ESLS — Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (優化補充勞工計劃)

Hong Kong•Asia

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ESLS — Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (優化補充勞工計劃)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 month

Estimated Cost

HK$330 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

Employer-sponsored work permit for technicians and sub-degree skilled workers filling jobs that cannot be staffed locally in Hong Kong.

The Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) allows Hong Kong employers facing genuine local recruitment difficulties to import workers for technician-level and below positions. Administered by the Labour Department, it requires employers to conduct mandatory local recruitment exercises and offer wages at or above the sector median to ensure fair compensation.

Workers may stay up to 24 months and the visa is renewable. The fee is HKD 330 for the entry permit. Processing normally takes 6 weeks. Dependents are not permitted, but the work authorization is valid for the specific employer and position.

This visa is ideal for skilled technicians and frontline workers in construction, retail, catering, and logistics seeking employment in Hong Kong when local hiring efforts have proven unsuccessful.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Annual Cap & Quota

Managed by Labour Department

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Employer must be carrying on business in Hong Kong.

Employer must have genuine difficulties in recruiting suitable staff locally at technician level or below.

Employer must conduct a local recruitment exercise as stipulated by the Labour Department.

Wages offered must not be below the median monthly wages for the respective job types.

Job requirements must not be restrictive or excessive (e.g., age, sex, education, experience).

Applicant must be suitably qualified and experienced for the job.

Applicant must have a clear criminal record.

Employer must be financially capable of employing the applicant and providing suitable accommodation.

Not applicable to sectors covered by other specific labour importation schemes (e.g., construction, transport, residential care homes).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Application Form (e.g., ESLS-1A for common posts).

Information of full-time local employees.

Justifications for labour importation.

Standard Employment Contract (SEC).

Applicant's valid travel document.

Applicant's recent photograph.

Proof of academic qualifications and work experience.

Declaration and Authorisation Form.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Affordable entry permit fee of HKD 330 for non-degree skilled workers
Predictable 6-week processing timeline for employer and employee planning
Standardized application forms (ID 1001A, ID 1001B) streamline submission process
Open to all nationalities with no country-based restrictions or quotas
Up to 24-month work authorization with renewable extensions available
Sector-diverse opportunities across construction, retail, catering, and logistics
Guaranteed minimum wage protection set at median sector rates

Worth Knowing

Job offer from registered Hong Kong employer is mandatory before application
Dependents cannot accompany or join the visa holder during employment
Position must be at technician level or below—not available for degree-holders
Employment restricted to the specific employer and position named in approval
Employer must demonstrate local recruitment failure through mandatory 4-week exercise
No pathway to permanent residency; visa is strictly temporary and time-limited
Remote work not permitted—applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong

Application Process

Employer applies to the Supplementary Labour Division (SLD) of the Labour Department for approval-in-principle.

Employer conducts a mandatory local recruitment exercise and participates in job fairs.

Upon receiving approval-in-principle, the employer arranges for the prospective worker to submit a visa/entry permit application to the Immigration Department (ImmD).

Employer pays the required Employees Retraining Levy.

ImmD processes the application (normally 6 weeks).

Successful applicant downloads the 'e-Visa' for entry.

Application Forms

ID 1001A	Fill online
ID 1001B	Fill online

Verified Claims (6)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Fee Breakdown

Entry permit fee: 330 HKD

immd.gov.hk

Fees

HKD 330

immd.gov.hk

Forms

ID 1001A; ID 1001B

immd.gov.hk

Included Nationalities

null

labour.gov.hk

Processing Estimates

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

immd.gov.hk

Processing Time

Normally 6 weeks

immd.gov.hk

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Overview

Employer-sponsored work permit for technicians and sub-degree skilled workers filling jobs that cannot be staffed locally in Hong Kong.

This visa is ideal for skilled technicians and frontline workers in construction, retail, catering, and logistics seeking employment in Hong Kong when local hiring efforts have proven unsuccessful.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Employer must be carrying on business in Hong Kong.

Employer must have genuine difficulties in recruiting suitable staff locally at technician level or below.

Employer must conduct a local recruitment exercise as stipulated by the Labour Department.

Wages offered must not be below the median monthly wages for the respective job types.

Job requirements must not be restrictive or excessive (e.g., age, sex, education, experience).

Applicant must be suitably qualified and experienced for the job.

Applicant must have a clear criminal record.

Employer must be financially capable of employing the applicant and providing suitable accommodation.

Not applicable to sectors covered by other specific labour importation schemes (e.g., construction, transport, residential care homes).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Application Form (e.g., ESLS-1A for common posts).

Information of full-time local employees.

Justifications for labour importation.

Standard Employment Contract (SEC).

Applicant's valid travel document.

Applicant's recent photograph.

Proof of academic qualifications and work experience.

Declaration and Authorisation Form.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Affordable entry permit fee of HKD 330 for non-degree skilled workers
Predictable 6-week processing timeline for employer and employee planning
Standardized application forms (ID 1001A, ID 1001B) streamline submission process
Open to all nationalities with no country-based restrictions or quotas
Up to 24-month work authorization with renewable extensions available
Sector-diverse opportunities across construction, retail, catering, and logistics
Guaranteed minimum wage protection set at median sector rates

Worth Knowing

Job offer from registered Hong Kong employer is mandatory before application
Dependents cannot accompany or join the visa holder during employment
Position must be at technician level or below—not available for degree-holders
Employment restricted to the specific employer and position named in approval
Employer must demonstrate local recruitment failure through mandatory 4-week exercise
No pathway to permanent residency; visa is strictly temporary and time-limited
Remote work not permitted—applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong

Application Process

Employer applies to the Supplementary Labour Division (SLD) of the Labour Department for approval-in-principle.

Employer conducts a mandatory local recruitment exercise and participates in job fairs.

Upon receiving approval-in-principle, the employer arranges for the prospective worker to submit a visa/entry permit application to the Immigration Department (ImmD).