Throughout the summer season holidays, many mother and father plan to journey with their kids, and a few even carry theirhome helpersoverseas. As a result of nationality and standing of home helpers, do they want a visa to enter different nations or areas? What procedures needs to be adopted? Is journey insurance coverage completely different from that for Hong Kong residents? What ought to employers take note of when touring with their helpers? Kwiksure shares the important thing factors each employers and helpers ought to be aware when touring collectively.
Can Helpers Work Whereas Touring Overseas?
No! Helpers working in Hong Kong are sure by the Normal Employment Contractwhich clearly states in Clause 3 that employers can’t require helpers to work at any handle aside from the one specified within the contract. Subsequently, if the helper leaves Hong Kong, the employer can’t require them to work. The helper might solely accompany the employer for sightseeing and tourism; in any other case, the employer is breaking the legislation.
Moreover, taking a helper overseas needs to be mutually agreed upon, ideally in writing. The journey settlement ought to specify the journey dates, vacation spot, duties through the journey, wage preparations, and different related particulars. Each events ought to make a copy of this settlement.
Test Helper’s Contract Expiry Date
Earlier than planning a visit, employers ought to verify the helper’s contract interval. If the journey overlaps with the contract expiry, and the return date is after the contract ends, the employer should apply for renewal a minimum of 8 weeks earlier than the visa expires. The helper have to be in Hong Kong through the renewal course of.
If the employer needs to resume the contract greater than 8 weeks upfront, they have to personally carry the related paperwork to the Immigration Divisionto clarify the explanation and request particular dealing with. Observe: This course of can’t be executed by an company; it have to be dealt with by the employer personally.
Helper Journey Insurance coverage
As soon as the helper leaves Hong Kong, their standing turns into that of a vacationer, and the employment relationship with the employer is briefly suspended. Common helper insurance coverage solely covers incidents inside Hong Kong, so it turns into invalid. Employers should buy separate journey insurance coverage for the helper. Except the bought helper insurance coverageparticularly states international protection, solely then will the insurance coverage firm compensate beneath the Staff’ Compensation Ordinance if the helper falls ailing, is injured, or dies overseas. Employers ought to rigorously evaluation the coverage phrases.
In the event you plan to buy journey insurance coverageon your helper, it’s the similar as shopping for insurance coverage for Hong Kong residents. Take note of the protection quantity and scope to keep away from inadequate safety.
Visa Necessities for Filipino and Indonesian Helpers
Vacation spot/Nation
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Visa (Philippines)
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Visa (Indonesia)
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Most Keep
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Mainland China
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Required
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Required
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30 days
|
Macau
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Not required
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Not required
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30 days
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Japan
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Required
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Required
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30 days
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Taiwan
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Not required
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Required
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14 days
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South Korea (besides direct Jeju flights)
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Required
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Required
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90 days
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Thailand
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Not required
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Not required
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30 days
|
USA
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Required
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Required
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15 – 30 days
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Mainland China
Helpers might accompany their employers for short-term journeys to Mainland China for tourism, visiting family members, procuring, and different actions. When making use of for a visa, the helper should have served the present employer for a minimum of 3 consecutive months, and the Hong Kong work visa have to be legitimate for greater than 2 months. If the helper is making use of for a Mainland visa for the primary time with the identical employer, each the employer and the helper should apply in individual on the visa utility heart. The helper should enter and exit Mainland China along with the employer, and should strictly comply with the entry, keep, and exit interval as specified on the visa.
Required paperwork:
- Passport legitimate for greater than 6 months and a duplicate of the info web page
- 1-2 passport photographs assembly the required necessities
- Accomplished and truthful visa utility type
- Authentic and replica of applicant’s Hong Kong ID card and Hong Kong work visa
- Authentic and replica of employer’s Hong Kong ID card
- Authentic and replica of employment contract
- Employer’s assure letter
- Helper’s declaration
- Proof of handle in Mainland China (e.g., resort reserving, employer’s property possession, and many others.)
- Every other paperwork requested by the visa officer on a case-by-case foundation
China Visa Utility Service Middle (Hong Kong)
Tackle: 20/F, Capital Centre, 151 Gloucester Highway, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Phone: 2992 1999
Workplace hours: 09:00 – 16:00
Doc assortment: Categorical service: 12:00 – 16:00; Common service: 10:00 – 16:00
Macau
Presently, helpers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam should receive a legitimate Macau visa from a Chinese language embassy or consulate earlier than getting into Macau. Filipino and Indonesian helpers can enter Macau utilizing their Hong Kong ID card or passport.
