HELP: Hiring a helper (and applying for her visa renewal) on short notice?

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I've gone through all the DH threads, but I am still confused. Thanks in advance for any helpful responses.


I may need to hire a helper ASAP. My original plan was to interview/find someone now and then have her start in November or December, so I figured I had plenty of time to arrange things. However, due to some unforeseen circumstances, I may need a helper to start as early as the end of this month or early October at the latest. The helper could take time off later this year but I may need the extra support now.


If I don't already have someone in mind who is already here in HKG, is it even possible in terms of processing paperwork to find someone on such a short deadline? If so, am I better off hiring an agency to handle all the paperwork? or can I do it myself since I have a lot of free time right now?


In my case, I interviewed one person I liked so far (and am thinking about extending an offer but not sure which is the reason for the earlier question). Her 2-year contract ends this month and she indicated that her visa expires a few days later.


If I intend to hire her to start in late September/early October, can she apply to renew a visa while still working with her current employer? Would HK Immigration be able to review and approve the contract and helper visa on such short notice (less than 10 business days)? Is there enough time to process the paperwork without requiring her to return home before her visa expires?


Does it matter that my helper only has a three-day window between the end of her two-year contract and when her visa expires to visit her consulate?


Lastly, if it is possible for her to join us immediately, how many plane tickets am I responsible for? For someone currently outside HK, I know I am responsible for the plane ticket to get here and the ticket for her to return home.


But if she is already here, and is required to leave HKG within the first year of her new contract with us, do I have to pay for that return trip as well? In theory, she should receive a plane ticket or cash in lieu from her current employer when she contract ends.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the consulate should be able to get it turned around in time, and I suppose the HK Immigration Dept can do it quickly too based on what I have seen here on AsiaXpat.


Just curious though, would it be common for a helper's working visa to expire just 3 or 4 days after the last day of the COMPLETED contract? I'm not sure if I misunderstood my prospective helper or if she is not telling me the whole story.


Would it be inappropriate to ask to see her passport and ID card at an interview? I haven't been asking for evidence of those details, as it just didn't seem proper at the time.

A helper's work visa can end exactly on the contract date end and then, if they actually finished their contract and it wasn't instead terminated, they usually have a 14 day grace period to remain in HK to look for and secure another job. Terminated contracts render the DH going back to their country before they can take another job in HK.


It's certainly ok to ask to see the passport and ID card. Actually, it sounds like you should, especially to check to see when her visa actually ends. I'm no expert here, but I really think work visas tend to end exactly when the contract period ends...and then they have the 14 day grace period.


We began our DH's work visa application before her contract with her previous employer ended. She continued to work with the previous until the end of contract while we awaited the process period for her securing a work visa through us. It took about a month from the start of the process to the day she began working with us.


We did not need or use an agency.

Also, I believe the former employer owes here the ticket home. I don't think you are obligated to give her a ticket until she completes a certain amount of service to you.... Not sure how much time however; haven't gotten to that yet. :)