Care Worker Importation for Residential Care Homes: One-stop Agency Service

Imported Workers for Hong Kong Elderly Homes | The Care Worker Importation Scheme, Eligibility and Agency Services

As Hong Kong's population ages ever faster, demand for care staff in elderly homes, residential care homes, nursing homes and homes for persons with disabilities keeps rising. Yet the supply of local care workers falls short, and both the residential care sector and the healthcare system face unprecedented pressure.

The government's Special Scheme for Importing Care Workers for Residential Care Homes and Hong Kong's Talent List measures attempt to break the deadlock on multiple fronts.

For care home operators, applying to import care workers through compliant channels not only eases frontline manpower pressure but also helps maintain service quality and stable day-to-day operation.

This article sets out for Hong Kong care home employers the key application points and common challenges of importing care workers, and analyses the practical responses.

Talent List Extended to Healthcare: Care Agencies Recruiting Talent to Develop in Hong Kong

Hong Kong updated its Talent List in 2023, adding a healthcare services category covering 13 professions including doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and Chinese medicine practitioners. The measure aims to attract medical professionals from overseas and the Mainland, lowering the threshold by waiving the market availability test and granting additional points.

Outside talent with professional qualifications can look for opportunities to work in Hong Kong through recruitment by care agencies. When a care agency recruits the talent an institution needs, it also arranges the follow-up visa application and even accommodation, helping overseas talent integrate into the local workplace as quickly as possible.

Talent List for Healthcare Services

• Doctors
• Dentists
• Nurses
• Chiropractors
• Chinese medicine practitioners
• Pharmacists
• Midwives
• Optometrists / Radiographers
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Medical laboratory technologists
• Dental hygienists

Special Scheme for Importing Care Workers: Easing Long-term Care Pressure

Beyond healthcare, elderly homes, residential care homes and homes for persons with disabilities also face acute manpower shortages. The Hong Kong government launched the Special Scheme for Importing Care Workers for Residential Care Homes in 2023; almost all of the first batch of 7,000 quotas were granted, and the government will add further quotas to keep easing the pressure on care.

An Ageing Population and the Plight of Frontline Care Workers

Hong Kong's ageing problem has further intensified the care manpower shortage. To date, more than a quarter of elderly people need long-term care services, while frontline care workers are leaving the profession because of a high-pressure working environment and limited promotion prospects. To improve the situation, the Hong Kong government plans to make the industry more attractive by providing promotion ladders and improving care training.

Challenges and Outlook for the Policy

Although importing care manpower helps relieve the shortage, challenges remain. Wage standards for imported care workers, adaptation to cultural differences and the potential impact on local labour all need proper handling. In the longer term, how policy adjustment and better allocation of social resources can promote the training and protection of local care workers is also an issue to watch.

Care Agency Recruitment: One-stop Matching of Institutions and Talent

With Hong Kong's ageing population and labour market changes, importing care manpower has become an issue that cannot be ignored. The government continues to advance the relevant policies, ensuring that local care workers' training and protection mechanisms are improved while outside talent is attracted. Care agencies also recruit qualified imported care workers for institutions, maintaining quality care services.

If you plan to recruit care workers, you are welcome to contact Labour Services Company Ltd.; we will design a recruitment solution based on your needs and circumstances.

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