In Singapore, many families rely on a migrant domestic worker (MDW) for elderly care, infant care, and household support. You might be wondering whether to use a transfer maid agency or hire directly.
Both options have their own sets of associated processes, some pros, and cons. In this guide, we’ll break down the process, timeline, and key considerations for each option so you can choose the option that best fits your family.
Key Takeaways
- Speed and availability: Transfer helpers are usually faster because they’re already in Singapore, so there’s no overseas arrival wait.
- Who does the sourcing: With transfer services, the agency typically provides shortlisted profiles and screening support. With direct hire, the employer is responsible for finding and vetting the candidate, while the agency mainly supports paperwork and compliance.
- Arrival requirements: If your direct hire is coming from overseas, all arriving helpers must go for a medical exam within 14 days. Settling-In Programme (SIP) applies to first-time MDWs and should be completed within the required window after arrival. Transfer helpers already in Singapore usually won’t have “post-arrival” steps, but must meet transfer conditions (e.g., required medical checks).
- Financial requirements: Employers generally need a $5,000 security bond (except for Malaysian MDWs) and must buy medical insurance (min $60,000/year) plus personal accident insurance (min $60,000/year).
- 2025 Measles Regulatory Update: Regardless of hiring method, MDWs working with unvaccinated children under 7 must have measles immunity. Factor in vaccination (two doses, 28 days apart) into your hiring timeline.
Transfer Maid Agency vs. Direct Hire Services: An Overview
Before we dive into the details, let’s look at the key differences at a glance:
| Transfer Maid Agency Services | Direct Hire Services | |
| Source of Helper | Already in Singapore. | Overseas or a helper you source yourself. |
| Speed of Hiring | Typically faster. | Varies—overseas hires usually take longer due to sourcing + arrival steps. |
| Interviews | Agency shortlists/screening support; employer interviews and decides. | Employers source and vet. |
| Paperwork and Logistics | The agency handles all necessary paperwork and logistics | Employers can apply and manage Work Permit matters directly via the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) eServices (or appoint an agency/sponsor to do so). |
| Helper Experience | Has recent Singapore employment history (from a previous employer). | Singapore experience varies—could be first-time or experienced, depending on who you hire. |
What is a Transfer Maid Agency?
A transfer maid agency is a licensed employment agency (EA) that helps employers hire helpers who are already in Singapore and available to move to a new employer.
These helpers are commonly referred to as transfer helpers—they may be looking for a new placement for different reasons, and the transfer must meet MOM requirements (for example, having a valid Work Permit and being up to date on required medical checks).
Working with a transfer maid agency gives you access to candidates who have recent experience living and working in Singapore, which can make the transition smoother. Because the helper is already in Singapore, employers may also save on certain overseas-related costs (such as airfare) and shorten the waiting time compared to hiring from overseas.
Another practical advantage is that you can often arrange a face-to-face interview in Singapore before confirming the hire.
What are Direct Hire Services?
Direct hiring is a different approach. In this scenario, the employer sources the helper on their own (for example, through personal referrals, or by rehiring someone they have employed before), rather than using an agency to find candidates.
A direct-hire helper may already be in Singapore or based overseas, depending on who the employer is hiring. If the helper is coming from overseas, the employer will still need to follow MOM’s hiring steps after arrival (e.g., medical examination within the required window, and SIP for first-time MDWs).
Direct hire doesn’t always mean “no agency involved at all.” Some employers handle the full process themselves through MOM eServices, while others choose to engage an agency only for paperwork and compliance support.
Before comparing the agency and direct hiring process, there’s one critical 2025 regulatory update that concerns both your MDW’s compliance and the health & safety of the children in the household. Understanding this will help you plan your timeline and budget appropriately:
Before You Proceed: Essential Health Requirements for MDWs
Effective 1 September 2025, the MOM requires that MDWs working in households with unvaccinated children aged 7 and under must have measles immunity.
This protects children from contracting the disease and prevents further spread. Employers are required to declare the following information upon Work Permit issuance:
- Whether or not the MDW is vaccinated against measles
- Whether or not an appointment had been made for the MDW’s measles vaccination
- Whether or not all the children aged 7 and below are vaccinated against measles
Meeting any one of the above will satisfy MOM’s requirement.
If you’re going the direct-hire route, ensure your MDW has already been vaccinated against measles to reduce any logistical hassle upon arrival.
If you’re expecting a transfer maid, coordinate the required vaccine documentation with the current employer. The maid agency will liaise this for you if you’ve partnered with one.
How are Transfer Maid Services and Direct Hire Services Different?
Transfer maid services differ from direct hire services in the following ways:
Sourcing
The differences in sourcing between transfer maid services and direct hire services are as follows:
Transfer Maid Services
When hiring a transfer maid, you rely on the maid agency in Singapore to show you potential candidates. Agencies like Nanny Street maintain databases of helpers they have screened and trained, from which they select based on the client’s consultation.
Direct Hire Services
With direct hiring, sourcing is on you. You may already have a candidate through a referral or previous employment, or you may search through online platforms and communities. Once you’ve chosen a helper, you can either handle the Work Permit process yourself through MOM eServices or appoint an agency/sponsor to support the paperwork and compliance.
