Updated 20 November 2025
The Hong Kong government has announced on Sep 30, 2020, it will give the flexibility to allow contracts ending on or before December 31, 2020, to be extended up till Jan 31, 2020, given that both the employer and the domestic helper agreed on it. See more here.
Applications for visa extension can be submitted in person or by post to the Foreign Domestic Helpers Section at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai.
Existing contract and visa extension
You will need these documents to apply:
- ID 988A form completed and signed by the domestic helper;
- a supporting letter signed by the employer stating the reason(s) for extending the period of employment;
- the domestic helper’s passport (send a copy if applying by post);
- the current employment contract; and
- HK$230 visa processing fee.
If the domestic helper contract has or will be terminated
Domestic helpers whose existing contracts are due to expire or are terminated on or before December 31, 2020, may apply to the immigration for an extension of the limit of stay in Hong Kong for a maximum period of one month as visitors for the purpose of finding a new employer in Hong Kong if they are unable to return to their place of origin due to the pandemic in their place of origin and/or international travel restrictions arising from the pandemic.
Bring the following documents to the Foreign Domestic Helpers Section at Immigration Tower in Wan Chai and apply for a tourist visa:
- a letter proof of your flight cancellation and flight information;
- passport; and
- HK$230 visa fee.
The duration of stay granted will be at the discretion of the officer, with a maximum 1 month of extension. The domestic helper will have to stay in a boarding house for her extended time in Hong Kong.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) office offers help to domestic helpers who need assistance on find a boarding house.
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
- Address: A16/F, YF Life Tower, 33 Lockhart Road Wanchai
- Tel: 3483 0600
- Emergency Hotline: 6345 9324
- Website: https://www.owwa.gov.ph/
- Facebook: OWWA Hong Kong
Deferring Home Leave
Domestic helpers who are still unable to return to their place of origin for home leave within their current limit of stay may continue to apply for an extension.
For those helpers who have already received a further extension of stay and wish to delay their home leave further, the immigration department may grant them another extension for not more than 3 months.
For helpers applying for a further extension and whose existing contracts will expire as well, they may submit the applications for deferral of home leave and contract renewal to the immigration in one go.
What if I got a terminated contract, can I still get hired?
For termination, you should clearly communicate with your employer and make sure to complete the termination process by informing the relevant authorities in Hong Kong and the foreign domestic helper’s country of termination of the contract. If you got time before termination, you can register on HelperChoice for free! HelperChoice have over 100,000 verified profiles, you can post your detailed profile on our platform and mention the reason for termination. The reason for terminating a contract does not only attribute to the poor performance of the domestic helper. Therefore, you should provide a brief description to let your potential employer know your situation.
Final Thoughts
Navigating an employment visa extension can feel overwhelming, but knowing the correct steps—and preparing the right documents—helps ensure a smooth and lawful process for both employers and domestic helpers. Whether you’re extending an ongoing contract, applying for a visitor visa after termination, or deferring home leave, staying informed about Immigration Department rules is essential for avoiding delays and protecting your helper’s rights.
If you’re a domestic helper looking for a new employer after termination or contract completion, HelperChoice can support you.
👉 Create a free profile on HelperChoice to connect with verified employers and improve your chances of finding a safe, fair job quickly.
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