Advice on Employing Full-time Helper

I am trying to find a full-time helper to start with us mid to late April. I am slightly confused about the process and would be grateful if anyone can give me some advice. Almost all of the helpers on this website seem to be available immediately. I was under the impression that it takes 6-8 weeks to process an application. Does this mean that I would be better to look elsewhere? Ideally we would like someone who has been recommended by their current employer, perhaps an employer who is leaving Hong Kong. Are there any implications for employing someone in these circumstances, and is there a good way of finding such a helper? Lastly, do all helpers have to return to their home country before beginning work? Sorry for all the questions but we are new to all this.


Thanks!

Thanks, that's really helpful. Does it have to be their second contract with the same employer in order for them to stay in Hong Kong? We are not in a desperate rush to find someone at the moment but it is useful to know the situation before we start interviewing people who will not be available. Does it take a month to apply for the visa?

Yes, it usually takes 4 - 6 weeks for Immigration to process their visas. Also, what kags had said above is very true. However, as with everything else in HK, there are always exceptions to the case. It is true that helpers have to return to the Philippines before starting a new contract, but if you can provide a good enough reason to Immigration why they should not go home immediately (as in why you need them to start working for you immediately), the Imm. Dept. is usually quite good about allowing them to do so, provided that they do leave HK within the first 12 months of employment with you. So, you do have to let them go home at some point in the first year, but you can work out a more favourable time which suits your needs (and is agreeable to the helper). The reasons that are usually acceptable are if you both work full-time and have kids who need adult care / supervision, elderly people at home alone who need care, you've just had a baby and in confinement (hence can't do things without full-time help), etc....


Another occasion where helpers do not have to leave HK but can go straight into the next job is when they have been terminated because of employer's financial position. Basically, this is the list of when helpers don't have to leave HK:

1. Employer's financial position - no longer able to support a full-time foreign domestic helper.

2. Employer died.

3. Employer leaving HK permanently before end of contract.


When you've signed a contract with them, it takes around a month for the visa to be processed. In that time, they're not supposed to be working for you but in reality most of them do. Legally, they stay at a boarding house / shelter (at their own expense) until they get the visa.


Hope this helps.

It's good that you're able to go to Immigration with your new helper as you will get first hand information on what the deal is. Immigration officers are usually very (extremely) rude to foreign domestic helpers and do not normally listen to what the helpers have to say. It is also partly a language problem - officers have poor English and helpers can't understand them and are too afraid to say so, while helpers themselves have 'helpers English', ie. their style of speaking is usually a lot more convoluted and they beat around the bush so much they get me confused half the time. I have seen how it is with helpers at Immigration - it's not a pleasant experience for them. Hope it goes well for you and good luck with your application!