Compliance Reminder & 6ME Preparation Checklist
Updated: 17 Sept 2026
Written byAfina Najib
Senior Content Editor - Singapore
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.
If you employ a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) in Singapore, MOM requires you to send her for a Six-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME) every 6 months — and you need her original Work Permit card and MOM's notification form on hand at the clinic, but you won't be allowed inside the exam room with her. Here's exactly what the 6ME checks for, what to prepare, and what happens if you miss it.
What is the 6ME, really?
During your MDW's employment, you must send her for a medical screening every 6 months, and this examination screens for pregnancy and infectious diseases such as syphilis, HIV and tuberculosis.
Not every test happens at every visit — MOM's own 6ME letter tells you which ones are due, following this schedule:
|
Test |
Frequency |
|
Pregnancy (bHCG) & VDRL (syphilis) |
Every 6 months |
|
HIV |
Every 2 years |
|
Tuberculosis (TB) |
Once, after 2 years of stay in Singapore |
|
BMI & visible signs of physical well-being |
Every 6ME visit |
The BMI and well-being check isn't a routine add-on — MOM enhanced the 6ME from 29 August 2021 specifically to help detect signs of abuse, which is why weight and height are now recorded and BMI calculated at every visit. It's a genuine safeguard for the helper, and treating it that way (rather than as red tape) is the right posture for employers.
Before you visit the clinic: what to bring
-
The MOM 6ME notification letter and form — sent to you by post when the exam is due. If you've misplaced it, you don't need to panic or wait for a replacement by mail: you can print a duplicate through MOM's FDW eService using your Singpass.
-
Your helper's original Work Permit card — the physical card, not a photo or photocopy. Clinics use this to verify her identity and pull up her case file before running the required tests.
-
Payment — you, as the employer, are responsible for the cost of the 6ME and any medical expenses arising from it, so budget for this as a recurring cost of employment, not a one-off.
Rules to know before you go
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All 6MEs must happen in a clinic — never at home, and never skipped in favour of a "good faith" self-assessment. Additional details: Screenings must be conducted and certified by a Singapore-registered doctor
-
You (or any representative) will not be allowed in the exam room. This is deliberate: MOM keeps physical well-being checks private so the helper can be examined, and can disclose anything of concern, without her employer present.
-
Clinics submit results straight to MOM — you don't have to. All results must be submitted by the clinic itself, regardless of which specific tests were done. Your role is to check that it happened, not to file paperwork afterward. You can log in to the FDW eService to confirm the clinic has submitted results and view them.
If you miss the deadline
This is the part employers most often underestimate. If you fail to send your helper for her 6ME on time, her Work Permit will be revoked — this isn't a warning-then-fine system, it's an immediate compliance breach. And if she doesn't pass the 6ME, you're required to cancel her Work Permit and send her home immediately.
Which situation applies to you?
The compliance checklist, at a glance
- Confirm the 6ME due date via MOM's FDW eService or the notification letter
-
Print a duplicate form via Singpass if the letter is lost
-
Bring the original Work Permit card + notification form to a clinic visit
-
Budget for the exam and any related medical costs
-
Drop her off, but don't accompany her into the exam room
-
Check the eService afterward to confirm the clinic submitted results
-
Diarise the next due date immediately — don't wait for the next letter
While you're reviewing MDW compliance costs, it's also worth checking that her mandatory insurance coverage hasn't lapsed alongside her Work Permit — maid insurance premiums start from S$401.36 on SingSaver.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be present at the clinic?
You can accompany her to the clinic, but not into the examination room itself — this is to protect her privacy during physical well-being checks.
Who tells MOM the results?
The clinic does, directly and automatically, for every 6ME regardless of which specific tests were run.
What if she fails a test?
You're required to cancel her Work Permit and arrange for her to return home immediately.
About the author
Afina Najib
Spending most of her young writer's phase working as a freelancer, Afina's written for various industries ranging from e-commerce, travel to health and finance. Her expertise lies in her ability to make complex subjects like finance easy to consume for everyday readers.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. While we review and compare financial products to help you find the best options, we do not provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.