How to Hire a Maid in Malaysia
To hire a domestic helper in Malaysia, an employer must meet JIM's household income threshold, engage a JTKSM-licensed maid agency, select and interview a candidate, submit a work permit application, and wait for visa approval before the helper can travel and begin work. The full process — from first consultation to a helper's first day in your home — typically takes several weeks to a few months depending on the nationality chosen and current processing volumes.
This guide explains each stage in plain language. It is based on placement experience accumulated by Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd since 1993, placing Indonesian and Filipino domestic helpers with families across Penang, Selangor and Kedah. It covers the process as it stands for a new (overseas) placement; transfer maids — helpers already in Malaysia changing employers — follow a shorter process described separately in our transfer maid guide.
Important: Figures in this guide — levy rates, minimum income thresholds, FOMEMA fees — are subject to government revision. Each carries a verification note. Do not rely solely on any guide (including this one) for your specific application. Confirm current figures with JIM, JTKSM or your licensed agency before proceeding.
Step 1 — Check whether you are eligible to hire
Not every household qualifies to hire a foreign domestic helper. Before anything else, confirm you meet the following requirements.
Household income requirement
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia requires employers to demonstrate a minimum monthly household income. Both spouses' incomes can be combined for this threshold if you are a married couple.
Accommodation
You must be able to provide the helper with a private sleeping space — a separate room is required. A helper is not permitted to share a bedroom with an employer or employer's family member.
First-time vs repeat employer
First-time employers may face additional requirements or scrutiny during the application. Your licensed agency will clarify what applies in your situation at the initial consultation.
Approved source countries
Malaysia can only legally recruit domestic helpers from countries approved by JIM. PMA places helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines only.
Step 2 — Choose the nationality that fits your household
Indonesian and Filipino domestic helpers bring different strengths. The right choice depends on your household's care needs, cooking requirements, language environment and budget. See our detailed Indonesian vs Filipino maid guide for a full comparison. The short version:
| Factor | Indonesian Helper | Filipino Helper |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Malay / Bahasa Indonesia — very similar to Bahasa Malaysia | English proficiency; some Tagalog |
| Typical strengths | Housekeeping, local cooking, general household | Childcare, elderly care, communication-heavy roles |
| Cooking | Malaysian, Indonesian, Asian cuisine | Western, Filipino, Chinese cuisine |
| Religious considerations | Majority Muslim — familiar with halal practices | Majority Catholic — no dietary restrictions on pork |
| Typical age range | 23–35 | 25–35 |
| Relative cost | Moderate | Higher (due to Philippine government salary floor) |
This is a general comparison based on PMA's experience over 30+ years. Individual candidates vary significantly — a shortlisted profile tells you more about a specific person than any nationality generalisation can.
Step 3 — Engage a JTKSM-licensed agency
Any agency placing foreign domestic helpers in Malaysia must hold a current licence issued by JTKSM (Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia). This is not optional — it is a legal requirement under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981.
Before signing any agreement or paying any fees, ask the agency for their JTKSM licence number and verify it at jtksm.gov.my. A legitimate agency will produce the licence without hesitation and will have it displayed in their office.
Warning about unlicensed agents: "Agents" operating via WhatsApp who offer lower fees and faster timelines but cannot produce a JTKSM licence number are operating illegally. If a placement fails, a helper does not arrive, or documentation turns out to be fraudulent, you have no legal recourse against an unlicensed operator. The savings are not worth the exposure.
Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd is a JTKSM-licensed agency established in 1993. Our offices in Penang, Puchong and Alor Setar are open for face-to-face consultations Monday to Friday.
Step 4 — Initial consultation and candidate selection
At your first consultation, a PMA consultant will cover: your household's care requirements; preferred nationality; any specialisations (elderly care, infant care, cooking); your accommodation for the helper; your budget; and your expected timeline. This conversation drives every recommendation that follows.
From there, we prepare a shortlist of verified profiles. You review employment history, skills documentation and background notes at your pace. You are not pressured to decide during the consultation. Most families review profiles over one to three days before requesting a video call.
The video interview
Before committing to a candidate, we arrange a video call between you and the shortlisted candidate. This is not a formality. Families who speak directly with a candidate before placement report fewer adjustment problems in the first month than those who select purely from a written profile. Use the interview to assess communication, ask about her previous household experience and dietary practices, and gauge the match for your family's specific situation.
Our guide on what to ask in a maid interview covers the most useful questions.
Step 5 — Employer documents
Once you select a candidate, collect the following documents. Your agency will give you a specific checklist — this list is a general guide based on current standard requirements.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| MyKad (employer and spouse) | Identity verification |
| 3 months' pay slips or bank statements | Proof of household income eligibility |
| Tenancy agreement or property title | Proof of address and accommodation |
| Utility bill (recent) | Confirming address |
| Employer declaration form | Signed at agency |
| Household composition details | Number of household members, any with special care needs |
Employers hiring for elderly care may also need to provide a medical report or caregiver assessment for the person requiring care.
