Getting Helper Earlier

We are going to sign a helper that had her contract terminated. We were told by the agency that it would take about 6 weeks for her visa to be processed. The helper told us that she is currently staying at a church. Since we need a helper asap and she doesn't have a place to stay, is it ok for her to start living with us now and we pay her a daily rate of wages? And what's the chances of being caught and what are the consequences? Thanks heaps!

The helper should by rights go back to her home country between contracts, if she doesn't, then she will probably want home leave during the time you are employing her, which may not be conveinient to you.

Just over two years ago we took on a helper, her previous employers had relocated to Singapore, as she did not want to go home at the end of that contract, I asked Imm whether she could move in with us earlier before her papers were complete, and the answer was strictly NO, she had to stay in her boarding house.

Cara, that's what I was thinking about. But at the same time, we're in a very tight fix now because my boy arrived and mum is here for a short time and we need someone to look after little one when we're at work. And thus, we're thinking, what are we going to do?


Susie1, we told the helper that she can only head back to Philippines over summer when we're off to Spore and she's fine with it. But we need her at our home asap...Damn! Can't believe that she's there and we can't have her.

Cara, its me on the other site too. Thanks for replying there.

Thanks Cara! It was a bloody LONG wait! But thank God for it. He just arrived less than a week ago and the madness of trying to get everything ready started. Well, mum is here now so it's a lot better but it's the helper issue that's kinda bugging me. Found the helper, signing the papers later and she has nowhere to stay and I need her and yet, I can't have her. Geez!

Write a letter to Immigration today explaining that you are desperate for your new helper to join you as you have a new baby. Dont tell them your mother is with you or you have any other help! Mark it 'Very Urgent' and give it about 2 days for them to receive it. Ring them up and the hotline will leave a message with the officer dealing with the process that you are desperate. I mean whinge, whinge, beg and plead and tell them how desperate it is. Call them back the day after and every other day until you get it. They can issue within 2 days but this is for cases of desperate need, so you need to push how desperate you are. A few days before your mother leaves, go personally to Immigration, tell them your story again and they'll give it to you on the day!


I've been in this position before with change of helper and going back to work. I dont understand the whole logic of this process. A helper finishes and we havent found a new helper (difficult to find someone in 4 weeks particularly where children are concerned) and need to wait 6 weeks for processing. Who can take 6 weeks off work to cover, this whole process is ridiculous, particularly when its clear that you can get the visa in a week or less with a push.


Anyway hope you get your helper on board very soon.

Thanks WWcC and Cara,


Yup, I attached the adoption papers to the papers to be sent to immigration along with with a letter to plead that they process the visa faster. Will give the agency a ring tomorrow to see how things go. Just hoping that helper will turn up by early Feb.