Posted by
Sky
19 yrs ago
Hi, we are planning on going back to UK for 2 weeks. But the maid's holiday visa has been rejected and we are in the process of appealing. In case the appeal is unsuccessful or coes too late, could anyone please suggest anywhere our maid can stay during this period. Do they have hostels etc. for this situation? Thanks!
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Can't she stay where she normally lives when you are not on holiday?
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Sky
19 yrs ago
I'd rather not have her staying at our flat alone for 2 whole weeks.
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If you don't want her in your place, could you buy her a flight home while you are on holiday? From what I hear, those boarding houses are grim places.
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Sky
19 yrs ago
I would be stuck if she suddenly decided she didn't want to come back.
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you can ask her to pick up the 'SUN' newspaper in World Wide. They have adverts there about rooms for rent... I think it is quite cheap... If that doesn't work, you can always ask your agency for help. They provide lodging for you kinds of situation ... GOODLUCK!
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crj
19 yrs ago
I have to say, it sounds a bit like you don't trust your helper?
You don't want her to stay at your flat when you are away.
And you don't want her to go home because she might not come back.
Your only option is a boarding house, ask her if she has any friends in boarding houses that she could stay in. And then ask how much for 2 weeks in advance, and get a receipt (usually 60-80 per night).
And if you really don't trust her, are you going to take the keys away from her? Or are you going to allow her to come to your flat to clean and water the plants?
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Sky
19 yrs ago
Well I think it is reasonable to be cautious since she has not been with us that long. I do think she is OK but I am more worried that she might bring people back to the flat. You don't know what friends she might have. As to not coming back, it has happened before if you read some of the other posts and not a risk I can take being a working mother. I can't just tell my employer that I can't go back to work for the next two months or however long it takes to get a new maid.
Our maid doesn't have the keys to the flat as my mother is usually around in the morning and once when I gave her the house key, she had forgotten where she'd put it (you'd think she would be extra careful) so I don't really think I can trust her with the house keys for two weeks. I'd rather she didn't do any work for the two weeks we are away.
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crj
19 yrs ago
Hi Sky - that makes sense, hopefully once she works for you longer more trust will be established.
Anyway, she gets a two week 'holiday' from work, so she can't complain.
We had a maid for 4 years and completely trusted her, when we went away she did major 'spring cleans' and we would get back to a totally spotless flat - it was great :) and once a year when we went away she would go home at the same time.
Do ask her about friends in boarding houses, as she might have one and then she can arrange and give you a receipt for proof of payment.
Also, be sure you pay for that in advance, have a receipt and if she is on food allowance or her salary is due while you are away that she gets paid for those two weeks.
If she is not on food allowance, and shares your food, you need to provide food for her for the two weeks, or an allowance for her to buy food for the two weeks.
There are too many horror stories in the paper about employers going away and forgetting to leave their maid with enough money.
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sky,
you said your mum is usually around in the morning - does she stay with you? either ways, can't you consider your maid staying at your mum's while you are away or your mum stay at yours for this period?
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Sky
19 yrs ago
My mum, mother-in-law etc. are all going back to the UK with us. We're having a family reunion.
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cd
19 yrs ago
You say you're a working mum, so you trust your helper enough to look after your children but not enough to look after your house. Seems strange to me.Anyway your choice.
The boarding house seems the only solution.
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any other relatives then?
when my aunt and her family went away, she asked my mum to stay at her place. this is because my aunt's maid was terrified of staying all alone in a house even though my aunt trusted her enough.
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Sky, if she has only worked for you for a short period of time, then I presume that they rejected her visa because of the one year rule? If so, I sugest that you do not appeal it.
The consulate has absolutely no discretion on this one, apparently. They are actually quite good and tend not to accept applications from helpers who have not met the 1 year requirement. Once they reject the application, they have to stamp the DH passport accordingly. Once she has a 'rejected' stamp on her passport, it makes it much more difficult for her to get another visa for another country. At least that was the advice that they gave us. We took the view that the Filipinas have enough trouble getting visas in general without adding another hurdle, so we decided not to re-apply.
Avoiding a 'rejected' stamp in your DH's passport might make life easier for you too, next time that you need to take her travelling with you.
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Sky
19 yrs ago
I am applying for a holiday visa with my dad sponsoring her. We do not expect her to work when in UK. I shall be appealing based on racial discrimination.
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We had planned on taking our helper on a genuine holiday too. We were staying in hotels and had babysitters etc. booked in the UK so that we could bring her out in London and give her a feel for where we come from and therefore understand our way of life a bit better. The staff at the consulate were extremely polite and apologetic, but said that there was nothing at all that they could do, even though she was only 2 months short of a year with us. My husband even checked with a friend of his at the Home Office, who gave the same advice (that we'd me doing her no favours by pusuing the matter). We understood that since 'the Blunkett affair', they have no discretion anymore.
I met someone at the doctor's office the other day, who had the exact same experience. They were going to take their helper skiing with them. As this lady is 6 months' pregnant, she was not going to do much skiing and was just going to give her helper an oportunity to see snow for the first time. Children were booked into ski school etc., she had even booked ski lessons for the helper. They were only goig to spend 2 nights in London, but still could not get a visa because of the one year rule. In her case, they were told that unless the helper could show that she could finance the trip herself (without employer or employer's family sponsorship) then she'd always have to be refused a tourist visa.
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Sky
19 yrs ago
We are not going to re-apply but appeal the decision since on principle it is unfair so Asian maids are not allowed to visit UK for holidays. Only for work. It is pretty ridiculous. I asked my maid if she really, really wants to go and she said if she can she would really love the opportunity so we see no harm in appealing.
I didn't ask the maid whether or not they have already stamped her passport. But for the appeal I don't believe that we will have to give them her passport.
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crj
19 yrs ago
Good for you Sky, while it might be a losing battle (according to above) it is GREAT that you are making a point and standing up for your beliefs!
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Good luck with it. Could you post the outcome? Will be interesting. Must say, I was embarrassed to see the length of the form these girls have to fill out. Had always taken my EU passport for granted until then.
I understand that other EU countries are more relaxed about the whole visa thing (once you provide sponsorship). Next time we will book directly to one of those countries - although by then the one year rule should no longer be an issue for us.
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Sky
19 yrs ago
Thanks ladies! I will let you know the result if it doesn't take too long apparently if the ECO does not change his mind after reviewing the appeal documents, the appeal goes to UK and then the decision may take 1 year.
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