Foreign Domestic Helper Application Process

Select a Domestic Helper

(Week 0-1)

Approval by the Hong Kong Immigration Department

(Week 6-10)

Sign the Contract

(Week 1-2)

Complete Departure Procedures + Arrange Arrival in Hong Kong

(Week 10-12 for Filipino Helpers)

(Week 10-14 for Indonesian Helpers)

Contract Notarization at the Consulate

(Week 2-6)

Total Time Required for Domestic Helper to Start Work:

Filipino Helpers: 2-3 months Indonesian/Thai Helpers: 3-4 months

Eligibility Criteria

Financial Capability: The employer’s household must have a monthly income of HK$15,000 or above, or sufficient assets to cover the domestic helper’s contract expenses.
Standard Contract: The employer and domestic helper must sign the designated Standard Employment Contract (ID407).
Scope of Work: The domestic helper may only perform household duties as stipulated in the standard contract and must not provide employment services to others.
Salary Requirements: The domestic helper’s salary must not be lower than the minimum wage set by the Hong Kong government. If meals are not provided, a food allowance of at least HK$1,236 per month is required.
Accommodation Requirements: The domestic helper must work and reside at the employer’s address specified in the contract, and the employer must provide suitable accommodation with reasonable privacy.
Authenticity of Contract: The employment relationship between the employer and domestic helper must be genuine and without any doubts.
Good Record: Both the employer and domestic helper must have no known adverse records.
Hong Kong Residency: The employer must be a bona fide Hong Kong resident residing in Hong Kong.

Required Documents

Proof of Financial Capability: Copies of the latest tax return, salary slips for the past three months, or bank fixed deposit statements for the past three months to demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to support the domestic helper’s contract.
Proof of Address: Original and copies of rates bills, water bills, electricity bills, gas bills, or fixed-line telephone bills issued within the past three months (Note: Bank statements or mobile phone bills are generally not accepted by the Immigration Department). If the employer resides in a public housing estate, a temporary stay permit for the domestic helper must be obtained from the Housing Authority office of the respective estate, with a processing time of approximately 5 to 7 days.
Proof of Relationship: If the submitted documents are not in the employer’s name, additional proof such as a lease agreement, marriage certificate, or birth certificate is required to verify the relationship with the document holder.
Proof of Accommodation Arrangements: The domestic helper must reside at the employer’s address specified in the contract. If the domestic helper does not have a separate room (but may share a room with same-sex family members or children), the following documents are required: a floor plan of the residence and a photo showing the doorplate. A letter explaining the sleeping arrangements for all household members is also needed. If the domestic helper’s accommodation address differs from the contract address, the Immigration Department will generally not approve the application.
Household Member Information: Provide the names, Hong Kong Identity Card numbers, and dates of birth of all household members. If there is an existing domestic helper, provide their name, Hong Kong Identity Card number, and the contract termination date or visa expiry date.