Batgung

First the usual caveat - check with the immigration dept to confirm details before booking flights, etc.

From what I understand...

>I am a bit confused about the process of applying for a work
>visa - I get the impression that the sponsoring company takes
>care of this.

Right. The exceptions are:
- Working Holiday Visa (aimed at young people from a small number of countries)
- Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (ie you have appx USD800K or more burning a hole in your pocket, that you'd like to invest in HK, eg buy property or buy HK stocks.)
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (points-based application process to attract highly qualified / skilled immigrants. Might be of interest to you)

In other cases you get a traditional emplyment visa, and the sponsoring company does the work.

>My question is can I go to Hong Kong on a tourist visa
>and stay there until the work visa is processed or do
>I have to be out of the country while this is taking place?

It seems it isn't impossible to switch type of visa while you're here, but at the same time it isn't encouraged, and you may still end up having to leave. Also note it takes 4-6 weeks to process, during which time you're not allowed to work. So it might be the time to do that travelling out of HK anyway.

>Also if I applying from home, do I have to surrender my
>passport to the local HK embassy?

It sounds like you don't need to surrender your passport. Instead the immigration department issue a sticker to the sponsoring company, who sends it on to you to stick in the passport yourself.

Can anyone that has actually been through this process confirm the above?

Regards, MrB

"With effect from 15 May 2006, dependants of persons admitted for employment (as professionals, investors or for training) or as capital investment entrants are not prohibited from taking up employment."

Full document here.

Regards, MrB

We've had other people ask about visas for interns here, but so far we have not had anyone give an answer. Have you asked the company that is offering the internship? They would have to apply for any work visa on your behalf.

MrB

If you write a question to enquiry@immd.gov.hk, in my experience they do reply but it may take several weeks.

I don't know if Hong Kong's immigration department give out visas for internships. You should contact the immigration department if your employer cannot answer.

There is no mention of 'internship' as an option for visas on the government website. There is an option for a training visa, but that has the note that it is not apply to 'nationals from Vietnam'. So again I'd start by writing to the immigration department and asking for their advice.

Good luck, MrB

If this is the reply I get from enquiry@immd.gov.hk :
"This entry arrangement does not apply to:

1. Chinese residents of the Mainland (except Mainland employees and
business associates of reputable and multi-national companies based in
Hong Kong); and
2. nationals from Afghanistan, Albania, Cambodia, Cuba, Laos, Korea
(Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam. "

And I am a citizen of Vietnam. Is there anything I can do to obtain a work Visa then?

Thanks.

Dear Mr.B

I am a PRC passport holder and currently living in the U.S.
I have this 6 weeks internship in HK this summer and the company says they did not deal with interns traveling with mainland documents before so I have to sort everything on my own.

Do I suppose to apply for the training visa? Do PRC passport holder have other ways to get permission to intern in HK?

I also call the chinese embassy here in NY, they told me they can only issue a 14 days visa to HK? should i get this first then when i arrive in HK then apply for the intern visa??

thank you very very much,

mia