What MOM requires: two compulsory insurances
Before your helper arrives, you must buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance for her. Either requirement on its own is not enough. You cannot pass the cost to her. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements
Medical insurance (MI)
Medical insurance must cover inpatient care and day surgery during her stay in Singapore, with an annual claim limit of at least $60,000. If the plan has sub-limits (inpatient, day surgery, or per disability or condition), each sub-limit must also meet $60,000. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements
Personal accident insurance (PAI)
Personal accident insurance needs a sum assured of at least $60,000 per year. It must cover sudden, unforeseen incidents that cause permanent disability or death, and it must not add exclusions beyond the Employment of Foreign Manpower Regulations. The payout goes to the helper or her beneficiaries. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements
Where the security bond fits
The security bond is a separate $5,000 requirement for non-Malaysian helpers. MOM says you can buy the bond, medical insurance and personal accident insurance as a package or separately. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/security-bond
The enhanced MI rules (Stage 1 and Stage 2) explained simply
MOM set out the enhanced medical insurance rules in two stages. Which stage applies depends on when the policy, renewal or extension starts. Sources: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/for-ers-with-existing-mi-policies-is-there-cutoff-date-to-transit-to-enhanced-mi-reqmts https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/publications-and-resources/employment-rules/how-enhanced-mi-requirements-give-employers-better-protection-and-peace-of-mind
Stage 1 (policies, renewals or extensions starting on or after 1 July 2023)
The annual claim limit is at least $60,000. For claim amounts above $15,000, the insurer pays 75% and the employer co-pays 25%. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements
Stage 2 (policies, renewals or extensions starting on or after 1 July 2025)
Stage 2 adds standard allowable exclusion clauses, premiums in two age bands (50 and below, and above 50), and the insurer pays the hospital directly once a claim is admissible. Sources: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/publications-and-resources/employment-rules/how-enhanced-mi-requirements-give-employers-better-protection-and-peace-of-mind
I still have an old policy. Do I have to switch?
A policy that took effect before 1 July 2023 can run to its end. The next purchase, renewal or extension must meet the stage in force at that time. For policies with terms longer than 2 years, Stage 1 applies by 30 June 2025 and Stage 2 by 30 June 2027. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/for-ers-with-existing-mi-policies-is-there-cutoff-date-to-transit-to-enhanced-mi-reqmts
When to buy, and when to renew
Insurance follows the work-permit timeline. Buy or extend cover before MOM issues or renews the permit. Sources: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/apply-for-work-permit https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/renew-a-work-permit https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-questions-and-replies/2026/0224-written-answer-to-pq-on-mdw-work-permit-renewals https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-i-renew-my-fdws-work-permit-early
New helper
Buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance in the prepare-for-arrival step, after in-principle approval (IPA) and before she arrives. The permit is issued within 2 weeks of her arrival, after her pre-employment medical exam. The new helper onboarding checklist covers the rest of that arrival. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/apply-for-work-permit
Renewal
MOM's renewal letter comes about 8 weeks before the permit expires. Extend her existing medical and personal accident insurance or buy new policies before you submit the renewal. MOM says the bank or insurer takes up to 3 working days to send the details to MOM, and then the renewal is approved immediately. Renewal costs $35. Sources: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/renew-a-work-permit https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-questions-and-replies/2026/0224-written-answer-to-pq-on-mdw-work-permit-renewals https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-i-renew-my-fdws-work-permit-early
Insurance length can shorten the permit
If the insurance package is valid for less than 26 months, the renewed permit runs only until 2 months before the package expires. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/renew-a-work-permit
Late renewal risk
Levy still applies after expiry, and levy penalties or an overstaying fine may be imposed. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/renew-a-work-permit
What employers pay, including above the policy limit
The employer carries the medical cost. Insurance protects the employer and does not shift the cost to the helper. Sources: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-i-get-my-fdw-to-co-pay-her-medical-expenses-that-exceed-the-insurance-benefit-limit https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/employers-guide/rest-days-and-well-being
- You pay for medical insurance and personal accident insurance and cannot pass the cost on. Sources: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/insurance-requirements https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/employers-guide/rest-days-and-well-being
- You are responsible for all her medical costs, including hospitalisation and the 6-monthly medical exam. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/employers-guide/rest-days-and-well-being
- You cannot ask her to co-pay, whether the expense sits inside the insurance payout or above it. MOM encourages higher coverage than the minimum. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-i-get-my-fdw-to-co-pay-her-medical-expenses-that-exceed-the-insurance-benefit-limit
- keep salary records separate from insurance and medical costs.
Use the permit-expiry warning as your insurance check
SG Helper tracks only the work permit expiry date. It warns you before that date so you can check her insurance then. It does not store insurance details, policy numbers or policy dates.
- The app warns you before the permit expires, so you can check her insurance then
- At that point, confirm the policies will cover the renewed permit, because of the 26-month rule. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/renew-a-work-permit
- Keep the policy documents themselves with your insurer's paperwork. SG Helper does not store policy details or dates
- Pair that warning with the monthly MOM compliance checklist
What SG Helper should not replace
MOM's official services handle permit issue and renewal, and the insurer confirms what a policy covers. SG Helper warns you before your helper's work permit expires, so you can check her insurance then. It's free to try. See the helper management app.
- Use official MOM channels for permit applications, renewals and insurance submission
- SG Helper does not store insurance details, policy numbers or policy dates
- The only app prompt is the work permit expiry warning
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does MOM require for a domestic helper?
Medical insurance covering inpatient care and day surgery with an annual claim limit of at least $60,000, plus personal accident insurance with a sum assured of at least $60,000 per year. Source: MOM: insurance requirements
Can my helper pay part of her insurance premium or medical bill?
No. MOM says the employer bears the insurance cost and all necessary medical costs, including amounts above what the insurance pays. Sources: MOM: insurance requirements and MOM: costs above the insurance limit
What is the 25% co-payment in maid medical insurance?
Under Stage 1, for claim amounts above $15,000 the insurer pays 75% and the employer pays 25%. Source: MOM: insurance requirements
Do I need to renew insurance before renewing the work permit?
Yes. Extend or buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance before you renew, and allow up to 3 working days for the details to reach MOM. If the package is valid for under 26 months, the permit ends 2 months before the package expires. Sources: MOM: renew a work permit and MOM: work permit renewals
Is SG Helper built specifically for Singapore households?
Yes. SG Helper is designed around Singapore domestic-helper workflows, including MOM deadline warnings, work-permit tracking, salary records, petty cash, grocery lists, and multilingual helper access.