Many employers search for "direct hiring a Filipino maid" hoping to skip the agency and save time. The Philippine rules are stricter than most people expect, and the answer depends on whether the helper is coming from the Philippines or is already working in Singapore. This guide explains what the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) at the Philippine Embassy allows, which steps apply to you, and how to shortlist Filipino maids on SmartMaid without running into problems later.
The short answer
Philippine law bans the direct hiring of Overseas Filipino Workers, and the MWO in Singapore states that domestic workers are not covered by the exemptions. If you want to hire a Filipino helper from the Philippines, you need a Singapore employment agency that works with a Philippine recruitment agency licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). You do not deal with the Philippine agency yourself.
On the Singapore side, MOM lets employers submit Work Permit applications themselves through the FDW eService. That does not override the Philippine requirements: without a verified contract and an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), a new Filipino helper cannot leave the Philippines to work for you.
New hire from the Philippines: the steps
MWO Singapore's guide (updated for DMW Advisory No. 25, Series of 2025) sets out the sequence:
- MOM In-Principle Approval (IPA). Your Work Permit application must be approved in principle first.
- Engage a licensed Singapore agency. It coordinates with its partner Philippine recruitment agency to source and match the helper. Check its licence in the MOM EA Directory; our guide to checking a maid agency shows how.
- "Know Your Employer" video call. A video conference between you and the helper is mandatory before the contract is finalised, so she understands the duties, household, rest days and accommodation. The DMW or MWO may monitor it.
- Contract verification at MWO Singapore. The agency submits a contract that follows the DMW Standard Employment Contract for domestic workers.
- Pre-departure steps in the Philippines. She completes a medical examination, the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar, the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program and receives her OEC (or OFW Pass).
- Arrival in Singapore. MOM issues the Work Permit, and she attends the Settling-in Programme if it is her first time working here.
Philippine minimum terms in the contract
For contracts processed from 21 October 2025, the MWO lists these minimum standards for Filipino domestic workers in Singapore:
- Salary: at least SGD 650 a month (USD 500), unless a higher amount is agreed.
- Rest day: at least one full rest day every week.
- Accommodation and food: suitable accommodation, and adequate meals or a food allowance.
- Medical care: the employer bears the cost of medical treatment.
- No placement fee: no agency in either country may charge her a placement fee, and no salary deductions may be used to recover recruitment or training costs, even if they are described as a loan.
- Passport: it stays with her, apart from brief handovers for visa stamping.
The MWO's employer checklist also gives a minimum hiring age of 24 for Filipino domestic workers. MOM's own rule for new Work Permit applications is 23 to below 50, so in practice both limits apply.
Hiring a Filipino helper who is already in Singapore
A Filipino transfer maid is already working here, so there is no overseas recruitment. On the Singapore side you apply for the transfer through MOM with her current employer's written consent, either yourself through the FDW eService or with an agency's help. See direct hire transfer maid Singapore for those steps.
On the Philippine side, her new employment still needs to be registered: the MWO verifies the new contract so she can get her OEC for future trips home. For domestic workers, the MWO asks for the original contract signed by both of you, copies of her passport and Work Permit, and a copy of your NRIC or ID with your signature. Appointments are booked online, and a small verification fee is paid in cash. If she plans to go home on leave, the contract also has to meet the current minimum terms when it is renewed.
Why a licensed agency still matters
- For new hires from the Philippines, it is the only allowed route.
- The agency prepares a contract that passes MWO verification first time.
- If the placement ends within six months, MOM rules entitle you to a refund of at least half of the agency service fee, subject to conditions. Our guide to maid agency fees explains how it works.
Inventory reality on SmartMaid
On SmartMaid today there are 62 Filipino maid biodata from 3 licensed agencies (snapshot: 6 October 2026). Profiles change quickly, so save a shortlist and enquire early. If you are flexible on nationality, compare profiles on maid search as well, and read our complete guide to hiring a Filipino maid for the full timeline.
FAQ
Can I hire a Filipino maid without an agency?
For a new hire from the Philippines, generally not: Philippine rules require a licensed agency. For a Filipino helper already working in Singapore, you can handle the MOM transfer yourself, but her contract still needs MWO verification.
Who verifies the employment contract?
The Migrant Workers Office at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, 20 Nassim Road. For new hires, the agency submits it; for direct hires already in Singapore, documents are submitted in person by appointment.
Does the new minimum salary apply when I renew her contract?
Yes. MWO says the new minimum terms apply to contracts of returning or vacationing workers renewed from 21 October 2025 onward. The video call is not needed for a renewal with the same employer.
Can the agency deduct fees from her salary?
Under Philippine rules, Filipino domestic workers must not be charged placement fees, and salary deductions to recover recruitment costs are prohibited. Confirm the arrangement with your agency in writing.
Rules change, so confirm the latest requirements on the MWO Singapore and MOM websites before you sign.
