Before shortlisting a helper
MOM requires new Work Permit applicants to be female, aged 23 to below 50 for non-Malaysian helpers, or 23 to below 58 for Malaysian helpers. A current helper’s Work Permit can be renewed until age 60. All first-time helpers must hold a recognised educational certificate with at least eight years of formal education. These are MOM requirements, not agency preferences. Age and education are eligibility checks, not evidence of cooking ability, care skills or language competence. Other Work Permit conditions also apply.
Tell us your household duties and preferred start date. We check eligibility and experience for each candidate.
Biodata is hosted on SearchMaid and may require a login. You can request a shortlist directly on WhatsApp.
By APEX Maids Agency Pte. Ltd. · MOM EA Licence 25C3180 · UEN 202547196H. Based in Jurong West and serving households across Singapore. Our website is apexmaids.sg and our phone is 8405 6661.
| Situation | Age range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New Work Permit, non-Malaysian helper | 23 to below 50 | MOM FDW eligibility |
| New Work Permit, Malaysian helper | 23 to below 58 | MOM age-50 FAQ |
| Renewal of current helper’s Work Permit | Until age 60 | MOM age-50 FAQ |
Swipe sideways on a phone. All columns appear when printed.
The table follows MOM’s specific age FAQ, which includes the Malaysian exception omitted from the general eligibility table. Note that Apex’s current placement nationalities are Indonesian, Filipino, Myanmar, Mizoram (India) and Cambodian; these pages do not establish a Malaysian placement offer or current Malaysian candidate availability.
The renewal row concerns your current helper, subject to MOM’s other renewal requirements. It is not permission to transfer an older helper to a new employer; check the actual arrangement with MOM. For the renewal process, see the Work Permit renewal checklist.
First-time migrant domestic workers must have at least eight years of formal education and a recognised educational certificate. MOM publishes a list of recognised certificates by country. For Indonesian helpers, recognised certificates include STTB variants for completed junior secondary education. For Filipino helpers, a High School Diploma is recognised.
Use the current official list for the candidate’s country rather than a copied or outdated list. Ask the agency how the candidate’s education certificate was verified.
For each candidate, record what is confirmed, what the agency reports, what is unknown and what you still need to ask. MOM’s hiring guide recommends asking the agency how biodata details including age and education are verified.
| Item | Confirmed | Agency says | Unknown | Next question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth / current age | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Nationality | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Education certificate | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Years of formal education | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Previous Singapore employment (if any) | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
| Relevant care/cooking experience | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Swipe sideways on a phone. All columns appear when printed.
If a candidate is near the upper age limit for a new Work Permit, confirm her exact date of birth and check whether the application can be submitted before the age cutoff. Renewal limits differ from new-application limits.
The age requirements apply to different people. Use the table above for the helper and the employer guide for the person applying to employ her. Read the employer eligibility guide for what applies to you as the employer.
Age and education requirements apply to all approved source countries. Apex places helpers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Mizoram (India) and Cambodia. Each candidate’s eligibility must be checked individually. A nationality does not exempt a candidate from the age or education requirements.
Source check: 23 October 2026. Official guidance: helper eligibility; age and renewal FAQ; recognised education certificates; hiring and biodata checks.
Employer age (21+) and helper age limits are different requirements. Check each person’s requirements separately.
Questions
For a new Work Permit, non-Malaysian helpers must be below 50. Malaysian helpers can apply up to below 58. A current helper’s permit can be renewed until age 60.
No. The employer must be at least 21; the helper must be at least 23 for a new Work Permit. They are separate checks for different people.
Yes. MOM allows Work Permit renewal for a current helper until she turns 60, regardless of nationality. This is different from the new-application age limits.
At least eight years of formal education and a recognised educational certificate from MOM’s published list. The certificate varies by country. Ask the agency how it was verified.
No. A recognised certificate supports the education check; it does not guarantee a Work Permit. Cooking, care skills, language and household fit must be assessed separately through biodata, references and an interview.
MOM publishes the list as a PDF linked from the FDW eligibility page. It covers recognised certificates by source country. Check the current version rather than relying on a copied list.
Talk to us
Tell us your household duties and preferred start date. Ask us to explain the eligibility evidence and proposed match for the actual shortlist.
