 9: Complete the Required Documents

After receiving the IPA, follow the instructions stated in it carefully.

For a direct transfer, MOM may require documents such as the Declaration Form to be completed and submitted as part of the Work Permit process.

You should also have your agreed employment terms properly documented.

An employment contract is strongly recommended because it gives both you and your helper a clear record of what was agreed.

Keep copies of important documents and agreements for your records.

Step 10: Agree on the Transfer Date

Next, coordinate the actual transfer date with the helper and her current employer.

This date matters because responsibility for the helper changes when the new Work Permit is issued.

Until the transfer is completed, the helper remains employed under her existing Work Permit.

Do not leave this coordination until the last minute. Follow the deadlines stated in MOM’s approval and the helper’s existing Work Permit.

Step 11: Issue the New Work Permit

On the agreed transfer date, complete MOM’s required Work Permit issuance process through the FDW eService.

Follow the instructions provided by MOM and in the IPA, including submitting any required documents.

Once the new Work Permit is issued, the helper can begin working for you in accordance with the Work Permit conditions.

You should also follow MOM’s instructions regarding the Temporary Work Permit and the handling of the previous Work Permit card.

Step 12: Understand Your Responsibilities After the Transfer

Successfully issuing the Work Permit is not the end of the process.

It is the beginning of your responsibilities as an MDW employer.

You are responsible for matters including your helper’s:

Salary
Food
Suitable accommodation
Medical care
Medical insurance
Personal accident insurance
Rest days
Safety and well-being
Monthly MDW levy

Your helper must also work according to the conditions of her Work Permit.

For example, an MDW generally cannot simply be sent to work for another household or work in your business.

You can read MOM’s employment rules for Migrant Domestic Workers for the latest requirements.

How Much Is the Monthly Helper Levy?

Employers must pay a monthly levy for employing an MDW.

Some households may qualify for a concessionary levy rate depending on their circumstances.

Eligibility can depend on factors such as having an eligible child, elderly person or person with disabilities in the household.

Don’t assume the concession automatically applies to you. Check MOM’s current MDW levy and concession information when calculating your ongoing employment costs.

Direct Hire vs Using an Employment Agency

Direct hiring isn’t necessarily the best choice for every family.

The main difference is who manages the process.

With an employment agency, the agency may assist with matching, paperwork and other employment-related services.

With direct hiring, you take responsibility for assessing the helper, communicating with the current employer, completing MOM’s required processes and managing the employment relationship yourself.

Direct hiring may be suitable if you:

Are comfortable handling the MOM process yourself.
Want to communicate directly with helpers.
Prefer to conduct your own interviews.
Want more control over whom you hire.
Understand your responsibilities as an MDW employer.

Using a licensed employment agency may be preferable if you want professional assistance with the employment process or have circumstances that require additional support.

There is nothing wrong with either route.

The important thing is choosing the approach that is appropriate for your situation and complying with MOM requirements.

Where Does DirectHelpers Fit In?

DirectHelpers is designed to make the discovery and connection part of direct hiring easier.

We are a marketplace, not an employment agency.

Helpers can create profiles showing their experience, skills and availability, while employers can browse suitable helpers and communicate with them directly.

We believe employers should have enough information to make their own hiring decisions, while helpers should have the opportunity to present their experience and communicate directly with prospective employers.

If both sides decide that they are a good match, the employer then follows the official MOM process to complete the transfer.

DirectHelpers does not issue Work Permits, approve transfers or act on behalf of MOM.

For regulatory requirements and Work Permit transactions, always refer to the latest instructions from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.

Browse Helpers on DirectHelpers

Direct Hire a Transfer Helper: Quick Checklist

Before the Transfer

✓ Confirm that you are eligible to employ an MDW.
✓ Complete the EOP if you are a first-time employer and are required to do so.
✓ Find and interview suitable transfer helpers.
✓ Discuss salary, rest days, duties and household expectations.
✓ Check references where appropriate.
✓ Confirm the transfer arrangements with the helper’s current employer.
✓ Check the helper’s required medical examination status.
✓ Start the transfer process sufficiently early before the existing Work Permit expires.
✓ Submit the transfer request through MOM’s FDW eService.
✓ Obtain the required consent through MOM’s process.
✓ Apply for the new Work Permit.

