Training on a tourist visa

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  1. #1

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    Training on a tourist visa

    Would attending company training courses on a voluntary basis, prior to a work visa being approved, be classed as legal or not? Would the legality of the issue be affected if the company agreed informally to compensate for the time 'worked' at a later date, only on the premise that the visa was approved?

    Thanks


  2. #2

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    Very grey area obviously. On an internal transfer it wouldn't be an issue, but as a new hire... What would happen if, for example, you slipped down the stairs at the office and suffered a serious injury whilst attending such a course?

    Having said that, many people do it. "Joining bonuses" to cover the few weeks prior to visas being granted are not uncommon.


  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by PDLM:
    Very grey area obviously. On an internal transfer it wouldn't be an issue, but as a new hire... What would happen if, for example, you slipped down the stairs at the office and suffered a serious injury whilst attending such a course?

    Having said that, many people do it. "Joining bonuses" to cover the few weeks prior to visas being granted are not uncommon.
    Travel insurance as a visitor to HK?

  4. #4

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    That's kinda what I figured... The situation is that this (obviously hypothetical! ) person has agreed to voluntarily attend a training course initially, without compensation of any sort. But on completion of the course, they may still be a couple (or more) weeks wait for the visa.

    Therefore, said company have said it would be 'beneficial' (though not obligatory) to continue the training in this period. There has been no mention of compensation as yet, but said person feels that almost a month of voluntary work for the company is a bit excessive so was thinking to suggest it!


  5. #5

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    This "training" seems to be quite common at the bottom of the pile of English teaching centres / kindergartens - "training" consisting of showing you a few of the ropes and then setting you loose on your own unsuspecting class(es) of kiddies while your work permit is being processed. The idea is that when your work permit comes through you will be paid a "training completion bonus" or some such that is equal to the salary you should have been paid during that time. Of course, if the work permit doesn'[t eventuate, then tough bikkies to you.


  6. #6

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    Or indeed if they never even applied for the visa in the first place...


  7. #7

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    No it's not for an English teaching job, it's a finance position for a large multi-national and visa is currently in process. The training is being held by an external company as a one-off, hence why they are keen for attendance, but then with a potentially long gap prior to official start date, it might prove a bit worthless. Have no problems with attending any of the courses, it just seems that as it is obviously a grey area anyway, compensation or not, it would obviously be much better if there was some sort of incentive for attending (aside from obviously devoting my life to the company... )