Domestic helper contract and work visa renewal procedure in Hong Kong

Believe it or not, renewing a domestic helper’s contract with the same employer - contract renewal - is pretty uncomplicated and straightforward. The process itself, whether you are a Filipino, Indonesian, or any other foreign domestic helper, can usually be completed within 3-4 working weeks and is more or less the same regardless of the nationality of the helper. Of course subject to following the correct procedure. 

Did you know that as an employer you can submit your contract renewal application up to 8 weeks before the expiry of the existing contract, get the work visa fully renewed online, and save money at the same time? What’s more, all of this can be done without the need for an employment agency. A win-win for employer and domestic helper!

In this article by Kwiksure, we will guide you through the steps of renewing the contract and domestic helper work visa, along with providing information on securing maid insurance for their extended stay.

Domestic helper visa renewal or extension

In Hong Kong, foreign domestic workers have to renew their employment visas after their two-year visa has expired, that is, if they are expected to stay. The immigration department normally expects the domestic workers to return to their native home countries after their visa expires, but in case the employer needs the helper to extend their services, upon mutual agreement, it is possible to apply for an extension of stay in Hong Kong.

Contract renewal for Indonesian domestic helpers without an agency

The following 2 simple steps are to be followed when renewing an Indonesian work contract and visa.

Step 1: Visit the Indonesian consulate for contract notarization

The employer or the Indonesian domestic helper should arrange to visit the Indonesian consulate to notarize their ID407 standard contract form. 

Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong

• Address: 127-129 Leighton Road, 6-8 Keswick Street, Causeway Bay
• Office hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mondays to Fridays
• Contact number: +85236510200

The Consulate officials will issue an ID407 standard contract form (1 set of 4 copies):

• One copy for the Indonesian consulate
• One copy for the immigration office for the work visa renewal process (see step 3)
• One copy for the employer
• One copy for the Indonesian domestic worker

Once collected, both the employer and Indonesian domestic worker must sign all 4 copies, and ensure that they are completed identically. If there are any mistakes, cross over the mistake and sign next to the amendment.

Submit the supporting documents required

The following supporting documents are required for the Indonesian contract renewal process:

• A letter of application mentioning that they are willing to renew the employment contract and all the basic employment rights from the previous contract have been fulfilled
• The new Standard Employment Contract (ID407) is duly filled and signed
• Additional supporting documents, such as maid or comprehensive health insurance policy, previous employment contract, and identity card photocopies of both the employer and the domestic helper

Contract notarization fee

A notarization fee of HK $388 is charged, in which the employer must settle to process the application.

Submission and processing time

The contract renewal application should be submitted at least 8 weeks before the existing contract expires. Both the employer and Indonesian domestic worker should allow for 10 working days for the contract to be notarized by the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong.

Step 2: Visa application at the Immigration Department

After receiving the notarized employment contract from the Indonesian Consulate General, the Indonesian domestic helper must submit the following key documents to the immigration department in person to apply for a new visa.

To do this, the domestic helper and/or employer should arrange to make an online booking appointment with the immigration department.

Once an appointment online for the visit to the immigration office has been made, the following supporting documents should be gathered in preparation for the appointment:

• The completed Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A)
• The application for Employment of Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988B);
• An original copy of the new employment contract (ID407) notarized by the Indonesian Consulate
• The domestic helper’s original passport
• A copy of the domestic helper’s passport
• Copies of the employer’s proof of financial position and residential address

Visa fee

A visa fee of HK $230 is payable upon collection/approval.

Submission and processing time

The visa application for contract renewal can be submitted by the domestic helper in person at the Immigration, or online at the Immigration’s website. Allow for 4 to 6 weeks for the visa application to be processed.

The contract renewal process for Filipino domestic helpers without an agency

The following 3 simple steps are to be taken when renewing a Filipino work contract and visa.

