In the course of the summer time holidays, many dad and mom plan to journey with their kids, and a few even carry theirhome helpersoverseas. Because of the 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 totally 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 Contract, which clearly states in Clause 3 that employers can not require helpers to work at any tackle aside from the one specified within the contract. Due to this fact, if the helper leaves Hong Kong, the employer can not require them to work. The helper could solely accompany the employer for sightseeing and tourism; in any other case, the employer is breaking the regulation.
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 in the course of the journey, wage preparations, and different related particulars. Each events ought to make a copy of this settlement.
Verify Helper’s Contract Expiry Date
Earlier than planning a visit, employers ought to test 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 no less than 8 weeks earlier than the visa expires. The helper have to be in Hong Kong in the course of the renewal course of.
If the employer needs to resume the contract greater than 8 weeks prematurely, they need to personally carry the related paperwork to the Immigration Divisionto elucidate the rationale and request particular dealing with. Be aware: This course of can’t be completed 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 quickly 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. Until the bought helper insurance coverageparticularly states international protection, solely then will the insurance coverage firm compensate below the Workers’ Compensation Ordinance if the helper falls unwell, is injured, or dies overseas. Employers ought to fastidiously evaluate the coverage phrases.
Should 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 could accompany their employers for short-term journeys to Mainland China for tourism, visiting family, buying, and different actions. When making use of for a visa, the helper will need to have served the present employer for no less than 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 software 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 information web page
- 1-2 passport images assembly the desired necessities
- Accomplished and truthful visa software type
- Authentic and duplicate of applicant’s Hong Kong ID card and Hong Kong work visa
- Authentic and duplicate of employer’s Hong Kong ID card
- Authentic and duplicate of employment contract
- Employer’s assure letter
- Helper’s declaration
- Proof of tackle in Mainland China (e.g., resort reserving, employer’s property possession, and so on.)
- Another paperwork requested by the visa officer on a case-by-case foundation
China Visa Software Service Middle (Hong Kong)
Deal with: 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
At the moment, helpers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam should get hold of a sound Macau visa from a Chinese language embassy or consulate earlier than coming 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 not journey collectively, the helper could journey with a member of the family who lives with the employer, however be aware that the required paperwork for visa software will differ.
Required paperwork:
- Japan visa software type
- 1 colour passport picture of the helper
- Helper’s passport (authentic and duplicate)
- Helper’s Hong Kong ID card (authentic and duplicate)
- Legitimate Hong Kong residence allow (authentic and duplicate)
- 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 duplicate)
- Helper’s round-trip air ticket (authentic and duplicate)
- Employer’s round-trip air ticket (authentic and duplicate)
Deal with: Room 3, 16/F, 148 Electrical Highway, North Level, Hong Kong
Phone: 3167 7033
Workplace hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:45
Appointment software: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 15:00
Stroll-in functions (20 slots per day): Monday to Friday 08:30 – 13:30
Taiwan
You could first make an appointment on the Taipei Financial and Cultural Workplace web site (for overseas nationwide visas); functions with out an appointment won’t 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 will probably be deported.
Required paperwork:
- Authentic passport: have to be legitimate for no less than 6 months and have clean pages
- Visa software type: fill in and submit the appliance on the BOCA eVisa Portal, choose “Common Visa,” print out the 2-page software type, and have the helper signal it personally. Submit the paperwork to the designated workplace inside 30 days of signing.
- Two colour images taken inside 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 picture 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
Deal with: 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
Should 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 software type
- Copy of passport
- Passport picture (colour, 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 members of the family
- Employer’s proof of employment (enterprise card)
- Authentic employer’s monetary proof
Consulate Common of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong
Deal with: 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 coming into Thailand.
United States
If the helper is touring for tourism, visiting associates or family, receiving medical remedy, or attending social or service actions, they could apply for a B2 visa.
Software steps:
- Full the Nonimmigrant Visa Digital Software (DS-160)
- Pay the visa software payment
- Schedule an appointment (put together the next three gadgets):
– Helper’s passport quantity
– Helper’s visa payment 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. Convey a printed copy of the appointment letter, the DS-160 affirmation web page, a current picture taken inside the final 6 months, and all present and outdated passports. Functions with out these paperwork won’t 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 relating to the deliberate journey
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A letter from the employer itemizing your place, wage, size of employment, any approved go away, and your goal of journey to the US (if any)
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Felony/court docket 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
Deal with: 26 Backyard Highway, Hong Kong
Telephone: 2523 9011
Workplace hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM