How Your Domestic Helper Can Send Money Home: Singapore Remittance Guide (2026)
Every month, somewhere across Singapore, helpers queue at remittance counters in Lucky Plaza to send part of their salary home. It's one of the quietest, most constant rhythms of migrant-worker life here — and one most employers never think about until their helper asks for help with it.
If that's you, this guide is for you.
Every month, somewhere across Singapore, helpers queue at remittance counters in Lucky Plaza to send part of their salary home. It's one of the quietest, most constant rhythms of migrant-worker life here — and one most employers never think about until their helper asks for help with it. If that's you, this guide is for you, lah.
At a Glance:
Remittance is how your helper supports her family back home — it's emotional, not just financial.The cheapest options are Wise and digital wallets (Dash, Remitly); Western Union and banks cost more but feel familiar.MOM requires you to pay her salary in full, on time — most helpers send part of it home within days.Typical remittance fee is $0–$10 per transfer; exchange-rate markups are the real hidden cost.Helping her set up a cheap, reliable channel is a small favour that buys big loyalty.
Why Remittance Matters to Your Helper
For most helpers, sending money home isn't a luxury — it's the whole reason she's here. She's supporting children's school fees, a parent's medicine, a family house being built. So when a transfer gets delayed or eats an unfair fee, it's genuinely stressful for her. Understanding this is the fastest way to be the kind of employer she never wants to leave.
The Most Popular Ways to Send Money Home
Method | Typical Fee | Speed | Best For |
Bank transfer (DBS/POSB remit) | $0–$10 | 1–3 days | Familiar, reliable, widely used |
Western Union | $4–$15 | Minutes–1 day | Cash pickup in villages |
Wise (ex-TransferWise) | ~0.5–1% | Hours–1 day | Best exchange rates, app-based |
Singtel Dash / Grab remit | $3–$8 | Minutes | Mobile-first, growing fast |
Remitly / InstaReM | $0–$4 | Minutes–1 day | Promo rates for new users |
What Remittance Actually Costs
The headline fee is only half the story — the exchange-rate markup is where money quietly leaks. Here's what sending money home roughly looks like:
Amount Sent | Bank Transfer | Western Union | Wise / App |
S$100 | ~$5 fee + rate markup | ~$8 fee | ~$1 fee, mid-market rate |
S$300 | ~$5–10 fee | ~$8–12 fee | ~$2–3 fee |
S$500 | ~$10 fee | ~$10–15 fee | ~$3–4 fee |
Wise and the newer apps use the real mid-market exchange rate and take a tiny transparent cut — over a year, a helper sending $300 a month can save $100–$200 just by switching from a cash counter to an app. That's real money for her family.
MOM's Rules on Paying Your Helper
This part's for you, not her. MOM is clear that you must pay your helper's salary in full and on time, every month — and salary disputes are the most common complaint MOM receives. The cleanest practice is to pay by bank transfer or GIRO so there's always a record.
For a plain-English walkthrough of everything you owe your helper, read You Hired a Domestic Helper — Now What? Your Complete MOM Responsibilities. If your helper came through an agency she may be repaying a loan through salary deductions — that's normal, but understand exactly how it works in Maid Loan Singapore: How the 4–6 Month Salary Deduction Works.
Helping Your Helper Set Up Remittance
A first-timer from the provinces may never have used a remittance app. Here's a simple checklist to walk her through:
Step | What to Do |
1. Pick a channel | Compare one bank option vs one app (Wise/Dash) |
2. Prepare documents | Her work permit + passport + phone number |
3. Set up the app | Download, verify ID with a selfie, link her bank card |
4. First small transfer | Send a test amount (e.g. $50) to confirm it arrives |
5. Save the routine | Fix a monthly date right after payday |
6. Keep records | Save receipts in case of disputes |
Budgeting is the other half of the equation. For the full monthly money picture — salary, levy, food, savings — see Cost of a Maid in Singapore 2026: Full Monthly Breakdown.
FAQ
How much does it cost to send money home from Singapore?
Bank transfers cost roughly $0–$10, Western Union $4–$15, and app-based services like Wise charge around 0.5–1% plus a small fee. The real cost is often the exchange rate markup, not the fee.
What's the cheapest way to remit money from Singapore?
Digital services like Wise, InstaReM and Remitly are generally cheapest because they use the mid-market exchange rate with a small transparent fee, and often run new-user promos.
Can my helper use her mobile phone to send money?
Yes — Singtel Dash, Grab and Wise all work from a smartphone, which is great because most helpers in Singapore already own a phone and use it comfortably.
How do I pay my helper's salary properly under MOM rules?
Pay her full salary on time every month, ideally by bank transfer or GIRO so there is a record. Late or partial salary is the top complaint MOM receives and can get you into serious trouble.
What documents does my helper need to remit money?
Typically her work permit or passport, a local phone number, and (for apps) a bank card or e-wallet. Some counters also ask for proof of address or employer details.
How long does a remittance take to reach my helper's family?
It varies: bank transfers take 1–3 working days, Western Union cash pickup can be within minutes, and app transfers usually land the same or next day.
Remittance is your helper's lifeline home. Point her to a cheap, reliable channel and pay her salary on time — it costs you nothing and means everything to her.
