Domestic Helper Visa Issues

[MsHongKong]

We have been waiting (and waiting) for our domestic helper's visa to clear and for her to arrive from the Phillipines. Is there any way to hire someone who is on the ground here already without having to go through such a drawn out process? If you hire someone who has finished their contract, does that also take 4-6 weeks?

[hullexile]

From start to finish the process should take about 2-3 months. Is it just the visa that is holding things up? If so write to immigration (or take the letter in yourself) and explain that she is needed urgently (with reasons) and they can process very quickly. Has she had her "training", her medical, got approval from the Philippine Consulate, etc.?

If it is at the final, waiting for visa, stage then to start again getting someone new, even if here, will almost certainly take longer.

[aava]

if you've already applied for a FDH then while you wait, you can hire the local helpers who do not need visas to work in HK (obviously!).

[beth_76]

Finish contract dont need to go back on their place of origin if they exited the country not longer than 2 years. visa waiting process for finish contract should be less than a month all you need is an efficient agency to make things work quicker.

[beth_76]

**if you've already applied for a FDH then while you wait, you can hire the local helpers who do not need visas to work in HK (obviously!). ***

I guess thats what they call preferences?

[rani]

If you've received the Immigration card by mail with a reference number, you can fax the Director of immigration and request to expedite the processing. You do need to give a valid reason though.