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Sector-Specific Labour Importation Scheme

The Sector-Specific Labour Importation Scheme (SSP) is a labor import arrangement launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to address labor shortages in certain industries. The purpose of the SSP is to allow local employers, when unable to find suitable local staff, to hire foreign workers with approval.

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Requirements

01 申請資格
  • Valid quota obtained: The employer must have successfully obtained an import quota from the relevant government policy bureau or department, and the quota must still be valid.
  • Signing a standard employment contract: Applicants must be directly employed by the same employer specified in the quota notification, and work in the designated location and position. They may not be transferred, outsourced, or assigned to other companies or subcontractors.
  • Salary requirements: The employer must offer the applicant a monthly salary no less than the median monthly salary for similar positions in the local area.
  • Provide accommodation and living security: The employer must prove that the personnel can pay the salary, provide the applicant with suitable accommodation, and guarantee the applicant's living expenses and the related costs of repatriation to the place of origin after termination of the contract.
  • No criminal record: Both the employer and the applicant must have no past violations or criminal records.
  • Suitable qualifications and experience: Applicants must possess the qualifications and work experience required for the position (depending on industry requirements; please refer to the relevant department's official website for details).
  • General entry requirements: Applicants must also meet the general requirements of the Immigration Department, including holding a valid travel document, having no criminal record, and not posing a safety or burden risk to Hong Kong.
  • Industry-Specific Worker Visa Application Form (ID 1030A).
  • Copy of a valid travel document, including the personal information page, issuance and expiry dates, and visa details (if applicable).
  • Copy of Hong Kong identity card (if applicable).
  • Copies of educational background, non-local driving license (if applicable), proof of the types of vehicles you are authorized to drive, and relevant work experience.
  • Imported workers must complete the original declaration and authorization form.
  • Copy of the Macao Resident Identity Card (if applicable).
  • Copy of Taiwan household registration and ID card (if applicable).
  • Industry-specific labor application form (ID 1030B).
  • Original standard employment contract (total of four (4) copies).
  • Copy of Business Registration (BR) Certificate.
  • Copy of the passenger transport business license (if applicable).
  • Copy of Joint Declaration on Labor Cooperation.
  • Senior Developer quota application result notification/approval notification and a copy of the attached "Quota Details" document.
  • Copy of the Labour Results Notification for substitute filing.

According to the Industry Workers Importation Scheme, employers approved to hire imported workers are required to pay a levy to the Employees Retraining Board. The levy funds local retraining programs and employment-related services, promoting the re-entry of the local workforce into the labor market.

This levy is a one-time calculation — HK$400 per month per imported worker, multiplied by the total months of the employment contract (capped at twenty four (24) months). Payment must be made after the Immigration Department approves the worker’s visa/entry permit and prior to the issuance of the relevant documents. The levy is strictly non-refundable for any reason.

  • The Immigration Department typically processes visa/entry permit applications for imported workers within approximately six (6) weeks of receiving all required documents and information. Incomplete or insufficient documentation will prevent the application from proceeding and may cause delays.
  • To ensure a smooth processing unless there are special or urgent circumstances, applicants or employers are advised to avoid actively checking the application progress during the approval process.
  • It is worth noting that the Immigration Department is responsible for approving all visas and entry permits, and the Director reserves the right to make the final discretionary decision on each application. Even if an applicant meets all the program requirements, the Immigration Department may still refuse an individual case without providing reasons.

Requirements

01

Eligibility

  • Valid quota obtained: The employer must have successfully obtained an import quota from the relevant government policy bureau or department, and the quota must still be valid.
  • Signing a standard employment contract: Applicants must be directly employed by the same employer specified in the quota notification, and work in the designated location and position. They may not be transferred, outsourced, or assigned to other companies or subcontractors.
  • Salary requirements: The employer must offer the applicant a monthly salary no less than the median monthly salary for similar positions in the local area.
  • Provide accommodation and living security: The employer must prove that the personnel can pay the salary, provide the applicant with suitable accommodation, and guarantee the applicant's living expenses and the related costs of repatriation to the place of origin after termination of the contract.
  • No criminal record: Both the employer and the applicant must have no past violations or criminal records.
  • Suitable qualifications and experience: Applicants must possess the qualifications and work experience required for the position (depending on industry requirements; please refer to the relevant department's official website for details).
  • General entry requirements: Applicants must also meet the general requirements of the Immigration Department, including holding a valid travel document, having no criminal record, and not posing a safety or burden risk to Hong Kong.

02

Application Documents

For Applicants

  • Industry-Specific Worker Visa Application Form (ID 1030A).
  • Copy of a valid travel document, including the personal information page, issuance and expiry dates, and visa details (if applicable).
  • Copy of Hong Kong identity card (if applicable).
  • Copies of educational background, non-local driving license (if applicable), proof of the types of vehicles you are authorized to drive, and relevant work experience.
  • Imported workers must complete the original declaration and authorization form.
  • Copy of the Macao Resident Identity Card (if applicable).
  • Copy of Taiwan household registration and ID card (if applicable).

