Maternity leave in Singapore: what foreign mothers are entitled to
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
In Singapore, a working mother gets 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave if her child is a Singapore citizen, or 12 weeks under the Employment Act if not. Both need at least 3 months of service. Under the Employment Act, the employer pays 8 weeks if you have fewer than 2 living children and gave notice; the last 4 weeks are unpaid unless your contract says otherwise.
The one question that decides your leave
On its maternity leave page, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) says a working mother is entitled to "either 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave or 12 weeks of maternity leave, depending on whether your child is a Singapore citizen and other criteria".
So the first question is not your nationality, it is your baby's. If neither parent is a Singapore citizen, your baby will usually not be one, and the Employment Act rules apply. If one parent is a citizen, ask ICA to confirm your baby's status, because it changes your leave, your partner's leave and your baby's paperwork.
| Your situation (as of October 2026) | Entitlement |
|---|---|
| Child is a Singapore citizen; at least 3 continuous months with your employer (or self-employed) before the birth | 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML), under the Child Development Co-Savings Act |
| Child is not a Singapore citizen; covered by the Employment Act; at least 3 continuous months of service immediately before the birth | 12 weeks of maternity leave under the Employment Act |
| Less than 3 months of service | MOM states you need at least 3 continuous months of service to be eligible |
MOM's page for foreign and permanent resident employees is explicit: "Regardless of your nationality, you are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave if you are covered by the Employment Act and have served the employer for at least 3 months."
Are you covered by the Employment Act?
MOM says the Employment Act "covers local and foreign employees" working under a contract of service: full-time, part-time, temporary or on contract, paid monthly, daily, hourly or by the piece. It does not cover:
- seafarers;
- domestic workers;
- statutory board employees or civil servants.
If you are not covered, your maternity leave depends on your employment contract. Managers and executives are covered by the Act in general (only Part 4, on hours and rest days, excludes them), so maternity leave applies to most expatriate professionals.
12 weeks under the Employment Act (non-citizen child)
Who pays and when
Your employer pays your usual monthly salary for the first 8 weeks if:
- you have served your employer for at least 3 continuous months before the birth;
- you have fewer than 2 living children of your own at the time of delivery (MOM adds that if you had twins or triplets in your first pregnancy, your employer must still pay 8 weeks for the next pregnancy);
- you gave your employer at least 1 week's notice before going on leave, and informed them as soon as possible of the delivery. If not, MOM says you are entitled to only half the payment, unless you have a good enough reason.
The last 4 weeks are unpaid by law. MOM states that whether your employer pays them "depends on your employment contract". Many employers of expatriates give more than the legal minimum: read your contract and the company's leave policy, and ask HR in writing.
When you can take it
MOM's planning page sets out two ways:
- Default: all 12 weeks in one block, starting 4 weeks before the birth.
- By mutual agreement: start any time within the 4 weeks before the birth. The first 8 weeks must be taken in one continuous stretch; the last 4 weeks can be taken flexibly over the 12 months after the birth (4 weeks times your working days per week, capped at 24 working days).
16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave (citizen child)
Conditions
MOM lists:
- your child is a Singapore citizen;
- employees: at least 3 continuous months of service before the birth;
- self-employed: at least 3 continuous months of work and lost income during the leave;
- at least 4 weeks' notice to your employer, or informing them as soon as possible of the delivery; otherwise you may receive only half the payment, unless you have a good enough reason.
How it is paid
Your employer pays you and claims reimbursement from the Government:
| Child | Paid by employer | Reimbursed by the Government |
|---|---|---|
| First and second | First 8 weeks, at your gross rate of pay | Last 8 weeks, capped at SGD 10,000 per 4 weeks or SGD 20,000 per child order |
| Third and subsequent | None | All 16 weeks, capped at SGD 10,000 per 4 weeks or SGD 40,000 per child order |
MOM's page also notes that, as announced at the 2026 National Day Rally, the Government will in future reimburse employers for the full duration of maternity leave for parents of Singapore citizen children; the date and criteria are to be released later. If your baby is due in 2027, check the page again.
