Getting a DH directly/ thru a agency?

What's the different if you get a maid directly and thru a agency? Which is better? All this time, i had been getting maid from the agency in singapore? Now i'm in hk. My current domestic helper is leaving and going back to Philippine. What the fee's here? what the DH rates? Pls tell me more about it. Many thanks.

You pay nothing if you use this: http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/domestichelp/

Agency fee is anything around HK$1,600 for a DH from the Phil., or around HK$3,000 for a DH who is already here. All included, except medical insurance and the ticket back home after 2-year contract.


I tried both ways of hiring: the first one I hired myself. I did all the paperwork. It's not a problem if you don't work. Now that I work, I use an agency.


Good points about using an agency:

a. If you are not happy with the maid you have got, the agency will replace her for free.

b. Most of the agencies have web sites and are willing to communicate via email. You can watch photos, videos and read the helper's details as many times as you want. You have plenty of time to shortlist those you like.


Keep in mind that there is a difference between “terminated” and “finished contract” DHs. There was a thread the other day about it. You can get different opinions, it’s up to you to decide.


Good luck!

nat 76,

How much does the paperwork cost if i do it my self? Do i need to pay the immigration? Once the DH agree to work for you/ signing on the contract, how long do you need to wait for the process? Do i need to go to the immigration with DM? Pls assist. thx.

For a Phil. DH, you need to pay about HK$300 to the Phil. Consulate. It takes not more than a week to get Phil. Consulate’s approval. Than you go to the HK Immigration Department and submit all the papers listed in the FDH Guide (available from the 2nd floor of the Immi). You pay HK$160 to the HK Immigration Department for the visa once it’s issued.


If your DH is already here and FINISHED contract, she will be allowed to start working for you immediately meanwhile waiting for her visa. But you must send her home for holidays during the first 12 months of working for you. You will need to pay for her ticket FROM Phil., because her previous employer gave her the money for the thicket TO Phil.


If your DH was TERMINATED, she will not be allowed to start working for you immediately. You can lodge visa application, but she still will have to go back home and wait for her visa there. It takes 4-6 weeks, and you do not have guarantee that her visa will be approved. If she was terminated due to a severe misconduct, she will hardly ever get a job in HK. However, if the reason was OK, she will get her visa, no problems.


An agency provides DHs with a medical examination. It’s up to you whether to send/not to send her for one. If I were you, I would do it. Costs another HK$700-HK$1,000.


Other costs are the must, no matter whether you hire yourself or through an agency: HK government levy—HK$9,600 per year, medical insurance – HK$500-HK$1,000, ticket back home at the end of the contract—about HK1,300 depending where exactly she lives.


You can send your DH to the Consulate and the Immi. But I went everywhere with her.



Please, note that the above-mentioned fees may vary, because I don’t know about the situation now.

If you hire an Indonesian helper through an agency she will start her employment with you with debts of around HK$21,000. Personally, I wouldn't want an employee in that kind of financial position, in part because if anything went wrong I would feel guilty if I fired her, and so we might end up in a terrible situation.

Do you know a very good agency?

I have already found an helper and doesn't want to do the papers by myself.

Hi! Inqq, my sister's agent charges HK$888 for Phil. maid that are now overseas and in their company file, HK$2800 to process direct hires of Filipina maids that are presently in HK and HK$3800 for direct hired Filipina maids that are now in the Philippines. You may call Mary at 6283 7299 for further details. She's been my sister's agent for 3 years now. Her agency does provide free changing of overseas maids if you found yours unsuitable to work for you. They also offer maids from Indonesia and Thailand, aside from Philippines.


Good Luck!