Hiring a Maid Without an Agency: How to Do It But Why You Probably Shouldn’t

Let’s face it — Singapore often ranks among the most expensive cities in the world.

Why? Because living here as a local can be costly. Not everyone has the means that Crazy Rich Asians might suggest.

So it’s no surprise that many cost-conscious employers look for ways to save.

For some, that means applying for a maid without paying extra agency fees.

But cost isn’t the only reason.

You might also consider hiring a maid without an agency because:

• you already know someone you’d like to bring in

• you want more control over the process

• you’ve had a disappointing experience with another agency

These are completely understandable motivations.

But they don’t tell the whole story. Let’s take a closer look at what’s actually involved when you hire a helper without an agency.

So, you’ve decided to try your hand at getting a maid in Singapore without the help of an agency.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Sourcing and Vetting a Suitable Helper

First, you’ll need to source and vet a suitable helper yourself.

If you already know someone who’s ready (and willing) to work for you, this step is straightforward. 

But if you don’t have any candidates in mind, things can get tricky.

Finding someone reliable isn’t always easy — and it’s your sole responsibility to ensure they’re legally eligible to work in Singapore.

For first-time employers, this can be especially challenging. And if you’re looking to hire a Burmese FDW, it may be even more difficult given the current geopolitical situation and civil war in Myanmar.

That’s where working with an agency becomes invaluable.

2. Submitting the FDW Work Permit Application

Once you have your candidate lined up, it’s time for paperwork — which means navigating the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) portal yourself.

You’ll need to prepare all the required documents and ensure every detail is correct. Sure, you’ll save some money by handling it yourself, but is it really worth the time and effort?

For example, if you urgently need an elderly care maid in Singapore because your loved one requires immediate support, can you afford to spend days figuring this out?

3. Ensuring Eligibility as an Employer

This step is more straightforward but still requires your attention.

Without an agency’s guidance, you’ll need to evaluate whether you meet MOM’s criteria to hire a maid in Singapore — including household income requirements, caregiving needs, and the maid levy you’ll pay.

4. Handling Administrative Requirements

This is often the most tedious part.

Everything a typical maid agency in Singapore would handle falls on you. That includes:

• arranging the helper’s medical examination

• purchasing her insurance

• paying the security bond

• enrolling her in MOM’s mandatory Settling-In Programme (SIP)

And that’s before you even start training her when she arrives.

Wouldn’t working with an agency be a better use of your time?

If you do decide to handle it all yourself, we at least offer an in-house maid training programme , where we come to your home to train your helper. That might save you a little time and stress.

5. Managing Travel and Arrival

Ever felt the stress of planning a holiday?

 This is like that — but without the fun.

Coordinating flights, handling customs clearance, and managing her arrival in Singapore are all your responsibility. And you’ll cover all the costs too.

That said, none of these steps are impossible. Many employers have been directly hiring maids for years — and will continue to do so.

But keep in mind that mistakes can lead to delays, fines, or rejected applications. And if you already need help at home, those complications are the last thing you want.

If you change your mind and decide to work with an agency, feel free to reach out to us — we’ll help you find the best fit for your home.

Concerned about how much you need to fork out? We’ve put together a complete guide to the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore, which might help clear things up.

For the uninitiated, let’s talk about what a transfer maid is in the first place.

Basically, a transfer maid is a domestic helper who is looking to change employers — similar to how you would change jobs.

They’re usually familiar with society, having already worked in Singapore. Some of them have special skills and better qualifications too — like taking care of old folks as an elderly care maid, for example. Plenty of them have higher salaries, having been in the country longer and with more working experience.

And what about the process for transferring a maid without an agency?

Well, the process is still pretty similar.

You’d need to:

• Find a candidate, perhaps through personal networks, online platforms, or by connecting with existing employers directly — it can be quite a hassle.

• When you find a candidate, you (as the new employer) and the current employer need to agree to the transfer. Working with an agency skips this step, as an agency would typically have transfer maids on hand.

• Next is processing the transfer request form for the FDW. You’ll need to log in to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) FDW eService . If you aren’t good with paperwork (or are already overloaded from your 9-to-5 day job), this will be a real headache — something an agency can easily solve for you.

• The rest of the steps are similar to the direct hire of a new maid without an agency. You need to handle all the paperwork, like submitting the Work Permit, arranging the medical examination, and completing the Transfer Declaration Form. It’s a lot of work, and what you save in money will definitely cost you time.

So now you know — hiring an FDW without an agency is completely possible.

But it doesn’t come without its risks. You are responsible for deciding whether taking those risks is worth it for you.

Here are some obstacles and challenges you might face:

No replacement guarantee

One of the main risks of hiring a maid without an agency is that it’s a one-shot deal. If it doesn’t work out, you start over — at your own cost. Not only will you waste money, but you’ll also waste time if your candidate doesn’t work out. Working with an agency is much better in this case.

Legal and compliance risks

You may be proficient at your job or whatever you do in life — but you are not an employment agent. Missing a requirement could lead to fines or even being barred from hiring in the future. Is that really worth the risk? We’ll leave that up to you.

Time and stress

We don’t need to explain this one too much, do we? Managing the entire process on your own can be overwhelming and frustrating. And if you desperately need help — for example, hiring an FDW for elderly care — can you really afford to waste time and money when your loved one needs support?

No support if issues arise

Finally, this is one of the biggest benefits of working with a proper employment agency. A good agency provides ongoing support and mediation if disputes arise. Without one, you’re on your own.

At Trinity Pass, we also specialise in communicating with your FDW in Burmese. If you hire a maid through us , we help your domestic helper settle into a new and unfamiliar environment 

Furthermore, direct hiring can result in significant cost savings compared to engaging a maid agency, with potential savings ranging from $500 to $2000.

When deciding between working with an agency or going the DIY route, it helps to see the differences side by side.

Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of hiring a maid without an agency, so you can decide for yourself:

This table answers a common question: is it better to hire a maid through an agency or do it yourself?

For most employers, the benefits of an agency — less stress, legal compliance, better candidates, and ongoing support — far outweigh the perceived savings of DIY.