Case study: importing painters for luxury renovations — craft-video hiring plus cross-border commuting, two masters approved in 5 months
An award-winning interior design company specialising in luxury homes and high-end residential renovation holds painting work to an extremely high standard — antique-effect finishes, wood lacquer and fine detail work are all true craftsmanship. The issue was not that local masters lack skill, but that the number of painters with these specific crafts is limited and could not support a growing pipeline of projects.
Why painters fit the Supplementary Labour Scheme
Painting is a technical trade where hiring hinges on craft and experience rather than statutory certification — a natural fit for the scheme: an employer who can show the local market genuinely cannot supply suitable technician-level staff, after completing open local recruitment, may legally import labour.
What we did: talent-pool screening plus craft-video assessment
- Talent sourcing: screened candidates from a Guangdong painter talent pool, ensuring Cantonese speakers for smooth communication with local teams
- Craft videos: filmed candidates performing full processes — plastering, spraying, wood lacquer and antique-effect work
- Interviews: video interviews combined with the footage for double verification of skill
- Local recruitment evidence: prepared thorough documents proving the local market lacked the required trades
- Formal application: filed with the Labour Department and tracked vetting progress
- Contract signing: completed standard employment contracts with terms clear and fair to both sides
Painting speaks through the hands; a paper CV cannot reflect real craftsmanship. Craft videos let the employer watch actual work before the interview, greatly shortening the decision cycle and reducing the risk of discovering a skills gap after arrival — critical for luxury projects, where any rework hits schedule and cost.
Timeline: about 5 months, both masters approved together
The biggest challenge was proving the projects genuinely needed imported labour — that the local market could not supply enough painters with the required crafts. Drawing on past technical-trade cases, we helped the client prepare advertisement records, a concrete account of local recruitment difficulty, and a statement of the projects’ specific craft requirements. The case was clear and persuasive, and passed vetting smoothly.
Please note: the timeline reflects this individual case and is not an official commitment; the overall process (local recruitment, Labour Department vetting, Immigration visas) takes several months and follows official processing times.
Special arrangement: cross-border commuting, family and work together
The two masters chose to keep living in Shenzhen and commute across the border daily. Under the scheme, employers may arrange for Mainland-resident imported workers to live in their Mainland homes and travel to Hong Kong daily, with no Hong Kong dormitory required. This let the masters keep family life while saving the employer accommodation costs and administration. Both clock in with photo records daily, photograph completed work for the file, and communicate well with the Hong Kong team.
Outcome: a three-way win
Both masters remain in post today, working on plastering, spraying, wood lacquer and antique-effect processes across luxury projects. The design house solved its manpower shortage in one move and projects proceed steadily; the masters enjoy both income and family; and workmanship keeps improving. The company is satisfied with both craft and attitude and continues to assign them new projects.
FAQ
Q: Can painters be imported under the Supplementary Labour Scheme?A: Yes. Painting is a technician-level trade; once the employer proves the local market genuinely cannot supply suitable staff (for example, no suitable applicants after open local recruitment), an application can be filed.
Q: Why film craft videos instead of relying on CVs and conversation?A: Painting craft is all about touch and detail, which a written CV cannot show. Videos let the employer watch real work before the interview, greatly reducing the risk of a skills gap after arrival.
Q: Can imported workers live outside Hong Kong and commute daily?A: Yes. Imported workers who are Mainland residents may live in their Mainland homes and commute daily; the employer need not provide Hong Kong accommodation, though transport and working hours must be agreed by both sides.
Q: How long does an application usually take?A: It varies by industry, role and document readiness. This case took about 5 months — for reference only.
Cannot find masters with the right craft for luxury projects? WhatsApp us (Labour Department licence 81090) and tell us what your projects need.
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