Hiring Imported Care Workers for Residential Homes

The Special Scheme is Hong Kong's most accessible import channel: SWD streamlined approval, 1:1 ratio for private homes, and only 14 days of local recruitment.

Approving body: SWDPrivate home ratio: 1:1Recruitment: 14 days

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Why care homes have the easiest pathway

Item	Care Home Special Scheme	General ESLS
Ratio	Private/self-financing 1:1; subvented/contract 1:2	2:1 (3:1 for some catering posts)
Local recruitment	14 consecutive calendar days	4–6 weeks
Approval	SWD streamlined, quota in ~2 months after each round closes	Labour Dept + LAB, longer

Eligibility highlights

Home types: licensed residential care homes for the elderly or persons with disabilities, and exempted nursing homes (day centres not eligible)
Post: care worker (personal care); wages not below the C&SD-compiled median for care workers
Applications by rounds: submit form SWD-ICW-1 within designated application windows
Accommodation: minimum 3.4 m² net floor area per worker, max 6 beds per room — our dormitory service covers this with zero deposit
After arrival: attend the Labour Department briefing within 8 weeks

Hiring Imported Care Workers for Residential Homes

Why care homes have the easiest pathway

Eligibility highlights

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