The limit
The maximum commission is 10% of your first month’s wages. At HK$5,100 a month, that is at most a tenth of it. The agency can only ask for it after you have been paid your first month.
What is not allowed
- charging more than the 10% limit, under any name — “training”, “service” or “processing” fees;
- deducting agency fees from your salary through your employer;
- keeping your passport or other documents.
Fees charged at home
Fees charged by an agency in your home country fall under that country’s rules. Keep receipts for everything you paid, wherever you paid it.
If you were overcharged
Report it to the Labour Department’s Employment Agencies Administration. Overcharging is an offence. Kaia never lends money and never refers anyone to a lender: if you are in debt from fees, a helper support organisation can advise you for free.
This explains the law in plain words. It is not legal advice — confirm with the Labour Department, 2717 1771.
Sources
Updated 18 September 2026