Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes (輸入護理員特別計劃)

Hong Kong•Asia

Open

Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes (輸入護理員特別計劃)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Estimated Cost

HK$230 HKD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Overview

Import care workers to residential care homes for up to 24 months to address Hong Kong's elderly care sector labor shortages.

Hong Kong's Special Scheme to Import Care Workers allows residential care homes to employ foreign workers to fill critical staffing gaps in elderly care. Administered by the Social Welfare Department, it is open to qualified care professionals. The scheme is employer-driven; only licensed facilities with approved quotas can sponsor workers, capping annual intake at 7,000.

The visa lasts up to 24 months (or contract term, whichever is shorter) and is renewable through subsequent quota grants. Processing takes approximately 6 weeks. The fee is HKD 230, plus a non-refundable Employees Retraining Levy of HKD 400 per month. Dependents are not permitted; workers must remain with their designated care home and cannot change employers or duties.

This visa is ideal for experienced care professionals from mainland China seeking structured employment in Hong Kong's residential care sector, where critical staffing gaps exist and government oversight ensures worker protections.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Annual Cap & Quota

Cap of 7,000

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Employer must be a residential care home (RCH) for the elderly, persons with disabilities, or a nursing home with a valid license or exemption.

Must have a valid quota granted by the Social Welfare Department (SWD).

Applicant must be suitably qualified and experienced for the care worker role.

Must remain under the direct employment of the same RCH and perform specified duties.

Employer must be financially capable of providing accommodation and guaranteeing maintenance/repatriation.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Notice of Quota Approval (SWD-ICW-8) from the Social Welfare Department.

Standard Employment Contract (SWD-ICW-16).

Applicant's valid travel document or PRC resident identity card.

Completed online visa/entry permit application form.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Quota-based cap of 7,000 workers provides employment stability and signals genuine labor shortage recognition
Streamlined employer vetting reduces bureaucratic friction for qualifying residential care homes
Fast processing at 6 weeks enables quicker onboarding for urgent care facility staffing needs
Can work for up to 24 months, providing meaningful employment duration and contract security
Relaxed staffing ratios improve residential care service quality and worker autonomy
Government oversight ensures regulated, transparent employment terms and worker protections

Worth Knowing

Tied strictly to sponsoring care home—no job mobility, role changes, or duty changes permitted
Employment contingent on employer proving ongoing local recruitment efforts first
Employees Retraining Levy of HKD 400/month (up to HKD 9,600 total) adds significant ongoing employer costs
Dependents cannot accompany workers, limiting family reunification options
Closed to applications outside designated Social Welfare Department quota periods only

Application Process

Apply for a quota from the Contract Management Section of the Social Welfare Department during an open application period.

Upon grant of quota, arrange for the prospective care worker to submit a visa/entry permit application to the Immigration Department.

Pay the required Employees Retraining Levy (HK$400 per month of contract, max 24 months) after approval but before visa issuance.

Ensure the worker enters Hong Kong and remains with the specified employer.

Application Forms

ID 1028A	Fill online
ID 1028B	Fill online

Verified Claims (6)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Forms

ID 1028A; ID 1028B

immd.gov.hk

Included Nationalities

null

immd.gov.hk

Max Stay

Up to 24 months (or contract term, whichever is shorter)

immd.gov.hk

Max Stay Estimate

type: days, initialDays: 730, notes: 24 months or contract term, whichever is shorter

immd.gov.hk

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":42,"maxDays":42}

immd.gov.hk

Processing Time

Approx. 6 weeks

immd.gov.hk

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Overview

Import care workers to residential care homes for up to 24 months to address Hong Kong's elderly care sector labor shortages.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Employer must be a residential care home (RCH) for the elderly, persons with disabilities, or a nursing home with a valid license or exemption.

Must have a valid quota granted by the Social Welfare Department (SWD).

Applicant must be suitably qualified and experienced for the care worker role.

Must remain under the direct employment of the same RCH and perform specified duties.

Employer must be financially capable of providing accommodation and guaranteeing maintenance/repatriation.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Notice of Quota Approval (SWD-ICW-8) from the Social Welfare Department.

Standard Employment Contract (SWD-ICW-16).

Applicant's valid travel document or PRC resident identity card.

Completed online visa/entry permit application form.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Quota-based cap of 7,000 workers provides employment stability and signals genuine labor shortage recognition
Streamlined employer vetting reduces bureaucratic friction for qualifying residential care homes
Fast processing at 6 weeks enables quicker onboarding for urgent care facility staffing needs
Can work for up to 24 months, providing meaningful employment duration and contract security
Relaxed staffing ratios improve residential care service quality and worker autonomy
Government oversight ensures regulated, transparent employment terms and worker protections

Worth Knowing

Tied strictly to sponsoring care home—no job mobility, role changes, or duty changes permitted
Employment contingent on employer proving ongoing local recruitment efforts first
Employees Retraining Levy of HKD 400/month (up to HKD 9,600 total) adds significant ongoing employer costs
Dependents cannot accompany workers, limiting family reunification options
Closed to applications outside designated Social Welfare Department quota periods only

Application Process