helper's visa/contract

[aava]

my current FDH's husband (HKID holder) will apply for her dependent visa in 2 weeks and new FDH has been asked to pick up her visa on 31 dec but before that i have to provide a release letter of the current FDH to the immigration office.

if i write to release my current FDH on 10 january then she will have 1 month + two weeks to stay in HK. if her dependent visa does not get approved within this period then can she apply for extension of her visa on the basis that her dependent visa is in process with them (the immigration office)?

[MovingIn07]

Yes - just like any other dependent visa applicant. Or go to macau and come back on a tourist visa I guess and tell them if they question her that she's waiting for a dependent visa. She might finally start getting treated like a person rather than a "FDH" by the HK authorities!

[aava]

thanks movingin07. glad to know that she wont be left in the lurch!

[MovingIn07]

Although if her husband were to apply NOW rather than in 2 weeks time, perhaps that might speed the whole process along abit! Why is he delaying?

[aava]

yes - i did tell him to apply asap but they're waiting for an official letter from their country regarding correction of name-spelling on her birth certificate so another waiting game.....i just hope they'll be able to apply within the next 2 weeks.

[aava]

another question:

current FDH said every year they have to exit HK but on her visa stamp/immigration website, nothing like that has been mentioned. she has a 2 years' visa - first visa from dec 2009 to dec 2010 and in next page, visa from dec 2010 to dec 2011 so is it mandatory for her to exit before dec 2010?

[rani]

If she has two 1-year visas, she does need to exit HK before Dec 2010.

[aava]

thanks rani. one of my colleagues told me that her helper has a straight 2 years' visa stamp and not a two 1-year visa! is this case by case or did i miss to tick something in her application form?

[rani]

Yes, what happened last year is that the Gov't scrapped the levy and employers were able to recontact their helpers before the next installment of their levy was due. As the helpers were already in HK, they gave them two 1 year visas.