78Employment activities
就業活動
This division encompasses a range of activities related to the provision of employment services. It includes recruitment, placement, and staffing services, as well as activities that support job seekers and employers in finding suitable employment opportunities.
Groups in this division
Licences and approvals
What this activity needs to operate
Activities under this code trigger the following licensing regimes. Emerhub prepares and files each application on your behalf.
Employment Agency Licence
Labour Department (Employment Agencies Administration)
Under section 51(1) of the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57), no person may operate an employment agency without a licence or certificate of exemption issued by the Commissioner for Labour. The licence covers businesses that place job seekers with employers, including recruitment firms and agencies placing foreign domestic helpers, and is valid for 12 months. The application must be submitted no later than one month before the intended commencement of business.
Required where the firm places candidates rather than only supplying its own staff
- Processing time
- Application must be lodged at least one month before intended business commencement; no other published target time
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Standard compliance
Compliance every Hong Kong company shares
Beyond anything specific to this activity, every Hong Kong company handles two-tiered profits tax, the annual return (Form NAR1) within 42 days of its incorporation anniversary, audited accounts, MPF enrolment for staff, and a company secretary. Emerhub runs all of it on your behalf.
See the full Hong Kong compliance calendarIncorporate in Hong Kong
Starting a employment activities business in Hong Kong?
Emerhub incorporates your company, registers the business nature above with the IRD, files every licence application, and runs your company secretary and compliance calendar. You provide the documents; Emerhub handles every government interaction.
Start incorporation with Emerhub