"Frankly, excellent is an understatement in describing the quality of this service." Babak Akhlaghi, General Legal Counsel. National Panasonic Corporation of Japan
"No other provider would give free and accurate advice!" Daniel W, UK Citizen Living in HK
"We recommend the Hong Kong Visa Centre to anyone who needs help and support to understand the options for married same-sex couples." Alex P, Switzerland
"Seven months ago, when we first talked on Skype, I emphasized the issue of trust. I can say today that you honored 100% of what you said that day." Gustavo Cavaliere, Managing Director. Blue Dragonfly Corp
"Having dealt with other immigration providers in South East Asia you're leagues ahead of the rest in all attributes needed to run a successful visa company; they could learn much from you." Neil Jolly, Managing Director. Classic Equine Ltd
"Knowledgeable, diligent, honest, responsive, accurate and hard working are only among a few of the characteristics describing the professionals at the Hong Kong Visa Centre." Babak Akhlaghi, General Legal Counsel. National Panasonic Corporation of Japan
"All in all, an excellent experience. I wish every service business worked as efficiently." Hari Iyer, Managing Director. IBS Consultants Ltd
"It was free and I got a quick response!" Tom P, UK
“I cannot recommend Stephen Barnes and the Hong Kong Visa Centre highly enough.” Daniel White, Psychologist. Hong Kong
"Your knowledge and understanding of the process meant that you were able to reassure me every step of the way." Alice McKay, Managing Director. Golden Path Education Ltd
"Here is a company evidently in the business of helping people like me, giving away important visa information for free! I immediately called their office and the rest is history!" Richelle Oblena, Director. Phoenix Alliance Ltd
"The information in your Visa Handbook was a key factor in my having a successful work visa application. I owe you a debt of gratitude." Adam G, Hong Kong
"Frankly, excellent is an understatement in describing the quality of this service." Babak Akhlaghi, General Legal Counsel. National Panasonic Corporation of Japan
"No other provider would give free and accurate advice!" Daniel W, UK Citizen Living in HK
"We recommend the Hong Kong Visa Centre to anyone who needs help and support to understand the options for married same-sex couples." Alex P, Switzerland
"Seven months ago, when we first talked on Skype, I emphasized the issue of trust. I can say today that you honored 100% of what you said that day." Gustavo Cavaliere, Managing Director. Blue Dragonfly Corp
"Having dealt with other immigration providers in South East Asia you're leagues ahead of the rest in all attributes needed to run a successful visa company; they could learn much from you." Neil Jolly, Managing Director. Classic Equine Ltd
"Knowledgeable, diligent, honest, responsive, accurate and hard working are only among a few of the characteristics describing the professionals at the Hong Kong Visa Centre." Babak Akhlaghi, General Legal Counsel. National Panasonic Corporation of Japan
"All in all, an excellent experience. I wish every service business worked as efficiently." Hari Iyer, Managing Director. IBS Consultants Ltd
"It was free and I got a quick response!" Tom P, UK
“I cannot recommend Stephen Barnes and the Hong Kong Visa Centre highly enough.” Daniel White, Psychologist. Hong Kong
"Your knowledge and understanding of the process meant that you were able to reassure me every step of the way." Alice McKay, Managing Director. Golden Path Education Ltd
"Here is a company evidently in the business of helping people like me, giving away important visa information for free! I immediately called their office and the rest is history!" Richelle Oblena, Director. Phoenix Alliance Ltd
"The information in your Visa Handbook was a key factor in my having a successful work visa application. I owe you a debt of gratitude." Adam G, Hong Kong
Will A Short Term Work Visa Be Cancelled Due To Non-Activation? Short term work visa for Hong Kong – I originally answered this question 9 years ago but it is still relevant today … QUESTION OF THE WEEK We have sponsored an Indian passport holder for a short term work visa for Hong Kong to work “legally” […]
In Hong Kong working as a visitor? Visitors often wonder if they are legally allowed to work during their stay in the HKSAR. In this post and, via the above video, I explore everything you need to know about working as a visitor in Hong Kong.
