Licenses in Hong Kong are typically held by company entities. When you "buy a license," you buy the company that holds it via share transfer. Below are the most commonly traded license types.
📜 MLO License Sample
🏛️ SFC License Sample
📋 TCSP License Sample
📄 BR Certificate Sample
📜 Money Lender License (MLO)
Allows a company to lend money at interest in Hong Kong. Issued by the Licensing Court. Required for any money lending business.
• HK company with physical office
• Fit & proper directors/shareholders
• Annual license renewal
• Annual audit reports to Court
• Max 48% APR (criminal above 60%)
• Written loan agreements mandatory
Transfer process:
Share transfer of the licensed company + court notification within 30 days. Buyer must pass fit & proper test.
🏛️ TCSP License
Trust or Company Service Provider license. Required for anyone offering company formation, secretarial, or trust services. Regulated by the Companies Registry under AMLO.
• HK company
• Compliance Officer (CO) appointed
• AML/CFT policies and procedures
• Customer due diligence (CDD) systems
• Suspicious transaction reporting
• Fit & proper senior management
Transfer process:
Share transfer of company entity. Notify Companies Registry of ownership change within 1 month. No re-application needed.
💸 MSO License
Money Service Operator license. Required for remittance and money exchange businesses. Regulated by Customs & Excise Department under AMLO.
• HK company with physical office
• Fit & proper persons test
• AML/CFT compliance framework
• Two approval officers nominated
• CDD and record-keeping systems
• Annual renewal with C&ED
Transfer process:
Share transfer + notify C&ED of change of ownership/management. New controllers must pass fit & proper vetting.
📊 SFC Type 1 — Securities Dealing
Dealing in securities (stocks, bonds). For brokerages and securities trading firms. Issued by the Securities and Futures Commission.
• Incorporated HK company
• At least 2 Responsible Officers (ROs)
• Minimum paid-up capital HKD 10M
• Monthly liquidity requirement
• Compliance and internal controls
• Fidelity insurance coverage
Transfer process:
Share transfer + SFC pre-approval required (Form 4 notification). ROs must remain in place. ~2-3 months.
📉 SFC Type 2 — Futures Dealing
Dealing in futures contracts. For futures brokerages and commodities trading firms. Issued by the Securities and Futures Commission.
• Incorporated HK company
• At least 2 Responsible Officers (ROs)
• Minimum paid-up capital HKD 10M
• Monthly liquidity requirement
• Compliance and internal controls
• Fidelity insurance coverage
Transfer process:
Share transfer + SFC notification (Form 4). ROs must remain. ~2-3 months to complete.
📈 SFC Type 9 — Asset Management
Asset management for professional investors. For fund managers and wealth management firms. Highly sought after.
• Incorporated HK company
• At least 2 ROs with relevant experience
• Compliance framework
• Minimum paid-up capital HKD 10M
• Quarterly FRR returns to SFC
• Professional investors only condition
Transfer process:
Share transfer + SFC notification (Form 4). ROs must remain. ~2-3 months to complete.
💡 SFC Type 4 — Advising on Securities
Advising on securities and futures contracts. For investment advisory firms and financial consultancies.
• Incorporated HK company
• At least 2 ROs
• Compliance framework
• No minimum capital (advisory only)
• Quarterly FRR returns
• Professional indemnity insurance
Transfer process:
Share transfer + SFC notification (Form 4). Lower capital requirements. ~1-2 months.
👥 Employment Agency License
Required for recruitment and employment agency businesses. Issued by the Labour Department under the Employment Ordinance.
• HK physical office
• Operator must be fit & proper
• Max 10% commission of first month's salary
• Annual renewal
• Maintain proper records
• Compliance with EO Cap. 57
Transfer process:
Share transfer of company entity. Notify Labour Department of operator change. License transfers with company.
✈️ Travel Agent License (Category A)
Category A allows both inbound and outbound travel services. Issued by the Travel Agents Registry.
• HK company with physical office
• Minimum paid-up capital HKD 500K
• TIC (Travel Industry Council) membership
• Manager with 2+ years experience
• Annual renewal
• Levy and contribution to TIC
Transfer process:
Share transfer + notify Travel Agents Registry. TIC membership must be maintained. ~4-6 weeks.
🏠 Estate Agency License (EAA)
Estate Agents Ordinance license for property agency businesses. Issued by the Estate Agents Authority.
• HK company
• Licensed agent-in-charge
• Physical office or shop
• Compliance with EAA code of ethics
• Annual renewal
• Professional indemnity insurance
Transfer process:
Share transfer + EAA notification within 14 days. Licensed agent-in-charge must remain/replace. ~4-6 weeks.
🛡️ Insurance Broker License
Insurance broker company license from the Insurance Authority (IA). For insurance intermediaries and brokers.
• HK company
• Chief Executive with relevant qualifications
• Minimum net asset value HKD 100K
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Compliance with IA requirements
• Annual renewal
Transfer process:
Share transfer + Insurance Authority notification within 14 days. Chief Executive qualification must be maintained.
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