Step 1: Pick up the contracts and supporting documents from the Hong Kong Immigration office

The first step doesn’t require an appointment. Officials will issue an ID407 standard contract form (1 set of 4 copies):

• One for the Philippine consulate
• One for the immigration office for the work visa renewal process (see step 3)
• One for the employer
• One for the Filipino domestic worker

Once collected, both the employer and Filipino domestic worker must sign all 4 copies, and ensure that they are completed identically. If there are any mistakes, cross over the mistake and sign next to the amendment.

Step 2: Visit the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) for Contract notarization

Both the employer and the Filipino domestic helper should arrange to have the new standard employment contract notarized by the POLO at least 4 weeks (1 month) before the existing contract between employer and Filipino domestic worker expires.

The following documents are required for contract renewal: 

• Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) information sheet provided by the POLO. This is downloaded from their website here
• Copy of the employer’s HKID
• Copy of the domestic helper’s HKID
• Copy of passport showing the page with the domestic helper’s picture
• Copy of the domestic helper’s current work visa
• Copy of the current employment contract (signed)
• Original new employment contract (4 signed copies)
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership

Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) address

Address: 16/F, Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai

Office hours: 9 am to 4 pm, Sundays to Thursdays

Contract notarization fee

A fee of HKD $476 is required to complete the process of the contract renewal. The HKD $476 is composed of:

• OWWA Membership Fee = HKD $196.00 (paid at the POLO Office upon application submission)
• Verification Fee = HKD $80.00 (paid at the POLO Office upon application submission)
• Authentication Fee = HKD $200.00 (paid at the Philippine Consulate General upon contract collection)

Submission and processing time

The Filipino helper or employer may submit the documentary requirements to the POLO office within 6-8 weeks before the expiry date of the helper’s current work visa.

• Take note: Allow for 6 working days for the new employment contract to get notarized. Then collect the notarized contract at the Philippine Consulate General. See the address provided below.

Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong

• Address: 14/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty
• Office hours: 9 am to 4 pm, Sundays to Thursdays

Step 3: Domestic helper visa application at the Immigration Department

This last step will require the Filipino domestic worker to make a booking with the immigration department. As appointments may fill up quickly, it is recommended to book in advance, at least 6-8 weeks before visa expiration.

The following forms should be completed: ID988a and ID988b. Both completed forms must be submitted to the immigration branch office on the date of the appointment.

The following documents are also required:

• New standard employment contract (ID407)
• Original travel document
• Copy of the proof of the employer’s financial position
• Copy of the employer’s residential address

Visa fee

A visa fee of HK $230 is payable upon collection/approval.

Submission and processing time

The visa application for contract renewal can be submitted by the domestic helper in person at the Immigration, or online at the Immigration’s website. Allow for 4 to 6 weeks for the visa application to be processed.

Continue reading: 

Procedures and precautions for termination or early termination of the contract for domestic helpers

Domestic helper insurance is legally required in Hong Kong

As well as getting all the legal visa requirements completed on time for your domestic helper, the same will apply for maid insurance.

In Hong Kong, maid insurance or domestic helper insurance is required by law, to essentially cover the basic legal liabilities of the employer, as well as protect domestic helpers against the expenses of injuries, or illnesses due to accidents that occur as a result of their employment.

Looking for the best domestic helper insurance in Hong Kong?

The majority of the maid insurance plans in Hong Kong are offered as part of an umbrella solution that covers more than the minimum mandatory limits set by the government.

The most common coverages of maid insurance include:

• Employer’s Liability

• Personal Accident

• Hospitalization & Surgical Expenses

• Outpatient Benefits

• Repatriation Expenses

• Replacement Expenses

• Domestic Helper Liability

• Fidelity Protection

Given the vast amount of domestic helper insurance options on the market,  it is best to seek professional advice from an established broker like Kwiksure to get all your questions answered straight away.  If you would like to learn more about domestic helper insurance in Hong Kong, please contact our experts today or use our online quotation system to receive a free quote and plan comparisons!

For those interested in the cost of domestic helper insurance in 2019, our recent blog article discusses the most common costs required for hiring a domestic helper so you can make the most sensible financial decision.