Employment Agency Licence Hong Kong
Starting a recruitment or job placement business in Hong Kong requires an Employment Agency (EA) Licence from the Labour Department. This guide covers everything you need to know about EA Licence requirements, application process, cost, and compliance.
What is an Employment Agency Licence?
An Employment Agency Licence is mandatory for any business that provides:
- Job placement services (recruitment agencies)
- Executive search / headhunting
- Resume screening and referral services
- Career consulting with job placement
Who Needs an EA Licence?
You need an EA Licence if your business:
- Charges job seekers or employers for placement services
- Regularly recruits for multiple employers
- Operates as a recruitment agency or headhunting firm
- Online platforms that match workers with employers
EA Licence Application Requirements
Business Requirements
- Hong Kong business registration
- Physical office in Hong Kong (not virtual office in most cases)
- Professional indemnity insurance (minimum HK$1 million)
- At least one responsible person (usually director) with relevant experience
Personnel Requirements
- At least one Responsible Person (RP) with 2+ years recruitment experience
- RP must be Hong Kong resident or work permit holder
- No criminal records related to employment agencies
EA Licence Application Process
- Prepare documents:>CR, CI, office lease, RP CV, insurance quote
- Submit application: Online via Labour Department portal or paper submission
- Office inspection: Labour Department inspects your office (if required)
- Approval: 4-6 weeks for standard applications
- Issue: Licence issued with conditions
EA Licence Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| EA Licence fee (annual) | HK$1,200 |
| Office setup (first year) | HK$30,000-100,000 |
| Professional indemnity insurance | HK$8,000-15,000/year |
| Business registration | HK$250 |
| Est. Total First Year | HK$39,450-116,450 |
EA Licence Exemptions
You do NOT need an EA Licence if:
- You only recruit for your own company
- You are a trade union helping members
- You are a government employment agency
- You provide no-fee career guidance (no placement)
Common EA Licence Issues
- Operating without a licence (fines up to HK$50,000)
- Using virtual offices (rejected by Labour Department)
- Insufficient professional indemnity insurance
- RP not meeting experience requirements
Ready-Made Companies with EA Licence
Easy Biz offers shell companies with existing EA Licence, saving you 3-6 months application time. Browse available companies or contact us for current listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does EA Licence approval take?
Standard processing is 4-6 weeks. Urgent applications may be processed in 2-3 weeks with additional fees.
Can I operate an EA without a physical office?
No, Labour Department requires a physical Hong Kong office. Virtual offices are generally not accepted except in exceptional circumstances.
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