The standard employment contract for foreign domestic workers is generally for a term of two years. If the employer and the domestic worker decide to continue working together, they must sign a new contract and apply for an extension of the stay period. HELPER LIBRARY’s contract renewal reminder feature will notify employers to prepare the necessary documents based on the contract expiration date entered in their platform account, helping to prevent any delays that could affect the helper’s visa status and the family’s work arrangements.
When should I start preparing to renew my foreign domestic worker's contract?
Don’t be shy—the employer can confirm their intention to renew the contract with the domestic worker sooner. Applications for contract renewal can generally be submitted within eight weeks before the domestic worker’s current period of stay expires. However, the official submission deadline must still comply with the Immigration Department’s regulations in effect at that time.
Twelve weeks before the contract expires
- Discuss with my sister whether she is willing to renew her contract, and review her job responsibilities and the nature of our collaboration
- Confirm the Salary for the New Contract
- Discussion on the Homecoming Vacation and Expected Dates
- Check the expiration date on your sister's passport.
Contract Retrieval and Mailing Services
To request a copy of the “Employment Contract for Domestic Workers Hired from Outside Hong Kong” (ID 407), please send your mailing address and contact phone number toenquiry@immd.gov.hkOr mail it to the Enquiries and Liaison Section, Upper Ground Floor, Administration Building, Immigration Department Headquarters, 61 Po Yip Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories. We will mail the contract to you. You may also visit the above address or any of our district offices (for addresses and office hours of district offices, please visitLink) Request a copy.
What documents are required to renew a contract with the same employer?
For foreign domestic workers, you will need to prepare your passport, current visa or e-Visa information, Hong Kong ID card details, and current contract information. Employers may need to provide proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of financial status. If there are changes to the employer’s address, family status, or employment arrangements, it is even more important to prepare the relevant documents well in advance.
For employers handling contract renewals for the first time, document review is the area most prone to errors. Even minor mistakes or omissions can potentially disrupt the entire renewal timeline. Standard Employment Contract ID 407 is the foreign domestic worker employment contract accepted by the Immigration Department; the contract is generally valid for two years.
What is the Smart Renewal service?
The “Smart Domestic Helper” service is now available for visa renewal applications for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) submitted online, by mail, or via drop-off boxes. Additionally, the “e-Visa” arrangement has been in effect since December 28, 2021. After an application is approved, applicants may pay the visa fee online via the web payment link provided in the application result notification, or use the payment methods specified on the “General Payment Slip” attached to the application result notification, They may then download or print the “e-Visa” on their own, without needing to visit our office in person to complete the relevant procedures, which is both convenient and time-saving.
Worried you'll forget to renew your subscription?
The HelperLibrary platform features a contract renewal reminder system. Employers or domestic helpers simply need to enter the contract expiration date and can choose to receive email reminders and text message notifications one, two, or three months in advance—ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renewing Contracts for Foreign Domestic Workers
1. Does signing a new contract mean my visa will definitely be approved?
Signing a contract does not guarantee that the Immigration Department will approve a new work visa or extension of stay; however, if the domestic helper whose contract is being renewed has not violated any Immigration Department regulations, the application is generally approved under normal circumstances.
2. Is it possible to simply extend the existing contract without signing a new one?
If the employer chooses to renew the contract, it means the domestic worker will continue to work for the same employer for 24 months. If the employer chooses not to renew the contract, the domestic worker’s visa can be extended for up to one month based on the unexpired visa issued by the same employer; this requires submitting additional documents to the Immigration Department. After this one-month extension, the contract cannot be renewed again.
3. Is it necessary to go through an agent to renew a lease?
In Hong Kong, employers are generally allowed to submit contract renewal applications directly; however, the consulate of the domestic worker’s home country or local policies may stipulate different procedures. The Philippine Consulate allows employers to handle contract renewal procedures on their own, but in Indonesia, the process must be handled through an agency.