How much does it cost to hire a foreign domestic helper in 2026? A complete guide to salaries, agency fees and hidden costs!
Lifestyle2026-07-22
6 Mins Read
How much does it cost to hire a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong? Besides monthly wages, employers also need to budget for food allowances, insurance, air tickets, medical expenses and other statutory costs. Based on estimated 2026 costs, the total first-year cost of hiring a foreign domestic helper typically ranges from HKD 73,000 to HKD 101,000, depending on factors such as the recruitment method, agency arrangements and insurance coverage.
This guide breaks down the key expenses involved in hiring a foreign domestic helper, including common hidden costs that are often overlooked, helping families make informed decisions and plan their budget more effectively.
Monthly and first-year costs of hiring a foreign domestic helper
The cost of hiring a foreign domestic helper generally falls into two categories: ongoing monthly expenses and one-off first-year costs. The figures below are average estimates based on market data. Actual costs may vary depending on the employment agency, the helper's nationality and individual circumstances.
Cost item | Estimated amount (HKD) | Remarks | ||
Ongoing monthly expenses | ||||
Ongoing monthly expenses | Ongoing monthly expenses | |||
Statutory minimum allowable wage | ||||
Statutory minimum allowable wage | 5,100 | Applicable to contracts signed on or after 30 September 2025¹ | ||
Food allowance | ||||
Food allowance | 1,236 | Payable if free food is not provided¹ | ||
Comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance | ||||
Comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance | Approximately 288 – 1,000+ per year² | / | ||
Total monthly expenses | ||||
Total monthly expenses | Approximately 5,124 - 6,500 | / | ||
One-off first-year costs | ||||
One-off first-year costs | One-off first-year costs | |||
Employment agency fee | ||||
Employment agency fee | 7,000 – 13,000³ | Depends on services and helper's origin | ||
Air tickets to Hong Kong | ||||
Air tickets to Hong Kong | Approximately 2,000 – 5,000⁴ | Employers must pay for overseas helpers’ inbound flights to Hong Kong | ||
Visa fee | ||||
Visa fee | Approximately 500 – 1,000³ | Work visa application fee | ||
Consulate administration fee | ||||
Consulate administration fee | Approximately 1,000 – 2,000³ | Varies according to helper's nationality | ||
Medical examination fee | ||||
Medical examination fee | Approximately 1,000 – 2,000³ | Medical checks before and after arrival | ||
Total first-year additional costs | ||||
Total first-year additional costs | Approximately 12,500 – 23,000 | / | ||
Estimated total first-year cost: Approximately HKD 73,000 – 101,000
(Ongoing monthly expenses × 12 + one-off first-year costs)
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Latest statutory minimum wage and food allowance for foreign domestic helpers
Statutory minimum wage
With effect from 30 September 2025, the Statutory Minimum Allowable Wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers has been increased to HKD 5,100 per month. This applies to all employment contracts signed on or after 30 September 2025. The previous MAW was HKD 4,990 per month, representing an increase of approximately 2.2%. Employers must adhere to the salary stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract (ID 407) and are prohibited from privately agreeing to pay less than this statutory minimum wage.
Food allowance
Under the Standard Employment Contract, employers are required to provide foreign domestic helpers with free food. Otherwise, employers must pay a food allowance of not less than HKD 1,236 per month.
Employer eligibility requirements
To hire a foreign domestic helper, employers must meet certain requirements. They must be Hong Kong residents and, for each foreign domestic helper employed, have a household income of at least HKD 15,000 per month⁵, or possess assets of equivalent value sufficient to cover employment expenses throughout the contract period.
Hiring from overseas vs hiring a helper who has completed a local contract
There are two main methods of hiring a foreign domestic helper, with significant cost differences.
Hiring from overseas refers to hiring a helper directly from their home country, such as the Philippines or Indonesia, through an employment agency, where the helper has not previously worked in Hong Kong. This method typically involves higher agency fees, which cover costs such as pre-employment training, air tickets to Hong Kong and consular processing. The waiting time is also generally longer.