When you can take it
By default, 16 continuous weeks starting 4 weeks before the birth. By mutual agreement, you can start any time within the 4 weeks before the birth; the first 8 weeks are continuous and the last 8 weeks can be taken flexibly over the 12 months after the birth, capped at 48 working days.
If your baby becomes a citizen after the birth
This matters for mixed and permanent resident families. MOM says that if your child is not a Singapore citizen at delivery, "you can still qualify for Government-Paid Maternity Leave if you meet the eligibility criteria within 12 months of the child's birth". In that case you become eligible for the remaining leave from the date you meet the criteria, you must take it before your child turns 12 months old, and leave that has already lapsed is not given back.
Special situations MOM covers
| Situation | What MOM says |
|---|---|
| Single or unmarried mother | Entitled up to 16 weeks if the eligibility criteria are met |
| Contract, temporary or part-time | Eligible if the criteria are met, paid at the gross rate for each day you would normally have worked |
| On probation | Eligible if the criteria are met and you have served at least 3 months before the birth |
| Twins or triplets | Treated as a single delivery: no double benefits |
| Premature birth | Leave should start on the birth date, or earlier by mutual agreement |
| Stillbirth or death shortly after birth | Eligible for full maternity leave |
| Miscarriage | Sick leave to recover; not eligible for maternity leave |
| Falling sick during maternity leave | Not entitled to paid sick leave while on maternity leave |
Your protections
MOM lists:
- If you have served your employer for at least 3 months, you are protected against retrenchment and dismissal without sufficient cause during pregnancy. If your employer does so anyway, they must pay the maternity benefits you would have received. To qualify, you must have worked there for at least 3 months and been certified pregnant by a doctor before receiving the notice. Tell your employer in writing, with a medical certificate, as soon as you are comfortable doing so.
- It is an offence for an employer to dismiss an employee while she is on maternity leave.
- Your employer must not ask you to work during the first 4 weeks of your confinement.
- You must not work for another employer during your maternity leave; if you do, your maternity benefit is forfeited.
If you have a dispute about maternity benefits, MOM has an appeal process on its maternity leave pages.
Your pass during leave
Your work pass is not a leave scheme, but it is the thing expat mothers worry about most. Maternity leave does not end your employment, and your employer cannot dismiss you while you are on it. If your pass is due for renewal during your leave, ask HR early so the renewal is not forgotten while you are away.
Checklist
For the partner
If your baby will not be a Singapore citizen, there is no statutory paternity leave for you: ask your own HR department now for its paternity or parental leave policy, in writing, and plan annual leave around the due date if needed. See paternity and shared parental leave.
Going further
Our Singapore guide puts maternity leave next to everything else you will need in the same months: insurance questions, choosing a hospital, the birth registration and the Dependant's Pass day by day, and pages to plan your leave with your partner. The rules on this page are complete and free.
Questions parents ask
Are foreigners eligible for maternity leave in Singapore?
Yes. MOM states that regardless of nationality, you are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave if you are covered by the Employment Act and have served your employer for at least 3 months, and you may qualify for 16 weeks if your child is a Singapore citizen.
Is maternity leave paid for a non-citizen child?
Under the Employment Act, your employer pays your usual salary for the first 8 of the 12 weeks if you have at least 3 months of service, fewer than 2 living children and gave at least 1 week's notice. The last 4 weeks are unpaid unless your contract provides pay.
Can I get GPML if my baby becomes a citizen later?
MOM says that if your child is not a citizen at delivery, you can still qualify for Government-Paid Maternity Leave if you meet the criteria within 12 months of the birth, for the remaining leave only, taken before the child turns 1.
Do single mothers get maternity leave in Singapore?
Yes. MOM states that single or unmarried mothers are entitled to up to 16 weeks of maternity leave if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Sources
- MOM — Maternity leave eligibility and entitlement checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Maternity leave in special situations checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Planning your maternity leave checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Maternity leave protections and obligations checked October 13, 2026
- MOM — Employment Act, who is covered checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.