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9 Best Transfer Maid Agencies SG (August 2026)
My pick of the best transfer maid agencies in Singapore for 2026, plus what a transfer maid costs.
This guide is part of Terris Recommends, my researched, hands-on picks of the best local businesses and services in Singapore. Every recommendation is researched and ranked by me.
See all recommendationsIf you are looking for the best transfer maid agency in Singapore, you are already thinking about this the smart way. A transfer maid is a domestic helper who is already in Singapore and switching employers, which means no overseas deployment wait, a much faster start, and the single biggest advantage of all: you get to sit down and interview her in person before you commit to anything.
I have spent a lot of time researching how the maid industry in Singapore actually works: how agencies are licensed, how the Ministry of Manpower publishes retention and transfer data, and how a helper is legally moved from one employer to another. That research is what this guide is built on, not marketing claims. Going transfer is a slightly different exercise from a fresh overseas hire, so I judge these agencies on the things that matter for a transfer: the depth of their in-Singapore pool, how cleanly they run the paperwork, and how they manage the handover from the previous employer.
Below are nine agencies I would trust to place a transfer maid, ranked with the transfer angle front of mind, plus the context no listicle bothers to explain: what a transfer maid should cost in 2026, how the MOM transfer actually works, and where the insurance rebate comes in. If you are still deciding on nationality rather than route, my guide to the best maid agencies in Singapore covers the wider field.
A transfer maid, sometimes called a transfer helper, is a foreign domestic worker who is already living and working in Singapore and wants to move to a new employer. Hiring one is a different job from bringing someone in from overseas, so I weigh a transfer maid agency on slightly different things. Here is what I check.
- A real, current transfer pool. The entire point of going transfer is speed and the chance to meet the helper first, so the agency needs a genuine pool of helpers already in Singapore, not two stale profiles. I ask how many transfer candidates they have right now that fit my needs.
- An in-person interview before you commit. This is the transfer maid superpower. You can sit down with her, ask about her last placement and why she is leaving, and judge the fit before signing anything. Agencies on the Ministry of Manpower Advance Placement Scheme are set up for exactly this.
- Clean MOM transfer paperwork. Transferring a helper means transferring or cancelling the existing Work Permit, a fresh medical exam, a new insurance policy, and a new security bond in your name. The MOM Work Permit process is strict, and a good agency runs it end to end so there is never a window where the helper is out of status.
- A handled current-employer handover. A transfer involves two employers and a set of MOM timelines all at once. The agency should coordinate the release from the previous employer, agree the transfer date, and keep both sides moving so you are not chasing paperwork yourself.
- Retention and transfer rates. A retention rate above 65 percent and a transfer rate below 1 percent tell me the agency matches people properly rather than just filling a slot. These are published, so I use them.
On cost, a transfer maid is usually the cheaper route. Because she is already here, you skip the overseas airfare and overseas training fees and the weeks-long deployment wait, so agency fees typically land around S$1,000 to S$2,000 rather than the higher figure a fresh overseas hire commands.
On insurance, taking on a transfer maid means buying a fresh maid insurance policy and posting a new S$5,000 security bond in your name. Here is the part people miss: if the helper is leaving mid-policy, the previous employer is often entitled to a pro-rated rebate on their old insurance, and some insurers offer a rebate or a lower premium when you insure a helper with a clean record and no gaps. It is worth asking your agency which insurer they work with and whether any rebate applies.
One last thing: always verify the agency is licensed on the MOM Employment Agency Directory and check its eaLicence number, retention rate, transfer rate, and demerit points before you commit. Unlicensed operators have no accountability, and with a transfer there is real paperwork at stake.
The numbers back it up. Universal posts a MOM retention rate of 75.35 percent, well above the industry average of around 63 percent, which tells me their matching actually holds. Transfer placements here are typically ready in 1 to 2 weeks rather than the 4 to 8 weeks an overseas hire takes, and their consultants are used to the paperwork-heavy job of transferring a helper's Work Permit without leaving a gap.
Clients consistently praise how responsive the team is during a transfer, which matters because a handover involves two employers and MOM timelines at the same time. If you want a helper who is already acclimatised to life in Singapore and can start quickly, Universal is my first call.
- Best known for
- The deepest transfer maid pool in Singapore and fast, cleanly run transfers.
- Location
- Three branches island-wide
- Track record
- 75.35% MOM retention rate, operating since 1986, 10,000+ families
- Website
- universal.sg
For transfer specifically, its strength is speed. Status runs its own screening for household skills, language, and temperament, and its transfer placements are fast, often 7 to 10 days from interview to start. Its deep Myanmar and Indonesian networks mean there are usually transfer candidates already in Singapore to meet in person rather than a long overseas queue.
