Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form ID 988A, Visa/Extension of Stay Application Form for Domestic Helper from Abroad (to be completed by the helper)

Applicants often get confused by the similar-sounding options in Section 1 and select the wrong application type. For example, a helper renewing a contract but deferring home leave might incorrectly select 'Entry visa' instead of 'Entry visa AND Extension of Stay'. This mistake leads to incorrect processing, requiring resubmission and causing significant delays in visa approval. To avoid this, carefully read the description for each option and ensure it matches your specific situation (initial entry, renewal with leave, renewal without immediate leave, etc.).

A frequent error is not entering the full name exactly as it appears on the official travel document. Applicants may omit middle names, use a nickname, or invert the surname and given names. This discrepancy between the form and the passport is a primary cause for application rejection. Always copy your full name precisely from your passport into the 'Surname in English' and 'Given names in English' fields to ensure a match.

The form explicitly requires dates in the DD/MM/YYYY format, but many applicants, especially those accustomed to the American MM/DD/YYYY format, enter it incorrectly. This can lead to confusion and processing errors, particularly for dates where the day is 12 or less (e.g., 04/05/2024 could be April 5th or May 4th). To prevent this, always double-check that you are entering the day first, then the month, then the year in the designated boxes.

The form states, 'Please complete this column if this form is a photocopy or downloaded copy,' which applies to virtually all submissions today. Applicants often sign only the final page, overlooking the signature and date boxes at the bottom of pages 1, 2, and 3. An incomplete set of signatures will render the application invalid and require it to be filled out and signed all over again. It is crucial to sign and date every page where indicated.

When providing a Hong Kong Identity Card number, applicants often make mistakes like omitting the alphabetical prefix or forgetting the final check digit within the parentheses. The entire sequence, including letters and the bracketed digit (e.g., W123456(1)), is the complete ID number. Entering only the numeric part results in an incomplete identifier, which can delay verification processes. Ensure all parts of the HKID number are transcribed correctly into their respective fields.

In Section 5, applicants who tick boxes indicating they have changed their name, been refused a visa, or been convicted of a crime often forget to provide the mandatory written details in the space provided. Leaving this explanation blank after ticking 'yes' makes the declaration incomplete and will halt the application. If you check a box confirming a past event, you must provide a clear, concise explanation as required.

The form specifies that a photograph is not needed for certain renewal or extension applications, which can be confusing. Applicants either forget to attach a photo when it is required for an initial entry visa (Type 1a) or attach one when it's not necessary. Furthermore, using a photo that does not meet the size specifications (55x45mm to 50x40mm) can also lead to rejection. Carefully read the instructions in Section 2 to determine if a photo is needed for your application type and ensure it is the correct size.

Section 6, the 'Undertaking', requires the applicant to fill in their Domestic Helper Contract Number. Many applicants overlook this small blank space, assuming the section is just a series of checkboxes. Failure to provide the contract number makes the undertaking incomplete and legally ambiguous, which can be grounds for the immigration department to return the form. Always ensure this number is filled in to link the visa application directly to the specific employment contract.

The form explicitly instructs applicants to use a black or blue pen and write in BLOCK letters (i.e., all caps). Many people fill out the form using cursive or mixed-case handwriting, or use a pen of a different color. This can cause legibility issues for the processing officer and for the optical character recognition (OCR) systems used to digitize the information, leading to data entry errors and delays. Adhering to these simple instructions ensures the form is clear and easy to process.

Applicants often misunderstand the difference between 'Present address' (where they currently live, e.g., with their current employer in Hong Kong) and 'Domicile address' (their permanent home address in their country of origin). This can lead to them filling in their home country address in the 'Present address' field, which is incorrect if they are already in Hong Kong. The 'Domicile address' field should only be filled if it is different from the present address. This error can cause confusion about the applicant's current location and residency status.