A Complete Guide to Hire and Manage Your Foreign Domestic Helper in Hong Kong

 Hong Kong families can hire domestic helpers from various locations, but selecting and managing the right helper can be challenging. The Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDH) Scheme was established in the 1970s, allowing full-time helpers, while certain nationalities are excluded from employment. Employers must comply with various ordinances and can hire helpers directly or through agencies, submitting required documents to the Immigration Department. For more information, refer to the Guidebook for the Employment of Domestic Helpers.

Abroad ID(E969) published by Immigration at https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/forms/forms/id-e-969.html

Steps:

Contract :

i) The contract needs to be collected from the Information and Liaison Section of the Immigration Department on the 2nd Floor, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

ii) Both the employer and helper should sign and complete 4 copies of the Standard Employment Contract (contract) (ID 407).

iii) Check with the consulate about the nationality of the helpers and, if necessary, get the contract attested by them.

Immigration Forms:

iv) The helper should file the “Visa/Exten- sion of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad” (ID 988A) togewith helper’s photo affixed on the application form.

v) The employer should file the “Application for Employment of Domestic Helper

from Abroad” (ID 988B)

Submission:

vi) The application can be submitted to Immigration by post or in person with necessary documents.

vii) Immigration will send letter acknowledging the receipt of the application.

viii) Even if the employer submits all the documents, he may be asked to go for an interview or other documents may be required by the Immigration, depending upon the case.

ix) If the application is approved, Immigration will require the employer by letter or by phone to collect the visa.

Documents to be submitted:

i) ID Forms 988A and 988B duly completed.

ii) Original contract duly attested.

iii) Copy of the helper’s travel document showing her personal particulars, date of expiry;

v) Copy of the helper’s Hong Kong ID Card if she held it previously.

v) Copy of the employer’s Hong Kong ID Card.

vi) If an employer is not a permanent resident, copy of his passport pages showing his personal particulars,

Hong Kong visa, and date of entering Hong Kong.

vii) Proof, eg., Employment letter, Bank statement, Tax assessment, etc., to prove the employer’s financial capacity. Currently, the requirement is that employer must have a household income of not less than HK$15,000 per month or assets of an equal amount, i.e., HK$ 350,000, to support the employment of the helper for the whole contract period of 24 months.

viii) Proof of employer’s residence in Hong Kong; example: latest demand for rates, rent receipts, and utility bills showing his name.

ix) Letter of helper’s work experience for at least 2 years showing the name and address of the certificate writer if the Immigration officer wishes to check.

Application for renewal of Helper Visa:

Employers wishing to renew a helper's contract must submit a fresh application eight weeks before the current contract ends, excluding the experience letter, through post, drop-in box, or online. If changing employers after completing two years, the helper can apply in person four weeks before the contract ends, needing a release letter along with the other documents.

Employers must meet several requirements set by the Immigration Department for hiring helpers:

- Financial capability to pay the helper.

- A standard employment contract (ID 407) must be established.

- The helper is to perform only domestic duties, including cooking, childcare, and caring for the elderly, as outlined in the contract.

- The employer must not allow the helper to work for anyone else during the contract.

- The salary must meet or exceed the minimum wage set by the HKSAR Government: $4,990/month for contracts signed after September 27, 2024, and The food allowance is HK$1,236 per month if employer is not providing free food.

Some helpers with special skills, such as driving, can be compensated up to HKD 15,000. Therefore, the salary you set for your domestic helper will depend solely on your decision, as long as it exceeds the minimum wage. In general, the average domestic helper salary in 2024 is approximately HKD 5,310.

- The helper is to work only at the address specified in the contract.

- The employer must permit the helper to live at the designated address unless prior permission is granted for a different location. Living out arrangements are rare and subject to specific conditions.

- The employer must provide suitable living conditions for the helper.

Employers must meet several requirements to hire a domestic helper, including:

• Financial ability to pay the helper.
• Signing a standard employment contract (ID407).
• Assigning only domestic duties like cooking, babysitting, and caring for the elderly or children.
• Prohibiting the helper from working for others during the contract.
• Paying at least the minimum salary set by the HKSAR Government ($4,630 for contracts signed after 28 September 2019; $4,520 for those signed between 29 September 2018 and 27 September 2019).
• Ensuring the helper works and lives at the address specified in the contract, with prior permission needed for any changes.

Providing suitable living conditions for the helper.

Immigration requires that domestic helpers have acceptable accommodations, meaning no sleeping in corridors or sharing rooms with the opposite sex. The employer must prove the helper's genuine need for domestic work and ensure no past breaches occurred. Basic facilities like water, electricity, and bedding must be provided free of charge. Any changes to the employer's residence or duties must be reported with an amended Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties. Employers must pay the helper's salary monthly, within seven days of the month’s end, and can use cheque, bank transfer, or cash, though cheque or transfer is recommended for proof of payment.

accommodation with some privacy; for example, if the helper has to sleep on made-do beds in the corridor or share a room with another adult/ teenager of the opposite sex, such accommodation will not be accepted by Immigration.

He is a bona-fide resident of Hong Kong and the bona fides of his and helper employment are not in doubt, which means the employer needs to satisfy that helper is genuinely required to work at his home for domestic work. The employer and the helper have no bad record of any previous breaches regarding the employment of the helper.

According to part 3B of the “Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties,” the employer must give basic requirements to the helpers free of charge, such as electricity, water, toilet and bathing facilities, bed, blankets, or quilt, pillows, wardrobe, etc.

