{"id":12183,"date":"2023-03-28T01:53:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T17:53:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T17:20:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T09:20:07","slug":"domestic-helper-annual-leave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Facts on Your Domestic Helper\u2019s Annual Leave"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>(Updated on 12 February 2026)<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/#How_many_annual_leave_days_is_your_domestic_helper_entitled_to\" >How many annual leave days is your domestic helper entitled to?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/#What_is_the_difference_between_the_annual_leave_and_the_vacation_leave\" >What is the difference between the annual leave and the vacation leave?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/#When_can_the_domestic_helper_take_her_annual_leave\" >When can the domestic helper take her annual leave?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/#What_if_a_rest_day_or_statutory_holiday_happens_during_the_annual_leave\" >What if a rest day or statutory holiday happens during the annual leave?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/#Can_an_employer_make_payment_to_a_domestic_helper_in_lieu_of_annual_leave\" >Can an employer make payment to a domestic helper in lieu of annual leave?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper-annual-leave\/#You_might_also_be_interested_in\" >You might also be interested in:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Your domestic helper has been working for you for a year. Now time for her to claim her annual leave and take some well-deserved holidays.<\/p>\n<p>In Hong Kong, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\">foreign domestic helpers<\/a> are entitled to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/hk-labour-department-domestic-helper\">leaves<\/a> under the Employment Ordinance, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/employers-domestic-helper\">rest days<\/a>, statutory holidays, and <strong>paid annual leave<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15389\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Key-Facts-on-Your-Domestic-Helpers-Annual-Leave.png\" alt=\"Key facts on your domestic helper\u2019s annual leave\" width=\"800\" height=\"550\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_annual_leave_days_is_your_domestic_helper_entitled_to\"><\/span>How many annual leave days is your domestic helper entitled to?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Labour Department grants Hong Kong domestic helpers annual leave <strong>after they have been working with the same employer for 12 months<\/strong>. The number of days off<strong> increases progressively<\/strong> from 7 to a maximum of 14 days as follows:<\/p>\n<figure>\n<table data-path-to-node=\"11\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Years of Service<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Annual Leave Entitlement<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0,0\">1 to 2 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,1,1,0\">7 Days per year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,2,0,0\">3 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,2,1,0\">8 Days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,3,0,0\">4 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,3,1,0\">9 Days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,4,0,0\">5 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,4,1,0\">10 Days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,5,0,0\">6 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,5,1,0\">11 Days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,6,0,0\">7 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,6,1,0\">12 Days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,7,0,0\">8 Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,7,1,0\">13 Days<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,8,0,0\">9+ Years<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"11,8,1,0\">14 Days (Maximum)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_the_annual_leave_and_the_vacation_leave\"><\/span>What is the difference between the annual leave and the vacation leave?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At the end of each contract, the employer must provide the domestic helper\u00a0with a vacation leave (also called \u201chome leave\u201d) of at least 7 days <strong>on top of the annual leave<\/strong> while the domestic helper waits for his\/her new visa.<\/p>\n<p>Whether this is paid or unpaid vacation leave depends on the terms agreed upon in Clause 13 of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/employer-domestic-helper\">Standard Employment Contract<\/a>. If employers opted for unpaid vacation leave at the time of signing the contracts, they may decide to give their domestic helper paid leave, but if you opted for paid vacation, you must follow this as stated in the contract and can\u2019t change your mind.<\/p>\n<p>In case of vacation leave, some employers ask their domestic helpers to take a medical checkup before flying back to Hong Kong.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_can_the_domestic_helper_take_her_annual_leave\"><\/span>When can the domestic helper take her annual leave?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A domestic helper shall take his\/her paid annual leave to which he\/she is entitled <strong>within the following period of 12 months<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The domestic helper and the employer must have a mutual agreement on the dates of the annual leave, and the days off must be <strong>confirmed by written notice<\/strong> to the domestic helper <strong>at least 14 days in advance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The annual leave letter should include the name of the employer, the name of the domestic helper, dates of departure from Hong Kong and return in Hong Kong. Failure to return will lead to breaking the contract without notice.<\/p>\n<p>Remember to <strong>always keep a proper report<\/strong> of your domestic helper\u2019s days off and payments to avoid any conflict.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_if_a_rest_day_or_statutory_holiday_happens_during_the_annual_leave\"><\/span>What if a rest day or statutory holiday happens during the annual leave?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Any rest day or statutory holiday falling within the period of annual leave will be counted as annual leave. <strong>You must give your domestic helper another rest day or holiday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_an_employer_make_payment_to_a_domestic_helper_in_lieu_of_annual_leave\"><\/span>Can an employer make payment to a domestic helper in lieu of annual leave?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An employer <strong>should not <\/strong>include in an employment contract payment of wages in lieu of any annual leave days. However, the law allows an employee to choose to <strong>accept payment in lieu of that part of his leave entitlement which exceeds 10 days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if a domestic helper an employee who is entitled to 12 days&#8217; annual leave can take 10 days&#8217; leave and accept payment of the equivalent wages for the 2 days&#8217; leave.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"You_might_also_be_interested_in\"><\/span><strong>You might also be interested in:<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/domestic-helper\/domestic-helper-statutory-holidays-2023\">Domestic Helper Statutory Holidays 2023<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/employer-domestic-helper\">Domestic Helper Contract and Main Regulations in Hong Kong<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/hong-kong\/situation-domestic-helper\">Differences Between Domestic Helpers Types of Contracts<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/domestic-helpers\/hong-kong\">Search for a domestic helper now! \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Updated on 12 February 2026) Your domestic helper has been working for you for a year. Now time for her to claim her annual leave and take some well-deserved holidays. In Hong Kong, foreign domestic helpers are entitled to leaves under the Employment Ordinance, including rest days, statutory holidays, and paid annual leave. How many [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":12184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"How many days is a helper entitled to? Learn the rules for domestic helper annual leave, vacation leave, and payment in lieu options in Hong Kong.","title":"Key Facts on Your Domestic Helper\u2019s Annual Leave - HelperChoice Blog"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[558],"class_list":["post-12183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rights-regulation","tag-helpers-holiday-regulation-en"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/538c3105061360b7e7e12acd768805c3ee43d238-helperchoice-annual-leave-domestic-workers-1200x800-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12183"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15391,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12183\/revisions\/15391"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}