Step 6 — Work permit application
Your licensed agency compiles the application package and lodges it with Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM). The agency also coordinates with the Indonesian or Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur where required — for example, to obtain the Overseas Workers Certificate from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA/DMW) or equivalent documentation.
You do not need to attend government offices personally. The agency handles this on your behalf. You will be updated at each processing milestone.
Step 7 — Visa approval and pre-departure
When the visa is approved, the helper is cleared to complete her pre-departure process in her home country. Both Indonesia and the Philippines require domestic workers to complete a government-mandated orientation programme before departure — covering Malaysian law, employment rights, cultural expectations and basic household skills.
The helper then arranges travel to Malaysia on the approved visa.
Step 8 — Arrival, FOMEMA and PLKS
On arrival in Malaysia, the following must be completed within the required timeframe:
- FOMEMA medical examination
- A mandatory health screening administered through the FOMEMA network of clinics. The helper must pass this examination before the work pass is issued.
- PLKS (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara)
- The temporary work pass, issued by JIM and affixed as a sticker in the helper's passport. The helper may not legally begin work until the PLKS is obtained.
- PERKESO (SOCSO) registration
- Employers are required to register domestic helpers under the PERKESO Employment Injury Scheme and contribute monthly.
- Security bond
- A security bond is required by JIM for each domestic helper, payable by the employer at the time of permit processing.
- SPIKPA / personal accident insurance
- Employers must obtain personal accident insurance for the helper.
Step 9 — Placement and the first month
The helper moves into your home. The first month is the highest-risk period for any placement — both parties are adjusting to new routines, expectations and communication patterns. Common friction points include kitchen preferences, phone-use arrangements, rest-day scheduling, prayer time for Muslim helpers and food preferences on both sides.
Our guide on managing your first week together covers what to address early and how to set the placement up for success.
PMA consultants follow up proactively during this period. If an early issue arises, addressing it at week two is far more effective than waiting until month three. If a replacement becomes necessary, our guarantee policy covers the process — ask your consultant for the current terms.
Cost overview
The total cost of hiring a domestic helper in Malaysia is the sum of several separate charges. See our detailed cost guide for itemised ranges. At a high level, the components are:
| Cost item | Who pays | When |
|---|---|---|
| Agency placement fee | Employer | On engagement / booking |
| Work permit application fee | Employer (via agency) | At application |
| Security bond | Employer | At permit stage |
| FOMEMA medical fee | Employer | On arrival |
| PLKS (work pass) processing | Employer (via agency) | On arrival |
| PERKESO monthly contribution | Employer | Monthly throughout contract |
| Monthly levy | Employer | Monthly throughout contract |
| Helper's monthly salary | Employer | Monthly |
| Personal accident insurance | Employer | Annually |
Never pay an agency a fee that is not itemised in a written agreement. A licensed agency under JTKSM is required to provide a written fee schedule. Any demand for payment not covered by the schedule — especially cash demands before a work permit is issued — should be treated as a red flag.
Key terms defined
- JTKSM
- Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Semenanjung Malaysia — the government body that licences employment agencies and sets fee caps for domestic helper placements.
- JIM
- Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia — processes and approves work permits (PLKS) for foreign domestic helpers.
- FOMEMA
- Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency — administers the mandatory health screening foreign workers must pass before receiving a work pass.
- PLKS
- Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara — the temporary work pass (a sticker in the helper's passport) that authorises her to work legally as a domestic helper in Malaysia.
- PERKESO
- Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) — administers employment injury insurance. Employers are required to enrol domestic helpers and contribute monthly.
- Security bond
- A deposit held by JIM for the duration of the work permit, returned if the helper departs Malaysia legally at the end of the contract.
- Levy
- A monthly fee paid by the employer to the government for each foreign domestic helper employed. Rates differ by source country.
- Transfer maid
- A domestic helper already legally employed in Malaysia who changes employers within Malaysia, without returning to her home country. Transfer placements are faster than new placements.
- VDR
- Visa with Reference — an approval reference issued by JIM that the helper uses to obtain her visa from the Malaysian embassy in her home country before travelling.
Scope and accuracy note: This guide contains general information based on Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd's placement experience since 1993. It is not legal advice. Government requirements, fees and timelines change — confirm current figures with JTKSM, JIM or a licensed agency before proceeding.
Ready to start?
Agensi Pekerjaan PMA Sdn Bhd has been helping Malaysian families hire domestic helpers since 1993. Walk into any of our three offices — Penang (Burmah Road), Puchong (Bandar Puteri) or Alor Setar (Jalan Lencong Barat) — or send an enquiry below.