Which government departments are involved in hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong?
By William Wang
Quick Answer
Three main bodies are involved: the Immigration Department processes visa applications and enforces conditions of stay; the Labour Department oversees the employment contract, minimum wage, and dispute resolution; and the helper's Consulate-General (e.g., Philippines or Indonesia) must notarise the contract before the visa is approved.
Overview
Hiring a helper involves three separate government bodies, each with a distinct role. Knowing who handles what saves time and avoids the classic mistake of sending the right document to the wrong office.
Immigration Department (ImmD)
The ImmD is the central authority for domestic helper employment. Its responsibilities include:
- Assessing employer eligibility and approving (or rejecting) visa applications
- Issuing the helper's work visa and e-Visa
- Enforcing conditions of stay (including the single-employer rule and live-in requirement)
- Processing changes of address, employer transfers, and contract renewals
- Receiving notifications of contract termination (Form ID407E, within 7 days)
Online portal: www.immd.gov.hk/fdh — applications can be submitted online, by post, or at walk-in counters in Tseung Kwan O.
Labour Department
The Labour Department oversees the employment relationship and worker rights:
- Sets and enforces the Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) — currently HK$5,100/month
- Regulates and licences employment agencies
- Provides conciliation services for employment disputes
- Publishes the Standard Employment Contract (ID407)
Domestic helper portal: www.fdh.labour.gov.hk
Consulate-General of the Helper's Home Country
For most nationalities, the Standard Employment Contract must be notarised or authenticated by the relevant Consulate-General in Hong Kong before the ImmD will process the visa application.
- Filipino helpers also require a POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) overseas employment certificate
- Indonesian helpers require BP2MI clearance
Social Welfare Department
Provides optional training schemes for helpers who care for elderly or disabled persons — not directly involved in the hiring process itself.
Important Notes
- The consulate notarisation step is often the slowest part of the process and requires original documents — factor this into your timeline
- A licensed employment agency can manage consulate submissions on your behalf
- Requirements can change — always verify current rules directly with each department before submitting
- For the full step-by-step hiring process, see how to hire a helper from overseas
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More General questions
See all General FAQs →This article is general information about employing a domestic helper in Hong Kong. It is not legal, immigration or professional advice, and the rules do change. For your own situation, check the official sources below or talk to us.