How to hire a domestic helper through official channels

Domestic-helper recruitment combines immigration, employment, household safety and a large financial commitment. Requirements can change, so the current Immigration Department process must be checked before relying on an agent’s timeline or package.

What the official sources establish

The Immigration Department publishes current foreign domestic helper requirements and application information. An agent or employer cannot waive official eligibility, documentation or immigration conditions.

What to check

• Current employer and worker eligibility, nationality conditions and official application route.
• Agency or intermediary identity, licence claims and payment recipient are independently verified.
• Itemised official, agency, travel, medical, insurance and replacement costs are written.
• Duties, rest, accommodation, communication, document access and complaint process are agreed.

A practical way to decide

1. Read the current Immigration page before speaking to intermediaries.
2. Verify identities and licence claims through official channels.
3. Compare itemised contracts and avoid cash or unrelated personal accounts.
4. Keep copies of submissions, approvals, receipts and the signed employment arrangement.

A useful decision rule

Proceed only when the entire route is lawful, traceable and documented for both employer and worker. A quicker unofficial route creates immigration, safety and exploitation risks.

Common mistake to avoid

Do not surrender original identity documents to an unverified intermediary or pay a “guaranteed approval” fee. Government approval cannot be promised by a private agent.

Keep the evidence

Save the dated product page, quotation or terms you relied on, together with receipts, model or registration numbers and written messages. Public pages and commercial terms can change; recheck the linked official sources before committing money or making a complaint.