What Is the Employers’ Orientation Programme?
The Employers’ Orientation Programme, or EOP, is a mandatory course for first-time employers of a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) in Singapore. It’s separate from the Settling-In Programme — the SIP is for your helper; the EOP is for you, the employer. Its purpose is to make sure you understand your role, responsibilities, and obligations before you ever bring a helper into your home.
Who Needs to Complete It?
You’re required to attend the EOP if either of the following applies:
- You are a first-time employer of an MDW
- You have changed MDWs more than 3 times within a 12-month period and want to apply for another helper — known as a “frequent change employer”
If you previously employed an MDW before 2004 and now wish to hire one again, you’re also required to complete the EOP before your new application, even though you’ve employed a helper in the past.
When Does It Need to Happen?
The EOP must be completed at least 2 working days before you submit your Work Permit application. This timing matters because your attendance record needs to reach MOM before your application can proceed — leaving it until the last moment can delay your entire hiring timeline.
Online vs. Classroom: Which Should You Choose?
Online EOP
Takes about 90 minutes to complete, and you have a 3-month access period from your registration date to finish it. This is the more convenient option for most first-time employers, and can be done from a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, with the ability to start and resume later.
Classroom EOP
A longer, in-person session — first-time employers can choose either format, but frequent change employers must attend the classroom version specifically, or alternatively attend an interview with MOM directly. Note that you cannot appoint a representative to attend on your behalf in either case.
What Does It Cost?
Registration typically costs around $35–40, depending on the accredited training provider you book through. This is a separate cost from your Work Permit application fees, insurance, and other setup costs covered elsewhere in our cost guides.
Eligibility to Take the Course
To register for the EOP, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid SingPass account
Does the EOP Expire?
No — there is no expiration date on your EOP completion, unless MOM specifically informs you otherwise. If you’ve completed it before and are hiring again under normal circumstances, you generally don’t need to repeat it, with the exception of the pre-2004 scenario mentioned above.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Certain employers may qualify for exemption from the EOP requirement based on specific criteria set by MOM. If you believe you may qualify for an exemption, this is worth raising directly with MOM or your agency before assuming you need to register — exemption criteria can be specific, and it’s better to confirm than to pay for a course you may not have needed.
Where EOP Fits in Your Hiring Timeline
The EOP is typically one of the very first steps in the hiring process, well before your helper even arrives in Singapore. A practical sequence looks like this:
- Complete the EOP (if required), at least 2 working days before applying
- Submit your Work Permit (IPA) application
- Arrange insurance and the security bond
- Your helper arrives, and the Settling-In Programme is arranged on her end within 7 days
The EOP and SIP are easy to confuse since both are mandatory orientation courses — but remembering “EOP is for me, SIP is for her” keeps the two straight.
We Help You Track This
Knowing which compliance steps apply to you — and in what order — is exactly the kind of administrative detail that’s easy to miss as a first-time employer. We guide you through the full sequence, including confirming whether the EOP applies to your situation, so nothing holds up your timeline unexpectedly.
Get in touch to learn more about our compliance support →