03

Application Documents

For Employer

  • Industry-specific labor application form (ID 1030B).
  • Original standard employment contract (total of four (4) copies).
  • Copy of Business Registration (BR) Certificate.
  • Copy of the passenger transport business license (if applicable).
  • Copy of Joint Declaration on Labor Cooperation.
  • Senior Developer quota application result notification/approval notification and a copy of the attached "Quota Details" document.
  • Copy of the Labour Results Notification for substitute filing.

04

Levy

According to the Industry Workers Importation Scheme, employers approved to hire imported workers are required to pay a levy to the Employees Retraining Board. The levy funds local retraining programs and employment-related services, promoting the re-entry of the local workforce into the labor market.

This levy is a one-time calculation — HK$400 per month per imported worker, multiplied by the total months of the employment contract (capped at twenty four (24) months). Payment must be made after the Immigration Department approves the worker’s visa/entry permit and prior to the issuance of the relevant documents. The levy is strictly non-refundable for any reason.

05

Approval Processing Time

  • The Immigration Department typically processes visa/entry permit applications for imported workers within approximately six (6) weeks of receiving all required documents and information. Incomplete or insufficient documentation will prevent the application from proceeding and may cause delays.
  • To ensure a smooth processing unless there are special or urgent circumstances, applicants or employers are advised to avoid actively checking the application progress during the approval process.
  • It is worth noting that the Immigration Department is responsible for approving all visas and entry permits, and the Director reserves the right to make the final discretionary decision on each application. Even if an applicant meets all the program requirements, the Immigration Department may still refuse an individual case without providing reasons.

Form

Covered Industries

Project

Responsible Department/Organization

Responsible Quota Approval

Relevant Bureau/Department/Statutory Body Website

Construction Workers Scheme

Hong Kong Development Bureau

Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Development Bureau

http://www.devb.gov.hk

Labor importation For Transportation-Aviation Industry

Transport and Logistics Bureau + Hong Kong Airport Authority

Permanent Secretary of the Transport and Logistics Bureau

http://www.tlb.gov.hk

Labor Importation For Transportation-Public Minibus/Bus

Hong Kong Transport Department

Transport Commissioner

http://www.td.gov.hk

Form

Industry-Specific Form Number

File Type

Construction Industry Code

Air Transport Industry Code

Minibus & Long-Distance Bus Industry Code

Standard Employment Contract

DEVB-CSS-16

LIS(A)-5

TD-ID-16

Quota Application Result Notice

DEVB-CSS-8

LIS(A)-4

TD-ID-8

Termination Notice

DEVB-CSS-18

LIS(A)-2d

TD-ID-18

Joint Declaration on Labour Cooperation between Mainland China and Hong Kong

DEVB-CSS-8c-2

LIS(A)-2b-2

TD-ID-8b2

Declaration and Authorization

DEVB-CSS-8c-1

LIS(A)-2b-1

TD-ID-8b1

Replacement Imported Labour Result Notice

DEVB-CSS-18a

AA/LIS

TD-ID-18b

TABLE

Industries That Covered by This Program

Program NameResponsible Department/
Organization		Quota Approval OfficerRelevant Bureau/Departments/
Statutory Bodies Websites
Imported Labour Scheme for the
Construction Industry		Development BureauPermanent Secretary for
Development (Works)		http://www.devb.gov.hk
Imported Labour Scheme for the
Transport (Airline) Industry		Transport and Logistics
Bureau+Airport Authority		Permanent Secretary for
Transport and Logistics		http://www.tlb.gov.hk
Imported Labour Scheme for the
Transport Sector (Public Light Bus
/Coach)		Transport DepartmentCommissioner for Transporthttp://www.td.gov.hk

TABLE

Industry-specific form number

File TypeCode for Construction IndustryCode for Transportation Airline
Industry		Code for Transportation Mini
Bus/Coach Industry
Standard employment contractDEVB-CSS-16LIS(A)-5TD-ID-16
Notification of quota application
results		DEVB-CSS-8LIS(A)-4TD-ID-8
Termination NoticeDEVB-CSS-18LIS(A)-2dTD-ID-18
Joint Declaration on Labor
Service Cooperation between the
Mainland and Hong Kong		DEVB-CSS-8c-2LIS(A)-2b-2TD-ID-8b2
Declaration and AuthorizationDEVB-CSS-8c-1LIS(A)-2b-1TD-ID-8b1
Notification of results of
replacement worker importation		DEVB-CSS-18aAA/LISTD-ID-18b
onesec

Official Government Website

Imported Labour Scheme Guide

BUD Special Fund

EMF Export Marketing Fund

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