Navigating Domestic Helper Resignation in HK: Quick Hire Guide

The resignation of a domestic helper in Hong Kong can disrupt the harmony of home management. With the right approach, however, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity for a smooth transition. This guide provides a step-by-step process to swiftly and effectively hire a replacement, ensuring your household continues to run like clockwork. 

Are You Eligible To Hire A Domestic Helper?

As an employer, you are the official sponsor of your domestic helper. The Hong Kong Immigration department has strict requirements for accepting sponsorships. As an employer you must:

• Have a monthly household income that is greater than $15,000 HKD, or equivalent assets which will support the cost of a domestic helper over 2 years, and
• Be a resident of Hong Kong

If you have hired a helper in the past, you probably already meet these requirements. If you are unsure, contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department or check your eligibility.

What Are Your Options After a Resignation?

The resignation of a domestic helper often comes with a standard one-month notice, leaving you with limited time to find a replacement. As you embark on the search for a new helper, remember to promptly inform the Immigration Department of the change, ensuring all your bases are covered from the start.

If you're pressed for time and need a new domestic helper within a month, focusing on candidates already in Hong Kong becomes essential. These are helpers who have either completed their contracts or are available due to unforeseen circumstances such as employer relocation or financial constraints. On the other hand, recruiting from abroad might not fit your tight timeline; the process can extend up to four months before your new helper can start. Although hiring locally, perhaps a Hongkonger, might seem like a swift alternative, this option could come at a higher cost—often more than the triple. Moreover, language barriers might arise, particularly if proficient English is among your prerequisites.

What Are The Costs of Hiring Domestic Helpers

You need to be aware of the minimum allowable wage and accommodation requirements before hiring a domestic helper. Presently, the minimum allowable wage is $4,870 HKD per month. You must also provide adequate accommodation with reasonable privacy, and a food allowance of $1,236 HKD. You will also be responsible for their travel costs back to their home country when their contract expires. Medical insurance must also be included for your helper. Now that you are aware of the costs involved with hiring a new helper, how do you actually find one?

Finding A New Domestic Helper

Here are some effective strategies to find a domestic helper post-resignation:

1. Leverage Referrals

Ask around in your personal network. Often, the best leads come from a friend's helper who knows someone trustworthy seeking employment.

2. Utilize Online Platforms

Post your requirements on platforms like HelperPlace and relevant social media groups. These pools of applicants can yield a quick and fitting match for your needs.

3. Consider Employment Agencies

If time is of the essence and you prefer not to manage the details, a reputable agency can handle the recruitment process, albeit at a higher cost.

I Need Someone As Soon As Possible

Now that you’ve let the world know you’re looking for a helper, you should start receiving applications from potential employees. Since you need to hire quickly, concentrate on applicants who currently live in Hong Kong and have either finished their contract (or terminated for relocation/financial reasons). The Immigration Department can process working visas for these types of domestic helpers quickly. Throughout your interview process or search, look for applicants who are:

• finishing their current contract soon
• being terminated due to relocation
• being terminated for financial reasons

Once you have found a helper that meets your requirements, prepare an employment contract and fill out a visa application for your helper. You can find these forms at the Immigration Office, or download from their website. If you are using an agency, they will usually help you with this. If you’ve followed these steps, your helper can start working for you as early as 2 to 4 weeks. Nevertheless, if you prefer to hire someone in Philippines or in Indonesia the process will be longer.

Hopefully you have found this article useful in finding a new domestic helper. It can be a daunting task to find a replacement in a short period of time, but as long as you comply with immigration requirements, and carefully screen applicants to match your preferences, you’ll be able to find the right helper to make your daily life easier.