Screening
The screening processes between transfer maids and direct hire maids differ in the following ways:
Transfer Maid Services
A licensed maid agency typically helps shortlist candidates and verify key details (e.g., work history and transfer eligibility). The employer then interviews and makes the final decision.
Direct Hire Services
In a direct hire, the employer typically conducts the interview and decides based on their own assessment. If an agency is engaged, their role is typically focused on documentation and MOM compliance rather than candidate sourcing, though the level of screening support can vary by agency.
Speed
Transfer maid services are much faster than direct-hire services—even more so when the direct hire is overseas.
Transfer Maid Services
Because the helper is already in Singapore, there’s no overseas arrival wait. Transfer timing mainly depends on getting the current employer’s consent and completing MOM’s transfer steps. Eligible transfers generally require a valid Work Permit (more than 30 days) and an up-to-date 6-monthly medical examination.
Direct Hire Services
Direct-hire timelines depend on where the helper is based. If the helper is already in Singapore, the process can be comparable to a transfer once both parties are ready to proceed. If the helper is overseas, the overall timeline is usually longer due to travel arrangements and post-arrival requirements—such as SIP for first-time MDWs and the required medical examination within 2 weeks of arrival.
Agency Involvement
Agency involvement depends on what the employer chooses to outsource. Some employers manage the full process through MOM eServices, while others engage an agency for end-to-end support or admin-only support.
Transfer Maid Services
If using an agency, the agency typically coordinates the transfer process, including obtaining consent and preparing the required documentation.
Direct Hire Services
In a direct hire, the agency (if engaged) usually focuses on paperwork and compliance support rather than sourcing or shortlisting.
MOM Requirements
Whether you choose a transfer helper or a direct hire, you’ll need to apply for a Work Permit and pay the monthly maid levy (the levy amount depends on your eligibility for a concession).
In general, employers must also have:
- $5,000 security bond (not required for Malaysian MDWs)
- Medical insurance with a claim limit of at least $60,000 per year
- Personal accident insurance with a sum assured of at least $60,000 per year
Transfer Maid Requirements
Before a transfer can proceed, MOM requires the helper to be eligible—for example:
- She has completed her 6-monthly medical examination (6ME)
- Her Work Permit is valid for more than 30 days
- The current employer gives consent via the FDW eService, after which the new employer can apply and follow the instructions in the In-Principle Approval (IPA)
Direct Hire Requirements
If your chosen helper is coming from overseas, there are additional post-arrival steps. First-time MDWs must attend the SIP within the required timeframe after arrival (per MOM’s instructions), and all arriving MDWs must pass a medical examination by a Singapore-registered doctor within 2 weeks of arriving in Singapore.
Helpers who are already in Singapore (including transfer cases and direct hires already based locally) generally won’t have these post-arrival steps, but they must meet MOM’s relevant eligibility/processing requirements for the Work Permit to be issued or updated.
Transfer Maid Services or Direct Hire Services: Which is Right for You?
The right choice depends on your household’s timeline, the level of support you want with sourcing, and whether you already have a specific helper in mind.
When are Transfer Maid Services Ideal?
Transfer maid services are usually a good fit if you need:
- Urgent support: If you have a baby due soon or caregiving needs that can’t wait for an overseas hiring timeline.
- Singapore experience: If you prefer a helper who is already familiar with working in Singapore households and routines.
- Faster onboarding and fewer overseas-related steps: Since the helper is already in Singapore, you can avoid costs such as airfare and reduce waiting time compared to hiring from overseas.
Transfer services can also help when an employer wants to transfer their current helper to a friend or family member, and would like an agency to support the process and documentation.
When are Direct Hire Services Ideal?
Direct hiring may be a better fit if:
- Trust matters most: You’re hiring someone you already know or who comes recommended by someone you trust.
- You want a specific person: For example, you want to rehire a helper you previously employed, or you’ve identified someone overseas with the experience your household needs.
- You prefer more control over selection: You handle sourcing yourself and can either manage the Work Permit process via MOM eServices or engage an agency for administrative support.
Get In Touch with a Transfer Maid Agency Today!
If you’re looking for a transfer helper, we can support you end-to-end—from shortlisting and interviews to MOM paperwork and compliance—so the process feels straightforward and stress-free.
Ready to find your next transfer helper? Get in touch with us today to explore suitable options for your household.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is responsible for paying the airfare if a direct-hire helper needs to be sent home?
As the employer, you are responsible for the cost of sending your MDW home when the employment ends. This responsibility is part of the Work Permit conditions.
Can I legally recover the agency processing fees from my helper’s monthly salary?
No. Employers are responsible for employment-related and administrative costs, and should not recover these fees from the worker (directly or indirectly). Salary deductions are regulated and must be lawful.
Am I eligible for a levy concession if I hire a transfer maid instead of an overseas one?
Levy concession depends on whether your household has an eligible person (e.g., a young child, an elderly person, or a person with a disability), not on whether the helper is a transfer or an overseas hire. If eligible, the concessionary levy rate is $60 per month.
Can I hire a helper through direct hire if I only want her to work part-time or share her with a neighbour?
No. An MDW can only work for her employer at the residential address declared to MOM, and part-time work (even with employer consent) is not allowed. “Sharing” a helper between households is illegal and can result in penalties.