A good maid agency in Singapore holds a valid MOM employment agency licence, explains its fees in writing and helps you after the helper arrives. Our seven picks for 2026 are Sapphire Maids, Hire A Maid, Nation Maid Agency, Best Home Employment Agency, Jayamaids, Bliss Helper and Upwill, compared below on licence, nationalities and published fees.
At a glance
| # | Business | Best known for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sapphire Maids | Indonesian and Myanmar helpers with a published agency fee from S$388 and WhatsApp replies seven days a week | S$388 |
| 2 | Hire A Maid | Published net agency fees for each helper type, from S$1,590 for a fresh Myanmar helper | S$1,590 |
| 3 | Nation Maid Agency | Five branches across Jurong, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Yishun and Hougang, placing helpers since 1993 | On enquiry |
| 4 | Best Home Employment Agency | Myanmar, Filipino, Indonesian and Mizoram helpers interviewed in source countries, with pre- and post-arrival training | On enquiry |
| 5 | Jayamaids | Indonesian and Myanmar helpers only, since 1987, from branches in Hougang, Bedok and Bukit Timah | On enquiry |
| 6 | Bliss Helper | Indonesian helpers with at least 40 days of pre-arrival training, from an office at Toa Payoh Central | On enquiry |
| 7 | Upwill | Online enquiries and published guides on hiring costs and timelines for Filipino, Indonesian and Myanmar helpers | On enquiry |
How do you check that a maid agency is licensed?
Every agency that places domestic helpers needs an Employment Agency (EA) licence from the Ministry of Manpower. Take the licence number from the agency’s website or contract and search it in MOM’s Employment Agencies and Personnel Search (EA Directory) before you pay anything.
The licence numbers in this article are the ones each agency publishes on its own website. The EA Directory also shows the agency’s licence status and the registered personnel who are allowed to handle your case. MOM also requires agencies to offer a refund of at least 50% of their service fee if the helper’s employment is terminated within the first six months, so ask how each agency applies this.
Which maid agencies in Singapore did we pick?
Each agency below publishes its licence or company details, its helper nationalities, and how it works. Facts are from each agency’s own website, checked on 3 October 2026.
Best known for: Indonesian and Myanmar helpers with a published agency fee from S$388 and WhatsApp replies seven days a week
Sapphire Maids Employment Agency (MOM licence 25C2987) places Indonesian and Myanmar helpers and publishes its agency fee from S$388. It offers fresh, transfer and ex-Singapore helpers for housekeeping, cooking, childcare and elderly care, and its site explains which nationality tends to suit which household: Indonesian helpers for childcare and cooking, Myanmar helpers for elderly and infant care. Families share their needs, Sapphire shortlists candidates and arranges video or in-person interviews, then handles the Work Permit, insurance and bond. Office at Shenton House, 3 Shenton Way, open weekdays and Saturday mornings, with WhatsApp replies seven days a week.
- Services
- Indonesian maids, Myanmar maids, fresh maids, transfer maids, ex-Singapore maids, elderly care helpers, childcare helpers
- Credentials
- MOM EA licence 25C2987 (as published by the agency)
- Address
- 3 Shenton Way, #14-06, Shenton House, Singapore 068805
- Price
- From S$388 Agency fee from S$388; levy, bond, insurance, medical and salary are extra Source
Visit website: Sapphire MaidsCall +65 8949 5542Full profile: Sapphire Maids
Best known for: Published net agency fees for each helper type, from S$1,590 for a fresh Myanmar helper
Hire A Maid (licence 23C1568) specialises in Myanmar and Indonesian helpers and publishes net fees for each type: from S$1,590 for a fresh Myanmar helper to S$2,093 for an ex-Singapore Indonesian helper. It is a member of the Association of Employment Agencies Singapore.
- Services
- Myanmar and Indonesian helpers: fresh, transfer and ex-Singapore
- Credentials
- MOM EA licence 23C1568 (as published by the agency); AEAS member
- Price
- S$1,590 to S$2,093 Net agency fees: Myanmar S$1,590 to S$1,693; Indonesian S$1,688 to S$2,093 Source
Best known for: Five branches across Jurong, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Yishun and Hougang, placing helpers since 1993
Nation Maid Agency operates through Nation Human Resources Pte Ltd (licence 12C5507) and Nation Employment Pte Ltd (licence 09C5332). It has placed helpers since 1993, has five branches (Jurong, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Yishun and Hougang), is ISO 9001 certified, and is part of SGX Catalist-listed Advancer Global. A fit if you want a large agency with a branch near home.
- Services
- Domestic helper placement; branches in Jurong, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Yishun and Hougang
- Credentials
- MOM EA licences 12C5507 (Nation Human Resources Pte Ltd) and 09C5332 (Nation Employment Pte Ltd), as published; ISO 9001
- Address
- 135 Jurong Gateway Road, #05-317, Singapore
- Founded
- 1993
Visit website: Nation Maid AgencyCall +65 6665 8199Full profile: Nation Maid Agency
Best known for: Myanmar, Filipino, Indonesian and Mizoram helpers interviewed in source countries, with pre- and post-arrival training
Best Home Employment Agency (licence 96C5039) was founded in 1996 and places Myanmar, Filipino, Indonesian and Mizoram helpers. It interviews candidates in source countries, runs pre- and post-arrival training and offers the Advance Placement Scheme. Branches at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Thomson Plaza.
