Last updated: September 2026
Master Cost Table
Worked Example: One Imported Waiter (24-Month Contract)
Per the Labour Department's List of Common Posts (revised 2026-06-22), the median monthly wage for a waiter (侍應生) is HK$15,820:
In short: apart from wages and housing, the fixed government charges total roughly HK$9,930 (levy + visa fee). The real cost driver is the wage itself — and the median wage floor is non-negotiable. Offer below it, and the application will be rejected.
Timeline: Application to Arrival
From filing to the worker's arrival in Hong Kong, the ESLS process typically takes 4 to 6 months:
- Open local recruitment (4 weeks for most posts; 6 weeks for catering production/table-service posts from 2026-06-16, plus mandatory job fairs every two weeks at Labour Department-assigned job centres)
- Labour Department preliminary screening and approval
- Levy payment and visa processing
- After arrival, the employer must grant paid leave for the Labour Department briefing within 8 weeks
Four Reasons Applications Get Rejected
- Insufficient genuine local recruitment — short recruitment periods, unreasonably restrictive job ads, or (for catering posts) missing a mandatory job fair all count as failing to genuinely try hiring locally.
- Below-median wage — offering less than the median monthly wage for the comparable local post in the List of Common Posts is an automatic failure.
- Ratio failure — not meeting the 2:1 local-to-imported ratio (3:1 per section for specified catering posts), or letting the ratio slip during employment.
- Poor compliance record — prior breaches of labour law or scheme conditions weigh directly against approval.
One more rule: more than one application (including withdrawn or refused ones) within six months will be returned unprocessed, except renewals of existing quotas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the main cost components of importing a worker under ESLS?
Four main components: the Employees Retraining Levy (up to HK$9,600 per worker), the visa fee (HK$330), monthly wages (no lower than the official median for the post), and accommodation costs. Consultancy fees are separate. Government charges are minor; wages and housing dominate the budget.
Q2: Is the levy refundable or payable in instalments?
Neither. The levy is paid as a lump sum after approval and before visa issuance, and it is non-refundable — even if the worker leaves early. Confirm your actual headcount needs before applying so you don't pay for quotas you won't use.
Q3: How is the 20% accommodation deduction cap calculated?
The cap is the lower of 20% of wages (excluding overtime) or the actual accommodation cost. On a $15,820 salary, the maximum monthly deduction is $3,164. The 20% cap applies to SECs under preliminary-screening notices issued on/after 16 June 2026; earlier contracts remain at 10%.
Q4: How long does the whole process take?
Typically 4 to 6 months from application to arrival, depending on the post type, recruitment period length, and document readiness. Catering posts take slightly longer due to the 6-week recruitment requirement. Plan ahead and build in buffer time.
Q5: Where can I check the official median wages?
The Labour Department's ESLS List of Common Posts publishes median monthly wages for each post (latest revision: 22 June 2026). Download it from the Labour Department website, or ask Labour Services — we verify the current figure for your specific post before quoting.
Official Sources
- Labour Department — Supplementary Labour Scheme — https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/plan/iwESLS.htm
- Labour Department — List of Common Posts (PDF) — https://www.labour.gov.hk/common/public/pdf/sld/ESLS_LCP(Chi).pdf
- Labour Department — Catering-related Posts (PDF) — https://www.labour.gov.hk/common/public/pdf/sld/ESLS_Catering-related_Posts.pdf
- Immigration Department — Imported Workers — https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/imported_worker.html
| Cost item | Amount / standard | Notes |
| Employees Retraining Levy | HK$400/month × contract months, capped at 24 months = HK$9,600 max per worker | Lump sum, non-refundable; collected after approval, before visa issuance |
| Immigration visa / entry permit fee | HK$330 per worker | Payable to the Immigration Department |
| Wage floor | Not lower than the median monthly wage of the comparable local post in the Labour Department's List of Common Posts | Varies by post; check each position individually |
| Accommodation | Employer must provide; deduction capped at 20% of wages (excl. overtime) or actual cost, whichever is lower | 20% cap applies to SECs under preliminary-screening notices issued on/after 2026-06-16 |
| Local-to-imported ratio | 2:1 full-time local employees per imported worker (catering production/table-service posts: 3:1 per section from June 2026) | Ratio must be maintained throughout employment |
| Consultancy service fee | Quoted separately, based on headcount, complexity, and scope | Free initial assessment from Labour Services |
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
| Wages (24 months) | $15,820 × 24 | $379,680 |
| Employees Retraining Levy | $400 × 24 | $9,600 |
| Visa / entry permit fee | Per worker | $330 |
| Accommodation | Employer-funded; deduction capped at 20% of wages ($15,820 × 20% = $3,164/month) or actual cost, whichever is lower | Depends on arrangement |
| Consultancy fee | Scoped per engagement | Quoted separately |