How to Apply Work Permit for Your Confinement Nanny in Singapore

Many parents in Singapore seek the support of a confinement lady to assist during the postpartum period. If you are engaging a nanny who is not a Singaporean or Permanent Resident, you will need to apply for a Work Permit for her.

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Here’s what you need to know about the entire process, including a step-by-step guide and the required levy payments.

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Eligibility Criteria

First and foremost, both you and the nanny must meet specific requirements set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to hire a foreign confinement nanny on a Work Permit.

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Parents (Employers)

You must be at least 21 years old and above at the time of application.
You must have a newborn who is under four months old.
You can apply for the Work Permit up to four weeks before the expected delivery date or up to 16 weeks after the birth.

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Confinement nanny (Employee)

She must be a Malaysian citizen.
Her age must be between 23 and 70 years at the time of application.
She can only work as a confinement nanny at your residence during the validity of the Work Permit and cannot undertake other employment.
The maximum validity of the Work Permit is 16 weeks starting from your child’s date of birth. If you apply after your child is born, the validity will be shorter.

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Confinement Nanny Work Permit Application Process

You can apply for the Work Permit yourself or through our confinement agency in Singapore. Here are the general steps involved.

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1. Prepare Necessary Documents

Begin by securing written consent from the confinement nanny confirming her agreement to work for you.

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If using our agency, you will also need to provide us with your authorisation through MoM's FDW eService before we can proceed with the application on your behalf.

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You will also need the following:

Your identification (e.g., NRIC or Employment Pass).
A copy of the nanny's Malaysian passport.
Proof of your newborn’s birth (birth certificate) or expected delivery date (doctor’s letter).
Details of the nanny, yourself, and your spouse (full names, dates of birth, passport numbers, etc.).

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2. Submit the Application Online

Next, submit your application online via the MoM's FDW eService portal. You will need a Singpass account to log in.

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Navigate to the section for "Work Permit for confinement nanny". Then, fill in the required information for both you and the nanny. Upload the necessary documents you prepared previously.

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If you need the nanny to start work quickly, please indicate her start date during the Work Permit application.

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A non-refundable processing fee of SG$35 is required for each application. Payment can be made via Visa, Mastercard, or PayNow.

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3. Await Approval

The processing time is usually within one week, but some cases may take longer if more information is needed. You can check the application status on the MOM portal.

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If your application is approved, you will receive an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter. You must print this letter and provide a copy to your nanny, as she will need to show it to the immigration officer upon arrival in Singapore.

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You need to inform MOM of your nanny’s actual start date of work using the FDW eService. This should be done before she begins her employment.

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More information can be found on MoM’s website to apply for your confinement nanny’s work permit.

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Costs of Applying for Your Confinement Nanny’s Work Permit

Here are the costs you’re expected to pay when applying for your confinement nanny’s work permit from the MoM:

Work permit: SG$35
Monthly levy: SG$60 for a newborn child who is Singaporean citizen; SG$300 per month for a newborn child who is non-Singaporean. If you also have a helper registered under your name, you will get a combined monthly levy fee deductible by GIRO.
Round-trip transportation to Singapore: From SG$180 (depending on flight or mode of transport) each way.
Medical insurance for nanny: SG$190-240. The usual medical insurance must be purchased for the nanny to cover unexpected medical expenses, such as illnesses or injuries sustained in Singapore. Coverage for this must be at least SG$60,000 per year for your confinement nanny.
Medical check-up (optional): SG$100 to SG$200.

Important Points to Note for Your Confinement Nanny’s Work Permit Application

That’s it - we’ve covered how to apply for a work permit for your confinement nanny in Singapore.

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Here are some key things to take note of during the application:

Work Permit letter: Confinement nannies will get a Work Permit letter instead of a Work Permit card since the work duration is short.
Visit pass: Upon arrival in Singapore, the nanny will be issued a visit pass stamped in her passport, allowing her to stay. Ensure the validity of this pass covers her intended period of employment. If an extension is needed, you must apply for it via the MOM portal.
Taxation: The income earned by the confinement nanny in Singapore is taxable.
Cancellation: Once the nanny's services are no longer required, you must cancel her Work Permit within one week through the MOM portal to avoid unnecessary levy charges.

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Feeling overwhelmed by the work permit application? We understand this process might seem complex, especially for first-time parents. As an experienced confinement lady agency in Singapore, we are here to guide you through each step to ensure a smooth and compliant application for your confinement nanny's work permit.

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Let us help you with all the paperwork:

Work permit applications: We'll manage the entire process of applying for the necessary work permits for your chosen confinement lady, ensuring compliance with all regulations.
Contract drafting & review: We'll prepare a clear and comprehensive employment contract that outlines the responsibilities, terms, and conditions, protecting both you and your confinement lady. We can also review existing contracts if needed.
MoM liaison: We act as your point of contact with MOM for all related paperwork and inquiries, streamlining the communication process.
Insurance & medical checkups: We can assist with arranging the required insurance and medical checkups for your confinement lady.
Record keeping: We'll maintain organised records of all relevant documents, making it easy for you to access them when needed.

This means you can breathe easier and focus on what truly matters – preparing for your little one's arrival and your postpartum recovery.

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Beyond that, our confinement nannies are also well-trained, doing their internships at a confinement centre in Singapore and learning skills in newborn care, breastfeeding support, and preparing nutrient-rich confinement meals before being dispatched to households.

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