Generally no. Imported workers under ESLS and the care-worker scheme cannot bring dependants (spouse or children) — a key difference from talent schemes (ASMTP / General Employment Policy), where spouses and unmarried children under 18 generally can. Follow Immigration Department rules. Labour Services Company Ltd. (licence 81090) handles both routes; not legal advice.
Last verified against Labour Department / Immigration Department publications: 2026-09-14.
Labour schemes: no dependants
ESLS and the Residential Care Homes scheme run on 24-month contracts: workers may only work for the specified employer and post and must return home on expiry — the schemes are not designed with dependant arrangements.
Talent schemes: family can come
Under ASMTP and the General Employment Policy, a holder’s spouse and unmarried children under 18 can generally apply as dependants. The Technical Professional List (2+3+3) is also an employment-tied channel. Families should assess the talent route, not the labour route.
Deploying a whole team
Companies needing both frontline labour and professional talent can run the two tracks in parallel; we administer both and route each post by role and family needs.
Can an imported worker switch to a talent visa later?
Only by separately qualifying under the talent scheme — education, specialist skills and an employer offer. Labour-contract status does not convert automatically.
Does the care-worker scheme allow family?
It is also a labour-import channel with generally no dependant arrangement; individual cases follow Immigration Department rules.
Can dependants of talent visa holders work?
Dependants’ work arrangements follow Immigration Department rules current at the time; they can generally apply separately for permission to work.