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How long does processing a domestic helper visa take?
How long does processing a domestic helper visa take?
Current Timelines
Processing timelines are dependent on multiple factors, which is why changes to these timelines are to be expected.
Even so, you should be wary of domestic helper agencies promising unusually fast processing timelines. Agencies have little control over the processing timeline. We provide you below with some processing timeline estimates in order to avoid getting tricked by overly optimistic agencies.
Local Processing
Local processing applies to domestic helpers with finished contracts, or ‘special case’ workers where contracts were ended due to employer relocation, passing, or financial difficulties. This means that these domestic helpers can process locally without having to leave Hong Kong. Below, we have the estimated processing timelines for Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers processing locally.
| ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIMELINES for FILIPINO domestic helpers: LOCAL | |
|---|---|
| 1) Contract Signing Contracts are signed by both worker & employer and all necessary documents received and valid. Our team will help prepare the necessary documents and submit the application on behalf of the Worker and Employer. Workers will only need to make an in-person attendance at the Immigration office on the visa release day. |
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| 2) Submission to Immigration Department The earliest we can submit the application to Immigration is 4 weeks before the contract end date. Please note that Immigration requires the Worker to finish one contract before starting a new one. Legally, workers cannot start working for the new employer until the working visa is approved. |
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| 3) Medical Exam The Worker will take a medical exam and may take 1-2 trips for the exam (for the stool sample). The report will be forwarded to our office in around 2 working days. | 3-4 working days |
| 4) Visa Release The Worker will need to collect the visa from the Immigration in-person and then he/she can start working on the same day. The visa release date is the contract commencement date. We highly recommend the employer to review the medical report of the helper before visa release day. | 4-6 weeks after submission or it will depend on the worker’s contract end date |
| 5) Contract Notarisation at the Philippine Consulate After the visa is released, we will notarise the contract at the Philippine Consulate. You will receive your copy of the contract by registered mail after it’s released. | 2 weeks after visa pick up |
| TOTAL | Around 6-8 weeks |
| Last updated: Oct 2022 | |
| ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIMELINES for INDONESIAN Domestic Helpers: LOCAL | |
|---|---|
| 1) Contract Signing Contracts are signed by both worker & employer and all necessary documents received and valid. Our team will help prepare the necessary documents and submit the application on behalf of the Worker and Employer. Workers will only need to make an in-person attendance at the Immigration office on the visa release day. |
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| 2) Medical Exam The Worker will take a medical exam and may take 1-2 trips for the exam (for the stool sample). The report will be forwarded to our office in around 2 working days. | 3-4 working days |
| 3) Contract Notarisation at the Indonesian Consulate Contract is submitted with a medical report attached, to be notarised by the Indonesian Consulate. Notarised contract will be released for pick-up by Fair Agency. You will receive your copy of the contract by registered mail after it’s released. | 4-5 working days |
| 4) Submission to Immigration Department The earliest we can submit the application to Immigration is 4 weeks before the contract end date. Please note that Immigration requires the Worker to finish one contract before starting a new one. Legally, workers cannot start working for the new employer until the working visa is approved. |
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| 5) Visa Release The Worker will need to collect the visa from the Immigration in-person and then he/she can start working on the same day. The visa release date is the contract commencement date. We highly recommend the employer to review the medical report of the helper before visa release day. | 4-6 weeks after submission or it will depend on the worker’s contract end date |
| TOTAL | Around 6-8 weeks |
| Last updated: Dec 2021 | |
Overseas processing for Filipino and Indonesian Helpers
Overseas processing is for domestic helpers who currently are in their home country, or domestic helpers with broken or terminated contracts in Hong Kong who are required to return home to process a new employment contract. Below is an estimated processing timeline for Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers.
| ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIMELINES for FILIPINO domestic helpers: OVERSEAS | |
|---|---|
| Due to the COVID-19 situation, the following timeline is subject to change depending on the processing capacity of government authorities and entry requirements to Hong Kong. | |
| Processing can only start when: Contracts signed by both worker and employer and all necessary documents received and valid |
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| 1) COMPLETE STEPS TO QUALIFY FOR OEC: The worker needs to obtain an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) in order to depart from the Philippines to Hong Kong. The worker will need to travel from her home to attend various appointments, including major ones in Manila. We will try to limit travel back & forth for the worker as much as possible. The following steps will not necessarily happen in this order, but some are prerequisite for others. Our team will work to move each piece of the process forward to complete this part of the process in the most efficient way & update at important points. Working Visa Approval & Contract Notarisation in HK Philippine Government mandated Medical Exam & Certification of “Fit to Work” Philippine Government Training Requirements Fulfilled [Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS), Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)] After the visa is released, we will notarize the contract at the Philippine Consulate. You will receive your copy of the contract by registered mail after it’s released. | Around 8-10 Weeks |
| First Timers to Hong Kong (i) Workers without any overseas working record in the Philippines government Undergo Mandated Trainings (OWWA): Around 2-4 weeks are needed for schedule to be given by the Philippines government Fulfill Domestic Work Skills requirement (TESDA): duration of training is around 3-4 weeks, depending on the training center chosen and the schedule of the assessment is determined by the assessment center (ii) Workers who have other overseas working record in the Philippines government but never worked in Hong Kong Undergo Mandated Trainings (OWWA): Around 2-4 weeks needed for schedule to be given by the Philippines government | Depending on the training schedule availability |
| 2) SUBMIT OEC APPLICATION Once these qualifying steps are completed and the necessary documentation is collected, we will submit the application. In the meantime, we will be in touch with you about the post-arrival arrangement. | Around 2-3 Weeks |
| 3) 5- DAY SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING PERIOD IN HK: Your worker can leave the airport by self arranged transportation to undergo a 5-day surveillance and monitoring period at home or stay in any licensed hotels and guesthouses. Your worker is recommended to take the RAT test daily for 5 days. | 5 days* |
| TOTAL Non First Timers : Around 3-3.5 months First Timers to Hong Kong: Around 4-5 months **Subject to the helper’s fulfilment of the the Philippines procedure and COVID-19 entry requirements** | |
| Last updated: Feb 2023 | |
| ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIMELINES for INDONESIAN domestic helpers: OVERSEAS | |
|---|---|
| Due to the COVID-19 situation, the following timeline is subject to change depending on the processing capacity of government authorities and entry requirements to Hong Kong. | |
| 1) COMPLETE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS: If the worker is in HK now, she will need to travel back to Indonesia and may be required to quarantine upon arrival. This may affect the timeline. The following steps will not necessarily happen in this order, but some are prerequisite for others. Our team will work to move each piece of the process forward to complete this part of the process in the most efficient way and update you when all requirements are fulfilled. - Undergo Mandated Trainings and Pass Assessment - First Medical Exam & Certification of “Fit to Work” - Application and Collection of Indonesian ID - Collection of documents required by the Indonesian government: birth certificate, education certificate, marriage certificate, authorization letters etc | Experienced Workers: Around 2-3 months First Timers: Around 3-4 months Depending on the training duration and completion of documents |
| 2) SIGNING OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT: After all necessary documents are ready and received in Hong Kong, FEA will arrange the contract signing with the legal employer. | 1-2 weeks |
| 3) CONTRACT NOTARISATION AND VISA PROCESSING IN HONG KONG: After the contract is notarized by the Indonesian Consulate, we will submit the visa application to the Hong Kong Immigration. You will receive your copy of the notarized contract by registered mail. | Around 1.5 - 2 months |
| 4) PRE-DEPLOYMENT PROCEDURES: After the visa is approved, we will notify our partner agency in Indonesia to arrange the pre-deployment seminar and clearance requirements for the worker. In the meantime, we will be in touch with you about the post-arrival arrangement. | Around 2-3 Weeks |
| 5) FULFILL THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: We will be helping workers who were fully vaccinated (14 days after all doses are administered) to obtain a recognized vaccination record in Indonesia before coming to Hong Kong. | Depend on the worker’s situation |
| 6) COVID TEST & TRAVEL TO HK: Once the flight is secured, we will arrange your worker to take rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of flight departure time | Around 1 Days |
| 7) 5- DAY MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING PERIOD* It is recommended that your worker undergo a 5-day surveillance and monitoring period at home. The helper may stay in any licensed hotels and guest houses during this time as of the current government allowances. | 5 Days* |
| TOTAL Non First Timers: Around 5-6 months First Timers to Hong Kong: around 6-8 months **Subject to the helper’s fulfilment of the Indonesia procedure and COVID-19 entry requirements** | Around 5-6 Months (First Timers: Around 6-8 Months) **Subject to the helper’s fulfillment of the COVID-19 entry requirements and quarantine facility availability** |
| Last updated: Feb 2023 | |
Other Questions
Can domestic helpers with broken or terminated contracts process in Hong Kong without returning home?
Broken or terminated contracts are not allowed to process locally. While this option was provided during Covid-19, this is no longer possible. Be wary of domestic helper agencies offering you this option as the visa will be rejected by HK Immigration Department.
What is the timeline for Filipino first-time domestic helpers?
First-time domestic helpers from the Philippines will have to obtain a Domestic Work NC-II certificate, a Philippine government training requirement. You can read more about domestic helper training in the Philippines here.
This means that the expected processing timeline will be different for first-time helpers.
What is the timeline for Indonesian first-time domestic helpers?
First-time domestic helpers from Indonesia are also required to go through training before they are able to start their new job in Hong Kong. Training in Indonesia tends to be longer, which means that the expected processing timeline will be different for first-time helpers from Indonesia.
You may also like:
- Quick guide for Employers of Domestic Helpers
- COVID-19 updates affecting domestic helpers & employers
- How can domestic helpers get a visa extension?
- Do I need domestic helper insurance during employment?
- Do I have to pay for a domestic helper’s medical expenses?
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Last updated on May 30th, 2023
