[HHW]

I would love to bring my helper to the US with us while we visit family for 1 month this summer. She will have been with us for 8 months by the time we take the trip. Is it tough to get her a visa? How long does it take? Are there any hints to better our chances of being granted a visa? If you've gone through this before, I'd love some insight!

Thank you!
HHW

[KnowItAll]

Domestic Helpers - Consulate General of the United States Hong Kong and Macau

Be warned though .. we've heard of several cases where the helper has disappeared on their employers.

[HHW]

thanks. good to know. any information on getting a visitor visa to US?

HHW

[Alby]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

Be warned though .. we've heard of several cases where the helper has disappeared on their employers.

I have known 3 families in the last 7 years that have had this happen to them!

2 woke up in the morning with a bye bye note.
1 she just disappeared while shopping weeks later a letter was received by post to their HK address not to worry about her. This is after a missing persons and search was done by the coppers. The kids were completely distraught and thought they had been bad kids ... really caused some emotional problems.


BTW all 3 families employed their helpers for more than 4 1/2 yrs

HHW Good Luck!

[Alby]

Originally Posted by HHW

Is it tough to get her a visa? How long does it take? Are there any hints to better our chances of being granted a visa? If you've gone through this before, I'd love some insight!

Has she traveled with her previous employers to other countries ... that is if she has had other employers. Countries like, in the European Union, Australia, NZ, North America?

Also need to consider how long you have been her employer and a guarantee ... like you will bear all cost while she is there and if she needs to be deported etc. (the details you will need to consult someone more experienced) I think my friends in the previous post were asked to pay part of the bill for the time spent by the police searching for their helper... I am not certain of this I will ask & try to get you answer ... they have since returned to the USA.

Most likely she will be going for a simple tourist visa ... which if I recall correctly she must enter the Consulate on her own and w/o you ...years ago employers could go with their helper but I think rules have changed.

Hints ... getting a US visa seems to be luck of the draw.... not as easy as people perceive.

[cloudybay]

Alby's right, I have also heard stories similiar to hers, some first hand. A neighbor brought her very trusted maid back to NY and overheard the maid talking to someone on the phone a few days after arrival though she stated she didn't know anyone in the US. Turned out she had contacted an accquaintance before leaving HK to meet her and find her a job in NY.

And given the choice between working as a helper in HK and seeking a new life with potentially better wage, no one can be surprised at the outcome regardless how wonderful the maid has been to the family.

[cloudybay]

I know why people want to go back home with a helper but am not sure it's worth it. What with the hassle of getting her a visa and extra expenses...the worst part is you have to be wary of her every move, it's just so easy for her to pull a Houdini on you. And if I may ask--where will you be putting her up while visiting family? Won't it be easier to just hire a babysitter from the neighborhood? All the kids will be out and happy to earn some cash.

[KnowItAll]

>> Visitor Visa

Have heard that you might need to put up a bond of some sort, if you really do need to take your helper over.

Like cloudybay says ... might be better to just hire some local help OR ... spend some time bonding with the kids the old fashioned way.

[HHW]

will keep all this in mind. my helper has been to Canada with a previous employer and has worked out fine. We will hang on to her passport as well while there. she'll be with us and my family and with the kids the whole time so it lessens the chance that she'll run. She has been a great employee and we like her. But if she wants to run, she'd be a fool. I really need her help with 2 kids and the long flights and everything in between. I just need some information on how to get her a visa.

-HHW

[KnowItAll]

HHW - best to start with an email to the US Consulate. The visa will be B1/B2 visa and you'll have to figure a way to pay her and let her take her holidays as per US laws (which also includes not hanging on to her passport).