How can domestic helpers get a visa extension?

Domestic helpers and employers must be aware of their visa validity and expiry dates to avoid the consequences of overstaying, which can be severe and involve imprisonment. Why does a domestic helper need to extend their visa?

There are two scenarios where a domestic helper needs to obtain an extension of an employment visa. We’ve described them below.

Scenario 1

The domestic helper has not obtained their full 2-year visa since their passport did not have 2-year validity at the time of visa application.

The domestic helper should renew their passport preferably 1 year prior to the passport expiry date. After the passport is renewed, they will need to apply for a visa extension at the HK Immigration Department.

Example: 

The two-year contract commenced on Jan 28, 2021 when the helper arrived in Hong Kong. The two year contract should end on Jan 28, 2023, but the visa (permission to remain in Hong Kong) is only up until Feb 4, 2022 since the passport is valid until Mar 4, 2022.

• Check image 1 to see where on a Philippines passport you can find the “Valid until” section:

• Check image 2 for an example of this type of shortened visa:

How to apply for a Full Visa Extension for domestic helpers?

In order to apply for a Full Visa Extension, the following documents are required:

1. Completed and signed Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A);
2. Helper’s original old and new passports;
3. Original employment contract;
4. Employer’s supporting letter to confirm continuing employment (template below);
5. If the employer has changed address: a copy of a gas / water / electricity utility bill + completed and signed Revised Schedule of Accommodation and Domestic Duties (ID 407G); and
6. HK$230 visa fee

There are different ways to apply for a Full Visa Extension from the Hong Kong Immigration Department:

• Use the Fair Agency visa extension service at $900. Contact us for more information. 
• Use the Immigration Department’s “Smart Renewal” service to submit an online application to extend/renew visas or defer home leave. You will be able to pay the visa fee online and receive the visa by post. 
• Visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department for a walk-in appointment, or book an appointment 8 weeks prior to the visa expiry date here.
• Submit the visa extension application by drop-in or post to Foreign Domestic Helpers Section, 4/F, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O. Include photocopies of  documents 1- 6 in one  envelope. Immigration will contact the domestic helper to pick up the visa extension when it is ready.

Scenario 2

The employer and domestic helper mutually agree to extend the two-year contract by one month.

If the domestic helper and employer mutually decide to lengthen the two-year contract by one month, the domestic helper should apply to the Director of Immigration for a Short-term Visa Extension.

Such extension of stay will only be granted where there are exceptional circumstances. The Director of Immigration has the sole discretion to determine whether an extension of stay will be granted.

Please note that a visa extension will not normally be granted in connection to a contract renewal. That means that if the domestic helper has obtained a one month extension, the Immigration Department will most likely not allow for a subsequent renewal of contract.

How to apply for a Short-term Visa Extension for domestic helpers?

The following documents are required to get a short-term visa extension:

1. 1. Completed and signed Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A);
   2. Original copies of the current Standard Employment Contract (ID407) kept by the employer and helper with an added amendment clause about the extension duly signed by both parties at the end of page 4 (see example here);
   3. A supporting letter signed by the employer stating the reason(s) for such extension; 
   4. Original helper passport (send a copy if applying by post); and
   5. HK$230 visa fee

There are different ways to apply for a Short-Term Visa Extension from the Hong Kong Immigration Department:

• Use the Fair Agency visa extension service at HK$900. Please contact us for more details. 
• Use the Immigration Department’s “Smart Renewal” service to submit an online application to extend/renew visas or defer home leave. You will be able to pay the visa fee online and receive the visa by post. 
• Visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department for a walk-in appointment, or book an appointment 8 weeks prior to the visa expiry date here.
• Submit the visa extension application by drop-in or post to Foreign Domestic Helpers Section, 4/F, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O. Please include photocopies of documents 1- 6 and submit all of the documents in one envelope. Immigration will contact the domestic helper to pick up the visa extension when it’s ready.

Other questions about visa extension

When to apply for the visa extension?

You can apply for the extension as far as 8 weeks prior to the current visa expiry date in advance, or at least 10 working days before the visa expiry date.

Who’s responsible for the visa fee? 

If a new visa is needed due to the helper’s passport validity, it is reasonable for the domestic helper to pay the visa fee. If a new visa is needed because both the employer and the helper have mutually agreed to defer the home leave, we would recommend the employer to share the visa fee with the domestic helper as a gesture of goodwill.

Want Fair to take care of this for you?

Fair Employment Agency offers a visa extension service at HK$900. Get in touch with us to get the process started:

• Phone: +852 3568 6858
• Email: info@fairagency.org