7 Jul 2017
The Immigration Department (ImmD) today (July 7) appealed to foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) and their employers to make appointments in advance for contract renewal and change of employer applications or to submit applications for contract renewal by post, via drop-in box or online.
An ImmD spokesman said that the number of contract renewal and change of employer applications received by the ImmD usually peaks in the summer holiday period. To avoid applicants attending the ImmD offices in advance for the walk-in quota, the ImmD has flexibly deployed manpower to effectively cope with the rising demand with a view to providing services to all FDHs and employers making in-person applications. FDHs and employers are encouraged to make appointments for service in specific time slots or to use alternative means of submission to enjoy greater convenience.
Apart from making in-person applications at the Foreign Domestic Helpers Section of Immigration Tower in Wan Chai or the five related Immigration Branch Offices during office hours within eight weeks prior to the expiry of their limit of stay, FDHs applying for contract renewal with the same employer are encouraged to make their applications by post, via drop-in box or online. Applications made via these means will normally be finalised within 10 working days upon receipt of all necessary documents.
Concerning applications for change of employer upon completion of contracts, the FDHs concerned must submit their applications in person within four weeks prior to the expiry of the contract to the Foreign Domestic Helpers Section of Immigration Tower in Wan Chai. To save time, for submitting applications in person, FDHs are encouraged to make appointments in advance via www.gov.hk/esbooking or the 24-hour appointment booking hotline at 2598 0888.
Details of the means of application and procedures can be found in the "Guidebook for the Employment of Domestic Helpers from Abroad", and on ImmD's homepage (www.immd.gov.hk) and the ImmD YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/c/immdgovhkchannel). Enquiries can be made via email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk), by telephone (2824 6111) or by fax (2877 7711).