CORPORATE SERVICES
For Businesses: Imported Labour
A complete one-stop service: from eligibility assessment, Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) applications and overseas recruitment to accommodation and on-the-job support after workers arrive.
Service fee HK$3,000Waived when you enquire now
Our imported labour application service fee is normally HK$3,000 and is waived when you enquire on WhatsApp now. Government levies and visa fees are payable separately; offer details are subject to our formal quotation.
Our Services
Application handling
We handle the government procedures for the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) and industry-specific labour importation schemes, including preparing application documents and coordinating local open recruitment. Complete, compliant paperwork means fewer returned applications and delays.
Worker matching
Through our lawful partner labour companies, we screen and match suitable workers, arrange interviews, and handle overseas documents and medical examinations.
Worker accommodation
We help employers find and arrange suitable accommodation for workers and advise on rules such as the cap on accommodation deductions, easing your administrative workload.
On-the-job support
Employee relations support, including reminders to re-apply before contracts end, employer–worker communication and help with emergencies.
Our Strengths
Lawful labour company partners
We work with designated lawful labour companies in Mainland China, so every worker is recruited through lawful, compliant channels.
Current policy knowledge
We follow the Labour Department's latest approval requirements, including the tiered approval system in force from June 2026, and plan the right application strategy for your business.
Dedicated, attentive follow-up
From first consultation and paperwork to workers' arrival and ongoing management, a dedicated consultant follows your case one-to-one, so nothing gets lost.
Clear, transparent fees
All fees are itemised before you receive a quotation, with no hidden charges, so you can budget your labour costs accurately.
Employer costs
- Application processing fee:Our professional service fee for handling government applications, drafting and checking documents, and related administration.Service fee HK$3,000, waived when you enquire now.
- Employees Retraining Levy:Employers pay the government a levy for each approved imported worker: $400 multiplied by the number of months in the Standard Employment Contract, paid in one lump sum.
- Visa fee:Paid to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for processing imported workers' employment visas.
Employer responsibilities
- Medical care and insurance:Under the Standard Employment Contract, employers must provide imported workers with free medical treatment (including consultations, hospitalisation and emergency dental treatment), and must take out employees' compensation insurance under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.
- Travel to and from Hong Kong:Employers pay workers' travel costs to come to Hong Kong for the contract and to leave when the contract ends or is terminated.
- Compliance with labour law:Employers must comply with the Employment Ordinance, ensuring workers receive rest days, statutory holidays, paid annual leave and other entitlements. Wages must be no lower than the monthly median wage for local workers in comparable jobs, and must be paid within 7 days after the end of each wage period.
Imported labour application process
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Stage 1 · Consultation and assessment
We analyse your business needs, job categories and staffing ratio, and design the most suitable labour importation plan.
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Stage 2 · Application and local recruitment
We complete and submit the application form and help you carry out the local open recruitment required by the Labour Department (4 weeks for general jobs; 6 weeks for designated catering jobs under Tier-2 approval).
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Stage 3 · Approval
The Labour Department decides after consulting the Labour Advisory Board. Once approved, overseas recruitment and screening begin.
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Stage 4 · Interviews
We arrange online or in-person interviews, and the Standard Employment Contract is signed.
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Stage 5 · Employment visas
We apply for visas with the Immigration Department and coordinate workers' exit procedures in their home location.
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Stage 6 · Arrival and onboarding
We arrange workers' arrival, medical check-ups, Hong Kong identity cards and a pre-employment briefing.
Initial documents required from employers
To speed up your application, we suggest preparing these documents in advance:
- Company documents:Copies of a valid Business Registration Certificate (BR) and Certificate of Incorporation (CI).
- MPF records:Latest MPF contribution records, to show the number of local full-time employees.
- Job details:Job title, duties, work location, working hours and proposed pay.
Employer FAQ
How is the staffing ratio for imported workers calculated?
For general jobs, the ratio of imported workers to local full-time employees must be 1:2. For every imported worker, the company must employ at least 2 local full-time employees, and keep this ratio throughout the contract period. From 16 June 2026, designated jobs in catering kitchens and dining areas (such as cooks, junior cooks, waiters, captains and cashiers) fall under Tier-2 approval, and the ratio of local full-time employees to imported workers is tightened to 3:1.
Do we need to complete local recruitment before applying?
Yes. The Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) requires employers to give priority to local workers. General jobs need 4 weeks of local open recruitment; designated catering jobs under Tier-2 approval need 6 weeks, during which the employer must attend a Labour Department Job Centre recruitment fair every two weeks. The Labour Department will also refer job seekers for the employer to interview.
Is there a minimum wage for imported workers?
Yes. Imported workers' wages must be no lower than the monthly median wage for local workers in comparable jobs, and must be paid within 7 days after the end of each wage period.
How long is an imported worker's contract? Can it be renewed?
Contracts last up to 24 months, and approval is not renewed automatically. If you still need workers after the contract ends, you must submit a new application; we recommend starting about 8 to 9 months before the contract ends. More than one application from the same applicant within 6 months is generally not processed.
Can a replacement be arranged if a worker resigns or is dismissed?
Yes. The employer must notify the relevant departments as required and submit proof of resignation or dismissal. We will help find a replacement and handle the related application. A worker whose contract ends early may generally stay in Hong Kong only until two weeks after the contract ends or until their permitted stay expires, whichever is earlier.
What are the rules on accommodation and rest days?
Employers must arrange suitable accommodation for workers. For applications approved on or after 16 June 2026, accommodation deductions are capped at 20% of wages or the actual accommodation cost, whichever is lower; for earlier approvals, the cap is 10%. Workers must have at least 1 rest day in every 7 days (at least 24 continuous hours), and overtime must be paid at the rate stated in the contract.
What happens if an employer breaks the rules?
If an employer breaches the scheme's rules (for example, by failing to pay wages or to maintain the staffing ratio), the Labour Department may ban the employer from the scheme for a period. Where a case involves more than one breach, the bans are added together, up to a maximum of five years. We remind employers of key compliance points throughout the contract period.
The information above is current as of October 2026 and is for reference only. The latest announcements from the Labour Department and the Immigration Department prevail.
How many imported workers can your company apply for?
Tell us your industry, job types and number of local staff, and we will give you a free initial assessment.
CONTACT US
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6577 4218Office address
Unit 5 & 7, 24/F, Wayson Commercial Building, 28 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Unit 5 & 7, 24/F, Wayson Commercial Building, 28 Connaught Road West, Hong Kong
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Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00 (closed on public holidays)
JOBS BUDDIES LIMITED
Employment Agency Licence No.: 83976
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