What should agency fees typically cover?

One of the biggest complaints about employment agencies in Hong Kong is that they sneak in hidden costs throughout the process. More often than not, the price you are quoted at the start is very different from the price you end up paying. If you are not careful, you may eventually pay an exorbitant amount of agency fees for the domestic helper you want!

What items should be covered in the agency fee?

When choosing an employment agency, check that the following agency fees are covered in the price you are quoted: 

• One basic medical examination (approx. HKD400-600)
• Consulate fee (approx. HKD280-360)
• Hong Kong Immigration visa fee (HKD230)
• Mandatory insurance in the domestic worker’s home country (approx. HKD500)
• Flight from the domestic worker’s home country to Hong Kong (HKD1000-2000, depending on whether the worker takes additional domestic flights in the country of origin)
• General fees for the partner agency in the domestic helper’s home country
• Travel allowance (HK$100 per day of travel from the domestic helper’s place of origin)

What are reasonable expenses for a Filipino domestic helper to pay?

An employment agency in Hong Kong can only legally charge a domestic helper up to 10% of their monthly salary as a placement fee. On top of this, a domestic helper will also reasonably be expected to cover:

• Transportation fees during processing
• Lodging fees (as needed)
• Mandatory seminar fees by Philippine authorities
• Passport fee
• Philhealth (optional)
• Pag-ibig (optional)

What does Fair Employment Agency charge?

Fair Employment Agency does not charge any hidden fees to employers. We are completely transparent about what’s included from the start. And as part of our ethical code, we never charge any fees to domestic helpers. View our pricing and see which of our services is right for you.