By The SUN
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| Immigration is again allowing expiring visas extended and FDHs to postpone their return home |
The Immigration Department has again allowed employers to extend the validity period of their existing contracts with their foreign domestic helpers who are leaving their employ.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Immigration said all visas expiring on or before Dec 31 this year will be allowed to be extended for a maximum of six months, provided it is with the consent of both the employer and the worker.
However, contracts already extended previously will no longer be allowed a further extension.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
If the incoming FDH cannot arrive in Hong Kong within the six-month extension period, the employer should consider renewing the contract with the existing FDH.
The last time the government made this concession was for contracts that were due to expire on or before the end of the current month.
In addition, FDHs whose visas have been extended for a year after renewing with the same employer or moving to a new one, can apply to defer returning to their place or origin for another year, or up to the expiration of the contract.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Again, this should be with the concurrence of both parties.
Such applications can be made within eight weeks prior to the expiry of the existing limit of stay of the FDHs, same as those for contract renewal.
Both concessions are part of the flexibility arrangement that the government has allowed from time to time in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
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| Press for details |
Immigration also said the requirement that FDHs must return to their place of origin remains in force. It will continue to closely monitor the situation and review the flexibility arrangements whenever necessary.
As much as possible, visa applications for FDHs must be submitted online to reduce the flow of people amid the continuing pandemic. These can be done through Immigration’s mobile application or the "e-Visa" arrangement.
They may also enquire about the application status and submit supplementary documents and notification of premature termination of an employment contract via a dedicated "Online Services for Foreign Domestic Helpers" webpage set up by the ImmD at www.immd.gov.hk/fdh.
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| BASAHIN ANG DETALYE |
Employers
and their FDHs are also advised to take note of the limit of stay and the
passport validity of the FDHs and arrange for applications for visas and
replacement of passports in advance.
For enquiries on employment rights and benefits of FDHs, please contact the
Labour Department (LD) at the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537
(manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk. The dedicated FDH portal (www.fdh.labour.gov.hk) set
up by the LD also provides information and useful links relating to the
employment of FDHs.
For enquiries on FDH visa applications, please contact the ImmD by calling the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111 or by sending email to enquiry@immd.gov.hk.
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PADALA NA!
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