Taking our helper back to UK

[Louise-James]

Hi

We may be moving back to the UK from HK later this year. I believe it may be possible to take our helper with us as she has worked for us for over a year. I have 2 questions on this:

- do you know how long the visa application is likely to take
- are DH's usually paid the minimum UK wage, even if they have food & accommodation provided? (this would be many multiples of the DH wage in HK )

thanks

[KnowItAll]

Might want to take a look at this.

Domestic Helper - supplementary guidance?British Consulate General Hong Kong

and this

Application forms and guidance?British Consulate General Hong Kong

[KnowItAll]

More info ..

Overseas domestic workers (INF 17)?UKvisas

[Louise-James]

Thanks very much - gives clear info on the visa application process but doesn't go into any details re: whether minimum wage applies - if anyone has any experience of this please let me know

[chimo]

Migrant domestic workers (as they are called in the UK) are legally entitled to the minimum wage (£5.52 per hour). However, you are allowed a daily reduction of £3.75 from their salary if you provide accomodation. You are not allowed to make deductions for providing food. So legally you will have to pay around £11K per year.

By the way, your helper will not need a work permit but will need a visa.

Read more here:
Kalayaan - Justice for migrant domestic workers

[Expatriate]

Foreign domestic helpers can work as such in UK, but only for a limited time and then have to leave the UK for a minimum time.
Better check the website of the UK Border Agency of the Home office.

Visa Application in HK for UK takes about 1 week.
Application for Residence Card in UK after entering UK takes about 6 months, during wich time no work is permitted, and the applicant has to surrender the passport - the UKBA only works with ORIGINAL documents.

[Satay Sue]

You're responding to a 3.5 year old post...?

[Clockie]

You're responding to a 3.5 year old post...?

Did the same thing when I first joined Geo expat. I would have thought that old post should self destruct after a stipulated time.

[PDLM]

They do have a big red and yellow banner at the top of the page warning you that it's an old post and suggesting you might like to start a new thread...

[Ramdom]

On this forum time is usually not the deciding factor for deleting post. I like the 'self-destruct' idea - very video game-ish.