hire a maid on my own

hi, what are the procedures to hire a live in maid (referred by my friend) without using an agency? what are the costs? Thanks in advance for your response!

It is very easy to hire Filipino helpers without going through an agency, but near impossible to hire an Indonesian one the same way. Don't know about helpers from other countries. To hire a Filipino, all you need to do is to sign 4 copies of the contract (available from the Immigration Dept, but all the helpers here in HK are VERY well-conversant with the procedures so they will take care of all the paperwork) and get your helper to file them at Immigration. You also need to sign a sponsorship form and one for the levy. You have to provide a copy of the following:

1. HKID;

2. Bank Statement or work contract to prove that you're financially able to have a helper;

3. Proof of address (phone bill, water bill, etc.)


Fill all the 4 copies of the contract as well as the sponsorship form and put all the other supporting documents together and your prospective helper will take them all to the Immigration Department and get it processed. It takes about 4 weeks for Immigration to give them a visa.


You pay about $300 (don't know exact amount) to the Philippines Consulate for their part in the process (helper will know what to do and will give you the receipt) and $135 to the HK Immigration when the application is approved. Usually the helpers will pay all these first and give you the receipts for reimbursement. The Philippines Consulate one is paid when you apply, and the HK one is paid when they go pick up the visa.


The above procedure is only of hiring Filipino helpers. The Indonesian government is making it impossible to hire Indonesian maids in the same way as I suspect they want a bigger cut from agents so an agency needs to be involved. Most of them fleece the helpers by charging them at least a whole month's salary (legally they're only allowed to charge up to 10% of monthly salary).


Anyway, hope this helps and good luck with your application.

Hi blcwc, thanks very much for your info...it's very helpful:) btw, is there any minimum wages required to pay for Filipino maid? Thanks again

You're welcome, m&m. Yes, the legal minimum wage for all foreign domestic helper is $3270 a month. Read the other threads to see what other people say about helpers' salary.

If the Indonesian helper has already been working in Hong Kong, what would the employer have to do to hire her? In other words, is it more complicated?

It is tons more complicated because they have to get the Indonesian Consulate's "exit visa" (I think it's called something like that) before they can apply for a visa at the HK Immigration. The Indonesian Government basically only does this through the agencies. I personally believe that this is one way for the Indo officers increasing their own incomes, but don't quote me on that. I can't think of any other reason why they can't do it like the Filipino Consulate, other than lining their own pockets!!!!!!

The only way you can bypass unscrupulous agents when hiring Indonesians is when you renew a contract with your own Indonesian helper, but even then you have to produce 5 million other documents to the Indo Consulate. Thieves and robbers is what they are!!!!!


If hiring an Indonesian helper who is already in HK, you need to find an agency that is at least more reasonable in the fees they charge. Phone around and ask how much you have to pay, and how much the helper has to pay. Often, an agency will charge you around $3500 - $6000 and charges the helper similar amounts. I've also heard of agencies that charge the employer $2000 but the helper has to pay $12000. A lot of agencies also keep the helpers' passports so they (and the prospective employers) have no choice but to go through that particular agency, and pay whatever they say.


I have applied for a helper through an agency in Tuen Mun, and they're the most compassionate one I've come across so far. They charge the employers $4000 to hire a helper already in HK, but don't charge the helpers anything. They told me most people who do this split the cost with the helpers - $2000 each.


I hope someone else has a better idea than what I have written above but as far as I know that is pretty much the situation right now. I've just been through this whole nightmare this year, trying to employ an Indonesian helper. I finally opted to get one directly from Indonesia and am still waiting for her to arrive. In the meantime my poor mum came over from Australia to help look after my 2 children as I have to be at work. Thank goodness for mothers!!!!!!

I employed one Sri Lankan helper before when she was terminated by her employer because her employer left the country for good. Sri Lankan helpers are just like Filipinos that they can do all the procedure on the own. And you are right about employing Indoensian helpers. You NEED to go through an agent and charges varied.

Thieves and robbers............ bandits, pirates, gangsters, snakeheads, outlaws.......... What sort of government would pick on their own weakest?Sheeeesh!

Dear blcwc:


Can you please provide the contact details for the agency in Tuen Mun? I am interested in hiring a DH.


Thanks!