Electricians, painters, carpenters and A/C technicians can all be imported — but through the right scheme. Most renovation firms do not qualify for the Construction Scheme; ESLS is the correct route.
The Construction Sector scheme mainly covers public works contracts worth HK$1 billion or more, applied for by main contractors on a quarterly cycle. Typical residential, shop and office fitting-out companies do not qualify — their route is the ESLS, which accepts applications year-round at a 2:1 ratio with 4-week recruitment. Relevant trades (electrician, painter, carpenter, A/C technician) appear on the ESLS common post list under the electrical and mechanical trade categories.
| Post | Monthly median wage (HKD) | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $19,490 | F3 · 3 yrs experience |
| Painter | $16,830 | F3 · 3 yrs experience |
| Carpenter | $18,720 | F3 · 3 yrs experience |
| A/C & ventilation technician | $22,150 | F5 · 5 yrs experience |
| Building services technician | $20,790 | F3 · 3 yrs experience |
| Appliance repair technician | $18,200 | F3 · 3 yrs 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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