| There is no doubt that the aforementioned will be an illegal act.
I had a friend with a similar case. What he and the comp did was the following:
The employer sent him an invoice for the service he had provided them. The invoice wsa sent to his address in the States and the services should be technically to be provided from a place outside HKSAR, so to say in the US. So, if you in the consultancy, such as writing rapports and advices, you can take the option to take this road. If the job requests yr presence at the workplace, then I dont think this will work. (This is not an advice, but a sharing of hearing and talking.)
But to step aside from the legal or not illigal matter, is the comp a local firm? Some companies just want to try you out and see whether they want to work with you, testing you whether you are flexible enough (this is for them to see how you would behave in the future) or trust you (keep in mind, that Chinese people work with a different mindset), thus the probation period.
Others are really scam. They would like to make abuse of your skills, etc.
But you need to bear in mind, that if you work illegal, you are in a position to ruin their comp as well. The penalty is much higher for a comp when it violates the law. Many comps are aware of this.
I guess you should try to take a closer look at the people in front of you. How big is the size of the comp? If big, no chance they will try to abuse you. Reputable? Small company? How is the HR? What does yr six sense say abt the people of the comp? It is people business. HK people are very practical and to the point, at least that is my experience. If they would like to work with you, they will tell you. If not, they won't let you hear anything. (To make a link to headhunters and employers who do not reply or let you hear a thing on your application for a position.)
Good luck
Cheers,
VonDutch  | 
