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Policies & Regulations

Importing workers involves three government departments: the Labour Department, Social Welfare Department, and Immigration Department, plus dual compliance requirements for Mainland labour enterprises and Hong Kong employment agencies. Below we first outline the tightened arrangements effective 16 June 2026, staff ratio summary and official implementation data, then compile commonly referenced provisions by department – all terms are subject to the latest official government announcements.

9 entries total
Latest

Tightened Arrangements Effective 16 June 2026

The Labour Department completed its review of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, introducing a two-tier approval mechanism effective 16 June 2026. Below are four changes directly relevant to employers.

01

Two-tier Approval Mechanism

The first tier retains existing requirements (2:1 local-to-imported staff ratio, 4-week local recruitment). The following positions fall under second tier approval with stricter requirements:

  • Kitchen production section: cook, junior cook, barbecue cook, food and beverage coordinator, bar supervisor
  • Service/hall section: waiter/waitress, hall supervisor, receptionist, cashier

Second tier: local-to-imported staff ratio tightened to 3:1, calculated across all positions in the relevant section as a whole; standard local recruitment period of 6 weeks, during which employers must attend job fairs at a Labour Department-designated job centre every two weeks.

Government Press Release (2026-06-15)
02

Local Persons with Disabilities Count at 1:1 Ratio

To promote employment of persons with disabilities, where an employer employs a local person with disabilities in full-time work, that local employee with disabilities will count towards the local-to-imported staff ratio at 1:1 when applying to import workers.

Applies to Enhanced Scheme applications that had not yet passed initial screening as of 16 June 2026, and all applications submitted on or after that date.

Government Press Release (2026-06-15)
03

Only One Application Permitted Every Six Months

If the same employer submits more than one application within six months, the Labour Department will return the forms without processing (applications that are withdrawn, processing discontinued or refused are also counted).

Renewal applications for existing imported worker quotas are exempt from this restriction, i.e. applications not involving new positions or new quotas.

Labour Department "Enhanced Scheme" Q&A
04

Administrative Sanctions for Non-Compliance Extended to Maximum 5 Years

The administrative sanction period for employers with serious non-compliance is increased from a maximum of 2 years to a maximum of 5 years; where multiple non-compliance matters are involved, sanction periods will be applied consecutively.

The Labour Department will also publish the identities of all employers subject to administrative sanctions to strengthen deterrence.

Government Press Release (2026-06-15)

Local-to-Imported Staff Ratio Summary

Local full-time employee to imported worker ratios across different schemes and scenarios
ScenarioLocal Full-time Employees : Imported WorkersNotes
General positions (first tier approval)2 : 14-week local public recruitment exercise
Catering kitchen production and service/hall section positions (second tier approval)3 : 1Calculated across all positions in the relevant section; 6-week recruitment period, with attendance at Labour Department job fairs every two weeks
Local persons with disabilities (full-time)1 : 1Each full-time local employee with disabilities counts at a 1:1 ratio against imported workers
Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care HomesPrivate / self-financing 1 : 1
Subvented / contract 2 : 1		Local recruitment period only requires 14 consecutive calendar days

Scheme Implementation Data

Figures submitted by the Labour Department to the Legislative Council, covering 4 September 2023 (scheme launch) to 31 May 2026.

Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme application and approval figures
ItemApplicationsApproved
Number of cases26,85717,535
Imported worker headcount200,453109,855

Position categories with the highest number of applications (applications / approved headcount): waiter/waitress 23,785／14,289　·　cleaner 20,038／7,728　·　junior cook 19,424／10,589　·　security guard 15,919／6,321　·　cook 14,677／8,659　·　sales assistant 13,491／8,363.

Source: LegCo Panel on Manpower Paper (2026-06-22). Figures reflect outcomes for some applications received during the period; approved figures do not fully correspond to application figures from the same period.

Provision summary list (categorised by department)

Labour Department

Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS)

Employers who are genuinely unable to recruit staff locally may apply to import workers at technician level or below.

  • Must first complete open local recruitment (4 weeks general; 6 weeks for catering waiters and junior cooks)
  • Maximum employment contract period of 24 months; remuneration must not be lower than the monthly wage median for comparable local positions
  • Positions already covered by the Special Care Worker Import Scheme and construction/transport sector schemes are not accepted
  • Workers must return to place of origin upon contract completion; imported workers may not bring dependants to Hong Kong
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Social Welfare Department

Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes

Applicable to licensed residential care homes for the elderly, residential care homes for persons with disabilities, and nursing homes with exemption certificates (day centres not eligible), applications accepted in batches of approximately two weeks per round.

