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If you are interested in getting a business licence in Hong Kong, Hawksford can help. Request a quote now to take the next step towards your dream business.
A business licence permits you to conduct a specific type of business activity and is usually issued by a department or agency of the Hong Kong government. Fortunately very few business activities require a business licence in Hong Kong.
In order to apply for a business licence in Hong Kong, the company must first be registered with the Companies Registry. To find out about how to setup a private limited company in Hong Kong, refer to Hong Kong Company Formation guide.
In this article, we will describe the most common business licences in Hong Kong and provide links to more detailed information as appropriate.
In order to start a travel agency that offers travel or tour packages (including transportation services), you will need to apply for a ‘Travel Agent’s Licence’ with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. The Travel Agent’s Licence permits you to conduct the following activities:
For details, refer to Starting a Travel Agency in Hong Kong.
To open a restaurant where food and drinks are sold, you will need to obtain a ‘General Restaurant Licence’ from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Please note that you must first finalize your place of retail operation before applying for the licence, as the authorities will inspect the premises prior to granting an approval for the licence. If you wish to serve liquor in your restaurant you will require a ‘Liquor Licence’ from the Liquor Licencing Board. A Liquor Licence will only be issued when the premises have also been issued with or are likely to be issued with a Restaurant Licence. A Liquor Licence will only be valid if the premises remain licenced as a restaurant. Thus having a General Restaurant Licence is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for obtaining a Liquor Licence. Additionally, you may require the following licences or permits:
For details, refer to Starting a Restaurant in Hong Kong.
Setting up an educational institute in Hong Kong is often viewed as a lucrative business. As a result, every year there are a number of academic institutes, vocational centers, kindergartens, childcare centers and nurseries that are set up by individuals and foreign institutions. In order to streamline the education sector, the Hong Kong authorities have prescribed certain entry requirements.
If you wish to set up a kindergarten, an academic school that offers primary and secondary education, a tutorial center, a computer education center, a language school, an enrichment center that offers diplomas and certificate courses or a distance learning center, you will have to obtain a ‘Certificate of Registration of a School’ from the Education Bureau of Hong Kong.
For details, refer to Starting an Education Business in Hong Kong.
Depending on the type of financial services you wish to provide, you will have to obtain the following licences:
For details, refer to Guide to Financial Services Licences in Hong Kong.
Licencing requirements for conducting events vary depending on the category of events you specialize in. Broadly speaking, events can be classified as:
Depending on the specific type of activities you engage in you may have to obtain the following permits:
For details, refer to Starting an Event Management Company in Hong Kong.
Licencing requirements for retail shops vary depending on the nature of goods and services being sold. Examples include:
If you are engaging in import or export activities, the need to obtain a specific import/export licence depends upon whether you are dealing with controlled goods or non-controlled goods. Examples of controlled goods include cigarettes and tobacco products, drugs, petrochemicals, animals and food products. If you are trading in controlled goods you will require a relevant import/export licence relating to the goods you are dealing in, issued by the specific governing agency.
For details, refer to Starting a Trading Company in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s business licencing procedure is simple and straightforward. If you follow the licencing procedure and comply with the documentation requirements and other criteria, there is no reason for your licence to be rejected. Although you can apply for a licence on your own, it is advisable to engage a professional services firm to save you time and resources.
If you are interested in getting a business licence in Hong Kong, Hawksford can help. Request a quote now to take the next step towards your dream business.
Hawksford's Hong Kong business advisory and support specialists help you structure your business the right way, plus assist you with obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for your business.
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