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Foreign Domestic Helper Visa (外籍家庭傭工簽證)
VisasHong KongForeign Domestic Helper Visa (外籍家庭傭工簽證)
Hong KongHong Kong•Asia
Open

Foreign Domestic Helper Visa (外籍家庭傭工簽證)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

4 weeks – 1 month

Estimated Cost

HK$600 HKD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

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 grant2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Dependant Visa - Spouse/Partner (受養人簽證-配偶)
Hong Kong flagHong Kong

Dependant Visa - Spouse/Partner (受養人簽證-配偶)

ValidityAligned with sponsor
Processing1 month
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Minimum education: High School

Minimum income: 185760 HKD

Health insurance required

Age: 18-

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

180,000 EUR/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

1

Secure domestic helper position: Employment contract with Hong Kong household

2

Employer gathers documents: ID, address proof, financial documentation

3

Helper completes application: Form ID 988A

4

Employer submits: Form ID 988B plus supporting documents

5

Interview: Applicant may be called for interview

6

Pay visa fee: HKD 600

7

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—

Verified Claims (7)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026
Dependent Visa
false
immd.gov.hk
Max Stay
2 years per contract (or until 2 weeks after contract termination, whichever is earlier); renewable …
immd.gov.hk
Max Stay Estimate
type: days, initialDays: 730, notes: 2 years per contract; renewable with continued employment; or u…
immd.gov.hk
Petitioner
employer
immd.gov.hk
Processing Estimates
{"minDays":28,"maxDays":42}
immd.gov.hk
Processing Time
Normally 4-6 weeks from receipt of complete documents (new entry visa); approximately 10 working day…
immd.gov.hk
Spouse Can Work
no
immd.gov.hk
Apply Now Official Information

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