What is Business Registration Certificate？
A Business Registration Certificate (BR) is a business license that any entity operating a business in Hong Kong is required by law to apply for.
Regardless of whether the company is a registered limited company, an unlimited company (e.g. in the form of sole proprietorship or partnership), or even a listed company, as long as it engages in business activities in Hong Kong, it is required by law to apply for business registration and to hold a valid BR. This certification document sets out a number of core information about the company, including:
- Name of the Company in Chinese and English and Business Name
- Company's registered address or branch address
- Business Registration Certificate Number (as the company's unique business identifier)
- Legal form of the company (e.g., body corporate, partnership or sole proprietorship)
- Business Nature
- Effective date and expiry date of business registration
What kind of companies need to apply for a Business Registration Certificate?
The need to apply for a Business Registration Certificate does not depend on the size of the company. Instead, according to the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, a business registration is required for any business or activity that engages in the following types of activities:
- Any business activity intended to make a profit, whether conducted in physical form or over the Internet, including business, commercial, craft, professional, occupational or other operations of any nature;
- A club that provides facilities, services or exclusive premises to its members for social or recreational activities;
- All limited companies incorporated in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance and limited companies not incorporated in Hong Kong but having a place of business in Hong Kong, irrespective of whether they actually carry on business in Hong Kong;
- All non-Hong Kong registered companies which have a representative office, a liaison office or whose principal activity is the letting of property in Hong Kong, even if they have not established a formal place of business in Hong Kong;
- All limited partnerships registered in Hong Kong under the Limited Partnerships Ordinance, irrespective of whether they are actually carrying on local business in Hong Kong.
What are the types of Business Registration Certificates?
Hong Kong's Business Registration Certificates (BR) are categorized into Principal Business Registration Certificates (PBRs) and Branch Business Registration Certificates (BBRs), both of which can be valid for either one or three years, with the main difference being the place of business covered.
A company is required to display a valid Business Registration Certificate at each place of business or office. If there is more than one place of business, each place of business must be individually registered as a branch and a corresponding branch business registration certificate must be applied for.
Business Registration Certificate Purpose
Under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), all business operations in Hong Kong are required to apply for a Business Registration Certificate (BR) from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). The BR is an important statutory document for a company to operate in Hong Kong. It is like a corporate identity card and is required to be presented for a number of business transactions, for example:
- Open a corporate bank account
- Buying a flat or signing a lease in the name of a company
- Apply for government subsidies or licenses
- Purchase workers' compensation insurance, file MPF
Business Registration Certificate Fee
The following Business Registration Fees and Levies for 2025/26 cover the cost of 1-year and 3-year Business Registration Certificates (BRCs) issued after April 1, 2025
| Registration Fee | Levy | Total cost |
Business Registration Certificate (1 year) | $2,200 | - | $2,200 |
Business Registration Certificate (3 years) | $5,720 | $150 | $5,870 |
Branch Business Registration Certificate (1 year) | $80 | - | $80 |
Branch Business Registration Certificate (3 years) | $208 | $150 | $358
|
How do I apply for a Business Registration Certificate?
There are two main ways to apply for a Business Registration Certificate: electronic application and written application (either by mail or in person). There are slight differences between the two in terms of the application process and the way of collecting the registration certificate. You may refer to the following methods to choose the one that best suits your needs:
1. Online Application
- log in (to a computer)Online Application Platform
- Select the appropriate application category
- Verify your identity through Smart Card, Digital Certificate or e-Tax
- Choose the desired validity period (e.g., one year or three years) and the manner of obtaining the Business Registration Certificate (BRC)
- Carrying out electronic signature
- Payment of fees
- Once the Business Registration Certificate is issued, you may collect the certificate in the manner of your choice (e.g. in person at the Business Registration Office: 2/F, Taxation Center, 5 Kai Tak Co-ordination Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong).
2. Written applications
- Obtain an application form (in person at the Business Registration Office, by mail, or at the "Business Registration Office").GovHK(Downloaded from the "Website")
- Fill out and complete the application form
- Submit the application form in person or by mail to the Business Registration Office.
- Obtaining a Business Registration Certificate
Documents Required for Business Registration Certificate Application
Different types of companies are required to submit slightly different documents when applying for a Business Registration Certificate. The following is a detailed list of documents required according to the structure of the company (including limited company, sole proprietorship unlimited company and partnership unlimited company) for the reference of entrepreneurs.
Sole Proprietorship Unlimited
If you wish to operate your business as a sole proprietor, you will need to prepare the following business registration application documents:
- A copy of the Hong Kong Identity Card of the proprietor of the company
- Application Form Form 1(a)
- eTAX Online Account (for e-application submission)
Partnership Unlimited
If the company is in the form of a partnership, the application for a Business Registration Certificate requires identification documents of all partners and the following information:
- Copies of Hong Kong Identity Cards of all partners
- Business Registration Form Form 1(c)
- Tax-easy account of at least one partner (for online applications)
- Copies of identity cards of other partners
Business Registration Certificate Renewal Information
Regarding the renewal of business registration certificates, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) points out that the Business Registration Department (BRD) normally sends out business registration demand notes in the middle of the month, about one month before the month in which the renewal of the registration certificate is to take effect. For example, if the renewal of a registration certificate will take effect in May, the notice will normally be sent in mid-April. Once the payment is made, the notice constitutes a valid Business Registration Certificate.
If the notice is not received, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue must be notified in writing within one month after the expiry of the current registration certificate.
How can I apply for a waiver of the Business Registration Certificate fee?
If your business is a sole proprietorship run by an individual, a business in the form of a partnership, or other unincorporated organization, or is run by a company that is not incorporated in Hong Kong but is required to be registered in Hong Kong and meets the following conditions, you will be eligible for exemption from payment of the Business Registration Certificate (BRC) fee:
- The provision of services is the principal mode of profit making and the average monthly business turnover does not exceed $10,000
- Other types of business with average monthly turnover not exceeding $30,000
- A sole proprietor cannot own another sole proprietorship at the same time.
- Partners in a partnership must not be involved in the operation of other partnerships at the same time
You can find someone to help you with your BR application!
Frequently Asked Questions
When you are ready to start a business, open a company,Account OpeningApplying for a Business Registration Certificate (BR) is one of the first steps when applying for a government grant. However, for many entrepreneurs, the application process, document preparation, and form submission are complicated and time-consuming. This is whereM&N Business ConsultantsWe can provide you with professional support to help you complete your BR application in one-stop. Whether you areEstablishment Ltd.Whether you are an online store or a self-employed person, you will be able to find the best way to get the most out of your business.M&N TeamAccording to your actual needs, we can provide you with the necessary documents and application forms to ensure a smooth process, saving you time and peace of mind, so that you can focus on expanding your business without worrying about the future.
You can do this byThis WebsiteEnter the name of the business in both English and Chinese and its location (Hong Kong, Kowloon or the New Territories) to check the business registration number of the business registered with the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department.
If a company changes its business address, it must apply for a Business Registration Certificate address update within one month:
- Method 1: Filling inForm IRC3111AThe following information should be sent to the Business Registration Office in person or by mail.
- Method 2: Login to the Inland Revenue DepartmentTax Ease eTAXThe "Online Service Platform" (OSP) is an online service platform.
Once you have successfully applied for a Business Registration Certificate, you will be able to apply for a Business Registration Certificate through the "GovHK"Download the PDF version of the electronic record.
All commercial activities with a profit-making purpose, irrespective of the form of operation, including non-physical stores such as IG Shops and online stores, are required to apply for a Business Registration Certificate. Applications for exemption from business registration fee can also be submitted if the income meets the eligibility criteria.
