I also have the experience of direct hire. She must go to HK through agency. The agency fee was about $4000. Besides, she needed to attend a training course in Phil before go to HK (Govt' request). My agency suggested the maid pay all fee because the maid had no need to pay the high agency fee when compare with the maid who came to HK though agency. Besides, the maid would have low responsibly if she had no need to pay any fee. At last, I discussed with the maid and she agreed to pay all fee and I just to pay the fee of body check.