Visa for foreign maid

Blue Topaz · Sep 9th, 2007, 10:42

Hi,

We're moving to India in the New Year and wish to bring our Filipina maid with us. Does anyone know or have experience in gaining a visa for a foreign maid?

Thanks

Blue Topaz

Nick-H · Sep 9th, 2007, 12:11

It seams that they pay some attention to availability of local staff when granting employment visas, which is fair enough.

Given that there is no shortage (at least in theory! They can be hard to find) of local domestic staff this might be a problem for you.

You might have to bring her as a tourist, but the return flights to pay for her visa runs every six months would be expensive.

What's the length of your stay?

I'm curious to know what she thinks of the move. Obviously she's willing, or you wouldn't be asking the question.

Blue Topaz · Sep 9th, 2007, 12:23

My husband's contract states that the assignment is anticipated to be around than 3 years.

We've already had her for over a year and both signed a contract for 2 years. We did give her the choice of coming with us or we find her another employer here in Dubai but she wants to come as she is quite attached to our children and we do give her a good salary and benefits.

From what I can gather on this forum, it would be far cheaper to employ someone more locally but we would prefer to bring her if possible as we know her and trust her.

Tourist visa I think would be a last resort but I wouldn't have a problem in sending her home every six months for a holiday if that's what was needed although would the Consulate not get suspicious with repeated visa runs..?

edwardseco · Sep 9th, 2007, 13:09

No, and this is far, far more likely than an employment visa to bring maids to India. However, and its a big one, since she is Filipino she may not get a 6 month visa as opposed to a 3 month and she may have to go through a much more rigorous application process including interview(s). A very nice legitimate SEA tourist let me know just how different it is if they think you are a nationality actually seeking work instead of tourism..

Blue Topaz · Sep 9th, 2007, 13:59

If she is already in our employment would that not be taken into consideration?

We were given the impression that it shouldn't be a problem and that we just give Immigration a copy of her contract when we apply.

I'm starting to stress now!

Nick-H · Sep 9th, 2007, 14:23

They might. But it would probably be ok once or twice.

This is bit of a special case. Apart from diplomats, I doubt that many people would ever think of bringing staff here with them.

I don't know what to advise, and hope that someone else has some better ideas!

Nick-H · Sep 9th, 2007, 14:27

Quote:

If she is already in our employment would that not be taken into consideration?

I'm forgetting the important fact that it is illegal to work here under a tourist visa.

I think you have to try to get her in as your employee, as a part of your household.

When you say, We were given the impression... who has been advising you up to now? It may (or may not) be that they are better informed than us guys.

We are certainly not experts or professionals, just passing on our experience and what we have gathered along the way.

Blue Topaz · Sep 9th, 2007, 14:32

We're coming out on Thursday anyway for a couple of days, I'm sure I can find someone at the company who might be able to wing it!

I just seems a bit unfair from her perspective that she possibly loses her job, particularly if we are only there for a specified term.

If it was Singapore or Hong Kong she would have no problems at all coming with us.

Oh well, I'll be keeping all my digits crossed.

capt_mahajan · Sep 9th, 2007, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Topaz

If it was Singapore or Hong Kong she would have no problems at all coming with us.

But she may have had problems going from Singapore to, say, the USA.

Which exactly happened with a cousin of mine.

Blue Topaz · Sep 9th, 2007, 15:11

True, but usually travelling around Asia and the ME you wouldn't generally have a problem in your maid tagging along too.

A lot of expats here have maids with them who have travelled around all over the place with them.

The person who was showing my husband around when he initially visited said that it wasn't problematic and there were people around who have filipina maids. I don't know what her position was in the company.

Anyone out there who has a filipina maid? Fully legal that is?

Nick-H · Sep 9th, 2007, 15:52

I suggest you take it up with them.

Do let us know the result!

Blue Topaz · Sep 9th, 2007, 15:56

Just phoned the Philippine Embassy in Delhi as a thought and then realised the rest of the world is off on a Sunday! It's the first day of the week here.. doh!

edwardseco · Sep 9th, 2007, 23:06

I have no maid but the only way you can get her in legally in a country with a surplus of domestic servants and a strong bureaucracy is probably with company assistance..

Blue Topaz · Sep 12th, 2007, 12:53

Just to let you know, hubby spoke to the Vice Consul at the Indian Consulate this morning who said that it would be ok!!

Based on the information that she is already working for us and has been for some time, we would need to take her contract in and they would issue a 6 month visa to be renewed in Delhi on expiry.

