Can Filipino domestic helpers relocate with their employer directly to Hong Kong?

Normally, when a Filipino domestic helper is moving from one country to another for work, they have to first return to the Philippines, so that their status can be properly documented with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in the Philippines.

However, while the Hong Kong Immigration Department has never published any official guidelines on domestic helper transfers to Hong Kong, according to our experience at the Fair Agency there are two different scenarios when it comes to Filipino domestic helpers moving to Hong Kong for work.

• If the domestic helper is moving with the same employer to Hong Kong, they are allowed to transfer without having to first return to the Philippines. Employers who are moving to Hong Kong can start the visa application once they have an activated working visa upon entry and a document proving a permanent address in Hong Kong. Before the signing of the contract, employers should provide either photos or a written description to the domestic helper of their accommodation in Hong Kong. Read more about documents needed for hiring a domestic helper in Hong Kong here. 
• If the domestic helper is changing employers as they move to Hong Kong for work, they will need to return to the Philippines first.

Please note that the current arrangement is subject to change at the discretion of Hong Kong and Philippines authorities. For this reason, there is a chance the domestic helper may need to return to their place of origin during the transfer process.

As there are no official guidelines on domestic helper transfers to Hong Kong, we recommend employers to check directly with the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

When it comes to Indonesian domestic helpers relocating with their employers, there is very little information available about this process. For this reason, we recommend employers to check directly with the Hong Kong Immigration Department.