Confinement Nanny Work Permit in Singapore

Reviewed against MOM guidance on 8 September 2026. Prepared by the Little Big Employment Agency editorial team.

A Malaysian confinement nanny uses a specific short-term Work Permit route. Plan both the work permission and the nanny’s lawful stay.

Employer and nanny eligibility

The employer must be at least 21 and have a newborn below four months. The nanny must be Malaysian, aged at least 23 and below 70 at application, and work at the employer’s residence. Maximum permit validity runs for 16 weeks from the child’s birth, so applying later gives a shorter period.

Monthly levy is S$60 if the newborn is a Singapore citizen and S$300 otherwise. The current insurance guidance points to at least S$60,000 annual medical coverage for policies starting from 1 July 2023. Do not rely on the older S$15,000 figure still mentioned in historical explanations.

Source: MOM confinement nanny eligibility.

Application timing and fee

Apply from four weeks before the expected delivery date up to 16 weeks after birth. The employer or appointed agency applies, with the nanny’s written consent. The application fee is S$35 and an outcome generally takes within one week, unless further information is required.

MOM must be informed of the start date before the nanny works. A Work Permit letter is issued instead of a card. The visit pass governs her stay, so arrange an extension if employment continues beyond its expiry. Do not assume the Work Permit letter automatically extends a visit pass.

Source: MOM confinement nanny application.

Prepare a workable household plan

Agree the duties, dates, pay, accommodation and arrangements if delivery timing changes. Keep the actual permit and visit-pass dates with the travel plan. Confirm insurance details before employment begins.

For longer-term household support, see the MDW and FDW guide. The confinement nanny route is not a general substitute for a domestic helper permit.

Ask about application support.