That said, we haven't actually done it yet as we are not out until the New Year. I can stop stressing about this part of the move now anyway!!

Blue Topaz

Subodhsankar · May 16th, 2008, 18:13

Blue Topaz:
Did you ever get to take your Filipina maid with you? We are planning something similar and thought your experience could help us.

Sep 9th, 2007, 10:42	#1
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	Visa for foreign maid Hi, We're moving to India in the New Year and wish to bring our Filipina maid with us. Does anyone know or have experience in gaining a visa for a foreign maid? Thanks Blue Topaz

Sep 9th, 2007, 12:11	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,601	It seams that they pay some attention to availability of local staff when granting employment visas, which is fair enough. Given that there is no shortage (at least in theory! They can be hard to find) of local domestic staff this might be a problem for you. You might have to bring her as a tourist, but the return flights to pay for her visa runs every six months would be expensive. What's the length of your stay? I'm curious to know what she thinks of the move. Obviously she's willing, or you wouldn't be asking the question. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 9th, 2007, 15:56	#12
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	Will do.. Just phoned the Philippine Embassy in Delhi as a thought and then realised the rest of the world is off on a Sunday! It's the first day of the week here.. doh!

Sep 12th, 2007, 12:53	#14
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	Some Good News! Just to let you know, hubby spoke to the Vice Consul at the Indian Consulate this morning who said that it would be ok!! Based on the information that she is already working for us and has been for some time, we would need to take her contract in and they would issue a 6 month visa to be renewed in Delhi on expiry. That said, we haven't actually done it yet as we are not out until the New Year. I can stop stressing about this part of the move now anyway!! Blue Topaz

May 16th, 2008, 18:13	#15
Subodhsankar Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 1	Visa for maid Blue Topaz: Did you ever get to take your Filipina maid with you? We are planning something similar and thought your experience could help us.

Sep 9th, 2007, 12:23	#3
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	My husband's contract states that the assignment is anticipated to be around than 3 years. We've already had her for over a year and both signed a contract for 2 years. We did give her the choice of coming with us or we find her another employer here in Dubai but she wants to come as she is quite attached to our children and we do give her a good salary and benefits. From what I can gather on this forum, it would be far cheaper to employ someone more locally but we would prefer to bring her if possible as we know her and trust her. Tourist visa I think would be a last resort but I wouldn't have a problem in sending her home every six months for a holiday if that's what was needed although would the Consulate not get suspicious with repeated visa runs..?

Sep 9th, 2007, 13:09	#4
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,582	No, and this is far, far more likely than an employment visa to bring maids to India. However, and its a big one, since she is Filipino she may not get a 6 month visa as opposed to a 3 month and she may have to go through a much more rigorous application process including interview(s). A very nice legitimate SEA tourist let me know just how different it is if they think you are a nationality actually seeking work instead of tourism..

Sep 9th, 2007, 13:59	#5
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	If she is already in our employment would that not be taken into consideration? We were given the impression that it shouldn't be a problem and that we just give Immigration a copy of her contract when we apply. I'm starting to stress now!

Sep 9th, 2007, 14:23	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,601	They might. But it would probably be ok once or twice. This is bit of a special case. Apart from diplomats, I doubt that many people would ever think of bringing staff here with them. I don't know what to advise, and hope that someone else has some better ideas!

Sep 9th, 2007, 14:32	#8
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	We're coming out on Thursday anyway for a couple of days, I'm sure I can find someone at the company who might be able to wing it! I just seems a bit unfair from her perspective that she possibly loses her job, particularly if we are only there for a specified term. If it was Singapore or Hong Kong she would have no problems at all coming with us. Oh well, I'll be keeping all my digits crossed.

Sep 9th, 2007, 15:11	#10
Blue Topaz Blue, sparkling and surrounded by diamonds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 31	True, but usually travelling around Asia and the ME you wouldn't generally have a problem in your maid tagging along too. A lot of expats here have maids with them who have travelled around all over the place with them. The person who was showing my husband around when he initially visited said that it wasn't problematic and there were people around who have filipina maids. I don't know what her position was in the company. Anyone out there who has a filipina maid? Fully legal that is?

Sep 9th, 2007, 15:52	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,601	I suggest you take it up with them. Do let us know the result!

Sep 9th, 2007, 23:06	#13
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,582	I have no maid but the only way you can get her in legally in a country with a surplus of domestic servants and a strong bureaucracy is probably with company assistance..

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