Direct hire, local hire, and overseas hire explained
Understand how direct, local, and overseas hiring labels are commonly used when hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong.
"Direct hire," "local hire," and "overseas hire" describe different parts of the starting situation, but agencies do not always use the labels in exactly the same way. Confirm the helper, location, contract status, and work included before comparing fees.
Direct hire usually means you have chosen the helper
In a direct or designated hire, the employer and helper are already matched. The agency may handle documents and processing rather than recruitment. Ask whether the package includes origin-country work, Hong Kong processing, medical checks, insurance, travel, and arrival support.
Local hire describes where the helper is
A local helper is already in Hong Kong. Their current contract status matters. Agencies may publish different terms for a finished contract, a broken contract, or another eligible situation. The Immigration Department decides visa eligibility; an agency label is not a decision.
Overseas hire starts outside Hong Kong
An overseas hire begins with the helper outside Hong Kong. The process can involve work in Hong Kong and the helper's place of origin. Confirm whether airfare, overseas agency charges, training, medical checks, insurance, and document fees are included.
Full service may include recruitment
A full-service package may include finding candidates in addition to processing, but the scope varies. Ask what happens if the selected helper withdraws, does not pass a required check, or cannot complete the process.
Questions for an agency
- Which exact service route applies to this helper?
- Is recruitment included, or are we already matched?
- Which Hong Kong and origin-country steps are included?
- Which fees are paid to third parties?
- Which costs can change?
- What is the written refund or replacement policy?
Use these questions alongside the agency pricing profiles and pricing method. Current immigration and employment requirements should always be checked on the official department sites.