Hong Kong's Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers will rise to HK$5,220 per month for contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026. Announced on 2 October, the increase leaves the minimum HK$1,236 food allowance unchanged. Qualifying HK$5,100 applications must reach Immigration by 30 October.
What changed in Hong Kong's 2026 helper wage review?
The Government announced the final decision on 2 October 2026: monthly MAW rises from HK$5,100 to HK$5,220, an increase of HK$120, or 2.35%. It applies to contracts signed on or after 3 October. MAW is the monthly foreign domestic helper framework, not Hong Kong's hourly Statutory Minimum Wage.
This is a contract-signing rule, not a requirement to raise every helper's salary from announcement day or rewrite every existing contract. On 2 October, HK$5,100 remains the minimum for a contract signed that day. From 3 October, a newly signed contract must use at least HK$5,220.
| Item | Previous arrangement | New arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Allowable Wage | HK$5,100/month | HK$5,220/month |
| Relevant signing dates | 30 September 2025–2 October 2026 | On or after 3 October 2026 |
| Food allowance instead of free food | At least HK$1,236/month | Unchanged: at least HK$1,236/month |
| Wage plus cash food allowance | HK$6,336/month | HK$6,456/month |
The Government considered economic and labour market conditions, the outlook, employer affordability, helpers' basic living needs and stakeholder views. Earlier union demands and forecast ranges are background, not approved wages. This confirmed decision replaces the pre-announcement forecasts.
Is the new minimum HK$5,200 or HK$5,220?
The official amount is HK$5,220, not HK$5,200. A new contract signed from 3 October at HK$5,200 would be HK$20 below the minimum. Use the exact amount in the Standard Employment Contract and wage records.
Important dates: announcement—2 October 2026; new-contract rate—3 October 2026; receipt deadline for qualifying older-rate applications—30 October 2026. These dates do different jobs.
Which salary applies to my helper's contract?
Start with the date the Standard Employment Contract was signed. The Labour Department requires at least the MAW in force when signing and payment of the wage stipulated in that contract. A private agreement cannot reduce contractual wages.
| Situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| New contract signed from 3 October 2026 | Monthly wage must be at least HK$5,220. |
| Renewal signed from 3 October 2026 | The new contract must meet HK$5,220, even with the same employer. |
| HK$5,100 contract signed by 2 October, not yet submitted | Application must reach Immigration by 30 October to use this transition. |
| Already-running contract signed under an earlier MAW | Continue paying the agreed contractual wage; check signing date and terms. No blanket rewrite. |
| Agreed salary above the relevant minimum | Pay the higher agreed wage. MAW is a floor, not a cap or permission to reduce pay. |
Do not select the rate by arrival date, visa-approval date or first payday alone. Ask Immigration about unusual dates or applications outside the stated transition rather than assuming the old-rate contract qualifies.
What is the 30 October 2026 transition deadline?
The Government says contracts signed on 2 October 2026 or earlier at HK$5,100 will still be processed if their applications reach Immigration on or before Friday, 30 October 2026. The signing-date and receipt-date conditions must both be met.
Official transition arrangementA contract signed on 3 October cannot use HK$5,100 just because it is submitted before 30 October. The deadline is receipt, not postal dispatch. Keep the signed contract and submission/receipt evidence; allow time. Do not backdate, assume an unannounced extension or treat the transition as guaranteed visa approval.
Did the domestic helper food allowance increase?
No. The announcement leaves it unchanged at no less than HK$1,236 per month. Employers must provide food free of charge under the Standard Employment Contract, but may choose the cash allowance instead.
| New-rate food arrangement | Monthly cash payment | Other responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Provide free food | At least HK$5,220 wages | Provide food and meet other contract obligations. |
| Minimum cash food allowance | HK$5,220 + HK$1,236 = HK$6,456 | Other obligations and costs remain separate. |
HK$6,456 is wage plus cash food, not a complete hiring cost. Provided food has a household cost too. Accommodation, medical care and other contract responsibilities remain under either option.
How much does the wage increase add to a hiring budget?
For a helper paid the new minimum throughout, the rise adds HK$120 monthly, HK$1,440 across 12 months and HK$2,880 across 24 months. These are arithmetic, not Government fees.
| Budget item | 12 months at new rate | 24 months at new rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wages: HK$5,220/month | HK$62,640 | HK$125,280 |
| Cash food allowance: HK$1,236/month, if chosen | HK$14,832 | HK$29,664 |
| Wages plus minimum cash food | HK$77,472 | HK$154,944 |
| Extra wage cost versus HK$5,100 throughout | HK$1,440 | HK$2,880 |
The illustration assumes the same wage and food choice throughout, without later agreed increases. It excludes insurance, flights, processing/service charges, food-provision costs and other case-specific obligations. Existing contracts and periods crossing different wage records must use actual applicable wages, not this all-new-rate illustration.
