Direct Hire, Name Hire and Designated Hire are not defined service categories in Hong Kong immigration law. Agencies often use them for processing a helper already identified by the employer, but packages vary. SeekHelpers uses Self Hire for an employer-led discovery and selection service followed by processing support. Always check the written scope rather than relying on the label.
The Hong Kong Government regulates the employment contract, visa conditions and employment-agency conduct. It does not prescribe these four marketing names. The definitions below describe common local usage as reviewed on 17 September 2026.
Direct Hire
Common local meaning: the employer has identified a specific helper and pays a provider to handle some or all contract, verification and visa steps. Some websites also use “direct hire” more broadly for employer-to-helper contact, so ask whether candidate sourcing, checks, consular work, Immigration submission, travel and aftercare are included.
Name Hire
Name Hire usually emphasizes that the employer supplies the candidate’s name. In many agency packages it resembles processing-only Direct Hire, but there is no government rule making the two labels identical.
Designated Hire
Designated Hire or Designated Overseas Domestic Helper usually means that the employer designates a particular candidate for processing. Again, the contract and fee schedule—not the label—determine what the provider does.
Self Hire
SeekHelpers uses Self Hire for a service in which the employer leads candidate discovery and selection through the platform, then receives the processing support included in the chosen plan. It is a SeekHelpers service description, not an Immigration Department category.
Philippine direct hiring is a different concept
In Philippine overseas-employment regulation, “direct hiring” can refer to recruiting a worker without a licensed Philippine recruitment agency and is subject to DMW rules and exemptions. That regulatory meaning should not be treated as interchangeable with a Hong Kong agency’s package name. MWO Hong Kong states that workers changing employers onsite are among those who need contract verification.
| Label | Common Hong Kong usage | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Hire | Processing for an employer-identified helper | Exactly which checks and filings are included? |
| Name Hire | Employer names the helper before processing | Does the fee include MWO or consular steps? |
| Designated Hire | Employer designates a particular helper | Does it cover overseas and local cases? |
| Self Hire | Employer discovers and chooses through SeekHelpers | Which processing and support are in the current plan? |
| Full service | Agency sources or shortlists candidates | Who screens, selects and supports replacement cases? |
How to compare providers without being misled by labels
- 1
Describe the helper’s nationality, location and contract status.
- 2
Ask for every included service and third-party charge in writing.
- 3
Confirm who handles MWO or consular requirements for the exact case.
- 4
Check the employment agency’s current Labour Department licence.
- 5
Read cancellation, refund and replacement terms before paying.
- Compare Self Hire and Direct Hire
- Direct Hire when you have no candidate
- Step-by-step named-helper process
Sources
- Immigration Department FDH service
- Standard Employment Contract ID 407
- MWO Hong Kong verification guidance
Verified 17 September 2026. Provider terminology and package scope can change. This glossary explains common usage and does not replace the current written service agreement or official requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions employers ask most about this topic.
Are Direct Hire and Name Hire official Hong Kong legal categories?
No. They are common service labels used by agencies and platforms. Hong Kong law regulates the contract, visa and employment agency, but does not prescribe a uniform package for either label.
Do Direct Hire and Name Hire mean the same thing?
They often both refer to processing a helper already identified by the employer, but providers may include different checks, filings and support. Compare the written scope rather than assuming the labels are identical.
What does Designated Hire mean?
Designated Hire commonly means the employer designates a specific helper for processing. Its exact scope depends on the provider's agreement.
Is Philippine direct hiring the same as a Hong Kong Direct Hire package?
No. Philippine direct hiring is a regulatory concept under Philippine overseas-employment rules. A Hong Kong provider's package name does not remove applicable DMW or MWO requirements.
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