The team is known for being straightforward about fees and not pushing add-ons, and its post-placement support is genuine. If you want a well-trained transfer maid placed without a long wait, this is a standout choice.
- Best known for
- Fast Myanmar and Indonesian transfers from a deep in-Singapore pool.
- Location
- Central Singapore (see website for branch details)
- Track record
- ~75% retention rate, 30,000+ households served, 7 to 10 day transfer turnaround
- Website
- statusmaids.com
What I like for a transfer is the transparency. JForce publishes helper salaries by nationality, manages the whole process end to end including the Work Permit transfer and medical, and helps eligible families tap the concessionary maid levy. With branches in Boon Keng, Ang Mo Kio, and Jurong East plus a responsive WhatsApp line, arranging a face-to-face interview with a transfer candidate is easy.
For a trusted all-rounder that treats a transfer with the same care as a fresh hire, and tells you the numbers up front, JForce is an easy shortlist entry.
- Best known for
- Transparent, published salaries and handling new and transfer hires end to end.
- Location
- Boon Keng, Ang Mo Kio, and Jurong East
- Google rating
- 4.9 stars, MOM licence 14C717
- Website
- jforce.com.sg
Crucially for transfers, Maidcity has been part of MOM's Advance Placement Scheme since the 2016 pilot, so you can interview a helper face to face before committing, which is the entire advantage of going transfer. It sources from Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Mizoram, and handles the full administrative stack from the Work Permit transfer to insurance and home leave.
It has been named a ThreeBestRated Top Maid Agency for several years running, with strong five-star reviews across its Toa Payoh, Kovan, and Clementi branches. If you would rather a lasting match than the fastest possible placement, Maidcity is the transfer agency to talk to.
- Best known for
- Face-to-face interviews before you commit and match-first, low-turnover placements.
- Location
- Toa Payoh, Kovan, and Clementi
- Google rating
- Strong five-star reviews, MOM APS participant since 2016
- Website
- maidcity.com.sg
The track record is strong: a transfer rate of just 0.75 percent over 19 years of operation, which suggests its screening and matching get placements right the first time. A1 sources transfer and new helpers from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar, and runs the Work Permit transfer, medical, and insurance changes for you.
Clients repeatedly praise its after-sales support, with consultants who stay responsive well beyond placement day. If you want the extra safety net of a genuine refund-and-replacement guarantee on a transfer, A1 is a solid, low-risk pick.
- Best known for
- A refund-and-replacement guarantee that beats the MOM minimum.
- Location
- Singapore (see website for branch details)
- Track record
- 0.75% transfer rate over 19 years, 10,000+ families served
- Website
- a1maid.com.sg
Scale also means choice. Island Maids places well above the industry average each year and sources from a broad pool of helpers already in Singapore, so families with specific needs like infant care or particular cooking skills have more transfer candidates to consider. It won the Reader's Digest Best Quality Service Award in 2020, and clients praise the efficiency of its paperwork handling, which counts double on a transfer.
The trade-off with a high-volume agency is less boutique hand-holding, but for a well-organised transfer with a branch you can actually walk into, Island Maids delivers consistently.
- Best known for
- A branch near you for easy in-person transfer interviews and a large candidate pool.
- Location
- 11 branches island-wide
- Track record
- Reader's Digest Best Quality Service Award 2020, high placement volume
- Website
- islandmaids.com.sg
For a transfer, the practical draw is a one-time free replacement guarantee, transparent consultation-based pricing, and a turnaround of about 10 working days. Its end-to-end service covers sourcing, matching, the Work Permit transfer, medical checks, insurance, and the handover admin, so you are not stitching the process together yourself.
It sources transfer and new helpers from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Myanmar. A dependable, no-surprises choice for a second-time employer who wants a smooth transfer and a real safety net.
- Best known for
- A free one-time replacement and a reliable, process-driven transfer.
- Location
- Singapore (see website for branch details)
- Track record
- 75% retention, 4-star MOM rating, about 10 working days turnaround
- Website
- ablebest.com.sg
That retention figure is worth pausing on. It means the helpers Nation places tend to stay with the same family past the six-month mark, which is a sign the matching is careful, and careful matching is exactly what you want when you are choosing a transfer candidate you have interviewed once. It sources from the main origin countries and matches on experience and personality compatibility.
The agency won the Singapore Prestige Brand Award in 2025, and on the same July 2026 directory data it held a 4 out of 5 customer rating across 1,040 reviews. Established record, solid process, and something concrete to weigh before you commit.
- Best known for
- Verified MOM data you can weigh before choosing a transfer candidate.
