Domestic helper contract and work visa renewal procedure in Hong Kong

1. Complete the relevant documents and forms for renewing the printing commission contract.

Employers need to complete the following documents and forms related to the renewal of their domestic helper contracts approximately 8 weeks before the contract expires, and obtain the consent and signatures of both the employer and the domestic helper:

• Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A)
• Application for Employment of Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988B)
• Original copy of the Employment Contract for a Domestic Helper Recruited from Outside Hong Kong (ID407, in quadruplicate)
• Original passport of the Indonesian domestic helper (to be submitted in person) and a copy (to be submitted by mail, delivery or online).
• Indonesian domestic helper medical examination report
• A copy of the employer's income and address certificate (if different from the old contract).

2. Renewing/Purchasing new domestic helper insurance

Hong Kong law requires employers to purchase Domestic helper insurance that covers the employer's basic legal responsibilities and expenses for domestic helpers who are injured or ill during their work. Therefore, employers can renew or purchase a new policy for their domestic helpers after confirming and signing the new contract to ensure seamless coverage.

3. Physical examination

Since Indonesian domestic helpers must submit a medical examination report to the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong when applying for contract renewal, employers need to arrange for their domestic helpers to undergo a medical examination at a clinic. Common tests include heart and lung examination, HIV testing, hepatitis B testing, and pregnancy testing, with a cost of approximately HK$700.

4. Go to the Indonesian Embassy to have the contract notarized.

Renewal applications must be submitted to the Indonesian Consulate General within 8 weeks prior to the expiration of the current contract, along with a payment of HK$388. Conducting contract notarization takes approximately 10 working days. Once completed, the Indonesian agent can collect the contract from the consulate.

Required documents:

• Completed ID 407 New Contract (Four copies are required, one for the Indonesian consulate, one for the immigration department, one for the employer, and one for the Indonesian domestic helper. Please ensure that the information is exactly the same. If there are any problems, please cross them out and sign next to them to confirm.)
• Previous employment contract
• An employer's guarantee indicates their willingness to continue the employment contract and that the basic employment rights stipulated in the previous contract have been fulfilled.
• Medical examination report (original and copy)
• Domestic Helper Insurance (Original and Copy)
• Indonesian domestic helper's passport and visa (original and copy)
• Copies of the Hong Kong identity cards of the employer, domestic helper, and witness, and copies of the witness's passport.
• Recent identification photos of the employer and the domestic helper
• Photos of Indonesian domestic helpers' accommodation and working environment
• A copy of the Indonesian domestic helper's marriage certificate, a consent form, and certification from an elder, husband, or guardian (if applicable).

Indonesian Embassy in Hong Kong
Address: 6-8 King Shing Street, Causeway Bay, 127-129 Leighton Road
Office hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday
Contact number: +852 3651-0200

5. Apply for a visa at the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Applicants can apply through "Smart Renewal" Applications for extension of stay can be submitted online, by mail, or in person to the drop boxes outside the Immigration Department headquarters or district offices, along with other supporting documents. Those submitting in person can make an appointment online or by phone before going to the Immigration Department to process their visa application, thus saving waiting time."

6. After approval, complete the payment and download the e-visa.

The Immigration Department will notify applicants of the contract renewal application results via email or mail, which takes approximately 10 working days. After approval, the applicant needs to pay the HK$330 visa fee. Applicants can pay online or via a regular payment slip:

• Online payment
• Applicants can complete the payment through the online payment link provided in the "Application Result Notification" and download or print the "e-visa" themselves after payment.
• Payment slip
• Applicants can pay the fee using the "General Payment Slip" attached to the "Application Result Notification". After payment, the electronic visa can be downloaded or printed through the "Hong Kong Government One-Stop Service" website or the Immigration Department mobile app 2 working days later.
• Payment methods include FPS, online banking, PPS, ATMs, and payments at post offices or convenience stores.

1. Complete the relevant documents and forms for renewing the contract of your Filipino domestic helper.

Employers need to complete the following documents and forms related to the renewal of their domestic helper contracts approximately 8 weeks before the contract expires, and obtain the consent and signatures of both the employer and the domestic helper:

• Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988A)
• Application for Employment of Domestic Helper from Abroad (ID 988B)
• Original copy of the Employment Contract for a Domestic Helper Recruited from Outside Hong Kong (ID407, in quadruplicate)
• Original passport of the Filipino domestic helper (to be submitted in person) and a copy (to be submitted by mail, delivery or online).
• A copy of the employer's income and address certificate (if different from the old contract).

