employing my first helper

Good evening


We have recently moved to HK and are in the process of employing our first domestic helper.


Her previous employer has left HK and her visa expires on the 3rd March. She plans to start with us around the 7th, this is the date that HK immigration have given her for the start of her new visa.


Our understanding is she has to go back to her home country for 7 days then re-eter HK before starting with us, however she tells us that she doesn't gave to go back immediately and would prefer to go back in May and work for us from 7th March, she indicated that she has to go back home within the next year.


Before I spend hours on the phone to immigration tomorrow does anyone know if this is allowed?


Many thanks in advance.

Unless the rules have changed she can do this, my helper did.

Arrangements of helper’s home leave its depending of the employer needed. When you submitted the document to Immigration department, you need to sign ID (E) 407K (about employer details) and you have to choose within 2 choices,

Please see and check again ID (E) 407K Part A: No. 4. Arrangement of Helper’s home leave( Only applicable to the application for contract renewal and change of employer in HKSAR)

□ Take leave immediately before the commencement of the new contract

□ Leave be deferred within one year@ (Reason :_______________________________)


The two options above given to employer’s option for choosing of your helper arrangement home leave.

If you choose □ Take leave immediately before the commencement of the new contract, then your helper have to leave Hong Kong for 7 days upon releasing of her new visa under your employment.

But if you choose □ Leave be deferred within one year@ ( Reason:______________________________), then you need to give the reason to Immigration department according helper arrangement for home leave, and your helper will have to leave Hong Kong within 1 year contract under her employment with you.

Normally she has to leave after 1 year, and in her passport will have 2 visa stamps which stated for each year. So your helper has to leave Hong Kong in within.

porkyp, If your helper has finished her last contract, she does not need to go back to the Philipines immediately. If not she must return home before starting with you.


For a helper who has finished the previous contract, she still have to leave HK within the first year of working with the new employer. She does not have to go back to the Philipines. Going to Macau or Shenzhen is sufficient. I know this speaking to an officier in Immigration Department about a month ago.

Dont want to confuse things too much but I have a similar issue. My helper really doesnt want to go back to Phillipines. I am happy for her to go to Shenzhen / Macau instead but does she have to have left HK for 7 days/ does she just need a stamp in her passport saying she has left Hong Kong?

Our helper did this, too, the decision is left up to the helpers themselves. As long as their visa doesn't expire before you send in all their new paperwork for a new visa with your employment contract, then it works OK.

See this link to see pics and stories in Domestic Helper category for more info:

http://gregandsoniainasia.typepad.com