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The law here is clear – work, paid or unpaid requires the permission of the Hong Kong Director of Immigration – but what about charity and volunteering – do you still need to get the express permission of ImmD?

QUESTION

Dear Stephen

I run an NGO.   We rely on volunteers from the community in order to achieve our objectives.

We are aware that certain groups, including visitors, domestic helpers and those on employment visa are not allowed to do any work / work for anyone other than the named employer and this includes unpaid work.

1. Do you have any insights into the definition of “unpaid work” ?  (e.g. If my mum visits and walks my dog, is it unpaid work?)

2. If someone is volunteering with an NGO, is the onus on the NGO to check that they have the right to volunteer?

3. Are you aware of anyone being prosecuted for doing volunteer work, or NGOs being investigated / prosecuted for this?

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