Who is eligible to employ a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong?

Overview

The Immigration Department sets clear eligibility criteria before approving an FDH visa. These requirements are there to protect both the helper and the employer — and to make sure the arrangement is sustainable from the start.

Core Eligibility Criteria

To employ an FDH, you must:

1. Be a bona fide Hong Kong resident — permanent residents and those holding valid Hong Kong visas may qualify
2. Meet the income threshold — a monthly household income of at least HK$15,000 for each FDH you intend to employ
3. Provide live-in accommodation — free, suitable accommodation with reasonable privacy at your own residential address
4. Pay at minimum the MAW — the Minimum Allowable Wage is currently HK$5,100/month (for contracts signed on or after 30 September 2025)
5. Have a clean employment record — no history of unpaid wages, abuse, or other adverse conduct in employing FDHs
6. Only need domestic duties — the helper must be needed for household work at your own home, nothing else

Financial Requirement in Practice

Want to employ two helpers? Your household income needs to be at least HK$30,000/month. The income figure is declared on Form ID988B, submitted with the visa application.

Who Does NOT Qualify

• Employers who cannot provide live-in accommodation (e.g., living in a dormitory or shared room)
• Employers with a history of unpaid wages or employment abuse
• Those whose household income falls below the HK$15,000 threshold

Important Notes

• Tourists or non-resident visitors in Hong Kong cannot employ FDHs
• If you are in Hong Kong on a dependent visa, you may still qualify — check with the Immigration Department
• Meeting the income threshold does not guarantee approval; each application is assessed on its own merits
• Most employers hire through a licensed employment agency; see agency fees for typical costs.

Related Resources

• Immigration Department — employer eligibility
• Form ID988B (Employer's Declaration)

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