After Approval

✓ Review the IPA carefully.
✓ Purchase the required medical and personal accident insurance.
✓ Arrange the S$5,000 security bond where required.
✓ Complete the required declaration and documentation.
✓ Put the agreed employment terms in writing.
✓ Coordinate the transfer date with the current employer.

On and After the Transfer

✓ Issue the new Work Permit according to MOM’s instructions.
✓ Complete any required document submission.
✓ Give the helper the required Work Permit documentation.
✓ Only allow her to start working for you after the new Work Permit has been issued.
✓ Pay salary according to your agreement.
✓ Pay the applicable monthly MDW levy.
✓ Maintain the required insurance.
✓ Provide appropriate rest days, accommodation, food and medical care.
✓ Follow MOM’s employment and Work Permit conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Hiring a Transfer Helper

Can I Direct Hire a Transfer Helper in Singapore Without an Agency?

Yes. MOM provides a process that allows a Migrant Domestic Worker to transfer directly from her existing employer to a new employer.

Both employers have responsibilities in the transfer process, and the transfer must be completed according to MOM’s requirements.

Do I Need the Current Employer’s Consent to Hire a Transfer Helper?

For the direct transfer process, the prospective employer initiates the transfer request through MOM’s FDW eService and the current employer must provide the required consent before the process can proceed.

Can the Helper Start Working for Me While We Wait for the Transfer?

No. Do not allow a transfer helper to start working for you simply because you have agreed on the employment.

She should only start working for you after the new Work Permit has been properly issued under your employment.

Does a Transfer Helper Need a New Work Permit?

Yes. The prospective employer needs to complete the appropriate Work Permit process so that the helper can legally work for the new employer.

Does the Helper’s Existing Work Permit Need Enough Validity Remaining?

Yes. Timing is important when transferring an MDW. MOM requires the transfer process to be started sufficiently early before the helper’s existing Work Permit expires.

Check MOM’s latest direct transfer instructions before submitting your request.

Do I Need to Buy Insurance When Directly Hiring a Transfer Helper?

Yes. Employers are responsible for the required medical insurance and personal accident insurance.

Check MOM’s latest coverage requirements before purchasing a policy.

Do I Need a Security Bond?

A S$5,000 security bond is generally required when employing a non-Malaysian MDW, subject to MOM’s applicable requirements.

Do First-Time Employers Need to Complete the EOP?

First-time MDW employers generally need to complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme before submitting their Work Permit application, subject to MOM’s applicable requirements.

Should I Have an Employment Contract With My Helper?

Having a written employment agreement is strongly recommended. It provides both the employer and helper with a clear record of important terms such as salary, duties, rest days and termination arrangements.

Is DirectHelpers an Employment Agency?

No. DirectHelpers is an online marketplace, not an employment agency.

Our role is to help employers discover and connect with helpers. Employers and helpers communicate directly and make their own decisions.

Work Permit applications, transfers and other regulatory matters should be completed directly through MOM or, where appropriate, with a licensed employment agency.

Final Thoughts

Choosing to direct hire a transfer helper in Singapore gives both employers and helpers an opportunity to communicate directly before entering into an employment relationship.

And that direct conversation matters.

A helper may look perfect on paper but have expectations that don’t fit your household. Likewise, an employer may be looking for a completely different working arrangement from what the helper wants.

A good match isn’t simply about finding someone as quickly as possible.

Take the time to interview properly. Be open about your household and expectations. Discuss salary, duties and rest days clearly. Give the helper an opportunity to ask you questions too.

Once you’ve both decided that the arrangement feels right, follow MOM’s transfer process carefully and make sure the new Work Permit is properly issued before employment begins.

Direct hiring puts more of the process in your hands — but it also means taking responsibility for doing it properly.

Looking for a Transfer Helper in Singapore?

Browse helpers looking for their next opportunity and connect with suitable candidates directly through DirectHelpers.

Find a helper. Talk directly. Decide together.

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This article is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal or employment agency advice. DirectHelpers is an online marketplace and is not an employment agency. Regulations, fees and administrative procedures may change. Always check the latest requirements directly with Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower before hiring or transferring a Migrant Domestic Worker.