HK License Registration

As an international financial, trade and shipping center, Hong Kong's open market environment and sound legal system have attracted a large number of companies and individuals to register their businesses. Whether it is cross-border vehicle travel, financial services operations, or telecommunications services, all require license approval from relevant Hong Kong institutions. Hong Kong has further optimized its license registration policy, especially in the field of cross-border vehicle licenses, greatly simplified the application conditions, and lowered the entry threshold for companies and individuals.

Registration requirements

The registration requirements for Hong Kong licenses vary depending on the type of business. The following takes cross-border vehicle licenses (FV/Guangdong Z license plates) and financial services licenses as examples, combined with the latest policy explanation:

1. Cross-border vehicle licenses (FV/Guangdong Z license plates)

FV license plates (Mainland → Hong Kong)

Enterprise qualifications: It must be a state-owned enterprise, collective enterprise or private enterprise registered in Guangdong Province, with a tax payment of ≥ RMB 1 million in the previous year (Shenzhen Bay Port) or a tax payment of ≥ RMB 1 million in a single year (Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port).

Vehicle requirements: left-hand drive small passenger car, length <6 meters, seats ≤8 people, micro electric vehicles (power ≤15kW) are prohibited from filing.

Driver conditions: The main driver must be a mainland resident, holding a driving license and business visa in both places; the co-driver can be a Hong Kong or Macao national (business endorsement required).

Policy changes:

Tax simplification: The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port cancels the "three-year cumulative 1 million" requirement, and you can apply if you meet the tax requirements in a single year.

Indicators are valid for a long time: Qualification, talent and high-tech enterprise indicators are adjusted to be permanently valid.

Guangdong Z license plate (Hong Kong → Mainland)

Enterprise qualifications: Foreign investors need to invest in Guangdong Province, and can apply for the first car if the cumulative tax payment in the past three years is ≥100,000 yuan; the second/third car can be added if the tax payment reaches 500,000/1 million yuan.

Driver conditions: Hong Kong permanent residents must hold a home return permit and a driving license in both places, and mainland drivers must have Hong Kong permanent residency.

Policy changes:

Tax threshold lowered: Shenzhen Bay Port tax requirements adjusted to "150,000 cumulatively for two consecutive years" (50,000 in the first year + 100,000 in the next year).

License permanently valid: Indicators applied after April 15, 2019 are upgraded to long-term validity.

2. Financial services industry license

Applicant: Must be a Hong Kong registered company, directors and shareholders must pass background checks (no criminal record).

Qualification requirements: According to the type of business (such as securities trading, insurance, asset management), financial statements, compliance plans and technical plans (such as network architecture design) must be submitted.

Regulatory agency: Approved by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) or the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the process takes 3-6 months, and the cost fluctuates depending on the type of license (tens of thousands to millions of Hong Kong dollars).

Registration process

Taking the FV/Guangdong Z license plate as an example, the process is as follows:

Submit application: Register a business account through the official website of the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department, and upload business license, tax certificate, vehicle information, etc.

Material review: Pay a deposit (RMB 50,000-100,000) after passing the preliminary review, and cooperate with the Hong Kong Transport Department to inspect the vehicle.

License issuance: After the two places pass the review, receive the temporary license plate and make an appointment to install the formal license plate, the whole process is about 3-6 months.

Subsequent management: It is necessary to conduct an annual inspection at the Hong Kong Transport Department every year to ensure that there is no traffic violation record.

Financial license process:

Determine the type: Select the license type such as securities trading, insurance, etc.

Material preparation: Submit the company's articles of association, business plan, financial audit report and director background documents.

Submit application: Submit materials to the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, accept compliance review and interview.

Licensed operation: After approval, you need to pay an annual fee and submit a compliance report regularly.

Registration fee

Cross-border vehicle license:

Basic fee: Including vehicle inspection fee (about RMB 2,000-3,000) and license annual fee (about HKD 1,500-2,000/year).

Additional costs: If professional agency services are required, the fee is about RMB 5,000-20,000 (depending on the complexity).

Financial license:

Application fee: The annual fee for the integrated carrier license (telecommunications) can reach millions of Hong Kong dollars, and the securities trading license is about hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars.

Compliance costs: Continuous investment in audit, legal consultation and system maintenance costs is required.

Why choose NEO?

1. Accurate policy interpretation: The NEO team deeply follows up on the latest policies, such as the cancellation of high thresholds for licenses in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and the simplification of taxation, to ensure that the application strategy meets regulatory requirements.

2. One-stop service: Provide full-process services from qualification review, material preparation to license follow-up, shortening the processing cycle (vehicle license application can be completed in as fast as 3 months).

3. Extensive resource network: Maintain efficient communication with institutions such as the Hong Kong Transport Department and the Securities and Futures Commission to solve difficult problems such as technical solutions and financial proofs.

4. Risk control: Provide compliance training and risk assessment for financial license applications to avoid failure of license renewal due to violations.

The optimization of Hong Kong's license registration policy has provided greater convenience for enterprises and individuals to expand cross-border business. Whether it is vehicle access or financial business, choosing a professional service agency can significantly increase the success rate. With its in-depth understanding of the policy and efficient execution capabilities, NEO helps customers to quickly operate in compliance and seize opportunities in the Hong Kong market.