I have an experience recently. Since I am from the Philippines, I was requested by an expat friend who happened not a Filipino to help bring in here a sales lady. He produced a working visa and sent to the Philippines. I advised the lady to proceed to POAE named hire section for the formalities. She complied to all the requirements except the original employment contract duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy here. I asked the my friend to prepare a contract. I personally went to POLO for stamping. The POLO officer refused unless a valid agency license be attached together with other requirements. I then advised the lady in the Philippines to look for an agency who can provide a copy of the valid license. Unfortunately, the lady failed to produce the required document. She finally backed out.
Hiring a maid from the Philippines without going through an agency is next to impossible.