Visitor Visa Permitted Activity
Before diving into whether visitors can work in Hong Kong, it’s important to understand what a visitor visa is. A visitor visa is designed for individuals visiting Hong Kong for short stays, usually for up to 14 to 90 days, depending on the visa type. There are different types of visitor visas, including:
Visit Visa/Entry Permit for Tourism
Visit Visa/Entry Permit for Family Visit
Visit Visa/Entry Permit for Business Visit
To get a visitor visa, visitors are required to meet certain requirements, such as possessing a valid passport, having a confirmed return ticket, and providing proof of sufficient funds for their stay. Essentially, you need to prove your bona fides as a visitor to Hong Kong which requires the foregoing and also that there is no risk of you breaching your conditions of stay as a visitor.
In Hong Kong Working As A Visitor?
So, can visitors legally work in Hong Kong while on a visitor visa? The answer is yes, and no. Visitors are allowed to engage in certain work-related activities on behalf of their overseas employer/self-owned businesses, such as attending business meetings, conducting research, or attending seminars.
Being in Hong Kong working as a visitor is fraught with difficulty.
The reason for this distinction is that working in Hong Kong requires a valid work visa, which is different from a visitor visa.
Failure to comply could result in the visitor being refused future entry to Hong Kong and/or being fined or even deported or incarcerated.
Ensure Compliance
If a visitor wants to engage in work-related activities while in Hong Kong, they must obtain an invitation letter from a government-accredited organization. This letter is a formal endorsement of the visitor’s work-related activities in Hong Kong and must be obtained prior to arriving in Hong Kong.
Once the visitor has obtained the invitation letter, they can engage in the specific work-related activities outlined in the invitation letter for a maximum of 14 days. Note that visitors are not permitted to obtain compensation for these activities unless allowed by the terms of the invitation letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work part-time on a visitor visa in Hong Kong?
No, visitors cannot engage in paid or unpaid work, including part-time employment, while on a visitor visa in Hong Kong.
Can I extend my visitor visa to work in Hong Kong?
No, a visitor visa cannot be extended to work in Hong Kong. Visitors must obtain the appropriate work visa to engage in employment in Hong Kong.
What kind of invitation letter do I need to work in Hong Kong as a visitor?
Visitors must obtain an invitation letter from a government-accredited organization. The invitation letter must outline the specific work-related activities the visitor will be undertaking in Hong Kong.
Last Words …
While visitors are not allowed to work in Hong Kong on a visitor visa, they can engage in certain work-related activities with the proper invitation letter. It’s important for visitors to understand the regulations around working as a visitor in Hong Kong to avoid any legal consequences. Visitors should be aware that working in Hong Kong requires a valid work visa, and breaking any regulations could result in serious consequences.
A Suitable Credible Sponsor For Your Hong Kong Work Visa Application? Over the last 20 years or so I have coined a number of phrases in Hong Kong immigration parlance … Suitable credible sponsor for a work visa? In this short piece, I discuss how the Hong Kong Immigration Department assess the bona fides of […]
The Ultimate Guide to Unconditional Stay in Hong Kong The Second Cousin To The Right Of Abode Introduction Unconditional Stay? Since the enactment of the Basic Law and the implementation of the arrangements for the Right of Abode in the HKSAR, the role of Unconditional Stay status in the realm of Hong Kong immigration practice […]
Hong Kong QMAS – Is There Such a Thing as an ‘Occupations in Demand’ List In 2023? All Hail The Talent List … The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is very often compared with other immigration programmes in the quality of life jurisdictions such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA and the UK. Recently, the HKSAR […]
What Are The Chances Of Successfully Securing A QMAS Visa In 2023? Demystifying the ‘Black Box’ of Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme Visa in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide Backgrounder What are the chances of successfully securing a QMAS visa? Hong Kong has always been an attractive destination for skilled professionals. However, the Quality Migrant […]
Zzzzip.com | Your Gateway To Business Success In Hong Kong | Comprehensive Support | Hong Kong Investment Visa (And Much More …) One-Stop Professional Help In Support Of Your Hong Kong Investment Visa Application From Will Probert & His Team Of Experts Background Hong Kong is a bustling hub of commerce, technology, and innovation. For […]
