The headline figures: staffing ratio generally 2:1 (3:1 for catering production and floor posts from 2026-06-16) · retraining levy HK$9,600 per worker (HK$400 × contract months, capped at 24, lump sum, non-refundable) · visa fee HK$330 · 24-month contract cap · wages no lower than the post’s median · a government projection of a 180,000 worker shortfall by 2028. Follow official publications. Compiled by Labour Services Company Ltd. (licence 81090); not legal advice.
Last verified against Labour Department / Immigration Department publications: 2026-09-14.
The cost numbers
Statutory cost per imported worker: retraining levy HK$9,600 (paid before visa issue), visa fee HK$330, and housing (from 2026-06-16, up to 20% of monthly wages may be deducted for housing cost). Self-run recruitment advertising starts around HK$1,000.
The scheme numbers
On 2023-06-13 the Supplementary Labour Scheme was renamed the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS). Contracts cap at 24 months with renewal requiring a fresh application. Breaches can bring up to two years’ debarment. Employers must give paid leave for the LD briefing within 8 weeks of a worker’s arrival.
The labour-market numbers
The government’s 2023 Manpower Projection expects an overall shortfall of 180,000 workers by 2028, over a third of them skilled technicians; the care-worker scheme’s first 7,000 quotas were almost fully granted. That is the backdrop to the policy’s continued expansion.
How current are these numbers?
Ratios, the levy and medians are government rules updated from time to time; verify against current Labour Department and Immigration publications before citing.
What about the technical talent numbers?
The Technical Professional List covers 8 trades with 2+3+3 / 3+3+2 visa patterns, a 3-year channel of 10,000 places, 3,000 per trade, ages 18 to 40.
Where are wage medians published?
Our 319-post table by industry is a first reference; confirm against the LD’s current List of Common Posts.