The largest fixed cost is wages: imported workers cannot be paid below the Labour Department’s published median wage for the post, and wages over the contract term dominate the budget. Statutory one-off items are the Employees Retraining levy of HK$9,600 per worker (paid after visa approval, before issue) and a visa fee of about HK$330. Housing is an ongoing cost — from 16 June 2026 employers may deduct up to 20% of monthly wage for lodging, not exceeding actual rent. Add about HK$1,000 for local recruitment ads and the agency fee. Labour Department and Immigration figures prevail; this is not legal advice.
Last verified against Labour Department / Immigration Department publications: 2026-09-14.
Median wages are the biggest fixed cost
Under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, wages cannot sit below the Labour Department’s published median for the post. Medians vary by post and are updated; the figure at application time prevails. At typical monthly medians of ten to twenty thousand dollars, wages dominate the total cost.
Levy HK$9,600 one-off + visa fee about HK$330
The Employees Retraining levy is HK$9,600 per imported worker, paid in one lump sum after visa approval and before Immigration issues the visa — it is not monthly. The visa application fee is paid to Immigration by the employer, commonly about HK$330 depending on visa type.
Housing is ongoing (from 16 June 2026: deduct up to 20% of wage)
Employers must arrange lodging; rent is an ongoing operating cost. From 16 June 2026 an employer may deduct up to 20% of the worker’s monthly wage for lodging, not exceeding actual rent. Local recruitment ads run about HK$1,000 if you place them yourself; agency service is quoted per case, with statutory levy and visa fees separate and not our markup.
Besides wages, what one-off fees are there?
The Employees Retraining levy of HK$9,600 per worker (one-off), a visa fee of about HK$330, local recruitment ads of about HK$1,000 depending on platform, and the agency service fee quoted per case.
How much is the agency fee?
Quoted per case based on screening, interviews, training and paperwork. The levy and visa fee are government charges, not our markup. WhatsApp us for a free quotation.
Can I get a total estimate?
Yes. Tell us the post and contract length and we will run the numbers against the latest medians plus levy, visa fee and housing. WhatsApp +852 98886768.