Hong Kong Business License and Permit

A business license or permit allows you to conduct a specific type of business and is usually issued by a department or agency of the Hong Kong Government.

Most of business activities in Hong Kong are not regulated and require no license to operate. However, if you run business in one of the following (most common) industries, you must obtain a special license or permit to run your business legally:

Healthcare
Telecommunications
Financial services
Import/Export
IT
E-commerce
Entertainment
Event management
Commodity trading
Oil and Gas services
Travel
MICE industry
Retail
Hospitality
Others

The Hong Kong company must first be registered with the Companies Registry in order to apply for a license or permit.

The licensing and permit process and requirements depend on the type of business you're operating. Even if you run a business which doesn't belong to the regulated industries, some of the activities in your business model may require a license or permit. It's always best to consult with a professional before you start.

Once you confirm which license or permit is required for the type of business you would like to run, an application for relevant license shall be completed and submitted. If you follow the licensing procedure and comply with all requirements and criteria, there is no reason for the license to be rejected. Although the government can request additional information or documents before the license is granted.

Every business license or permit has its expiry date and expired licensed are invalid.