How to Pay the Maid Levy in Singapore: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hiring a domestic helper, or foreign domestic worker (FDW), can be a lifesaver for busy families in Singapore. But before you bring your new helper home, there's something important to know: the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) maid levy.

Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, the process is pretty straightforward.

In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about how to pay the maid levy, from figuring out the costs to making easy payments online.

We'll also talk about the maid levy concession, which can help you save some money. Let's explore the details to ensure paying the maid levy is a smooth and straightforward process.

Are you considering hiring a maid in Singapore? That's great! There are a few things you should know, like the maid levy.

The levy is basically a pricing mechanism to regulate the population of foreign workers in Singapore.

As a Singaporean employer, you don't need to worry about CPF contributions for your helper. Instead, you'll pay a monthly fee.

If it's your helper's first time in Singapore, the fee starts on the 5th day after they arrive. Otherwise, it starts the next day.

And when your helper's work permit ends or you decide to let them go, the levy stops.

Below, you’ll see the breakdown of the levy rate for FDWs in Singapore:

Differences Between the Levy Rates

• Daily maid levy rate: This rate applies only to foreign domestic helpers who didn't complete a full calendar month. It's calculated using the following formula: (Monthly levy rate x 12) / 365, rounded up to the nearest cent.

• Concessionary rate: This special rate (as explained in the table) applies only to families with an elderly family member, a person with a disability, or families with a young child.

• Adjusted levy rate: These rates apply when you no longer qualify for the concessionary rate or the number of domestic helpers in your household changes. Your levy rate will be adjusted accordingly, with the new rate taking effect immediately.

So, we've tackled the what and the how much. Now the question is when you should pay the levy for your domestic helper in Singapore.

You need to pay the levy every month by the 17th of the following month (or the next working day if it's a weekend or public holiday). But don't worry, the bill will contain the due date.

For example, your bill for October 2025 is due on November 17, 2025.

Of course, you can always make payments easier by signing up for GIRO. And if you don't have a GIRO account, there's always the option of using PayNow QR too.

If you prefer to handle payments yourself, you can use PayNow QR.

Just remember to pay the levy every month by the 17th of the following month, or the next workday if it's a weekend or public holiday.

Unfortunately, you can't pay the maid levy using a credit card; you'll need to choose other payment methods like a debit card through GIRO or PayNow QR.

If you're wondering about the full costs of hiring a maid in Singapore, here's a guide for you.

As the employer, you're responsible for making the domestic helper levy payment.

In some cases, family members can pay it for you, especially if you're unable to do so for any reason. If you authorise them, they can use PayNow QR to make the payment.

Remember, the maid levy is, again, your responsibility, not your helper's.

This ensures there are no hidden costs for your helper, and their wages won't be affected. And it's a fair arrangement that helps keep things smooth between both parties at the end of the day.

If you're a Singaporean needing care but finances are a bit tight, don't worry. MOM's concession scheme is part of a package to support FDW employers with special rates if you meet certain criteria.

If you're an employer who lives with any of the following eligible Singaporean citizens, you qualify for the special concession rate of $60 a month:

• A child below 16 years old

• An elderly family member or senior citizen who is at least 67 years old

• A person with disabilities (PWD) - this must be medically evaluated by a Singapore-registered doctor, and the individual must require help with at least one of the following: showering, dressing, toileting, or feeding.

Just a heads up: The concession is for one helper per eligible family member. You can have a maximum of two helpers with the concession (so, yes, you can have a levy for a second maid). Also, only Singaporean citizens can get this benefit, not permanent residents.

If you don't pay the full levy on time, you could get into trouble. You might be charged a late fee of 2% per month or $20, whichever is higher.

The total late fee can't be more than 30% of what you owe. As a serious consequence, your helper's work permit might be cancelled.

You also won't be able to apply for a new work permit or renew an existing one. In the worst case, you could even face legal action to recover the unpaid levy.

Remember, the levy is a government levy for maids in Singapore that all employers must pay.

So, there you have it! You now know everything you need to know about the levy in Singapore. From understanding the rates to navigating payment options, we've covered it all.

By staying informed and complying with the MOM maid levy payment regulations, you can ensure a streamlined and stress-free experience when hiring a domestic helper in Singapore.

If you need assistance with the maid levy or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.

It usually takes up to 60 days to get a levy waiver for a domestic helper.

Unfortunately, you can't pay the helper levy using AXS anymore. MOM has switched to online and electronic payments.

You can pay the levy for a domestic helper in Singapore using GIRO or PayNow QR. Credit cards are not accepted. Alternatively, you can check and pay the levy on the official MOM portal .