If there are material changes to the employer’s residence, e.g., his address or number of persons , facilities to be provided, or domestic duties, the employer should submit a copy of the amended Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties (ID 407G) signed by both helper and employer to the Immigration.

DUTIES OF EMPLOYER:

Payment of salary:

Employers should pay the salary to the helper at least once every month and not later than seven days after the end of the month. If an employer fails to pay wages to the helper on time, he is required to pay interest on the unpaid wages to the helper.

Methods of salary payment employers can pay the salary to the helper by cheque, bank transfer, or cash. However, payment by cheque or bank transfer is better to secure payment records as proof of payment.

Irrespective of the payment

Employers should maintain records of salary payments and obtain written receipts from helpers to prevent disputes, as the burden of proof lies with them. They must provide daily free food or a monthly food allowance of at least $1,173 for contracts signed after October 1. For window cleaning, helpers can only clean outside windows above ground level under specific conditions: windows must have secure grilles, and helpers shouldn't cross the ledge. Additionally, employers are required to have insurance to cover workplace injuries as per Hong Kong's Employees’ Compensation Ordinance. If necessary or requested, employer must share documents for the inspection of the helper.

Medical expenses:

Employers should arrange free medical treatment, including medical consultation, hospital treatment, and emergency dental treatment to the helper during the contract period if sick or suffers an injury. There- fore, it’s best that employers should take out comprehensive insurance policies for the helper to cover both medical insurance and employees’ compensation insurance.

Leave and Rest Days: Rest days:

Under the EO, helpers are entitled to rest days (one rest day in every period of seven days)

the children to school or activity classes or any aged or household person for buying vegetables or household items or going to the hospital.

The employers asking the helpers to drive them to the office, transport goods, etc., is not allowed.

Contract period:

Please note that the expiry date of the standard Employment Contract (ID 407) is not the last date of the helper’s stay in Hong Kong or the last day written in the Contract.

The actual last date is the Visa standard Employment Contract (ID 407) is not the last date of the helper’s stay in Hong Kong or the last day written in the Contract. The days), statutory holidays, and paid annual leave.

Under no circumstances helpers can be required to work during such leave, such as to clean the household before he/she leaves home or wash the dishes after he/she returns

Maternity leave :

A female helper is entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave if she has given the employer notice of pregnancy and if is employed for not less than 40 weeks before such maternity leave and has produced a medical certificate specifying the expected date of confinement if so required by the employer produced a medical certificate specifying the expected date of confinement if so required by the employer.

Driving Duty:

If the helper is needed to do driving du- ties, employer must apply to the Director of Immigration for special permission. Such permission will not be given unless it is for domestic reasons; example: driving actual last date is the Visa she returns home, Besides, employers should keep records of helper’s leave and leave payment to avoid future disputes.

Statutory holidays

Irrespective of the period of service, helper is entitled to statutory holidays. The statutory holidays announced for 2023 are 13 and details can be found at Reference section of this article:

Annual leave:

Employers should give helpers paid annual leave for every 12 months that the helpers have been employed. The paid annual leave will depend on the years of service from seven days to a maximum of 14 day according to the helper’s length of service:

on the helper’s passport. So please read and pay attention to visa given by the Immigration on the helper’s Passport.

Termination:

According to Clause 10 of the Contract, either party can terminate the contract before its expiry by giving one month’s notice in writing or by paying one month’s wages in place of notice.

Only under special circumstances can the contract can be terminated without notice or payment in place of notice. Employer can terminate without notice or pay if, for example, if the helper willfully disobeys a lawful and reasonable order of the employer, misconducts, commits fraud or  dishonesty, or habitually neglects duties. The helper can terminate without any notice or one month pay if she reasonably worries about physical harm or disease or is subjected to ill-treatment by the employer, etc.

Upon termination by either party, employer must pay all the applicable dues of the helper, including unpaid wages, notice pay, air ticket, unconsumed leave pay, long service or severance pay, etc.

USEFUL REFERENCE:

These links provide all the details you need to know about helpers, salary, terms and condition, and salary certificate.

Practical Guide For Employment Of Foreign Domestic Helpers – What foreign domestic helpers and their employers should know Link: https://www.fdh.labour. gov.hk/res/pdf/FDHguide English.pdf

SAMPLE SALARY RECEIPT FOR FHD:

Link to download a Sam-

ple receipt (https://international-desi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sample_Wage_Receipt_for_FDH_Eng.pdf)

FOOD ALLOWANCE

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202109/30/P2021093000329.htm

,or the FDH Portal of LD (www.fdh. labour.gov.hk)

Statuary Holiday for helper for 2022 Link:

WINDOW CLEANING

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201611/14/P2016111400643.htm

INSURANCE

https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/ public/ecd/geci.pdf

HIRE HELPERS

Facebook Groups to find a helper

Hong Kong Domestic Helper

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hongkongdomestichelper

https://www.facebook.com/groups/397424190467506/

HELPER VISA AGENCY

Melinda Wong

Tel: (852) 9830 8458

HELPER TRAINING

Superhelper

For home management and cooking workshops for domestic workers.

Website: https://www.helperchoice.com/

Address: 36A Island Rd., Deep Water Bay,

Tel: (852) 2812-0446

TOWNGAS COOKING

Local cooking: Classes are conducted in English and Cantonese.

Website: towngascooking.com

Address: Shop 9A, Lee Theatre

Plaza, 99 Percival St., Causeway

Bay,

Tel: (852) 2576-1535,