How to Direct Hire a Domestic Helper in Hong Kong

Before you start: confirm employer eligibility

• You must be a bona fide Hong Kong resident and financially capable of employing the helper.
• The general financial benchmark is household income of at least HK$15,000 per month for each helper, or comparable assets for the contract period.
• The helper must work and live at the contractual address, subject to the narrow historic live-out exception.
• You must provide suitable furnished accommodation with reasonable privacy. A private bedroom is not a universal wording in the official rule.

Step 1: identify the helper’s exact case

Record the helper’s nationality, present location, current visa and contract outcome. A completed contract, renewal, employer change after an early termination and a new overseas hire are not interchangeable. MWO Hong Kong says Filipino workers who change employers onsite need contract verification; Indonesian and other origin-country requirements should be confirmed with the relevant consulate or an authorized channel for the specific case.

Step 2: complete Standard Employment Contract ID 407

The employer and helper complete four copies of ID 407. The contract must use at least the Minimum Allowable Wage in force when signed and provide free food or the current food allowance. As verified on 17 September 2026, contracts signed on or after 30 September 2025 require at least HK$5,100 per month and free food or at least HK$1,236 per month.

Step 3: follow the applicable MWO or consular process

For Filipino workers, check the current MWO Hong Kong category and document list. Its notice says returning workers and employer transfers remain at HKD80, while verification fees for new employment contracts changed from 1 March 2026. For Indonesian helpers, obtain current case-specific instructions from the Indonesian Consulate or an authorized processing provider; requirements should not be inferred from a Filipino case.

Step 4: submit the Immigration application

The helper completes ID 988A and the employer completes ID 988B. Submit these with the original ID 407 and supporting identity, financial, address and experience documents required for the case. Incomplete applications are returned or delayed. Immigration’s current fee table lists HK$330 for an ordinary visa outside specified schemes.

Step 5: track approval and complete pre-start duties

Immigration states that applications normally take about four to six weeks after all necessary documents arrive. This does not include all MWO, consular, medical or travel stages. After approval, follow the e-Visa instructions, arrange required travel or home leave, and ensure employees’ compensation insurance is effective no later than the first day of employment.

Documents to prepare

1. 1

   Confirm both parties’ identity and the helper’s current immigration and contract status.

2. 2

   Complete ID 988A, ID 988B and four ID 407 contracts accurately.

3. 3

   Gather the employer’s income or asset evidence and recent residential-address proof.

4. 4

   Gather the helper’s travel document and any experience or status evidence Immigration requires.

5. 5

   Complete the correct MWO or consular stage for the exact nationality and case.

6. 6

   Submit the complete Immigration application and retain copies and receipts.

• If you do not have a named helper
• Compare Self Hire and Direct Hire
• Browse the hiring terms glossary
• Explore Self Hire

Official sources

• Immigration FDH guidebook ID(E)969
• Immigration employer guide ID(E)954
• Immigration FDH application service
• Immigration current fee table
• Government MAW announcement
• Standard Employment Contract
• MWO Hong Kong verification guidance