Licencing
Comprehensive Hong Kong business licensing advice for startups and SMEs. From food & beverage to fintech, SFC licensing, and regulatory approvals across sectors.
Our Licencing Services
General Business Licences
- Advising on Business Registration Certificate requirements and renewals
- Identifying industry-specific licence requirements based on your business activities
- Preparing and submitting licence applications to the relevant government departments
- Liaising with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Lands Department, and other authorities
- Advising on conditions attached to licences and ongoing compliance requirements
- Handling licence renewals, amendments, and transfers
Food and Beverage Licences
- Full liquor licence and club liquor licence applications
- General restaurant licence and light refreshment restaurant licence applications
- Food factory licence applications for food manufacturing and processing businesses
- Advising on provisional licences to allow earlier commencement of operations
- Coordinating with architects and consultants on premises compliance
- Representing clients in Liquor Licensing Board hearings and appeals
Financial Services and SFC Licensing
- Advising startups on Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) licensing requirements
- Preparing applications for Type 1 to Type 9 regulated activity licences
- Advising on the fit and proper criteria for responsible officers and licensed representatives
- Guidance on licensing exemptions available for certain activities and entity types
- Assisting fintech startups with regulatory sandbox applications
- Advising on stored value facility (SVF) licensing under the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance
Money Lending and Credit Licensing
- Money lender licence applications under the Money Lenders Ordinance
- Advising on the licensing conditions and advertising restrictions for money lenders
- Preparing compliance frameworks for licensed money lending operations
- Guidance on the distinction between money lending and other regulated financial activities
- Assisting with licence renewals and responding to regulatory enquiries
Fintech and Healthtech Regulatory Approvals
- Advising fintech startups on the regulatory framework for virtual asset trading platforms
- Guidance on open banking and API-related regulatory requirements
- Advising healthtech companies on medical device registration and regulatory approvals
- Navigating the regulatory landscape for telemedicine and digital health platforms
- Assisting with data privacy compliance under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO)
- Advising on cross-border data transfer restrictions and requirements
Trade and Import/Export Licences
- Advising on trade licence requirements for import/export businesses
- Assisting with strategic commodities licensing under the Import and Export Ordinance
- Guidance on pharmaceutical product import and export permits
- Advising on customs and excise licensing obligations
- Preparing applications for reserved commodity trader registrations
Our Approach
Early Identification of Requirements
Hands-On Application Management
Sector-Specific Knowledge
Ongoing Compliance Support
