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.
Cap. 163
π 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.
From HKD 500,000 - 800,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK company with physical office
β’ Fit & proper directors/shareholders
β’ Annual license renewal
β’ Annual audit reports to Court
β’ Max 48% APR (criminal above 60%)
β’ Written loan agreements mandatory
AMLO Cap. 615
ποΈ 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.
From HKD 650,000 - 900,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK company
β’ Compliance Officer (CO) appointed
β’ AML/CFT policies and procedures
β’ Customer due diligence (CDD) systems
β’ Suspicious transaction reporting
β’ Fit & proper senior management
AMLO Cap. 615
πΈ MSO License
Money Service Operator license. Required for remittance and money exchange businesses. Regulated by Customs & Excise Department under AMLO.
From HKD 400,000 - 700,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK company with physical office
β’ Fit & proper persons test
β’ AML/CFT compliance framework
β’ Two approval officers nominated
β’ CDD and record-keeping systems
β’ Annual renewal with C&ED
SFC / SFO Cap. 571
π SFC Type 1 β Securities Dealing
Dealing in securities (stocks, bonds). For brokerages and securities trading firms. Issued by the Securities and Futures Commission.
From HKD 2,000,000+
Requirements to hold:
β’ Incorporated HK company
β’ At least 2 Responsible Officers (ROs)
β’ Minimum paid-up capital HKD 10M
β’ Monthly liquidity requirement
β’ Compliance and internal controls
β’ Fidelity insurance coverage
SFC / SFO Cap. 571
π SFC Type 9 β Asset Management
Asset management for professional investors. For fund managers and wealth management firms. Highly sought after.
From HKD 1,500,000 - 2,500,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ Incorporated HK company
β’ At least 2 ROs with relevant experience
β’ Compliance framework
β’ Minimum paid-up capital HKD 10M
β’ Quarterly FRR returns to SFC
β’ Professional investors only condition
SFC / SFO Cap. 571
π‘ SFC Type 4 β Advising on Securities
Advising on securities and futures contracts. For investment advisory firms and financial consultancies.
From HKD 1,200,000+
Requirements to hold:
β’ Incorporated HK company
β’ At least 2 ROs
β’ Compliance framework
β’ No minimum capital (advisory only)
β’ Quarterly FRR returns
β’ Professional indemnity insurance
EO Cap. 57
π₯ Employment Agency License
Required for recruitment and employment agency businesses. Issued by the Labour Department under the Employment Ordinance.
From HKD 280,000 - 400,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK physical office
β’ Operator must be fit & proper
β’ Max 10% commission of first month salary
β’ Annual renewal
β’ Maintain proper records
β’ Compliance with EO Cap. 57
TOR Cap. 218
βοΈ Travel Agent License (Category A)
Category A allows both inbound and outbound travel services. Issued by the Travel Agents Registry.
From HKD 350,000 - 500,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK company with physical office
β’ Minimum paid-up capital HKD 500K
β’ TIC (Travel Industry Council) membership
β’ Manager with 2+ years experience
β’ Annual renewal
β’ Levy and contribution to TIC
EAO Cap. 511
π Estate Agency License (EAA)
Estate Agents Ordinance license for property agency businesses. Issued by the Estate Agents Authority.
From HKD 400,000 - 550,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK company
β’ Licensed agent-in-charge
β’ Physical office or shop
β’ Compliance with EAA code of ethics
β’ Annual renewal
β’ Professional indemnity insurance
ICO Cap. 41
π‘οΈ Insurance Broker License
Insurance broker company license from the Insurance Authority (IA). For insurance intermediaries and brokers.
From HKD 300,000 - 500,000
Requirements to hold:
β’ HK company
β’ Chief Executive with relevant qualifications
β’ Minimum net asset value HKD 100K
β’ Professional indemnity insurance
β’ Compliance with IA requirements
β’ Annual renewal