How income is assessed
Income is a key consideration for MDW Work Permit applications. Married couples can combine their incomes. The Joint Income and Sponsorship Schemes provide other arrangements, with different eligibility and family relationships.
Joint Income Scheme
The employer must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, at least 21, not an undischarged bankrupt, and able to understand and discharge employer responsibilities. Combine only one additional income from a non-spouse family member living at the same address, such as a sibling, parent, child or other relative. The employer’s own salary must exceed that family member’s salary.
Sponsorship Scheme for seniors
An eligible employer must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident aged at least 60, have no income, not live with working adults and retain the capacity to fulfil employer duties. The application can use the combined income of up to two sponsors. Eligible sponsor relationships are children or their spouses, grandchildren or their spouses, and siblings.
Capacity and shared responsibilities
Both schemes require the employer to fully understand and exercise responsibility for the helper’s supervision and welfare. The source identifies conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or schizophrenia where symptoms can impair that capacity; the relevant concern is impaired ability to discharge the duties. A sponsor or joint applicant also takes responsibility for upkeep, maintenance and well-being, and ensuring timely monthly levy payment.
Application routes
Online eService is MOM’s fastest stated route. A manual application can use the relevant Joint Income Scheme or Sponsorship Scheme form. Follow the full MDW application process as well; qualifying for the scheme is not the same as obtaining the permit.
Official source
Written independently from official MOM source material.