Five routes, five authorities
The wrong scheme wastes the wait. Here is each route's eligibility, key requirements and our role, written separately.
Quotas, approvals and timelines are decided by the authorities. We do not approve anything and we do not guarantee outcomes. What we do: pick the right scheme, get the recruitment and paperwork right, and follow through to the first shift.
Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme
Who qualifies: Employers carrying on business in Hong Kong who genuinely cannot recruit technician-level or below staff locally.
Official source: Labour Department →
Key points
- A Labour Department local recruitment exercise must be completed first, giving local workers priority
- Does not cover trades and posts covered by the care-worker, construction or transport schemes
- After the local exercise, the Labour Advisory Board is invited to comment on each application
- The Labour Department's Common Posts Table gives median wages, hours and entry requirements
What we do
Local recruitment support, job and wage terms, mainland recruitment and screening, interview arrangements, application documents and progress tracking.
Imported Care Worker Special Scheme
Who qualifies: Residential care homes licensed under the Residential Care Homes Ordinance (Cap. 459), disability homes licensed under the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance (Cap. 613), and nursing homes with an exemption certificate under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633).
Official source: Social Welfare Department →
Key points
- Each quota application window runs about two weeks and is submitted through the SWD quota system
- Applications include quota applications and replacement care worker applications within the window
- The scheme relaxes the local-to-imported staff ratio while protecting local employment priority
- Actual application dates are announced on the SWD website
What we do
Manpower review, job descriptions, mainland recruitment and qualification checks, interviews, arrival and settling-in follow-up.
Construction Industry Imported Labour Scheme
Who qualifies: Construction employers eligible for and granted an imported labour quota; local recruitment must be completed first to establish the need.
Official source: Development Bureau →
Key points
- Approved contracts must keep at least a 1:2 ratio — one imported worker to two full-time local workers
- Applicants must provide extra local training places equal to at least 10% of the approved quota
- Wages, normal hours and working days follow the published terms for the trade
- The CIC task force and advisory committee advise on trades, median wages and terms
What we do
Trade and headcount review, mainland recruitment and document checks, interviews and medicals, paperwork and arrival coordination.
Transport Sector Imported Labour Scheme
Who qualifies: Applicants holding a valid passenger service licence issued by the Commissioner for Transport for public light bus or public bus services (public light bus / coach trades).
Official source: Transport Department →
Key points
- Applications open in phases; dates and arrangements are announced by the Transport Department
- Applications must be posted or delivered in person to the Transport Department secretariat — not by email or fax
- After approval, visa/permit applications for each worker must be filed with Immigration within the deadline or the quota lapses
- Aviation has its own imported labour arrangements, handled under that sector's requirements
What we do
Driver recruitment, licence and qualification checks, interview scheduling, and visa deadline tracking so quotas are not lost.
Admission of Mainland Talents (ASMTP)
Who qualifies: Mainland professionals with special skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Hong Kong (GEP applies to non-mainland professionals).
Official source: Immigration Department →
Key points
- The employer applies for the professional; the post must relate to their qualifications or professional experience
- Remuneration must be broadly commensurate with the local market
- On approval, an entry visa/permit is required and employment must follow the conditions of stay
- Extension of stay is a separate application, outside the initial application
What we do
Job description and remuneration terms, mainland talent search and pre-screening, interviews, application documents and timeline tracking.
How it works
Same shape, different detail per scheme
Choose the scheme
By role, sector and employer eligibility.
Local recruitment
Complete the required local exercise and keep the record.
Mainland recruitment and screening
Recruit, verify qualifications, arrange interviews.
Application and documents
Forms, supporting documents, contract terms.
Arrival and follow-up
Arrival logistics, first-week follow-up, replacement cover.
Not sure which scheme?
Send the role, the sector and your company situation; we reply with the route and where it stalls.