Hiring a helper who has completed a local contract refers to hiring a helper who has already completed a previous employment contract in Hong Kong. This method usually involves lower agency fees. As the helper is already familiar with local living conditions and working practices, they can usually start work more quickly. If an employer chooses to source candidates through online matching platforms, the costs can be as low as approximately HKD 700 to HKD 1,300.
Hiring from overseas | Hiring a helper who has completed a local contract | |
Cost (HKD) | ||
Cost (HKD) | Approximately 7,000–13,000³ | Approximately 700–1,300³ |
Waiting time | ||
Waiting time | Approximately 2–4 months | Approximately 1–4 weeks |
Air ticket costs | ||
Air ticket costs | Employer must pay for the helper's inbound flight to Hong Kong | Helper is generally already in Hong Kong, so no inbound air ticket is required |
Training costs | ||
Training costs | Training fees may apply in certain countries | No additional training fees required |
Contract status | ||
Contract status | New employment contract | Previous contract has been completed |
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Hidden costs often overlooked
In addition to salaries and agency fees, many first-time employers overlook the following expenses:
1. Foreign domestic helper insurance (employees' compensation insurance and comprehensive coverage)
Hong Kong law requires employers to take out employees' compensation insurance for their foreign domestic helpers. This insurance covers the employer's liability for medical expenses and compensation if the helper suffers a work-related injury or contracts an occupational disease during employment. Failure to do so can result in fines up to HKD 100,000 and imprisonment for up to two years.⁶
However, employees' compensation insurance alone is insufficient. Under the Standard Employment Contract, employers are responsible for providing their helper with free medical treatment throughout the employment period, regardless of whether the illness or injury is work-related. In other words, if a helper falls ill or is injured while on a rest day, the employer is still be responsible for the related medical expenses. In addition to the statutory employees' compensation insurance, a comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance plan may provide benefits such as outpatient and hospitalisation coverage, personal accident protection, repatriation expenses, fidelity protection and third-party liability cover.⁷
2. Return air tickets
Under the Standard Employment Contract, employers are required to pay for the helper's return journey to and from their place of origin.
For helpers hired from overseas, employers must pay for the inbound flight to Hong Kong. Upon completion of the contract, employers must also pay for the helper's return flight home. If the contract is renewed, the helper is generally required to return to their home country for a vacation of not less than seven days before the new contract takes effect, and the associated travel expenses must also be borne by the employer.
3. Visa and consular fees
Hiring a foreign domestic helper involves various administrative expenses, including work visa application fees payable to the Hong Kong Immigration Department and consular processing fees charged by the helper's consulate in Hong Kong.
4. Medical examination fees
Foreign domestic helpers must undergo medical examinations before and after arrival in Hong Kong. These costs are generally borne by the employer.
5. Long service payment / severance payment
This is a significant yet often overlooked costs. Under the Employment Ordinance, an employer is required to pay a long service payment if a foreign domestic helper meets the following conditions:
- Has been employed for at least five years;
- Has their employment terminated due to redundancy or dismissal (other than for serious misconduct); or
- Is not offered a contract renewal.
The long service payment is calculated using the following formula:
(Last monthly salary × 2/3) × years of service⁸
A foreign domestic helper cannot receive both a long service payment and a severance payment for the same period of employment. Employers are only required to pay one of the two benefits.⁸
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Q1: Can my foreign domestic helper do part-time cleaning work at a friend's home on her rest day to earn extra income?
Q2: Can my foreign domestic helper help out at a restaurant or shop run by a family member?
Q3: Can I pay my foreign domestic helper less than the minimum allowable wage if both parties agree?
Q4: Can I dismiss my foreign domestic helper because she becomes pregnant or falls ill?
Q5: Can my foreign domestic helper live or work at an address different from the one in the employment contract?
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AXA SmartHelper Plus Foreign Domestic Helper Comprehensive Plan Product Features
- Instant medical benefit with no excess: With no waiting period, your helper's medical coverage takes effect as soon as the policy starts. The plan covers outpatient treatment, hospitalisation, day surgery and dental expenses arising from accidents or illnesses, with no excess payable.
- Subsidy to replace your helper: A market-leading benefit that helps cover the additional costs of hiring a replacement helper if your domestic helper leaves without notice, commits malicious acts or terminates the employment contract early.
