For Employer
Employer Requirements
We encourage all employers to fully understand the rights and responsibilities involved in hiring a foreign domestic helper.
Before proceeding with employment, please refer to the following official resources to ensure compliance with Hong Kong laws and proper treatment of your helper:
Standard Employment Terms: Conditions of Employment for Foreign Domestic Helpers
These guides provide important information on visa applications, legal obligations, employment contracts, and helper welfare. By reviewing them, you can ensure a smooth and lawful hiring process while building a respectful working relationship with your helper.
Frequently Asked Questions
(a) The employer must be financially capable of hiring a helper after accounting for household expenses. Generally, to hire one helper, the employer should have a household income of at least HK$15,000 per month or equivalent assets that can support the helper’s employment for the entire contract period. This figure may be adjusted by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) from time to time.
(b) The employer and the helper must sign a standard Employment Contract (ID 407) as required by the Director of Immigration.
(C) The helper’s duties will be limited to domestic work as specified in the Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties attached to the standard Employment Contract (ID 407).
(d) The employer must not require or allow the helper to work for anyone else during their stay in Hong Kong and for the duration of the contract specified in Clause 2 of the standard Employment Contract (ID 407).
(e) The employer agrees to pay the helper a salary that meets or exceeds the minimum wage set by the HKSAR Government, effective at the time of the application.
(f) The helper will work and live at the employer’s residence, as outlined in Clause 3 of the standard Employment Contract (ID 407).
(g) The helper must be provided with proper accommodation and reasonable privacy.
(h) The employer and the helper must have no history of issues or concerns regarding their integrity. There should be no negative records related to the employer or helper. For details on factors that may be considered, please refer to Section IV on “Breaches.”
(i) The employer must be a genuine resident of the HKSAR.
In accordance with the latest regulations set by the Hong Kong Government, the minimum allowable wage for foreign domestic helpers is HK$4,990 per month, effective from 28 September 2024.
This wage applies to contracts signed on or after this date.
It is illegal for employers to pay less than the prescribed minimum wage, regardless of whether the foreign domestic helper agrees to a lower amount.
Additionally, if the employer does not provide free meals, they are required to provide a minimum food allowance of HK$1,236 per month for the domestic helper.
Employers must comply with these regulations to avoid legal action and ensure the welfare of their domestic helpers.
According to the current regulations, employers are required to provide suitable and reasonable accommodation with privacy for foreign domestic helpers. The accommodation should meet basic living standards to ensure the well-being of the helper.
Employers must also provide free meals to the foreign domestic helper. If meals are not provided, the employer must offer a minimum meal allowance of HK$1,236 per month.
Additionally, the employer is responsible for the travel expenses of the foreign domestic helper from their home country to Hong Kong at the beginning of employment. Similarly, the employer must cover the costs of the helper's return travel to their home country upon the termination or expiration of the contract.
These arrangements are in place to ensure the fair treatment and welfare of foreign domestic helpers during their employment in Hong Kong.
While the rest day is not mandatory on Sundays, the employer is required to grant the foreign domestic helper (FDH) a minimum of one rest day per week. In addition to this, the employer should ensure that the FDH is provided with four rest days per month.
The FDH can enjoy the following statutory holidays for a total of 12 days a year.
1. January 1
2. Lunar New Year's Day
3. Lunar New Year's Day
4. Lunar New Year's Day
5. Ching Ming Festival
6. Labor Day
7. Dragon Boat Festival
8. HKSAR Establishment Day on July 1
9. Mid-Autumn Festival Day
10. Double Ninth Festival
11. China National Day, October 1
12. Winter Festival / Christmas (selected by the employer)
How to Apply
When applying for a foreign domestic helper, both the employer and the helper must comply with all relevant laws and contractual terms set forth by the Hong Kong Government. We strongly advise employers to thoroughly evaluate their eligibility to hire a foreign domestic helper before proceeding with the application.
It is also important to carefully assess household needs, the family environment, and to consult with family members prior to making any decisions.
Should you require further assistance or have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact L and A Employment Agency. Our team is committed to providing attentive and professional support to all employers. For those with specific needs or preferences, we also offer on-site interview arrangements upon request.
Estimated Processing Time
The estimated time for processing an application and for the foreign domestic helper to arrive in Hong Kong is approximately three months or more. However, this timeline may vary depending on the complexity and individual circumstances of each application.
Frequently Asked Questions
To proceed with the application, employers are required to submit one of the following documents:
A clear copy of the employer’s Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID);
If the employer is not a permanent resident of Hong Kong, a copy of the employer’s valid travel document is required. This should include:
The personal information page, and
The most recent Hong Kong visa page clearly showing entry or residency status.
Employers must provide valid proof of address corresponding to the residence listed on the Standard Employment Contract (ID 407). Acceptable documents include:
The most recent rates levy notice, or
Utility bills (such as water, telephone, or electricity bills) issued within the past three months.
If the contract address is located in a public housing unit managed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority or Hong Kong Housing Society, the following additional documents must be submitted:
Written consent issued by the Housing Department or Housing Society allowing the domestic helper to reside in the unit.
A copy of the Tenancy Agreement (1st to 4th pages) with the complete address clearly visible.
A list of family members residing in the unit, including their personal identification details.
If the proof of address is not under the employer’s name, please attach supporting documents to verify the relationship, such as:
Marriage certificate
Birth certificate
Company documents such as annual reports or shareholding records (e.g., Form 1(b))
Family Member Information
- Full Name
- ID Card Number
- Year of Birth
- Relationship
Please submit the required documents through one of the following methods:
By Mail:
L and A Employment Agency
Room 5–6, 1/F, Hop Yick Commercial Centre, Yuen Long, Hong Kong
By Email:
📧 landa_employ@yahoo.com
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact our support team.
Application Procedure | Estimated Process Time* |
The application procedure required documents by both Employer and Domestic Helper, and Employment Contracts needs to signed by both parties, Body Check, Get in touch with the Domestic Helper and/or Overseas Employment Agency and etc. | 2 weeks |
Contract Endorsement by the Domestic Helper Origin Country Consulate | 5-14 days |
Application of foreign domestic helper working VISA with The Hong Kong Immigration Department | 4-6 weeks |
Overseas Employment Agency arrange application and flight ticket | 2 weeks |
Expected Arrival Date for Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs)
Once the employment contract is fully signed and all required documents are submitted by both the employer and the foreign domestic helper, the estimated arrival time to Hong Kong is approximately three (3) months.
Please note: The processing time provided above is an estimation and for reference purposes only. Actual duration may vary depending on each individual application.
Arrival Arrangement Details
• The approved employment visa will be couriered to the domestic helper, which usually takes 4 to 7 working days.
• Upon receiving the visa, the helper will undergo local exit clearance procedures and proceed with flight ticket booking, which generally takes around 2 weeks.
• In most cases, it may not be possible for the foreign domestic helper to arrive exactly on the proposed date preferred by the employer. Therefore, employers are advised to allow a buffer of one week before and after the estimated arrival date to prepare accordingly.
📝 The information above offers a general overview of the employment process and conditions for foreign domestic helpers. For more comprehensive and updated details, please refer to the official website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
