1. Fee overview (transparent fees · HK$0 quota-application handling)
| Stage | Service | Employer cost | Provider / payee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 · Quota application | Hong Kong labour-quota application handling | HK$0 | Zhigang (licensed employment agency) | We support the employer's labour-quota application at no charge |
| Post-approval document handling | HK$2,000 / person | Zhigang (licensed employment agency) | Charged as a document-processing fee after approval | |
| Stage 2 · Recruitment and matching | Government levy (paid after quota approval) | HK$9,600 / person | Hong Kong Government (mandatory employer payment) | Collected after each approved quota: HK$400 per month for 24 months |
| Recruitment | Exclusive engagement: HK$0 | Zhigang | Candidate matching and recruitment to the employer's requirements | |
| Interview | Quoted when required | Service provider | One-to-one video or in-person interviews (for demand of 3–5 or more), reviewed by an HR manager | |
| Stage 3 · Contract and visa | Employment contract | HK$0 | Zhigang | After the employer confirms selection and the candidate accepts, both parties sign the employment contract before visa handling |
| Visa processing and endorsement | Labour-service fee ¥600 / month · insurance ¥1,200 / two years | Authorised labour-service agency (paid by worker) | A designated licensed mainland partner handles the worker's process and collects the applicable fees |
Note: these charges are compiled from the service information. Employers must pay the mandatory quota levy to the Hong Kong Government. Actual fees follow the latest policy and the parties' agreement. Every item is written into the contract, with no hidden charges.
2. Why Zhigang handles quota applications at no charge
This is a central difference in Zhigang's model. Many agencies charge an application fee before approval and do not refund it. Zhigang's model is:
- HK$0 at the quota-application stage: assessment and application handling are free, so that risk is not shifted to the employer
- A fee only after success: the HK$2,000-per-person document fee arises only after approval when document processing begins
- Government charges at cost: the HK$9,600-per-person levy is collected by the Hong Kong Government without markup, supported by the receipt
The service is backed by AOYE Resources, aNational High-Tech Enterprise, with a cross-border talent database of 86,000+, a talent-matching success rate of 98%, and a fastest recorded matching time of 7 days. The assessment stage is used to evaluate quota feasibility before work starts.
3. Why the handling fee is not the only comparison
A common industry problem is thatlow-price agencies may profit from repeat applications. Common reasons for Labour Department refusal include non-compliant local recruitment, pay below the market median and unreasonable recruitment conditions. A refusal can mean rejoining the queue for months and missing a peak staffing window.
Zhigang reviews three areas before application: whether the role and pay reach the market median, whether local recruitment is compliant, and whether conditions are reasonable. It has served 500+ Hong Kong employers and supported 2,000+ ESLS quotas, with an annual imported-worker retention level of 88%.
4. Process and timeline
- Assessment (free): confirm roles, headcount and feasibility, then issue an assessment and written quote.
- Local-recruitment evidence: advertise through compliant channels and compile evidence (about 2–4 weeks).
- Labour Department filing and review: historical average approval time is 45 days, subject to actual Labour Department processing.
- Visa and entry: process the visa and coordinate accommodation and entry after approval.
- Onboarding: the historical overall timeline is about 60 days from launch to arrival, followed by onboarding support.
Credentials: National High-Tech Enterprise | 2024 Greater Bay Area HR Service Brand Excellence Award | Employment Agency Licence 82950 | 500+ Hong Kong enterprise clients | 2,000+ ESLS quotas supported | Offices in Zhuhai, Macao and Hong Kong
Frequently asked questions
Is quota-application handling really free, and will the price increase later?
The quota-application stage is HK$0. Charges arise from the HK$2,000-per-person document fee after approval and the HK$9,600-per-person government levy paid at cost. Every item is written into the contract, with no hidden fees.
Is the HK$9,600 per person paid to Zhigang?
No. It is the Hong Kong Government levy—HK$400 per month for 24 months—which the employer must pay after quota approval. Zhigang only handles the process and does not add a markup.
Who pays the visa and insurance fees?
The labour-service fee of ¥600 per month and insurance of ¥1,200 for two years are paid by the worker and collected and handled by Zhigang's designated licensed mainland partner.
What other statutory duties does the employer have?
The employer must provide accommodation or an allowance, purchase employees' compensation insurance and pay return travel at contract expiry. Zhigang's accommodation service can assist in finding worker housing.
Is staff accommodation mandatory?
Imported workers must have suitable Hong Kong accommodation. The employer may arrange compliant housing or use Zhigang's staff-accommodation option.
Further reading
Get a free quota-application assessment
Provide the roles, headcount and target onboarding date; a consultant will prepare an ESLS plan and itemised quote the same day.
+852 4613 6662