- Up to HKD 100,000,000 coverage on Employees Compensation: Protects your legal liability as a employer under the Employee’ Compensation Ordinance and Common Law.
- Dishonesty protection: Covers financial loss arising from fraud or dishonest acts committed by your domestic helper, as well as the cost of replacing locks where necessary, with coverage of up to HKD 8,000.
- Loan protection: Provides cover for outstanding loans made to your domestic helper if the loan cannot be repaid due to the helper's repatriation following injury, illness or death.
- Personal liability protection: Provides protection against legal liability if your domestic helper's negligence causes bodily injury to a third party or damage to their property.
The actual cost of hiring a foreign domestic helper goes far beyond the monthly salary. From food allowances, insurance and air tickets to visa fees and long-term service payment obligations, these are all expenses that employers need to take into account. More importantly, a comprehensive foreign domestic helper insurance plan is not only a legal requirement but also an important safeguard for both employers and helpers. It helps ensure that helpers receive appropriate medical care when needed, while protecting employers from potentially substantial medical expenses and legal liabilities arising from unexpected incidents.
Before deciding to hire a foreign domestic helper, it is advisable to carefully assess all related costs, plan your budget accordingly and choose a foreign domestic helper insurance plan that provides adequate protection. By doing so, employers and helpers can build a trusting and mutually supportive employment relationship with greater peace of mind.
Reference:
- Labour Department (2025) Adjustment to the Minimum Allowable Wage and Food Allowance for Foreign Domestic Helpers. Available at: https://www.eaa.labour.gov.hk/en/news.html?news-id=267&news-year=2025
- Hong Kong Economic Journal (2025) Domestic helper insurance related article. Available at: https://www.hkej.com/landing/articleprint/id/4363529 (Chinese Only)
- MoneyHero Hong Kong (2025) Guide to hiring a domestic helper: Procedures, costs and key considerations. Available at: https://www.moneyhero.com.hk/zh/insurance/blog/%E8%87%AA%E5%B7%B1%E8%AB%8B%E5%B7%A5%E4%BA%BA-%E7%A8%8B%E5%BA%8F-%E9%96%8B%E6%94%AF-%E6%B3%A8%E6%84%8F%E4%BA%8B%E9%A0%85-%E8%B2%BB%E7%94%A8 (Chinese Only)
- Fair Employment Agency (n.d.) Who pays for a domestic helper's flights home? Available at: https://fairagency.org/answers/flights-domestic-helper/
- Immigration Department (n.d.) Practical Guide for Employment of Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong (Employer eligibility requirements, p.6). Available at: https://www.fdh.labour.gov.hk/res/pdf/Handy_Guide_FDHs_eng.pdf
- Immigration Department (n.d.) Practical Guide for Employment of Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong (Employees' compensation insurance requirements, p.30). Available at: https://www.fdh.labour.gov.hk/res/pdf/Handy_Guide_FDHs_eng.pdf
- Immigration Department (n.d.) Practical Guide for Employment of Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong (Medical obligations of employers, p.32). Available at: https://www.fdh.labour.gov.hk/res/pdf/Handy_Guide_FDHs_eng.pdf
- Immigration Department (n.d.) Practical Guide for Employment of Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong (Long service payment and severance payment, pp.42–43). Available at: https://www.fdh.labour.gov.hk/res/pdf/Handy_Guide_FDHs_eng.pdf
- Immigration Department (n.d.) Frequently Asked Questions on Foreign Domestic Helpers. Available at: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/faq/foreign-domestic-helpers.html#application
Insurance coverage varies and is subject to its terms and conditions. For details about the coverage of specific products, please refer to the product brochures and policy agreements.
AXA Hong Kong and its related or holding companies make no guarantees or warranties regarding the information and materials provided, including but not limited to their non-infringement, security, accuracy, completeness, adequacy, reasonableness, fitness for purpose, or absence of computer viruses. AXA Hong Kong and its related or holding companies shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, or other expenses, whether in whole or in part, direct or indirect, arising from any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions related to the information and materials, except as required by law.
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SmartHelper Plus Foreign Domestic Helper Comprehensive Plan
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