Singapore Expats

I´ve visited few maid agencies, none of them had a transfer maid available. Is there higher/hidden cost associated with bringing a maid from Philipines as opposed to transfering a maid already in Singapore?

The costs are higher to bring a maid in from overseas but usually that is borne by the maid. Typically, agencies will ask you to pay the cost and deduct it from her first 6 months' salary - in other words, apart from a few dollars she won't get paid until her debt to the agency is paid off. They may ask you to do this by post-dated cheques payable to the agency. Obviously the downside with this is that you can't meet her before you employ her and she may not settle in Singapore, especially if it is her first time overseas. If it doesn't work out, you may be out of pocket. Benefit with a transfer maid is that you can interview her, speak with current and previous employers and form your own view. My neighbours go the first route as they like to train up new maids from scratch themselves to do things their way. Newly arrived maids are also more likely to agree to no off-days etc. I prefer to see who I'm going to have living in my home before she steps off the plane so I've gone for a transfer maid. There are loads of transfer maids around - try some other agencies if you want someone already working here, or ask around at your workplace, condo etc for recommendations and do the transfer yourself.

Thanks for advice.

danuse wrote:I´ve visited few maid agencies, none of them had a transfer maid available. Is there higher/hidden cost associated with bringing a maid from Philipines as opposed to transfering a maid already in Singapore?

Hi Danuse

It is possible to bring in your own maid and at a reasonable cost. Do PM me if there is a need, I will try to help.

Cheers...