2. Renewing/Purchasing new domestic helper insurance

Hong Kong law requires employers to purchase domestic helper insurance that covers the employer's basic legal responsibilities, as well as compensation for expenses incurred due to accidental injury or illness during the domestic helper's work. Employers can renew or purchase a new insurance policy for their domestic helper after confirming and signing the new contract to avoid violating the law due to a gap in the insurance plan.

3. Apply for a visa at the Immigration Department.

Applicants can apply through "Smart Renewal" Applications for extension of stay can be submitted online, by mail, or in person to the drop boxes outside the Immigration Department headquarters or district offices, along with other supporting documents. Those submitting in person can make an appointment online or by phone before going to the Immigration Department to process their visa application, thus saving waiting time."

4. After approval, complete the payment and download the e-visa.

The Immigration Department will notify the Filipino domestic helper of the contract renewal application via email or mail, which takes approximately 10 business days. After approval, the applicant needs to pay the HK$330 visa fee. Applicants can pay online or via a regular payment slip:

• Online payment
• Applicants can complete the payment through the online payment link provided in the "Application Result Notification" and download or print the "e-visa" themselves after payment.
• Payment slip
• Applicants can pay the fee using the "General Payment Slip" attached to the "Application Result Notification". After payment, the electronic visa can be downloaded or printed through the "Hong Kong Government One-Stop Service" website or the Immigration Department mobile app 2 working days later.
• Payment methods include FPS, online banking, PPS, ATMs, and payments at post offices or convenience stores.

5. Obtain contract notarization from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

For Filipino domestic helper contract renewals, a medical examination report is not required. Employers and domestic helpers can arrange for the notarization of the new contract at least four weeks before the current contract expires. Appointments can be made in advance on the POLO website, and on the day of the contract renewal, employers should bring the required documents, HK$80 for notarization fees, and HK$196 for OWWA Membership. This process takes about a week. Once completed, they can personally collect the stamped contract from the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong and pay a HK$200 authentication fee.

Required documents include:

• OFW Information Sheet
• Employer's ID card copy
• Copy of the Filipino worker's ID card
• A copy of the passport page showing the Filipino domestic helper's photo.
• A copy of the Filipino domestic helper's current passport
• A copy of the current employment contract (signed).
• Brand new original employment contract (ID 407, four copies)
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration(OWWA) Membership Certificate

Philippine Office of Overseas Workers (POLO)
Address: 16/F, MassMutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai
Office hours: 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday to Thursday

Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong
Address: 14/F, Unity Centre, Admiralty
Office hours: 9 am to 4 pm, Sunday to Thursday

Self-renewal

• Costs: Only mandatory fees need to be paid: government visa fees, consulate contract notarization fees, etc.
• Disadvantages: It requires time to make appointments at the consulate and immigration department, as well as to go to the consulate to collect the stamped contract; if the documents are filled out incorrectly, you have to start over.

Find an agency to handle it

• Cost: Approximately $1,800 to $3,000, depending on whether the total price includes handling fees, membership fees, and medical examination fees.
• Advantages: Saves time, ensures document accuracy, and eliminates the need to find a medical examination service yourself.

In addition to fulfilling all statutory visa requirements for domestic helpers before the deadline, employers also need to ensure a seamless transition in domestic helper insurance coverage before and after contract renewal. Therefore, when handling renewal matters, it is also necessary to pay attention to existing Domestic helper insurance coverage, and Comparing different insurance plans to decide whether to renew or purchase a new policy in accordance with Hong Kong law and to protect the rights and interests of both parties.

Most of the Domestic helper insurance in Hong Kong includes different guarantees, covering a wider range than mandatory government requirements.

The most common coverages of domestic helper insurance include:

• Employer's legal liability
• Personal accident
• Hospitalization and surgery fees
• outpatient expenses
• Repatriation costs
• Cost of hiring a new domestic helper
• Legal liability of home employees
• Domestic helper integrity guarantee

Kwiksure can help you find the most suitable Domestic helper insurance plan. You can use the online quotation system to request a quote and apply for insurance online instantly.