Processing Time: 6 to 8 months
Processing Time: 4 to 6 months
Project
Submit Application Under the Company Name
Sole Proprietorship/Partnership Application
Required Documents
Bank Guarantee
HK$500,000 Bank Guarantee
*Qualification of Authorized Representative: Form 5 or above education level, with 5 or 10 years of management experience in the travel industry
*If all supporting documents are not original, all documents must be certified as true copies by a practising solicitor or certified public accountant
Provide compliance advice based on the company's specific circumstances
The content must be confirmed by the company before submission
Provide regulatory information and practical advice
Operating regulated travel products during the licence approval period or after the licence has expired is illegal
Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
A record of violations can damage a company's reputation and make it more challenging to renew or reapply for a license in the future
Submitting false or misleading information may result in application rejection and could lead to legal liability. OneSec can assist your company in conducting a compliance review before submission to mitigate risks.
Not mandatory. The authorized representative may be a director or an employee, but must meet the requirements by the Travel Industry Regulatory Authority regarding integrity, professional competence, and actual involvement in business management, and must not be a nominal or figurehead arrangement.
Travel agency licenses are company licenses, not issued to individuals. But, companies must appoint qualified authorized representatives. Any change in the authorized representative, even if the company structure remains unchanged, must be reported to the tourism regulatory authority in accordance with the regulation.
It depends on the nature of the change. If it involves a change in company control or a significant change in shareholding, it must be reported to the tourism regulatory authority in accordance with the regulation, and prior approval must be obtained if necessary; otherwise, it may constitute a violation.
Yes. A rejected application does not equate to a permanent ban. Applicants can generally amend their applications based on feedback from tourism regulatory bodies and resubmit them if they meet legal requirements.
An authorized representative is not a nominal or formal role. Under the Tourism Industry Ordinance and related regulatory guidelines, an authorized representative must participate in the day-to-day operations of the travel agency and be responsible for ensuring the company's continued compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. If the authorized representative fails to actually perform their duties or is merely a figurehead, the Tourism Authority may refuse, suspend, or revoke the travel agency's license, and the relevant person may also be liable for corresponding legal consequences.
According to the Tourism Industry Ordinance and current regulations of the Tourism Authority of Hong Kong, licensed travel agencies must provide a financial guarantee of HK$500,000 to protect the rights of tourists in the event of a breach of contract or cessation of operations by the travel agency. This financial guarantee must generally be provided in the form of a bank deposit or bank guarantee, is a statutory requirement, and cannot be exempted or substituted with other assets or private arrangements. The guarantee may be released as required upon return of the license, completion of the relevant statutory procedures, and the absence of any outstanding claims. (Note: OneSec only assists clients in understanding and arranging relevant procedures within the scope of legality and compliance, and does not provide any solutions for circumventing statutory requirements or regulatory systems.)
Within the scope of legality and compliance, the company secretary can continue to assist in the preparation of travel agency license renewal documents, reporting of changes in company information, arrangements for changes in authorized representatives, and the organization of relevant compliance documents and administrative support.
Fees will vary depending on the size of your business and the services offered. Please provide your detailed requirements, and we will prepare an accurate quote for you. Contact us now.
