Agile HRO

Country Explorer

Hong Kong flag

Compliantly hire and expand your business in Hong Kong

When it comes to employing and managing employees in Hong Kong, there are specific procedures and regulations that must be followed.
Hong Kong map
Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is a city and a special administrative region in China. With 7.4 million residents of various nationalities in a 1,104 square-kilometre (426 sq mi) territory, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated territories in the world.

Hong Kong

Capital

$51,168

GDP per Capita

$385.546 billion

Total GDP

7,498,100

Total Population

0.952

Human Development Index

UTC +8

Time Zone

Chinese, English

Official Languages

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

Currency

1,114.35 km2 (430.25 mi2)

Land Area

Here's what you need to know

Overall, employing workers in Hong Kong can be a complex process, but working with a local expert in employment and payroll can help ensure that you’re meeting all the necessary legal requirements and providing a positive employment experience for your staff.
Employment contracts are not mandatory in Hong Kong, but highly recommended. They should clearly outline:

Job title, duties, and responsibilities

Salary and benefits

Working hours and overtime pay

Leave entitlements (annual leave, sick leave, etc.)

Termination terms (notice period, severance pay)

Confidentiality clauses (if applicable)

Minimum Wage

Hong Kong has a statutory minimum wage, currently set at HK$40 per hour.

Payroll Terms

Salaries are typically processed monthly and must be paid within seven days of the end of the wage period. Employers must provide itemized payslips to employees with details of gross pay, deductions, and net pay.

Taxes

Hong Kong operates a progressive income tax system. Employees pay income tax based on their annual earnings, with rates ranging from 2% to 17%. Employers are not required to withhold income tax at source, but employees are responsible for filing annual tax returns.

Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

Both employers and employees are required to contribute to the MPF, a mandatory retirement savings scheme. The current contribution rate is 5% of the employee's salary for employers and employees (capped at a certain amount).

Hong Kong has mandated leave entitlements under the Employment Ordinance:

Annual Leave

Minimum of 7 days per year, increasing with service duration (up to 14 days).

Statutory Holidays

12 paid public holidays per year.

Sick Leave

4 days of paid sick leave accrued per month (2 days in the first year), capped at 120 days in a single sickness episode.

Maternity Leave

Up to 10 weeks of paid leave for female employees.

Paternity Leave

3 days of paid leave for male employees.

Probationary Period

There's no mandatory probationary period in Hong Kong. However, employment contracts often include one, typically lasting between 1 and 3 months. During this time, termination can be easier for both employer and employee.

Termination of Employment

Termination of employment should follow the terms outlined in the contract or the Employment Ordinance. Notice periods vary depending on the employee's length of service and the reason for termination. Severance pay may also be required under certain circumstances.

Download the full Employment & Payroll Guide to Hong Kong

Enter your details and receive the full guide to your inbox

Looking to take on the global marketplace with confidence?

Fast-track your EOR quickly and compliantly with the local laws of any country. We are here to help you achieve your international business expansion challenges.
Quick Hassle-Free Market Entry
Agile will help you hire and onboard talent across countries within a week and even less in many cases. So, you can get up and running in a completely new country in a short period.
Cost Effective
Hiring employees without the need to set up a legal entity in countries will help save a lot of time, sometimes up to 85%. In addition, you will not have to worry about establishing a foreign entity and all the maintenance costs that come with it.
Employee Onboarding
As an expert in local laws and regulations, we can help you adhere to the local and national regulations, including the market norms. We offer a ‘ready-made’ HR support infrastructure that takes the guesswork out of hiring international employees.
Payroll Management
Agile handles international payroll processing in adherence to the local rules of a country’s local jurisdiction. It includes utilizing manual as well as automated processes to ensure the local workforce gets their pay after allowing all the right deductions.
Onsite HR & Legal Team
Our team comprises experts who offer local legal guidance through employee onboarding, benefits distribution, HR compliance, contract renewals, termination, and more.
Stay Compliant with Local Laws
By hiring us, you can outsource the complex task of regulatory compliance to the experts. We ensure your company, intellectual property, and support employees are all well-protected.
guide book icon

Everything you need to know to hire globally

Our Ultimate Guide To Global Employment answers all your questions about global EOR, payroll, mobility, benefits, compliance, and more!

Our track record speaks for itself, but don’t take our word for it

24/5 support
120+ currencies
100+ countries
30 years in Human Resources

Agile HRO has accelerated the international expansion of hundreds of companies for over 25 years.

Ready to go global?

Agile HRO are not just HR experts; we are your strategic ally in global growth. From consultation to execution, we are dedicated to ensuring your success on the global stage.

Need more assistance?

Get in touch with Agile

Schedule a demo call with Q&A

We value your privacy. By submitting the above information, you agree to our privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Need more assistance?

Get in touch

We are looking forward to hearing from you.





    By submitting the above information, you agree to our privacy policy.
    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA

    Book Your Free Consultation

    Schedule a 30-minute call with us

    We value your privacy. By submitting the above information, you agree to our privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

    Book a Demo to Get 50% Off

    Schedule a 30-minute product demo with Q&A

    We value your privacy. By submitting the above information, you agree to our privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

    Agile HRO logo
    Enter your details to access brag sheet template!

    Get Started with Agile

    Schedule a 30-minute product demo with Q&A

    We value your privacy. By submitting the above information, you agree to our privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.