Singapore Foreign Domestic Worker Levy (FDW-FWL)

Singapore Foreign domestic worker (FDW) levy

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.

Paying levy for a foreign domestic worker in Singapore

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 cancelled or expires.

Levy rate

From 01-April-2019, the levy rate for FDWs is as follows:

Type of levy	Monthly rate	Daily rate
Normal (1st FDW)	$300	$9.87
Normal (2nd FDW)	$450	$14.80
Concessionary	$60	$1.98

For more information, refer to the FAQs on changes to the FDW levy framework at www.mom.gov.sg

Note:

• Daily levy rate applies only to workers who did not complete a full calendar month. The daily levy rate is calculated as follows: (Monthly levy rate x 12) / 365 = rounding up to the nearest cent.
• The concessionary rate applies to families with a young child, elderly member or person with disability. Find out if you qualify for levy concession.

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. MOM will notify you of the outcome by post.
You can check your application status and start date of your GIRO deduction one month after your GIRO application.

After GIRO is approved	The levy for each month will be deducted from your bank account on the 17th of the following month (or the next working day if it falls on a weekend or public holiday). You should maintain enough funds in your account before the deduction date. The levy for January 2017 will be deducted on 17 February 2017.
If you need to pay levy using other methods	You must pay the levy for each month by the 14th of the following month. Note: It takes longer for MOM to process your payment when you pay using other methods.

View levy bills online

You can view your latest levy bill on the 6^th of every month using Check and pay levy. You can log in using your SingPass.

Penalties for not paying levy

If you don’t pay the full levy on time, you may face the following penalties:

• You will be charged a late payment penalty of 2% per month or $20, whichever is higher, for late payment.
• Your helper’s Work Permit will be revoked.
• You won’t be allowed to apply for or issue a new Work Permit, or renew an existing Work Permit.
• You may face legal action to recover the unpaid levy.

Please refer to MOM website at www.mom.gov.sg or www.cpf.gov.sg for more detailed information and up-to-date guidelines with regulations.

ACHI BIZ is one of the licensed Employment Agencies in Singapore. We will assist your work pass related applications and appeals at our level best with the regulatory authority Ministry Of Manpower (MOM) for successful outcome.

Please refer to our GUIDES for more information, SERVICES to meet your requirements or CONTACT us if you wish to avail these or many other services.