Two new-rate helpers require at least HK$10,440 in combined monthly wages, or HK$12,912 wage plus cash food if both receive the allowance. These are not total household costs.
Does the increase change leave pay, notice pay or agency commission?
The new MAW does not replace entitlement rules. Leave, maternity and termination calculations depend on actual wages, statutory reference periods and contract terms. An older HK$5,100 worked example remains useful when labelled as an assumed wage, not today's minimum for every contract. Do not replace every month in a 12-month pay history with HK$5,220; use the applicable contractual/statutory wage basis for notice and settlement calculations.
Labour Department guidance limits an agency's commission from a helper to 10% of the actual first month's wages, payable only after those wages are received. If that wage is HK$5,220, the example cap is HK$522. It is not a flat fee for every helper or an employer-side service-fee cap.
What should Hong Kong employers do now?
- 1
Identify whether this is an existing contract, new hire or newly signed renewal. Record the actual signing date.
- 2
For contracts signed from 3 October 2026, agree at least HK$5,220 and record any higher wage.
- 3
Confirm free food or an allowance of at least HK$1,236. Food allowance is separate from minimum cash salary.
- 4
For qualifying HK$5,100 contracts signed by 2 October, ensure receipt by Immigration by 30 October and retain evidence.
- 5
Budget the correct wage and food option; itemise other costs and do not double-count package inclusions.
- 6
Explain wage calculations, keep payment records and receipts, and seek Labour Department help over unpaid wages.
Sources and related guidance
Hong Kong Government, 2 October 2026: Increase in Minimum Allowable Wage and no change in food allowanceLabour Department: Foreign Domestic Helpers — signing-date rules and contract protectionsLabour Department: FDH FAQs — Q2, Q20, Q28 and agency commissionHong Kong Government, 29 September 2025: previous wage announcement- Evergreen salary and employer pay guide
- Hiring costs and budgeting
- Contract renewal guide
- Food allowance guide
- Salary calculator
- Cost calculator
- Hiring and renewal support
This guide explains the announcement and budgeting implications; it is not legal advice. Check the Labour Department and Immigration Department for case-specific questions, especially applications outside the signing or receipt dates.
Planning a new hire or renewal? Compare your actual wage and food arrangement with the salary and cost tools, then review the appropriate hiring or renewal service. Confirm the signing date and agreed wage before proceeding.
Originally published: 13 September 2026. Updated after the official announcement: 2 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions employers ask most about this topic.
What is Hong Kong's new domestic helper minimum wage in 2026?
The new Minimum Allowable Wage is HK$5,220 per month for foreign domestic helper contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026. The Government announced it on 2 October. Earlier contracts follow their applicable signing-date rules. Sources: Government announcement and Labour Department FDH homepage.
Is HK$5,200 enough for a contract signed from 3 October 2026?
No. The announced minimum is HK$5,220, so HK$5,200 is HK$20 below it. A higher agreed salary must also be honoured. Sources: Government announcement and Labour Department FDH FAQs.
Does the new wage start on 2 October or 3 October?
The announcement was made on 2 October 2026. The new rate applies to contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026. Announcement day and effective signing date are different. Source: Government announcement.
Must every employer immediately increase an existing helper's salary?
No blanket rewrite of existing contracts is required by this announcement. Check the wage agreed in the Standard Employment Contract and the MAW in force when it was signed. Pay the agreed wage and do not privately reduce it. Sources: Labour Department FDH homepage and FAQs.
What is the 2026 food allowance after the announcement?
It remains at least HK$1,236 per month if cash food allowance is chosen instead of providing free food. The Government did not increase it in this announcement. Source: Government announcement.
Is the food allowance included in HK$5,220?
No. HK$5,220 is the new-contract minimum wage. If cash food allowance is chosen, add at least HK$1,236, making the illustrated monthly wage-plus-allowance payment HK$6,456. Source: Government announcement; total is arithmetic.
Can I still submit a HK$5,100 contract after 3 October?
The transition allows HK$5,100 contracts signed by 2 October 2026 to be processed if applications reach Immigration by Friday, 30 October 2026. Signing on or after 3 October requires the new rate, even if submitted before the deadline. Source: Government announcement.
Is the signing date or the helper's arrival date decisive?
The announcement specifies the contract-signing date. Do not use the arrival date alone to select the MAW. Check Immigration's requirements for an unusual or late application. Sources: Government announcement and Labour Department FDH homepage.
Do Filipino and Indonesian helpers have different MAW rates?
No. The same HK$5,220 new-contract minimum applies to foreign domestic helpers irrespective of nationality, while parties may agree a higher salary. Sources: Government announcement and Labour Department FDH homepage.
How much more does a two-year contract cost at the new minimum?
If paid HK$5,220 rather than HK$5,100 throughout 24 months, wages increase by HK$2,880. With the unchanged minimum cash food allowance, wages plus allowance total HK$154,944, before other costs. This is arithmetic, not a package quote.
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