[Bhs]

I've heard that it is not possible for foreigners to even work in HK on a voluntary basis. Is this true? And doesn't it seem a bit daft if you're not getting paid for it!!!!

Paid or unpaid you are still working in Hong Kong, and you are required to secure a valid employment visa if you plan to do so.

[abatbo]

If you come as a visitor your purpose is to visit and not work. So if you work, even without pay you will be breaching what they term as "condition of stay" & you are liable to prosecution under Immigration ordinance. You must obtain a work visa ie ëmployment visa" before you can work in HK. This is I think quite a universal rule,if you arrive as a visitor you must not work, paid or unpaid.

[funnie]

Originally Posted by abatbo

If you come as a visitor your purpose is to visit and not work. So if you work, even without pay you will be breaching what they term as "condition of stay" & you are liable to prosecution under Immigration ordinance. You must obtain a work visa ie ëmployment visa" before you can work in HK. This is I think quite a universal rule,if you arrive as a visitor you must not work, paid or unpaid.

agree with you, abatbo.
but if someone has to come to hk for one day on a business trip, legally does he still need to get a work permit .

[abatbo]

If a person comes for a business visit, it is still a visit unless he stays for a long period and actually takes up a post in the HK office and is on the payroll. Even if he stays on the overseas payroll, if he really works he still need an employment visa. If he has not obtained one before arrival, he can go to the Immigration Department to report the situation and then rectify it by changing his condition of saty from "visitor"to ëmployment". With sufficient reasons there will be no problem.
You may have noticed that the Police/Immigration official arrest persons who work illegally including prostitutes who are proisecuted for "breach of condition of stay",ie they come as visitors but work!!