Hong KongBusiness and self-employment

Hong Kong business visit rules

Business visit as a visitor (permissible business-related activities)

In short

Business visitors enter Hong Kong SAR on the same terms as other visitors: visa-free for the period their nationality is given on the ImmD list, or with a visit visa where their nationality needs one. They may only carry out the business-related activities ImmD permits for visitors. Meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and unpaid speaking engagements are allowed; any employment, paid or unpaid, needs an employment visa.

checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
The visa-free period for your nationality (7 to 180 days) or the stay granted on a visit visa
Work
No employment; only the listed business-related activities
Where to apply
No application; entry as a visitor at the border

Activities you may carry out

ImmD lists the business-related activities a visitor may undertake. They include entering into contracts or submitting tenders, examining or supervising the installation or packaging of goods or equipment, taking part in exhibitions or trade fairs, settling compensation claims or other civil disputes, attending product briefings and joining short seminars or business meetings.

At exhibitions and fairs you may represent your company, but you may not sell goods or supply services directly to the public, and you may not build the exhibition booths yourself.

At the border

Business visitors are admitted under the same conditions as other visitors: a valid passport, enough money for the stay and an onward or return ticket unless travelling on to the Chinese Mainland or Macao. Be ready to explain the purpose of the visit; an invitation or meeting schedule from your Hong Kong counterpart helps show the trip is a genuine business visit.

  1. Check that every planned activity is on ImmD's list of permissible business activities.
  2. If you will be paid for a talk or performance, ask the organiser whether the STV Scheme applies.
  3. Prepare an invitation or programme, return ticket and proof of funds.
  4. Enter Hong Kong as a visitor with your passport; no prior application is needed for up to 90 days.
  5. If the work turns into a job or project for a Hong Kong employer, apply for a GEP employment visa from abroad.

What is not allowed

Visitors may not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid, and may not establish or join any business. Working on a project for a Hong Kong client, managing a local office or doing hands-on installation work for a fee falls outside the visitor rules and requires an employment visa under the GEP. Breach of a condition of stay is an offence carrying a fine of up to HK$50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment.

Speaking at conferences and events

A visitor may speak or present at an event if no remuneration is received. Having the organiser provide or reimburse accommodation, travel and meals is acceptable. Speaking engagements may run for up to 14 consecutive calendar days within each permitted stay, counted from the first day of the engagement; ImmD sets no limit on the number of events in that period.

Paid speaking or performing is possible only under the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme), which covers invited visitors in specified sectors. A separate scheme allows eligible non-residents to take part in arbitral proceedings in Hong Kong for short periods.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Valid passport (and a visit visa if your nationality needs one)

Travel

  • Onward or return ticket

Money

  • Proof of funds for the stay

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Work

  • Invitation letter or meeting and fair programme from the Hong Kong host
  • Letter from your employer describing the trip

Frequently asked questions

Can I sign a contract in Hong Kong on a visa-free visit?

Yes. Entering into agreements and submitting tenders are listed as permissible activities for visitors.

Can I staff a stand at a trade fair?

You may take part in an exhibition or fair, but you may not sell directly to the public, provide services to the public or build the booth.

Can I be paid for speaking at a conference?

Only under the STV Scheme for designated sectors. Otherwise speaking must be unpaid, although travel, meals and accommodation may be covered.

Can I set up a company during my visit?

No. Establishing or joining a business is not permitted to visitors; the route for that is investment as an entrepreneur under the GEP.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Hong Kong

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: The visa-free period for your nationality (7 to 180 days) or the stay granted on your visit visa

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: Full-time post-secondary: normally the programme length, up to six years; other courses: normally 12 months or the course length
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months of training

Work

  • Work visa Validity: Initial stay up to 36 months (or the contract period if shorter); extensions on a 3-2 year pattern
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: QMAS General Points Test: 36 months; QMAS Achievement-based: 8 years; TTPS Category A: 36 months; TTPS B and C: 24 months
  • Job seeker visa Validity: Normally 24 months at first, on time limitation only; extensions normally 3+3 years

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Linked to the sponsor's stay; dependants of permanent residents usually 3+3 years (parents 2+2+3); students' dependants 12 months at a time

Residence

Protection

Hong Kong visa guide