ImmD household income eligibility (HK$15,000)

Problem

Forum posts often treat “HK$15,000” as a hard personal-salary cutoff, or say proof is never needed. ImmD’s own pages are more precise: it is household income, it scales per helper, assets can substitute, the figure can be adjusted by the Government, and supporting documents are still required for many new-hire cases — while renewals with the same employer often skip financial proof if income and address conditions still hold.

Core claim: income or assets, per helper

• Financial capability after household expenditure. ImmD’s first eligibility criterion: the employer must be financially capable of employing a Helper after household expenditure has been deducted. Verified — ImmD FDH services — Eligibility Criteria.
• In general: ≥ HK$15,000 household income per month for every Helper, or assets of comparable amount to support employment for the whole contractual period. The HK$15,000 figure may be adjusted by the HKSAR Government from time to time. Verified — ImmD FDH services; Guidebook ID(E) 969 §II.
• Per helper, not a one-time household ceiling. ImmD FAQ Q63 and form ID 988B both say the declaration is “no less than HK$15,000 for every domestic helper to be employed.” Two helpers → treat the rule as applying to each. Verified — ImmD FDH FAQ Q63; ID 988B Part 3.
• Assets alternative is official, not folklore. The same criterion allows “assets of comparable amount” for the full contract period. ImmD’s new-hire supporting-document list gives an example of substantial assets such as fixed deposits / bank savings statements for the last 6 months with an aggregated amount of no less than HK$350,000 (among other proof types). That HK$350,000 figure is an ImmD example of asset evidence — not a separate published substitute for every case. Verified — ImmD FDH services, Step 3 supporting documents.

What you declare vs when ImmD wants proof

1. Declare on ID 988B (employer form), Part 3 Household Information. Yes/No on whether average monthly household income is no less than HK$15,000 for every helper to be employed. Verified — ImmD FAQ Q63; ID 988B.
2. New hire / first sponsorship — expect financial evidence. ImmD’s new-hire procedure lists proof that the employer can afford a Helper after household expenditure: e.g. latest IRD notice of assessment; salary slips or bank auto-pay evidence for the last 3 months; or substantial-asset evidence (property tax assessment, fixed deposits / savings for 6 months ≥ HK$350,000, etc.). Self-employed / company director paths are listed separately on the same page. Verified — ImmD FDH services, Application Procedures Step 3.
3. Contract renewal with the same employer — proof often not required if… ImmD states proof of financial position and residential address is not required provided average household income remains no less than HK$15,000 for each helper and there is no change in residential address. ImmD may still ask for further documents in individual cases. Verified — ImmD FAQ Q63; ImmD FDH checklist note ****; ImmD FDH services (contract renewal notes).
4. False statements are an offence. ImmD warns that knowingly false statements to an immigration officer are offences; field visits may be conducted. Do not invent income figures to clear the checkbox. Verified — ImmD FDH services, Important Notes.

What you can do today

1. Re-read ImmD’s eligibility criteria page (not a random agency WhatsApp forward) before you sign or pay. Start: immd.gov.hk — Foreign Domestic Helpers.
2. Count helpers correctly. If you already employ one FDH and want a second, the HK$15,000 rule is stated per helper — budget and declare accordingly. Verified — ImmD FAQ Q63.
3. Gather the right pack for your path. New hire → follow ImmD’s Step 3 document list. Same-employer renewal with stable income and same address → declaration on ID 988B may suffice, but keep records in case ImmD asks. Verified.
4. If income is below the published figure, do not guess a workaround. ImmD allows assets of comparable amount; whether your assets qualify is ImmD’s call. Use the Guidebook and document checklist — or ask ImmD — rather than inventing a “side letter.” Likely — assets path is Verified in text; outcome of any one case is ImmD discretion (Unverified for your file until ImmD decides).
5. Keep MAW separate. Household income eligibility is an ImmD employer test. The helper’s wage must still meet the current Minimum Allowable Wage on the SEC (see MAW & unpaid wages). Those are different numbers. Verified — ImmD eligibility criterion 5; ImmD FAQ Q12 (current MAW).

Employer checklist

• Re-read ImmD eligibility criteria (household income ≥ HK$15,000 per helper / month or comparable assets)
• Count how many FDHs you will employ — rule is per helper
• Complete ID 988B Part 3 household-income declaration honestly
• New hire: prepare ImmD Step 3 financial proof (tax / salary / bank / assets examples as applicable)
• Same-employer renewal: confirm income still ≥ HK$15,000 per helper and address unchanged before skipping proof
• Keep copies of whatever you declare — ImmD may still request more in individual cases
• Do not confuse household-income eligibility with MAW on the SEC
• Re-check ImmD pages before you submit — the HK$15,000 figure may be adjusted over time

Sources

• Verified — ImmD — Foreign Domestic Helpers (Eligibility Criteria §1: ≥ HK$15,000 household income per Helper per month or assets of comparable amount; figure may be adjusted; Step 3 financial-proof examples including ≥ HK$350,000 aggregated deposits/savings over 6 months). Checked 24 Oct 2026.
• Verified — Guidebook for the Employment of Domestic Helpers from Abroad ID(E) 969 §II Eligibility Criteria (same income / assets wording).
• Verified — ImmD FDH FAQ Q1 (eligibility overview + Guidebook); Q63 (financial proof not required if income remains ≥ HK$15,000 per helper; declare on ID 988B Part 3; further docs may be required).
• Verified — ImmD checklist of forms and documents note **** (renewal: proof of financial position and address not required if income ≥ HK$15,000 per helper and address unchanged; further docs possible).
• Verified — Application form ID 988B Part 3 Household Information (declare average monthly household income no less than HK$15,000 for every helper).

FAQ