  • Manpower ratio: 1:1 for private and self-financing homes; 2:1 for subsidised and contract homes
  • Local recruitment period only requires 14 consecutive calendar days (4 to 6 weeks for general schemes)
  • Care worker remuneration must not be lower than the latest monthly wage median for care workers published by the Census and Statistics Department
  • Minimum net floor area of 3.4 square metres per person in dormitories, maximum 6 beds per dormitory room
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Immigration Department

Imported Worker Visas (Enhanced Scheme)

After obtaining approval-in-principle, visa/entry permit applications must be submitted for each imported worker within the deadline specified in the approval notice, after which approval automatically lapses.

  • Application forms: imported workers complete ID 1001A, employers complete ID 1001B
  • Must include the standard employment contract (Form LD294, in quadruplicate)
  • Not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, Nepal and Vietnam
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Immigration Department

Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes (Construction · Transport)

Dedicated schemes exist for the construction and transport sectors (public light buses, passenger vehicles, aviation, etc.), with different visa application forms from the Enhanced Scheme.

  • Application forms: applicants complete ID 1030A, employers complete ID 1030B
  • Contract renewal or replacement requires separate extension of stay applications
  • Submission location: Imported Workers Section, Immigration Department Headquarters (Tseung Kwan O)
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Labour Department

Imported Care Worker Briefing (Mandatory Attendance)

Imported care workers under the Special Residential Care Home Scheme must attend the briefing arranged by the Labour Department within 8 weeks of their arrival date in Hong Kong.

  • One briefing session must be attended per standard employment contract; this applies to both new hires and contract renewals
  • Employers must proactively register for sessions; SWD may reject applications for one year if arrangements are not made within the deadline
  • Separate briefings are also held for imported workers under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Employment Agencies

Employment Agency Licensing and Code of Practice

Operating an employment agency in Hong Kong (regardless of model or job category, including imported worker services) requires prior licensing from the Labour Department and is subject to statutory regulation.

  • Statutory basis: Part XII of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57), Employment Agency Regulations (Cap. 57A), and Code of Practice for Employment Agencies
  • Job seekers and employers may verify licences on the Labour Department's dedicated employment agency portal
  • Our Employment Agency Licence Number: 75754
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Employment Agencies

List of Mainland Labour Enterprises and Their Licensed Hong Kong Partner Agencies

If the imported workers to be employed are Mainland residents, employers must recruit via Mainland labour enterprises approved by the Ministry of Commerce with eligibility for Hong Kong labour cooperation.

  • The Labour Department maintains a "List of Licensed Employment Agencies in Hong Kong Operated by Labour Enterprises or Their Associated Entities for Arranging Mainland Workers to Work in Hong Kong"
  • The list of Mainland labour enterprises is available for inspection on the Ministry of Commerce website
View official source Reviewed 2026-09
Labour Department

Application Documents and Submission Procedure Pamphlet

Official pamphlet "How to Import Workers under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme", including application form checklist, submission addresses and enquiry methods.

  • Supplementary Labour Division: Room 929, 9/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon
  • Enquiry hotline 2150 6363; email sld-hq@labour.gov.hk
  • Immigration Department Imported Workers Section: Tel 2829 3220
View official source Reviewed 2026-06
Social Welfare Department

Elderly Services: Residential Care Home Licensing and Manpower Requirements

Licensing, service quality and manpower standards for residential care homes for the elderly are regulated by SWD; care home category and manpower ratios must be confirmed before importing care workers.

  • Care home categories: high care, medium care, low care
  • Manpower requirements and licensing conditions vary by care home category and service target group
  • Enquiries: SWD Contract Management Section (Oi Kwan Road Office) 3468 3923
View official source Reviewed 2026-09

Note about this page

This page is for general reference only, summarising publicly available official information to help employers quickly understand application eligibility and process milestones; it does not constitute legal advice and cannot replace official source documents.

Eligibility criteria, manpower ratios, quota volumes, batch timelines and remuneration requirements for all schemes are subject to policy adjustments. For actual circumstances, please refer to the latest announcements from the Labour Department, Social Welfare Department and Immigration Department, or contact us directly to confirm your individual case.

Wondering which scheme your company is eligible for?

Provide your sector, positions and expected headcount, and we will explain applicable schemes, required documents and timelines, then confirm if your case is suitable to proceed.

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