Japan
For Japan, the employer should enter and exit Japan on the identical flight or vessel because the helper. If the employer can’t journey collectively, the helper might journey with a member of the family who lives with the employer, however be aware that the required paperwork for visa utility will differ.
Required paperwork:
- Japan visa utility type
- 1 coloration passport photograph of the helper
- Helper’s passport (authentic and replica)
- Helper’s Hong Kong ID card (authentic and replica)
- Legitimate Hong Kong residence allow (authentic and replica)
- Copy of employer’s passport
- Copy of employer’s Hong Kong ID card
- Authentic assure letter from employer
- If the employer is a nationwide who requires a Japanese visa, a duplicate of their legitimate Japanese entry visa
- Employment contract (authentic and replica)
- Helper’s round-trip air ticket (authentic and replica)
- Employer’s round-trip air ticket (authentic and replica)
Tackle: Room 3, 16/F, 148 Electrical Highway, North Level, Hong Kong
Phone: 3167 7033
Workplace hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:45
Appointment utility: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 15:00
Stroll-in functions (20 slots per day): Monday to Friday 08:30 – 13:30
Taiwan
It’s essential to first make an appointment on the Taipei Financial and Cultural Workplace web site (for international nationwide visas); functions with out an appointment is not going to be accepted. The employer should enter Taiwan on the similar time or earlier than the helper; if the employer enters after the helper, the helper can be deported.
Required paperwork:
- Authentic passport: have to be legitimate for a minimum of 6 months and have clean pages
- Visa utility type: fill in and submit the appliance on the Boca Evisa Portalchoose “Common Visa,” print out the 2-page utility type, and have the helper signal it personally. Submit the paperwork to the designated workplace inside 30 days of signing.
- Two coloration photographs taken throughout the final 6 months (2 x 1.5 inches, white background)
- Copy of employment contract
- Copy of employer’s Hong Kong ID card
- Copy of helper’s Hong Kong ID card
- Copy of helper’s Hong Kong work visa
- Copy of helper’s passport photograph web page
- Flight particulars for helper and employer or their household to Taiwan
- Employer’s signed Taiwan visa assure letter
Taipei Financial and Cultural Workplace
Tackle: Room 4907, 49/F, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Highway, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Phone: 2887 5011 / 6908 3033
Workplace hours: 09:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 16:00
South Korea
In the event you plan to take your helper to South Korea, the helper should apply for a visa in individual on the Consulate Common of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong.
Required paperwork:
- Accomplished South Korea visa utility type
- Copy of passport
- Passport photograph (coloration, 3.5cm x 4.5cm)
- Work visa have to be legitimate for greater than 4 months and in service
- Certificates and assure letter from employer
- Authentic employment contract
- Authentic employer’s passport, copy of ID card, and copies of passports of accompanying relations
- Employer’s proof of employment (enterprise card)
- Authentic employer’s monetary proof
Consulate Common of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong
Tackle: 5/F, Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Highway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Phone: 2528 3666 (13:30pm – 16:30) / 2529 4141
Workplace hours: 09:00 – 12:00 (arrive earlier than 11:30am)
Assortment hours: 13:30 – 16:30
Thailand
Holders of Philippine and Indonesian passports are exempt from visa necessities for getting into Thailand.
United States
If the helper is touring for tourism, visiting mates or family members, receiving medical therapy, or attending social or service actions, they could apply for a B2 visa.
Utility steps:
- Full the Nonimmigrant Visa Digital Utility (DS-160)
- Pay the visa utility price
- Schedule an appointment (put together the next three gadgets):
– Helper’s passport quantity
– Helper’s visa price receipt quantity
– The ten-digit barcode quantity from the DS-160 affirmation web page
Attend the interview in individual on the US Consulate on the scheduled date and time. Deliver a printed copy of the appointment letter, the DS-160 affirmation web page, a latest photograph taken throughout the final 6 months, and all present and outdated passports. Functions with out these paperwork is not going to be accepted.
Paperwork required for the interview:
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Present proof of earnings, tax returns, property or enterprise possession, or asset paperwork
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Journey itinerary and/or different explanations concerning the deliberate journey
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A letter from the employer itemizing your place, wage, size of employment, any approved depart, and your goal of journey to the US (if any)
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Felony/courtroom data of any arrests or convictions wherever, even when the sentence has been served or pardoned
United States Consulate Common in Hong Kong and Macau
Tackle: 26 Backyard Highway, Hong Kong
Cellphone: 2523 9011
Workplace hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM