Is this possible? First time Hiring a maid in HK

Ben99 · 18-02-2025, 09:51 AM

Hi guys
as the title suggests first time hiring a maid, is it possible that we hire them at our in-laws place then transfer her over? It’s also in a few months when our first sprog is due so our thinking is that we will need them a lot more in a few months rather than now. And our in-laws could do with some help in the interim. Is this possible with the maid contracts generally in HK? Tks all

hullexile · 18-02-2025, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Ben99:

Hi guys
as the title suggests first time hiring a maid, is it possible that we hire them at our in-laws place then transfer her over? It’s also in a few months when our first sprog is due so our thinking is that we will need them a lot more in a few months rather than now. And our in-laws could do with some help in the interim. Is this possible with the maid contracts generally in HK? Tks all

If it were me I would hire them for you from the start and let them work at your in laws to start with. Technically illegal but no one is going to check.

Someone may know otherwise but a transfer sounds like a lot of trouble. Is it even possible without treating it as a new employment?

shri · 18-02-2025, 10:32 AM

Don't bother with transfers. As long as the inlaws have decent enough living arrangements for the helper you should be fine.

paddylast · 18-02-2025, 12:12 PM

Are you going to explain this to the helper in advance of signing up?

Beanieskis · 18-02-2025, 12:30 PM

No, this isn't possible (or legal) I believe. Do you live at your in laws? Maybe you're staying with them to help with the birth of your child? If so that would be easy enough - hire them in your name from the start. You'll need proof of address, then when you move to your new place, update your change of address with Immigration.

I don't think it's uncommon for people to have more than one residence in Hong Kong, but the helper can only work in one household.

hullexile · 18-02-2025, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Beanieskis:

No, this isn't possible (or legal) I believe. Do you live at your in laws? Maybe you're staying with them to help with the birth of your child? If so that would be easy enough - hire them in your name from the start. You'll need proof of address, then when you move to your new place, update your change of address with Immigration.

I don't think it's uncommon for people to have more than one residence in Hong Kong, but the helper can only work in one household.

Many do though and by exploiting the helper. This is not the case here.