Ready to find the help your home deserves? Check out our guide on which nationality suits you best.
Let us guide you home.
Contact iHome Agency:
📲 WhatsApp: 8042 6581
📜 EA License: 26C3446
📍 Punggol & Northshore Specialist
At a Glance:
Remittance is how your helper supports her family back home — it's emotional, not just financial. The cheapest options are Wise and digital wallets (Dash, Remitly); Western Union and banks cost more but feel familiar. MOM requires you to pay her salary in full, on time — most helpers send part of it home within days. Typical remittance fee is $0–$10 per transfer; exchange-rate markups are the real hidden cost. Helping her set up a cheap, reliable channel is a small favour that buys big loyalty.
Why Remittance Matters to Your Helper
For most helpers, sending money home isn't a luxury — it's the whole reason she's here. She's supporting children's school fees, a parent's medicine, a family house being built. So when a transfer gets delayed or eats an unfair fee, it's genuinely stressful for her. Understanding this is the fastest way to be the kind of employer she never wants to leave.
The Most Popular Ways to Send Money Home
Method | Typical Fee | Speed | Best For |
Bank transfer (DBS/POSB remit) | $0–$10 | 1–3 days | Familiar, reliable, widely used |
Western Union | $4–$15 | Minutes–1 day | Cash pickup in villages |
Wise (ex-TransferWise) | ~0.5–1% | Hours–1 day | Best exchange rates, app-based |
Singtel Dash / Grab remit | $3–$8 | Minutes | Mobile-first, growing fast |
Remitly / InstaReM | $0–$4 | Minutes–1 day | Promo rates for new users |
What Remittance Actually Costs
The headline fee is only half the story — the exchange-rate markup is where money quietly leaks. Here's what sending money home roughly looks like:
Amount Sent | Bank Transfer | Western Union | Wise / App |
S$100 | ~$5 fee + rate markup | ~$8 fee | ~$1 fee, mid-market rate |
S$300 | ~$5–10 fee | ~$8–12 fee | ~$2–3 fee |
S$500 | ~$10 fee | ~$10–15 fee | ~$3–4 fee |
Wise and the newer apps use the real mid-market exchange rate and take a tiny transparent cut — over a year, a helper sending $300 a month can save $100–$200 just by switching from a cash counter to an app. That's real money for her family.
MOM's Rules on Paying Your Helper
This part's for you, not her. MOM is clear that you must pay your helper's salary in full and on time, every month — and salary disputes are the most common complaint MOM receives. The cleanest practice is to pay by bank transfer or GIRO so there's always a record.
For a plain-English walkthrough of everything you owe your helper, read You Hired a Domestic Helper — Now What? Your Complete MOM Responsibilities. If your helper came through an agency she may be repaying a loan through salary deductions — that's normal, but understand exactly how it works in Maid Loan Singapore: How the 4–6 Month Salary Deduction Works.
Helping Your Helper Set Up Remittance
A first-timer from the provinces may never have used a remittance app. Here's a simple checklist to walk her through:
Step | What to Do |
1. Pick a channel | Compare one bank option vs one app (Wise/Dash) |
2. Prepare documents | Her work permit + passport + phone number |
3. Set up the app | Download, verify ID with a selfie, link her bank card |
4. First small transfer | Send a test amount (e.g. $50) to confirm it arrives |
5. Save the routine | Fix a monthly date right after payday |
6. Keep records | Save receipts in case of disputes |
Budgeting is the other half of the equation. For the full monthly money picture — salary, levy, food, savings — see Cost of a Maid in Singapore 2026: Full Monthly Breakdown.
FAQ
How much does it cost to send money home from Singapore?
Bank transfers cost roughly $0–$10, Western Union $4–$15, and app-based services like Wise charge around 0.5–1% plus a small fee. The real cost is often the exchange rate markup, not the fee.
What's the cheapest way to remit money from Singapore?
Digital services like Wise, InstaReM and Remitly are generally cheapest because they use the mid-market exchange rate with a small transparent fee, and often run new-user promos.
Can my helper use her mobile phone to send money?
Yes — Singtel Dash, Grab and Wise all work from a smartphone, which is great because most helpers in Singapore already own a phone and use it comfortably.
How do I pay my helper's salary properly under MOM rules?
Pay her full salary on time every month, ideally by bank transfer or GIRO so there is a record. Late or partial salary is the top complaint MOM receives and can get you into serious trouble.
What documents does my helper need to remit money?
Typically her work permit or passport, a local phone number, and (for apps) a bank card or e-wallet. Some counters also ask for proof of address or employer details.
How long does a remittance take to reach my helper's family?
It varies: bank transfers take 1–3 working days, Western Union cash pickup can be within minutes, and app transfers usually land the same or next day.
Remittance is your helper's lifeline home. Point her to a cheap, reliable channel and pay her salary on time — it costs you nothing and means everything to her.
Ready to find the help your home deserves? Check out our guide on which nationality suits you best.
Let us guide you home.
Contact iHome Agency:
📲 WhatsApp: 8042 6581
📜 EA License: 26C3446
📍 Punggol & Northshore Specialist
