Hong Kong•AsiaForeign Domestic Helper Visa (外籍家庭傭工簽證)
At a Glance
4 weeks – 1 month
HKD $600
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
No dependents
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Employer-sponsored work visa for foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong households; 2-year renewable contract with live-in requirement.
The Foreign Domestic Helper (FDH) visa in Hong Kong is an employer-sponsored work pathway for live-in domestic staff under a standard employment contract. It covers childcare, elderly care, cooking, and household management. Applicants must have at least high school education; hiring households must earn a minimum of HKD 185,760 annually and provide health insurance.
The visa is renewable while employment continues, lasting 2 years per contract or until 2 weeks after termination, whichever is earlier. New applications process in 4-6 weeks; renewals in approximately 10 working days. The mandatory live-in requirement applies, dependents cannot join, and spouses cannot work. Application fee: HKD 600.
This visa is ideal for workers from Southeast Asia—particularly the Philippines and Indonesia—seeking stable employment with higher wages and better conditions than at home, willing to live with their employer and provide household support.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Hong KongDependant Visa - Spouse/Partner (受養人簽證-配偶)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Minimum education: High School
Minimum income: 185760 HKD
Health insurance required
Age: 18-
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
180,000 HKD/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport
Employment contract
Testimonial
Medical certificate
Police clearance
Employer ID/passport (sponsor)
Proof of residence (sponsor)
Financial proof (sponsor)
Employment contract (sponsor)
Release letter (sponsor)
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Fixed 2-year initial contract term with renewal possible as long as employment continues
- Fast renewal processing — approximately 10 working days for contract extensions
- Government-mandated minimum wage protection and compulsory employer-provided health insurance
- Employer covers air passage (to and from home country) as part of standard contract terms
- Clear processing timeline for new visas: 4-6 weeks from receipt of complete documents
- Live-in arrangement with guaranteed accommodation provided by employer
- Renewable indefinitely — no statutory cap on total years of residence with employer sponsorship
Worth Knowing
- Visa is strictly tied to the sponsoring employer — changing jobs requires new visa application
- Employer must meet minimum household income of HKD 185,760 annually to qualify as sponsor
- Spouse of visa holder cannot work in Hong Kong under any visa category
- Mandatory live-in requirement — visa holder must reside in employer's household
- No dependent visas available — family members cannot join on this visa pathway
- Visa restricted to domestic helper role only — cannot transition to other employment sectors
- Spouse cannot work and dependents cannot be sponsored, limiting family relocation options
Application Process
Secure domestic helper position
Employment contract with Hong Kong household
Employer gathers documents
ID, address proof, financial documentation
Helper completes application
Form ID 988A
Employer submits
Form ID 988B plus supporting documents
Interview
Applicant may be called for interview
Pay visa fee
HKD 600
Visa issuance
Normally 4-8 weeks processing
Application Forms
Go to application portal| Visa/Extension of Stay Application for Domestic Helper | — |
| Application for Employment of Domestic Helper | — |
Related visas
More visas in Hong Kong
Work visas in other countries
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