Stay-in yaya and kasambahay jobs: get hired safely, with no placement fee

Never pay a placement fee

The law is clear. Whether you are hired through an agency or through another person, "no share in the recruitment or finders fees shall be charged against the domestic worker" (RA 10361, Section 13). Licensed agencies must also make sure kasambahay are not charged any recruitment or placement fees (Section 36).

Walk away if anyone asks you for:

• A fee to get the job, or to be "endorsed" to a family
• A deposit for things you might break. Deposits for loss or damage are unlawful (Section 14).
• A loan you must work off with no clear end. Debt bondage is unlawful (Section 15).

Your rights in a stay-in job

• A written contract before you start, in a language you understand, with a signed copy for you (Section 11).
• At least the regional minimum wage, paid to you directly, in cash, at least once a month (Sections 24 and 25). See the 2026 minimum wage by region.
• Three adequate meals a day and a humane, safe place to sleep (Section 6).
• 8 hours of rest a day and at least 24 hours of rest in a row each week (Sections 20 and 21).
• Privacy, and the right to contact family and friends during free time, and at any time in an emergency (Sections 7 and 8).
• 13th-month pay, 5 days of paid leave after one year, and SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG after one month (Sections 25, 29 and 30).
• Your wages are yours. Your employer cannot withhold your pay or tell you how to spend it (Sections 27 and 28).

More detail: 13th month pay, day off and benefits and our Batas Kasambahay guide.

How to stay safe when you start a stay-in job

1. Chat first, then meet in a public place. On Pinoyaya, contact details stay hidden and you talk to families in the app.
2. Tell someone you trust the family's name and full address before you move in.
3. Keep your own phone, IDs and documents. Give copies if asked, not originals.
4. Read the contract before you sign. Check the pay, pay day, rest day, duties, and how either side can end the job.
5. Know where to get help. DOLE's hotline 1349 is free and open 24/7 for work concerns. Labour disputes go to the DOLE Regional Office (Section 37).

Documents families may ask for

Before signing, an employer may ask for a medical certificate, barangay and police clearance, an NBI clearance, and a birth certificate or other proof of age (RA 10361, Section 12). The law says the employer or agency pays for these, not you.

If this is your first job, the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act (RA 11261) waives government fees for police, NBI and barangay clearances and a birth certificate, one time only. Bring a barangay certification that you are a first-time jobseeker.

How to get hired faster

• Complete your profile. A clear photo, your city, the work you do (yaya, housekeeper, cook) and a few honest lines about your experience. See our profile tips.
• Set your rate. Families see it before they message, so they know what you expect. Check the fair pay guide.
• Get the ID-Verified badge. It is optional and free: a government ID and a live selfie. Families can filter for ID-verified helpers. How to get verified.
• Reply quickly when a family messages you.
• No experience yet? Say so honestly and list what you can do, such as caring for younger siblings or running a household. Our guide on how to become a yaya covers training options.

Stay-in or stay-out?

Stay-in (live-in) work means you live with the family, with meals and a place to sleep provided. Stay-out work lets you go home every day. On Pinoyaya you can find both. See live-in vs live-out for the trade-offs.

Common questions

What is a stay-in yaya or kasambahay job?

A stay-in (live-in) job means you live in your employer's home and work for that household. Under RA 10361, the employer must give you at least three adequate meals a day and a humane, safe place to sleep, 8 hours of rest a day and at least 24 consecutive hours of rest each week, and pay at least the regional minimum wage.

Do I have to pay a placement fee for a yaya or kasambahay job?

No. Under Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361, Section 13), no agency or third party may charge a domestic worker any part of the recruitment or finder's fee. On Pinoyaya, joining and applying are free and there is no commission.

Who pays for my NBI clearance and medical certificate?

The employer or agency. RA 10361 (Section 12) lets employers ask for these documents before signing the contract, and says the prospective employer or agency pays for them. First-time jobseekers can also get government clearances free under RA 11261.

What is the minimum salary for a stay-in kasambahay?

It depends on the region where you work: ₱7,800 a month in Metro Manila (NCR) and between ₱5,500 and ₱7,500 in the other regions on NWPC's list as of 10 October 2026. Your employer must also provide three adequate meals a day and a safe place to sleep.

Can my employer keep my salary for me?

No. RA 10361 (Sections 27 and 28) makes it unlawful for an employer to withhold a kasambahay's wages or interfere with how they spend them. Wages must be paid directly to you, at least once a month.

How many days off does a stay-in yaya get?

At least 24 consecutive hours of rest each week, on a day agreed in writing, plus 8 hours of rest a day (RA 10361, Sections 20 and 21). After one year, you also get 5 days of paid leave a year.

How do I apply for yaya jobs on Pinoyaya?

Download the app, make a free profile with your photo, city, rate and experience, then browse jobs and apply. You see the family, the city and the pay before you apply, and you chat with families in the app.

Sources

Checked on 1 Nov 2026. Laws and wage orders change: confirm current figures with the official source before you rely on them.

• Republic Act No. 10361 (Batas Kasambahay / Domestic Workers Act), full text: LawPhil
• Republic Act No. 11261 (First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act): LawPhil
• NWPC: Latest wage orders issued by the regional boards, as of 10 October 2026 (PDF): domestic worker rates on pages 3 and 4
• GMA News (23 May 2024): DOLE Hotline 1349 is a free 24/7 call center for labour concerns

This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. For your specific situation, ask DOLE (hotline 1349) or a Philippine labour lawyer.