Hi, Bluestar,
First I have spend some of time to study apart of this topic, that I need to make a prize to you that you are so kind to answer so much of questions as like you are a professional.
Now, I also have one question, is that my Indo maid will be ended of contract at the end of Dec 04, if I let her to take home leave on the end of Oct and come back to process renew DH, then is the takict can be used for renew DH purpose?
Answer : Yes, BUT within the first year of the new contract (i.e. before Dec 2005), you need to let your Indo DH leave HK once then return to HK (it can be a 1-day trip to Macau or China), and THEN when your Indo DH re-enters HK, the HK Imm Dept will stamp a DH working visa to last until the end of your new DH contract (Dec 2006).
I am NOT an agent, just a working mummy who has successfully renewed Indo DH contract without using any agency's services. So I am NOT professional in that sense.
I don't understand, I am now having a contract with an Indo maid, nearly one year, this is the first time she comes to HK. Do I need to send her a day out from HK and then back to get the visa chop???
I have heard from colleague in my office who says that the Immigration tells her to let her maid return to Phil after one year of the contract time (she has just renewed the contract). that is because we need to let them leave HK within a certain period of time.
Is your Indo maid working her 1st contract with you or 2nd contract ??
If she is still in her 1st contract - no need for her to take home leave yet (in 1st yr of 1st contract).
I think your friend's case was : her Filipino maid had worked in HK before, perhaps for a different employer. But she did not go back to the Philippines after she finished her last contract with previous employer, and went straight on to start new contract with your friend. In such a case, the Filipino maid has to go back to the Philippines at least once in her 1st yr of the new contract for your friend.
The HK Imm Dept's point is, all foreign domestic helpers (DH, maid) have to leave HK within a certain period of time, then return to HK to work. This is to discontinue the previous practice that they could stay in HK without returning to their home country for many yrs (>7yrs) then apply / claim permanent citizenship in HK because they have fulfilled the requirement of staying for 7 (?) yrs.
When she re-enters HK, it should be 4 Nov 2004, i.e. past her 1st DH contract visa expiry (31 Oct) and into her 2nd contract => OK, HK Imm Dept should issue her a DH visa valid up to end of 2nd DH contract (end Oct / early Nov 2006).
BUT Pls also remember to check your maid's passport for her PASSPORT expiry date.
IF her passport expires before Oct 2006, then upon her re-entry to HK in early Nov 2004, she will be issued a DH working visa which is several days BEFORE her passport expiry date.
If this is the case, your Indo DH will need to go to Indo Consulate within 6 months of passport expiry, apply for and get a new passport, then go to HK Imm Dept with old passport + new passport + valid DH contract and apply for DH working visa extension (+$135). => HK Imm Dept issue DH working visa valid up to end Oct / early Nov 2006.