How to hire a domestic helper yourself in Hong Kong (2026): the complete direct-hire guide

Last updated: 7 October 2026. Checked against Immigration Department, Labour Department and other official sources; where a rule changes, the official source prevails.

Can you hire a helper in Hong Kong without an employment agency? From Hong Kong's side, yes. The Labour Department says plainly that an employer can recruit a foreign domestic helper through an agency or directly via personal advertisements or referrals, and that the Hong Kong Government does not require you to use an agency. The catch is the other side of the border: the helper's home country may have its own rules. This guide walks through every step of a direct hire (自聘 / 直聘) in 2026 and flags where you will still need outside help.

Before you start: three checks

Income or assets. ImmD's guide is a household income of not less than HK$15,000 a month for each helper, or assets of a comparable amount. For assets, ImmD gives examples such as savings or fixed-deposit statements for the last six months totalling not less than HK$350,000.
Accommodation. The helper must live in, with suitable accommodation and reasonable privacy. ImmD gives sleeping on a make-do bed in a corridor, or sharing a room with an adult or teenager of the opposite sex, as examples of unsuitable accommodation. The contract schedule also lists essential facilities — light and water, toilet and bathing facilities, a bed, blankets or quilt, pillows and a wardrobe — and an entry visa will normally not be approved if these are not provided free.
Budget. Wage of at least HK$5,220 a month for contracts signed on or after 3 October 2026, free food (or a food allowance of at least HK$1,236), insurance and the documentation costs you must reimburse. See our hiring-cost guide and MAW 2026 guide.

Step 1 — Know where an agency is still required

Hong Kong doesn't require an agency, but the Labour Department notes that the governments of individual sending countries may. The two you will meet most often:

Philippines. The Migrant Workers Office Hong Kong (MWO-HK) lists a ban on direct hiring, with exemptions for groups such as diplomatic missions, international organisations, senior government officials and certain professional and skilled workers. An ordinary household hiring a Filipino helper who is still in the Philippines therefore normally goes through a licensed agency for the Philippine side. A Filipino helper already working in Hong Kong who changes employer has her new contract verified at MWO-HK directly.
Indonesia. Indonesia's migrant-worker agency, now the Ministry KP2MI (formerly BP2MI), regulates placement, and the Labour Department notes Indonesia's “Exemption from Migrant Worker Placement Fees” regulation, in force since 2 August 2021, under which placement costs are not charged to the worker. For a helper coming from Indonesia, expect to use a licensed placement company and to pay the placement costs as employer. Check the consulate's current requirements for helpers already in Hong Kong.

In practice, the cleanest true direct hires are helpers who are already in Hong Kong and finishing a contract. Read transfer vs finished vs terminated helpers before you shortlist — it changes your timeline.

Step 2 — Find candidates and check them properly

Shortlist from referrals or a platform. On HelperDoc you can browse helper CVs free and filter by experience, skills, contract status and available-from date; a subscription lets you message helpers directly.
Interview by video or in person. Ask about duties she has actually done (newborn, elderly care, cooking), why her last contract ended, and when she can start.
Ask for her passport, previous contracts and references, and call a former employer if you can. For a new entry visa ImmD lists a testimonial showing at least two years' experience as a domestic helper, with the writer's name and address so it can be verified.
For a finished-contract helper, confirm her contract end date and that her current employer will give a release letter.

Step 3 — Get and sign the Standard Employment Contract (ID 407)

ID 407 is the only contract ImmD accepts. The online version is a specimen only; request blank contracts from ImmD (email enquiry@immd.gov.hk with your address and phone number, or collect one from an Immigration office). For a new hire you sign four copies: one each for you, the helper, her consulate and ImmD. Fill in the Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties honestly — household size, the sleeping arrangement and the duties. Our form-filling guide goes field by field.

Step 4 — Consulate notarisation or verification

ImmD requires the contract to be notarised by the helper's consulate before approval, except for countries that don't require it. Ask the consulate (or MWO-HK for Filipino helpers) for its current checklist before you submit. ImmD also advises employers to check consulate requirements that may affect the employment.

Step 5 — Apply to ImmD

For a new helper from abroad, ImmD's steps are:

The helper completes and signs ID 988A (with photo) and signs the four ID 407 copies.
You complete and sign ID 988B.
Attach: a copy of her passport, the original notarised ID 407, your HKID, proof of income or assets, proof of address (rates demand or a utility bill from the last three months) and her testimonial. Public housing tenants also need the Housing Department or Housing Society's consent letter.
Submit online via GovHK, or by post or in person to ImmD headquarters in Tseung Kwan O.

ImmD normally takes about four to six weeks after receiving all documents; its pledge is to finalise 90% of FDH applications within six weeks. You can check progress online. You pay the visa fee through the link in the approval notice and print the e-Visa.

Step 6 — Home-country departure formalities

Your helper then completes her own government's exit procedures. For Filipino workers this includes the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) issued by the Department of Migrant Workers. Under clause 8 of the contract the employer is responsible for the costs of her departure and entry — medical examination, consulate authentication, visa fee, insurance and similar government fees — so reimburse her against receipts.

Step 7 — Insurance before day one

Employees' compensation insurance is compulsory. The Labour Department warns that an employer without cover commits an offence, with a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and two years' imprisonment. Because the contract also makes you responsible for her medical treatment, most employers buy a combined helper policy — see our insurance Q&A.

Step 8 — Arrival, HKID and first-week admin

Pay the food and travelling allowance of HK$100 a day for her journey to Hong Kong.
New arrivals aged 11 or over permitted to stay more than 180 days must register for a Hong Kong identity card within 30 days of arrival.
Agree her rest day, pay date and food arrangement in writing; keep wage receipts and a leave record (the Labour Department's practical guide has samples).

Direct hire vs agency: what you actually save — and take on

Doing it yourself saves the agency's service fee, but you carry the paperwork risk: a missing document means the application is returned. Whichever route you take, remember that an agency may only charge the helper a commission of up to 10% of her first month's wages — anything more is unlawful. HelperDoc sits in between: browse and contact helpers yourself, then, if you want, ask our licensed team to handle the contract and visa paperwork as a direct-hire package.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to hire a domestic helper without an agency in Hong Kong?

Yes. The Labour Department states that employers can recruit directly through personal advertisements or referrals. Some sending countries have their own requirements, so check the consulate.

Can I direct-hire a Filipino helper who is in the Philippines?

Philippine rules ban direct hiring except for listed exemptions, so an ordinary household normally uses a licensed agency for the Philippine side. Filipino helpers already working in Hong Kong can change employer with contract verification at MWO-HK.

How long does a direct hire take?

ImmD normally needs about four to six weeks once it has all documents, plus the time for consulate and home-country formalities.

Which forms do I need?

ID 407 (contract), ID 988A (completed by the helper) and ID 988B (completed by you), plus supporting documents.

Who pays the helper's visa and medical fees?

The employer. Clause 8 of the contract covers the costs of her departure and entry, including medical examination, consulate authentication, visa and insurance fees.