DH Paperwork

I'm about to start the paperwork for employing my DH. I'm new to the whole process and this will be my 1st helper.


I've offered her the job and she is to finish her contract this week - she is prepared to do the paperwork rather than go through an agency? Should I let her? Any ideas how long the paperwork will take?


Also, what paperwork do I have to be complete? Is there a list somewhere. Does she also have to have a medical before we sign the contract?


can anyone help outline the process?

I think it would be wise for you to pay for your DH to have a thorough medical before you sign up. I'm sure I've read posts here before where employers have suddenly faced $$$ bills and periods when their helper has been incapacitated - things which could have been avoided had they been aware of existing medical conditions.

You may contact Asiaxpat (look for Evelyn). She can give you the best advise with regards to the whole process in obtaining a work visa for your helper. She had assisted hundred of employers, paticularly first timers in hiring a ahelper.

thanks everyone,

where can I get the medical part done?

i want to do this before I sign the contract this week? Is it quite an easy process?


If i am clear, After the medical if all is well I can sign the contract and then she can take the paperwork to the Philippinne consulate? Once she has the receipt of this we can then go to HK immigration with the contract, release letter from her previous employer, proof of our address and proof of income plus ID card.


Have I missed anything?


Then its waiting for the Visa to arrive. How long do you guys think this will take


Assume that I bear all the costs?

For the Philippine Consulate application, you need her old contract, set of 4 of the new contract completely filled out, signed and witnessed. Her passport with her valid visa, Registration form (from the Consulate), HK ID Card This will cost you 297.50. Wait for about one week and take one of the copies of the contract to the HKID, with all of the necessary supporting documents (both your and hers)

936A,407L,copy of the contact, 407K,original of her travel document,

Employer's HK ID card, Helper's HKID card,

proof of financial position (copy), proof of address, copy but you need the original when you pick up the visa, Relase letter from the current emmployer showing the date of termination of her contract (this is very important)

You will pay $160 dollars for the visa when you pick it up (takes 4-6 weeks) and $2400 for the first installment of the 10,000 Levy, (unless you wish to pay it all in one go) You can write a letter to IM dept and ask to have you application speeded up for whatever reasons if necessary and hand it in at the same time.

Wait for about one month and they will send you a VCA number, this is your "case number" if you have any questions, processing problems etc you will use this case number to help the IM officer find your case. You need this VCA number to collect your visa and pay the levy. They will mail you a card with the VCA number on it.


There are many many placs that specialize in FDHmedical exams, everywhere from Adventist Hospital to a streetside clinics. Call around for the best price, You can expect to pay about $600 in my experience. They willnot release the results to you the employer, but if the FDH agrees, you can go together and talk to the Doctor, (privacy laws). Specifically request Hepatitus screening and TB as these are very common and you wouldn't want these particular diseases active whilst the FDH is taking care of your children.

Good Luck

I forgot something else, if the FDH's passport expires within her 2 year contract period, she will need to get her passport renewed before the IMD will relese the visa, this is NOT the case with the Philippine consulate, (they don't care)

This process isn't time consuming, but you will also bear the cost of that in my experience. Can't recall how much. but a few hundred dollars

thanks hkwatcher - really helpful

one more thing - once I have signed the contract and all teh paperwork is with HK Immigration, can I let her move into our property or do we have to wait until we get the Visa - 4-6 weeks would take us into Xmas which isn't the best time due to holidays? What do you think?

Petals,

Unfortunately, it is illeagal for a DH to start work before the visa is released.

Another point to consider is that the HKID may require her to return to Phil once her contract is complete. They used to be pretty lenient about this, but have tightened up due to abuse of the system.

It does sound as if you would be well into the holidays, have you submitted the speed up letter? That might help, but actually perhaps just a few days or a week at best.

do you submit the speed up letter with the application?

no haven't done that yet as still at the medical stage.


If she goes back to the phil do I pay for her to come back to HK?

is it easy to buy a one way ticket?

Yes, the speed up letter goes into the Immigration Dept with your other forms.

You would be responsible for her one way back to HK including other travel expenses within Phill if she lives out in some far flung Provence. Her previous employer pays for the HK to Phil.

It is very easy to buy a one way ticket, it is a common practice for FDH.

A travel agency, or ask the helper what airline she already knows about.