- Location
- Five service centres
- Track record
- 70.67% retention, 2,517 work passes approved, zero demerit points (MOM directory, July 2026)
- Website
- nation.sg
The numbers back the soft language: a placement volume above 300 and a transfer rate under 0.4 percent, which is among the lowest in Singapore, plus a 4.9-star Google rating across its Toa Payoh and Serangoon branches. Its consultants will walk you through the transfer step by step, from the Work Permit change to setting realistic expectations for the first few weeks.
If you have never taken on a transfer maid before and want an agency that will genuinely hold your hand through it, Green is hard to beat.
- Best known for
- Patient, step-by-step guidance for a first-time transfer, with a sub-0.4% transfer rate.
- Location
- Toa Payoh and Serangoon
- Google rating
- 4.9 stars, Embassy of Indonesia accredited
- Website
- greenemployment.sg
Here is the quick side-by-side. Every agency below is MOM-licensed and lets you interview a transfer candidate before you commit, so the differences come down to their transfer strength and how fast they move.
| Agency | Best transfer strength | Typical transfer wait |
|---|---|---|
| Universal | Deepest transfer pool, 75.35% retention | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Status Maids | Fast Myanmar and Indonesian transfers | 7 to 10 days |
| JForce | Transparent published salaries, new and transfer | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Maidcity | MOM APS, match-first for long retention | 1 to 2 weeks |
| A1 | Refund and replacement guarantee | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Island Maids | 11 branches for in-person interviews | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Able Best | Free one-time replacement, 75% retention | About 10 working days |
| Nation | Established, 70.67% retention | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Green Employment | First-timer guidance, sub-0.4% transfer rate | 1 to 2 weeks |
A transfer maid is usually the cheaper route into hiring a helper, because she is already in Singapore. You avoid the overseas airfare, the overseas training fee, and the weeks-long deployment wait. Here is what a transfer realistically costs in 2026, from the agency fee through to the monthly levy:
| Cost item | Indicative amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Agency fee (transfer) | S$1,000 to S$2,000 |
| Monthly salary (by nationality) | S$450 to S$800 |
| Monthly levy (standard) | S$300 |
| Monthly levy (concessionary) | S$60 |
| Security bond and insurance (per year) | S$250 to S$600 |
| Medical exam and Work Permit | S$110 to S$160 |
| Estimated first-year total | S$12,000 to S$15,000 |
For comparison, a fresh overseas hire tends to run S$15,000 to S$20,000 in the first year once you add airfare and overseas training, so a transfer commonly saves a few thousand dollars up front. Salary depends heavily on nationality: a Filipino helper usually sits at the top of the band for her English, an Indonesian helper in the middle, and a Myanmar helper often at the more budget-friendly end. Ask each agency for a full itemised quote, including the transfer fee and any insurance rebate on the previous policy, before you sign.
A transfer maid is a foreign domestic worker already living and working in Singapore who is moving from her current employer to a new one. Because she is already here, there is no overseas deployment, she is acclimatised to life in Singapore, and you can interview her in person before you decide.
A transfer is usually ready in about 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes as fast as 7 to 10 days, compared with 4 to 8 weeks for a new hire from overseas. The timeline depends on the Work Permit transfer, the medical exam, and how quickly the previous employer releases her.
Generally yes. You skip the overseas airfare and overseas training, so agency fees tend to run around S$1,000 to S$2,000 and first-year totals land near S$12,000 to S$15,000, versus S$15,000 to S$20,000 for a fresh overseas hire.
Yes, and you should. Meeting her in person is the main advantage of going transfer. Agencies on the Ministry of Manpower Advance Placement Scheme are set up for face-to-face interviews, so you can ask about her last placement and gauge the fit before committing.
Search the agency by name on the MOM Employment Agency Directory and check its eaLicence number, retention rate, transfer rate, and demerit points. A retention rate above 65 percent, a transfer rate below 1 percent, and zero demerit points is a strong sign.
A quick, honest aside that has nothing to do with the picks above. Most families now shortlist a maid agency from a Google search before they ever pick up the phone, so a fast, clear, mobile-friendly website with strong local SEO is what turns those searches into real enquiries.
That is exactly what I do at Terris. If your agency site is slow, dated, or invisible on Google, take a look at my web design services or get in touch for a free consultation.
Going transfer is often the smartest way to hire a helper in Singapore: a shorter wait, a lower upfront cost, and the rare chance to interview the person before she moves in. The difference between a smooth transfer and a stressful one almost always comes down to the agency, not the helper.
Every agency above is MOM-licensed and earns its place on verifiable signals, from Universal and its deep transfer pool to Nation and its 0.35 percent transfer rate. If you want the best transfer maid agency in Singapore for your situation, check the MOM directory, ask for a full fee breakdown including any insurance rebate, and always meet the helper in person first. For the wider field beyond transfers, see my guide to the best maid agencies in Singapore.
