Helper wants a trip back home now rather than at end of contract

Our helper's mother is very sick and is expected to die in the next few weeks. We have already paid for a flight and 2 week trip at the end of July for her to visit her mother - she has only worked for us for 1 year, so the flight was paid for by ourselves as a kind gesture. But since her return she has said that she also wants to go home once her mother had died for the funeral and wants to know how long she can go for and whether we can also pay for this flight, rather than the flight we would need to pay at the end of her contract whilst being renewed. The info about her mother is correct, so there are no issues about 'pulling a fast one'. She has offered to take 1-2 weeks leave out of her allowance and sign something that says she is taking this leave and flight in advance of her contract completion. I'm just not sure whether, at the end of each contract, each DH must leave HK, or whether we can show this letter to immigration and they will take a lenient option and let her stay, as she basically has taken her leave and home flight entitlement in advance. Incidentally, the timing for all of this could not be worse from a family perspective - my husband is away, we have friends staying etc, so whilst I sympathise with her, if we agree to this trip, I really want it to be for a week at most. Is that reasonable? Has anyone else a similar experience or made a similar request to immigration?

After every contract your only responsibility to her is a one way ticket, but if you will sign a new contract with her you need to give her a return ticket, but normally she is required to leave within a year while on the new contract, because now immigration only give like 1 year visa for the new contract(if you renew her contract)then when she comes back they will immigration will give her the whole 2 years visa.


For my point of view its reasonable for you to let her go home, but not necessary for you to pay for everything. I think one week is good enough. Depends which place in the philippines she came from, if she have to travel to be in manila then better give her 9 days, in that case she can have 1 day to reach home, and 1 day to come back here in Hong Kong. She will be happy enough for it.

How about a compromise. Perhaps you could pay for the trip home now and treat it as an advance against salary. Deduct the amount of the flight from her salary in installments over the remainder of her contract - or whatever is reasonable.


You can then pay for the flight home and no problems with immigration.


Be aware that the funeral is very expensive and drawn out in the PPs. She may come back with even more debt.