I refer to the letter headlined 'Perplexed by rule' (South China Morning Post, July 8).
The requirement for a re-entry visa was waived from September 28, 1995, for foreign domestic helpers who return to Hong Kong within the limit of their stay to continue their employment with the same employer.
This arrangement is only applicable to those who do not require a visa for visiting Hong Kong.
This point was clearly made when the new arrangement was announced in 1995 and is clearly stated in our public notices, and leaflets. In the incident quoted by your reader, foreign domestic helpers holding a Burmese passport do need a re-entry visa when returning to Hong Kong.
Although your reader's domestic helper did not have a re-entry visa upon her return to the territory, our officers at the Macau Ferry Terminal did consider the circumstances and granted her the required visa.
I hope readers will appreciate our officers have been helpful and flexible in handling this case.