2025 The Blacklist Of Maid Agencies In Hong Kong

(Published on June 13, 2025)

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How to hire a domestic helper through a reputable and reliable maid agency? First, you may start asking for their license number and verifying their licensed number on Labour Department’s website.

The Criteria For A Maid Agency License

Under the Employment Ordinance, anyone wishing to operate a foreign domestic helper agency (employment agency) in Hong Kong to provide employment services must first apply to the Commissioner for Labour for a license or a certificate of exemption. The ordinance clarifies that all persons operating, managing, or assisting in the management of an employment agency in Hong Kong must be the holder of the employment agency license or certificate of exemption or be a relevant person to the holder. The relevant persons of a licensee are only permitted to operate, manage, or assist in managing the employment agency related to that licensee’s license.

In simple terms, relevant persons include the management and employed staff of the foreign domestic helper agency (employment agency). According to the law, relevant persons are those related to the licensee of the employment agency or proposed licensee, including directors, managers, secretaries, or other similar personnel of a company; or in the case of a partnership, other partners or those involved in managing the partnership.

Operating an employment agency without a valid license or certificate of exemption constitutes an offence and is subject to legal responsibility, which, upon conviction, could result in a fine of up to HK$350,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Source: Labour Department Website

Maid Agency License

The license for a foreign domestic helper agency is renewed annually with a new license number. According to the Labour Department‘s requirements, employment agencies must display their license at a conspicuous location in their branches; failure to do so constitutes an offence and is subject to legal responsibility, with a maximum fine of HK$10,000.

List of Employment Agencies Issued Written Warnings for Code Violations

List of Maid Agencies Issued Written Warnings for Code Violations In Hong Kong

Source: Labour Department Website

As An Employer, How To Avoid Unreliable Maid Agencies?

Refer to the Labour Department’s website: You can check the Labour Department’s website for agencies that are blacklisted or have had their licenses revoked.

Directly consult the Labour Department: If you cannot find the blacklist on the Labour Department’s website or wish to verify the status of a specific foreign domestic helper agency, you can directly contact the Labour Department, and they should provide information about any agency listed on the blacklist.
Seek Recommendations and Reviews: Before hiring through any foreign domestic helper agency, consult friends, family, or colleagues who have previously employed foreign domestic helpers. Online forums and reviews can also provide insights.
Verify Agency Licenses: Ensure that all foreign domestic helper agencies you consider hold a valid operating license. You can also verify this information on the Labour Department‘s website or inquire directly with the department.
Read Employment Contracts Carefully: After selecting an agency, thoroughly read the employment contracts they provide to foreign domestic helpers to ensure all terms are fair and comply with employment regulations.
Report Unethical Practices: If you encounter any foreign domestic helper agency engaging in unethical or illegal activities, report them immediately to the Labour Department to protect your rights and those of the domestic helper.
Choose Reputable Agencies: Opt for locally well-regarded foreign domestic helper agencies. Such agencies are more likely to follow correct procedures, treat foreign domestic helpers fairly, and provide better support for employers and helpers.

Remember, employing a foreign domestic helper is a significant responsibility. Ensure that this process complies with ethical and legal requirements to protect the rights and well-being of you and the foreign domestic helper while establishing a mutually respectful relationship.
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How To Hire A Domestic Helper On HelperChoice?

OnHelperChoice platform, both Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers are available for employer’s selection. The employer can find a suitable helper in accordance with their family’s needs and specific job requirements, for example, the helper’s year of experience in child care, pet care or elderly care, cooking skill, nationality, training certificates, the ability of speaking Chinese (if applicable), reference letter from the previous employer and such.

Once you find a domestic helper, you may contact HelperChoice team to process helper’s visa for you (applicable for Filipino maids). Visa processing service fee includes all mandatory visa application fees, including the fee required by the Consulate of the Philippines and paper work. If you domestic helper is currently in Hong Kong and about to finish the contract soon, it will be deemed as a local case. The visa processing time will take around 6 weeks. However, if your helper is currently based outside Hong Kong, you have to choose overseas visa processing service and the processing time will be longer up to 3 months. Most of visa processing services provided have included 2-year mandatory helper insurance, which will cover helper’s medical fee. To learn more, please feel free to contact customer support via Whatsapp or click here for more information.