- Services
- Myanmar, Filipino, Indonesian and Mizoram helpers; Advance Placement Scheme; training; Work Permit renewal; second branch at Thomson Plaza
- Credentials
- MOM EA licence 96C5039 (as published by the agency)
- Address
- 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, #04-33/47, Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, Singapore 588179
- Founded
- 1996
Visit website: Best Home Employment AgencyCall +65 6462 7055Full profile: Best Home Employment Agency
Best known for: Indonesian and Myanmar helpers only, since 1987, from branches in Hougang, Bedok and Bukit Timah
Jayamaids places only Indonesian and Myanmar helpers and says it has served families since 1987. It displays a CaseTrust badge and has three branches: Hougang Green Shopping Mall, Bedok North and Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.
- Services
- Indonesian and Myanmar helpers only; branches in Hougang, Bedok and Bukit Timah
- Address
- 21 Hougang Street 51, #01-14, Hougang Green Shopping Mall, Singapore 538719
Visit website: JayamaidsCall +65 6387 0900Full profile: Jayamaids
Best known for: Indonesian helpers with at least 40 days of pre-arrival training, from an office at Toa Payoh Central
Bliss Helper Pte Ltd (licence 21C0625) places Indonesian, Myanmar and Filipino helpers from its office at Toa Payoh Central, open weekdays and weekends. It states that its Indonesian helpers complete at least 40 days of training before arrival.
- Services
- Indonesian, Myanmar and Filipino helpers
- Credentials
- MOM EA licence 21C0625 (as published by the agency)
- Address
- Blk 177 Toa Payoh Central, #01-152, Singapore 310177
Visit website: Bliss HelperCall +65 3125 4915Full profile: Bliss Helper
Best known for: Online enquiries and published guides on hiring costs and timelines for Filipino, Indonesian and Myanmar helpers
Upwill Pte Ltd (licence 24C2628) places Filipino, Indonesian and Myanmar helpers and publishes guides on hiring costs and timelines: six to ten weeks for a new hire, one to two weeks for a transfer. It works mainly through online enquiries.
- Services
- Filipino, Indonesian and Myanmar helpers
- Credentials
- MOM EA licence 24C2628 (as published by the agency)
How do these maid agencies compare?
The main differences are nationalities placed, branch network and whether fees are published. Sapphire Maids and Hire A Maid publish their agency fees; the others quote on enquiry or publish total cost estimates.
| Agency | EA licence (as published) | Nationalities | Published fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Maids | 25C2987 | Indonesian, Myanmar | Agency fee from S$388 |
| Hire A Maid | 23C1568 | Myanmar, Indonesian | S$1,590 to S$2,093 net |
| Nation Maid Agency | 12C5507, 09C5332 | Not listed on About page | On enquiry |
| Best Home Employment Agency | 96C5039 | Myanmar, Filipino, Indonesian, Mizoram | On enquiry |
| Jayamaids | Not shown on pages we opened | Indonesian, Myanmar | On enquiry |
| Bliss Helper | 21C0625 | Indonesian, Myanmar, Filipino | On enquiry |
| Upwill | 24C2628 | Filipino, Indonesian, Myanmar | On enquiry |
What will you pay MOM on top of the agency fee?
On top of the agency fee you pay a monthly levy of S$300 for your first helper (S$60 at the concessionary rate), buy a S$5,000 security bond for each non-Malaysian helper, and pay for insurance, medical checks and the helper’s salary.
MOM’s levy is S$450 a month for each additional helper, and the S$60 concessionary rate applies to households with a young child, an elderly member or a person with disability. Most agencies arrange the bond through an insurer’s letter of guarantee. If you are hiring for the first time, you must complete the Employers’ Orientation Programme at least two working days before the Work Permit application; MOM lists classroom fees of S$35 to S$76 and online fees of S$29 to S$36. Helpers must be aged 23 to under 50 at application and have at least eight years of formal education.
How did we choose and order these agencies?
We required a published EA licence or company details, a physical office or clear contact route, and plain information on helper types. Sapphire Maids is a client of this site’s publisher and is listed first. Of the others, Hire A Maid publishes its agency fees and is placed next; the remaining agencies do not publish their own agency fees and are listed in no particular order. No business paid to be listed. Google ratings will be added later with the date checked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fresh, transfer and ex-Singapore maid?
A fresh helper has not worked in Singapore before. A transfer helper is already working here and changing employer, so placement is faster. An ex-Singapore helper has worked here before and is returning from her home country.
How long does it take to hire a maid through an agency?
Upwill states six to ten weeks for a new hire from overseas and one to two weeks for a transfer helper already in Singapore. Timing depends on paperwork, medical checks and flights.
Do I get a refund if the helper leaves early?
MOM requires agencies to provide a refund option of at least 50% of their service fee if the helper’s employment is terminated within the first six months. Read the agency’s contract for its exact terms.
Who qualifies for the S$60 concessionary levy?
MOM applies the concessionary rate to households with a young child, an elderly member or a person with disability. Check the exact criteria on MOM’s website before you apply.
Do first-time employers need to attend a course?
Yes. First-time employers must complete MOM’s Employers’ Orientation Programme at least two working days before submitting the Work Permit application. It can be taken in a classroom or online.