Honest, practical guides for Hong Kong families navigating domestic helper hiring, visas, salaries, and compliance in 2026.
You've been thinking about hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong for weeks, maybe months. This guide exists to end the confusion and answer every real question honestly.
The MAW has been reviewed annually by the HK Government. Here's everything employers need to understand about domestic helper salaries, allowances, and legal obligations in 2026.
Covers all three contract situations, POLO/Indonesian consulate requirements, e-visa changes, fees, and realistic timelines for 2026.
Filipino helpers are approximately 55% of the ~368,000 FDHs in Hong Kong. Indonesian helpers are ~42%. But which is right for your family? Here's the honest comparison.
368,000 foreign domestic helpers work in Hong Kong. Thousands of new hires happen every month. But which method gets you the right person — without the stress, the overcharging, and the waiting?
Every employer MUST buy Employees' Compensation Insurance before their helper starts. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. Here's everything you need to know.
Most employer guides only show you the monthly salary. The real picture is more complex — and knowing it upfront prevents budget shock in Month 3.
Whether your helper's contract is ending and you want to renew, or you need to terminate early — this guide covers every rule, form, cost, and timeline you need to know.
Elderly care helpers are the fastest-growing hiring segment in Hong Kong. But not every helper is suited for this role. Here's what separates an excellent elderly care helper from a general helper.
Traditional agency matching relies on staff scrolling 500+ profiles by gut feel. AI considers 50+ factors simultaneously, explains every recommendation, and gets smarter with every placement.
Transfer helpers can start in 4–6 weeks and cost HK$706 in mandatory fees. Overseas helpers take 8–14 weeks and cost HK$2,000–6,000+ more. But the right choice depends on factors beyond the numbers.
The Hong Kong Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) and the Standard Employment Contract govern every FDH employment. Most employers don't read them. The ones who do avoid legal complaints, LD investigations, and costly disputes.
Most employer interviews focus on CV facts and cooking skills. The helpers who succeed long-term are chosen by employers who asked the right questions about values, problem-solving, and real-life situations. Here are 30 that work.
Infant care is a specialised skill set that general housework experience does not cover. A helper who has managed a household for 3 years may have zero experience with a newborn. Here's how to hire the right person.
Most employer-helper breakdowns are not sudden crises. They build gradually — small concerns that aren't addressed, small adjustments that never happen. Catching the pattern early and responding correctly protects everyone.
Hong Kong employer-side agency fees range from HK$8,000 to HK$23,000 for a single hire. There's no legal cap on what agencies can charge employers. Here's what's included, what's a markup, and how to evaluate the cost.
The Foreign Domestic Helper Levy is a mandatory monthly payment all Hong Kong employers make to the Immigration Department. It's separate from the helper's wages, the visa fee, and insurance. Most employers know they have to pay it; few understand exactly how, why, or what exemptions exist.
Sick leave, annual leave, and rest days are statutory rights under Cap. 57, not perks. Getting them wrong — even accidentally — can result in back-payment orders, fines, and damaged trust. Here's everything you need to know.
Every foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong works on a specific FDH visa. As the employer, you are the visa sponsor — which means you are legally responsible for the application, the conditions, and compliance throughout the 2-year contract.
Many employers assume MPF works the same way for domestic helpers as it does for office workers. It doesn't. FDHs are specifically exempt from the Mandatory Provident Fund Ordinance — but employers still have significant long-term financial obligations they must plan for.
Every employer of a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong must either provide free food or pay HK$1,236/month. Here's everything you need to know about the food allowance — what it covers, who pays, and what happens if you get it wrong.
Traditional Hong Kong domestic helper agencies typically charge HK$10,000–20,000 in placement fees on top of mandatory government costs. SeekHelpers (EA 82832) charges significantly less — passing through only ImmD and POLO/MWO government fees. This post compares both models across 8 dimensions with data verified against Hong Kong Labour Department and Immigration Department sources.
Most Hong Kong employers search for a helper online and get overwhelmed. This guide covers every route, what to look for, and the red flags that cost families thousands.
The 2-week rule is one of the most misunderstood immigration conditions in Hong Kong's domestic helper system. Get the facts — what it means, when it applies, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Many employers are unclear on how public holidays work for domestic helpers in Hong Kong — particularly the difference between statutory holidays and general holidays, and what to do when a holiday falls on a Sunday.
Pregnancy is one of the most legally sensitive situations in a domestic helper employment contract. Here is what every Hong Kong employer needs to know.
Rest day rules for domestic helpers in Hong Kong are stricter than most employers realise. Getting them wrong exposes you to fines and Labour Tribunal claims.
A clear job description is the single most effective way to reduce mismatches and helper turnover. Here's how to write one that works.
Larger families sometimes need more than one helper. There is no legal restriction on hiring two — but the paperwork, costs, and accommodation obligations double.
Paying a domestic helper's wages in cash is allowed, but most employers and helpers prefer direct bank transfer. Here is what you need to know about bank account requirements.
The notice period for domestic helpers in Hong Kong is clearly set out in the Standard Employment Contract. Here is what employers and helpers need to know before ending a contract.
Medical insurance requirements for domestic helpers in Hong Kong are stricter than many employers realise. Here is exactly what the law requires and what you should add on top.
Every domestic helper in Hong Kong must be employed under the government's Standard Employment Contract, Form ID407. Here is what every employer needs to understand before signing.
Annual leave entitlements for domestic helpers are statutory rights under Cap. 57 — not discretionary perks. This guide covers the full entitlement table, pay formula, timing rules, and what happens to unused leave.
Every Hong Kong employer must pay HK$1,236/month or provide free adequate meals. This guide explains every rule, the cash vs meals decision, documentation requirements, and what happens if you get it wrong.
Ending a domestic helper contract early is legal — but only if you follow the correct notice period, settle all outstanding entitlements, and file the right paperwork. This guide covers every step.
Ready to hire?
Post a job in under 2 minutes. No payment required to browse or contact helpers.