Before you offer a job to a helper who has worked in Singapore before, it is natural to want to know where she worked and for how long. MOM gives employers an official way to check a prospective helper's employment record, and agencies and previous employers can fill in the rest. This guide explains what an employment history can and cannot tell you, how to check it, and how to read the ex-Singapore maids and transfer maids published on SmartMaid.
What "employment history" does and does not show
MOM's employment record confirms her past employment in Singapore as MOM has it on file. It is useful for confirming what the biodata says, spotting very short stints, and preparing better interview questions.
It does not tell you why a job ended, how well she performed, or whether she suits your household. A short stay might reflect a family emigrating or an elderly employer passing away, not a problem with the helper. Treat the record as a starting point for a conversation, not a verdict.
Checking through MOM's official service
MOM says you can check the employment record of a prospective migrant domestic worker by logging in to FDW eService with your Singpass. You will need some of her details to access the record:
- Her name or FIN (Foreign Identification Number)
- Her nationality
- Her date of birth
Alternatively, your employment agency can do the check for you. Ask the helper or the agency for these details once you are seriously considering her, and explain why you need them. Screens and steps can change, so follow the current instructions on MOM's employment history page.
Employment history is not the same as Work Permit status
If you are hiring a transfer helper who is still working in Singapore, you will also want to confirm that her current Work Permit is valid and when her current job ends. That is a separate check. Our transfer vs new hire guide covers what to confirm before you make an offer.
Asking the agency for her Singapore work record
MOM's hiring guide encourages employers to ask their agency for the helper's employment history, and to ask how the agency made sure her biodata is accurate. Useful questions include:
- Which households has she worked for in Singapore, and for how long?
- What were her main duties: children, elderly care, cooking, general housework?
- Why did each job end, according to the helper and, if known, the employer?
- Has the agency spoken to any previous employers? What did they say?
- Is there anything on the record the agency could not explain?
A careful agency will separate what it has verified from what the helper has told it.
Reference checks with previous employers
A conversation with a previous employer is often the most useful check of all. Ask the helper first, and only contact a former employer with her agreement. Many agencies can pass on a request, or share a reference letter if one exists.
Keep the call short and specific:
- What were her main responsibilities?
- What were her strengths?
- Was there anything she found difficult or needed support with?
- Would they employ her again in the same role?
Remember that every household is different. A helper who struggled with a large family might thrive with a couple, and the reverse is also true. Our guide to reference checks employers can request has more questions.
Reading ex-Singapore biodata on SmartMaid
On SmartMaid, about 675 biodata from 10 licensed agencies record previous employment in Singapore, and 43 biodata from 5 agencies are transfer helpers currently in Singapore (snapshot: 29 September 2026). The difference matters:
- Ex-Singapore helpers have worked here before but may now be overseas. You can check the official record, and they would come in on a new Work Permit.
- Transfer helpers are working in Singapore now. MOM asks you to submit the Work Permit application with written consent from her current employer, and the in-principle approval states the transfer date.
When you read a biodata, compare the employment section with what the agency tells you. Look at the length of each job, the type of household, and the duties listed. If the biodata lists a previous Singapore employer, that is a natural point to ask about a reference.
Privacy and consent
Her employment details are personal information. Use them only to make your hiring decision, keep any documents secure, and do not share them beyond your household and the agency. Tell her what you plan to check and why; most helpers who have worked here before expect it and appreciate the openness.
It is fair to ask about gaps or short jobs, but ask kindly and listen to her explanation. The aim is to understand her experience, not to catch her out.
A simple checking routine
- Shortlist two or three candidates from the ex-Singapore maids or transfer maids listings.
- Ask the agency for her employment history and how it verified the biodata.
- With her details, check her record in FDW eService, or ask the agency to do it.
- With her agreement, speak to one previous employer.
- Use what you learn to shape your interview questions.
FAQ
Do I need the helper's permission to check her MOM record?
MOM's page explains that you need her details, such as her name or FIN, nationality and date of birth, to view the record. In practice you will get these from her or the agency, so tell her what you are checking and why.
Can I see why she left her previous job?
The official record focuses on the facts of past employment. Reasons for leaving come from conversations with the helper, the agency and, with her agreement, the previous employer.
What if her record does not match the biodata?
Raise it with the agency and ask for an explanation before going further. Small differences in dates can be honest mistakes; larger gaps deserve a clear answer.
Related guides: transfer maid guide · first-time employer guide.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Biodata figures are a snapshot of the SmartMaid catalogue on 29 September 2026. Procedures change, so confirm current steps on mom.gov.sg.
