Waiters are the most-approved post under the ESLS. From June 2026, kitchen and front-of-house posts follow a 3:1 departmental ratio with 6-week local recruitment — get it right the first time.
Under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), catering is now the most tightly regulated sector. From 16 June 2026, production posts (chef, junior chef, barbecue cook, beverage maker, bar supervisor) and front-of-house posts (waiter, captain, host, cashier) fall under Tier 2: a 3:1 ratio of full-time local employees to imported workers calculated across the whole department, 6 weeks of local recruitment, and attendance at Labour Department job fairs every two weeks. Other posts such as dishwashers and kitchen helpers remain Tier 1 (2:1 ratio, 4 weeks).
| Post | Monthly median wage (HKD) | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Waiter | $15,820 | P6 · 1 yr experience · 9 hrs/day |
| Junior cook / No. 4 cook | $16,330 | P6 · 1 yr experience |
| No. 2 cook | $22,580 | F5 · 3 yrs experience |
| Dim sum cook | $20,150 | F3 · 1 yr experience |
| Dishwasher | $15,920 | P6 · 1 yr experience |
| Kitchen helper | $16,110 | P6 · 1 yr experience |
Source: Labour Department, "ESLS List of Common Posts" (revised 22 June 2026), official PDF. Median wages are updated periodically; the figure at time of application prevails.
An ESLS application typically takes 4–6 months: submission (form ESLS-1A/1B) → local open recruitment → Labour Advisory Board assessment and approval-in-principle → candidate matching via licensed mainland labour agencies → Immigration Department visa → arrival and onboarding. We handle all documentation, recruitment advertising and follow-up at zero service fee to employers.
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