China Visa Application

China Visa Application for Foreign Domestic Helpers

How to apply china visa for domestic helper in Hong Kong?

Applying in person at the China Visa Application Service Center in Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Application Process (China Visa Application Service Center)

1. Prepare Documents

The following documents must be filled out using a black ink pen and prepared in both original and copy:

• Related to the domestic helper:
  
  • Hong Kong Identity Card
  • Passport (valid for at least six months)
  • Hong Kong Work Visa (visa label or printed electronic visa on A4 paper)
  • Employment Contract (description in the foreign domestic helper contract for traveling to mainland China with the employer)
  • One recent color photo on a white background (33mm x 48mm) - It is recommended to prepare this in advance, as taking photos or printing on-site can be expensive.
  • Foreign domestic helper application form for China visa (available for download or to fill out on-site at the China Visa Application Service Center website)
• Related to the employer:
  
  • Hong Kong Identity Card
  • Employer Guarantee Letter (explaining the purpose, duration of stay, and relationship for taking the worker back to mainland China) - It is advisable to prepare this in advance, and a template is available on the service center website.
  • Copy of proof of residence in mainland China (such as hotel reservation confirmation, property certificate, or rental agreement) - If the foreign domestic helper does not reside at the employer's address, relevant proof must be provided.

2. Fill Out the Form Online (Recommended)

It is advisable to fill out the application form in advance on the China Visa Application Service Center website and print it out to save time on-site.

3. Go to the China Visa Application Service Center

• Address: 20th Floor, Capital Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• Office Hours:
  
  • Application Submission: Monday to Friday
    
    • Normal and Express: 09:00-15:00
    • Super Express: 09:00-12:00
  • Visa Collection: Monday to Friday
    
    • Normal: 10:00-17:00
    • Express and Super Express: 12:00-17:00

4. Submit Application and Pay Fees

Queue to submit the application documents for the foreign domestic helper traveling to mainland China. Staff will review the documents, and payment can be made once confirmed to be correct.

• Application Fees (in HKD):
  
  • Single Entry: Normal - 470, Express - 860, Super Express - 1440
  • Double Entry: Normal - 590, Express - 980, Super Express - 1560
  • Six-Month Multiple Entry: Normal - 700, Express - 1090, Super Express - 1670
  • One-Year Multiple Entry: Normal - 930, Express - 1320, Super Express - 1900
• Payment Methods: Cash or EPS

5. Collect Visa

Go to the service center to collect the worker's visa to China on the date and time specified on the collection slip. For the first application, both the employer and the foreign domestic helper must go together to collect it; afterwards, the foreign domestic helper can collect it alone but must carry the original identity card of the employer.

Notes

• First-time applications for a foreign domestic helper visa to China usually grant a single-entry visa with a stay of 1 to 30 days. The second application can be for a double-entry visa, and after accumulating three entry records, a six-month or one-year multiple-entry visa can be applied for.
• The foreign domestic helper must hold a passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
• It is advisable to prepare all documents in advance and double-check them to avoid delays.
• During peak periods (such as National Day, Spring Festival, Qingming, and Chung Yeung), it is recommended to apply in advance or avoid these times.
• The employment contract allows the foreign domestic helper to accompany the employer to mainland China, but it is essential to ensure that the visa type and duration of stay comply with regulations.
• The China Visa Application Service Center does not provide online appointments; queuing on-site is the only method available.
• The type of visa applied for will affect the collection time; the collection times for normal, express, and super express visas differ.
• Foreign domestic helpers with tourist visas can travel to mainland China; regardless of the reason for entry, foreign domestic helpers must hold valid visas to enter mainland China.

Travel Agency Processing (e.g., China Travel Service)

Applications for foreign domestic helper visas to China can also be handled through a travel agency, with a similar process, but an additional service fee is required. For example, the service fee for processing a foreign domestic helper visa at China Travel Service is approximately 1600 HKD, which includes document review fees. If assistance is needed in filling out the application form for the foreign domestic helper visa, an additional fee of 200 HKD will apply. The typical collection time is about two weeks. It is advisable to contact the travel agency in advance to understand the detailed process and required documents for the foreign domestic helper traveling to mainland China. If applying through China Travel Service, the foreign domestic helper may still need to go to the Capital Center for fingerprinting.