You must pay a monthly levy for your foreign domestic worker (FDW).
You may also qualify for a levy concession and apply for a levy waiver in certain situations.
You will have to pay a levy for your foreign domestic worker (FDW) every month using GIRO. Find out the levy rates and how to pay and view your levy bills.
What is the foreign worker levy
The foreign worker levy, commonly known as “levy”, is a pricing mechanism to regulate the number of foreign workers in Singapore.
As an employer, you don’t have to pay Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions for your helper. However, you must pay a monthly levy for her.
If your helper is a first-time FDW, the levy will begin on the 5th day of her arrival (including the arrival date). Otherwise, the levy will begin the next day after she arrives.
The levy ends when the Work Permit is canceled or expires.
Levy rate
Type of levy
Normal (1st FDW): Monthly rate, $300 | Daily rate, $9.87
Normal (Subsequent FDWs): Monthly rate, $450 | Daily rate, $14.80
Concessionary: Monthly rate, $60 | Daily rate, $1.98
When and how to pay the levy
You must pay the levy via General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO).
If you don’t have a GIRO account, apply for one using the GIRO application form.
Find Out More
Levy concession for a foreign domestic worker
Levy concession is part of the package to support Singaporeans needing care. As a foreign domestic worker (FDW) employer, you can get a concessionary rate of $60 per month if you meet the qualifying criteria.
Who can qualify
As an FDW employer, you can qualify for levy concession if you live with any of the following eligible person who is a Singapore citizen:
Young child below 16 years old.
The elderly person is at least 67 years old.
The person with disabilities (PWD) – Must be certified by a Singapore-registered doctor to require help with at least 1 activity of daily living (ADL), such as showering, feeding, dressing, or toileting.The levy concession for 1 FDW is granted based on 1 eligible person in the household. It is capped at 2 FDWs per household.
Find Out More
Apply for levy waiver for a foreign domestic worker
You can get a waiver for your foreign domestic worker (FDW) levy payments only in certain situations. These include overseas leave and hospitalization leave.
When you can get a levy waiver
You can apply for a levy waiver only if your helper:
Is on overseas leave for at least 7 consecutive days.
Capped at 60 calendar days per calendar year.
Is on hospitalization leave issued by Singapore hospitals.
Capped at 60 calendar days per calendar year.
Do not return to Singapore after overseas leave.
Is under police custody or is housed at the embassy.
Passed away.
When to apply
You can apply for the levy waiver only after the levy has been charged and it must be within 1 year of the levy bill.
How to apply
You need to apply online at CPF website. After logging in, choose Application for Waiver of Foreign Worker Levy (Domestic).
Find Out More
Source: Ministry of Manpower
RELATED ARTICLES
