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Indonesian maid in Singapore: MOM rules and Embassy steps

Checked 15 Oct 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Short answerYou can hire an Indonesian maid in Singapore because Indonesia is one of MOM's approved source countries. She must meet the same MOM rules as every helper: aged 23 to below 50 when you apply, with at least 8 years of formal education and a recognised certificate. The Indonesian Embassy adds its own step: an employment contract processed through its online portal, which you can check yourself.

Indonesia is one of the countries MOM accepts helpers from, and an Indonesian helper follows the same Singapore rules as every other helper. The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore adds its own contract step. This page covers both, using only MOM and Indonesian Embassy sources. To compare nationalities side by side, see helpers by nationality.

MOM rules for an Indonesian helper

  • Indonesia is on MOM's list of approved source countries.
  • She must be aged 23 to below 50 when you apply, with at least 8 years of formal education and a recognised certificate. A helper aged 50 or above can only renew her permit, until she is 60.
  • She must not be in Singapore while you apply. She can come in only after you receive the in-principle approval letter and buy the SGD 5,000 security bond.
  • She works at your NRIC-registered address and must not be related to you.
  • A first-time helper attends the Settling-In Programme, which MOM says is conducted in her native language.
  • MOM's safety agreement comes in English and Bahasa Indonesia, among other language pairs.
Sketch: five steps to hiring an Indonesian helper in SingaporeFive boxes with arrows: check MOM's rules, aged 23 to below 50 with 8 years of school; ask whether the agency is accredited by the Indonesian Embassy; the agency applies for the Embassy contract on the portal; apply to MOM for the permit, then buy the SGD 5,000 bond; check the contract yourself on the Embassy portal.Hiring an Indonesian helper1Check MOM rulesaged 23 to below 50, 8 years of school2Ask the agencyis it accredited by the Embassy?3Embassy contractthe agency applies on the portal4Apply to MOMpermit, then the SGD 5,000 bond5Check the contractlook it up on the Embassy portal
MOM's rules, then an Embassy-accredited agency, the Embassy contract and the permit. You can look the contract up yourself.

The full process is in how to hire a maid and the work permit guide.

The Indonesian Embassy's contract

The Indonesian Embassy runs an online portal where Singapore employment agencies apply for accreditation with the Embassy, and for new employment contracts for Indonesian domestic workers. So ask any agency you speak to whether it is accredited by the Indonesian Embassy.

  • Check the contract yourself: the portal lets you look up an employment contract by its contract number and her passport number, or by your NRIC and her Work Permit number. It shows details such as her salary, placement and agency fees.
  • Renewing: the portal has an employment contract renewal page. The Embassy's renewal form is signed by both you and her, and its checklist includes her passport, her Work Permit, your NRIC, the current contract and proof of her salary.
  • Fees: MOM's refund rules treat the fees for the employment contract required by Indonesia as a home-country cost, so they are not part of the agency service fee covered by the 50% refund rule. Ask your agency what it charges for this.

The SGD 6,000 performance bond

You may hear about the Indonesian Embassy's SGD 6,000 performance bond. MOM says the Embassy introduced it as a condition for employing Indonesian helpers, that the bond is not required by the Singapore government, and that MOM told the Embassy it was unnecessary. MOM also says it understands the requirement has been suspended, and that the Embassy or your agency should tell you if it is still required. It is separate from the SGD 5,000 security bond that MOM requires.

Salary and costs

MOM does not set a minimum wage for helpers of any nationality, but you must pay at least the salary you declare to MOM. Her salary is also recorded in the Embassy contract, so agree it before the contract is made. Her other costs, such as the levy, insurance and the security bond, are the same as for any helper: see the cost of hiring a maid and salary rules.

Her passport while she works here

If she gets a new passport, update her passport number and expiry date in MOM's FDW eService. The Embassy's labour section is at 7 Chatsworth Road, Singapore 249761, 2nd floor.

Finding an agency for an Indonesian helper

Our directory lists agencies licensed by MOM. It does not show which nationalities each agency places, so ask each agency directly:

  • Do you place Indonesian helpers now, and are you accredited by the Indonesian Embassy?
  • Is she a first-time helper or already working in Singapore?
  • What is in your fee, item by item, including the Embassy contract? See agency fees.

A helper already in Singapore can be a transfer helper. Whoever you consider, check her employment history and read how to choose an agency. Her experience, languages and work history tell you more about fit than her nationality.

Sketch: the MOM security bond and the Indonesian Embassy performance bondTwo columns. MOM bond: SGD 5,000, required by MOM, bought before she arrives. Embassy bond: SGD 6,000, not required by the Singapore government, and MOM understands it has been suspended.Two different bondsMOM bondSGD 5,000required by MOMbefore she arrivesEmbassy bondSGD 6,000not required by MOMask if it appliesvs
Only the SGD 5,000 security bond is a MOM rule. Ask the Embassy or your agency whether the SGD 6,000 bond still applies.

Sources, checked 15 Oct 2026: MOM, MDW eligibility; MOM, Apply for a Work Permit; MOM, Settling-in Programme; MOM, Contracts and safety agreement; MOM, Notify MOM of changes; MOM, Refund of EA service fee; MOM FAQ, Indonesian Embassy requirement; MOM FAQ, Is the performance bond required; MOM FAQ, Performance bond suspended; MOM FAQ on minimum wage; Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Singapore, FDW portal; Indonesian Embassy, Check Employment Contract; Indonesian Embassy, Employment Contract Renewal; Indonesian Embassy, renewal of employment contract form.

Common questions

Can I hire an Indonesian maid in Singapore?

Yes. Indonesia is one of MOM's approved source countries. She must be aged 23 to below 50 when you apply, with at least 8 years of formal education and a recognised certificate, like every helper.

Does an Indonesian maid need an Indonesian Embassy contract?

The Indonesian Embassy processes employment contracts for Indonesian domestic workers through its online portal, where agencies apply for accreditation and new contracts. Ask your agency to arrange it and to tell you what it charges.

How can I check my Indonesian helper's employment contract?

On the Indonesian Embassy's FDW portal, by contract number and her passport number, or by your NRIC and her Work Permit number.

Do I need to pay the SGD 6,000 Indonesian performance bond?

MOM says the bond is not required by the Singapore government and it understands the requirement has been suspended. The Indonesian Embassy or your agency should tell you if it still applies. It is separate from MOM's SGD 5,000 security bond.

Is there a minimum salary for an Indonesian maid in Singapore?

MOM does not set a minimum wage for helpers. You must pay at least the salary you declare to MOM, and her salary is recorded in the Embassy contract.

How do I find an Indonesian maid agency in Singapore?

Ask agencies licensed by MOM whether they place Indonesian helpers now, whether they are accredited by the Indonesian Embassy, and what their fee covers. Our directory lists licensed agencies but not the nationalities each one places.

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