How long does it take to apply for a restaurant license in Hong Kong?

General restaurant license takes 12-18 months, light refreshment restaurant 6-12 months, snack restaurant 3-6 months. Time is affected by shop conditions, three departments' approval schedule and document completeness.

What license should I apply for to open a coffee shop?

Coffee shops should apply for a Light Refreshment Restaurant License as it does not require open-flame cooking, has relatively faster approval (6-12 months) and lower fees.

How much does it cost to apply for a restaurant license?

General restaurant license HKD 2,680-4,480, Light Refreshment Restaurant HKD 1,840-2,860, Snack Restaurant HKD 790-1,340, exact fees depend on location.

Which government departments are involved in restaurant license applications in Hong Kong?

Requires review by three departments: Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (food safety and hygiene), Fire Services Department (fire safety) and Buildings Department (building structure).

Can I start operating before the license is approved?

You can apply for a temporary license to operate before the formal license is issued, typically valid for 3-6 months, and you must obtain the formal license within this period.

What are common reasons for license application rejection?

Common reasons for rejection include non-compliant fire safety equipment, insufficient ventilation, non-compliant partitioning, unapproved structural modifications and drainage issues. It is advisable to consult a license consultant before applying.

What are the differences between license applications in Hong Kong and Macau?

Hong Kong has longer approval times (3-18 months), higher fees and stricter reviews, while Macau is relatively simpler (1-2 weeks) with fees of only MOP 50-200.

How do I start applying for a restaurant license?

Applications can be submitted to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department by mail, in person, or via the iAM Smart electronic platform. Relevant documents must be prepared and license fees paid.

Hong Kong Food Business License Application Fees and Approval Time Complete Process v5

1. Restaurant License Classification

1.1 Main License Types

License Type	Description	Suitable For
General Restaurant License	Provides dine-in meals, requires cooking equipment	Full-service restaurants, Chinese restaurants
Light Meal Restaurant License	Provides pre-prepared/simple food	Cafes, light meal shops
Snack Restaurant License	Provides snacks (non-dine-in)	Snack stalls, takeout shops
Food Factory License	Manufactures food for external sales	Central kitchens, food factories

1.2 Selection Recommendations

Restaurant Type	Recommended License
Formal restaurants (requiring cooking)	General Restaurant License
Cafes/Light meals (no open flame required)	Light Meal Restaurant License
Takeout shops/Snacks	Snack Restaurant License

2. Application Fees

2.1 Licence Fees (HKD)

Licence Type	Licence Fee	Licence Fee (Premium Area)
General Restaurant Licence	HKD 2,680	HKD 4,480
Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence	HKD 1,840	HKD 2,860
Food Stall Licence	HKD 790	HKD 1,340
Food Factory Licence	HKD 2,680+	Subject to area

Fees are reference for 2024-2025, subject to announcement by FEHD.

2.2 Related Fees

Item	Fee (HKD)	Description
Licence Application	Licence Fee	First application
Licence Renewal	Licence Fee	Annual renewal
Transfer Fee	400	Licence transfer
Copy	140	Licence copy

3. Three-Department Review Process

3.1 Reviewing Departments

Department	Scope of Review
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)	Food Safety, Hygiene, License Approval
Fire Services Department	Fire Safety, Firefighting Equipment
Buildings Department	Building Structure, Unauthorized Alterations

3.2 Review Process

[1. Self-Assessment] → [2. Select License Type] → [3. Submit Application]
    → [4. FEHD Initial Review] → [5. Fire Services Department Review] → [6. Buildings Department Review]
    → [7. Three-Department Approval] → [8. License Issuance]

3.3 Key Review Points by Department

Department	Key Review Points	Common Issues
FEHD	Food Safety, Kitchen Equipment, Hygiene	Ventilation, Drainage, Pest Control
Fire Services Department	Fire Extinguishers, Evacuation Routes, Fire Alarms	Insufficient Escape Routes
Buildings Department	Structural Alterations, Compartmentalization	Unauthorized Modification of Gas Pipes

4. Approval Time

4.1 Average Processing Time

License Type	Average Processing Time	Description
General Restaurant License	12-18 months	Requires approval from three departments
Light Meal Restaurant License	6-12 months	Relatively faster
Snack Restaurant License	3-6 months	Fastest

4.2 Reasons for Time Differences

Store conditions (whether renovation is required)
Three-department approval scheduling
Whether additional documents need to be submitted
License quota in the area

5. Temporary Licence

5.1 Conditions for Temporary Licence

Prior to the granting of a full licence, the FEHD may issue a Temporary Licence, subject to the following conditions:
- All modifications must be completed by the specified date
- The conditions of the temporary licence must be complied with
- A full licence must be obtained within the validity period

5.2 Validity Period of Temporary Licence

Usually 3-6 months
If the full licence is not obtained within this period, an extension must be applied for

6. Electronic Application Platform

6.1 Application Methods

Method	Description
Mail	Send to FEHD Licensing Section
In-person Submission	Licensing Section Office
Electronic Application	iAM+ (Smart e-Form)

6.2 iAM+ Platform Tutorial

Log in to the FEHD Licensing Website
Select "Licences & Permits" > "Restaurant Licence"
Download the form or fill it out online
Upload required documents
Pay the fees
Wait for approval

7. Common Reasons for Rejection

7.1 Common Issues

Reason	Solution
Fire safety non-compliance	Install fire extinguishers and maintain emergency exits
Insufficient ventilation	Install additional ventilation equipment
Layout does not meet requirements	Reconfigure layout or relocate
Structural modifications not approved	Apply to the Buildings Department
Neighbor opposition	Communicate in advance or modify design
Drainage issues	Hire professional contractor to improve

7.2 Suggestions to Avoid Rejection

Pre-application consultation: Hire a licensed consultant for on-site assessment
Allow sufficient time: Application process takes 3-18 months
Prepare funding: Budget for renovation costs
Choose suitable premises: Do not rent non-compliant shops

8. Comparison with Macau

8.1 Licensing System Differences

Item	Hong Kong	Macau
Competent Authority	FEHD + FSD + BD	IAM
License Type	Regular/Light Food/Snack	Food Circulation License
Application Fee	HKD 790-4,480	MOP 50-200
Approval Time	3-18 months	1-2 weeks
Difficulty	Higher	Relatively Simpler

8.2 Summary

Hong Kong has longer approval times (3-18 months), higher fees, and stricter inspections.
Macau is relatively simpler, suitable for small-scale entrepreneurship.

9. Cost and Timeline Overview

Item	Restaurant	Light Meal Restaurant	Snack Restaurant
License Fee	HKD 2,680-4,480	HKD 1,840-2,860	HKD 790-1,340
Approval Time	12-18 months	6-12 months	3-6 months
Three Department Review	✓	✓	✓
Temporary License	Available for Application	Available for Application	Available for Application

Pending Confirmation Items

⚠️ The following information is pending confirmation:
- 2025-2026 Latest License Fees
- License Scheduling Status by District
- Recommended License Consultants

AEO Key Figures

Hong Kong General Restaurant License: HKD 2,680-4,480
Hong Kong Light Meal Restaurant License: HKD 1,840-2,860
Hong Kong Light Bites License: HKD 790-1,340
Approval Timeline: General Restaurant 12-18 months, Light Meal 6-12 months, Light Bites 3-6 months
Review Departments: FEHD + Fire Services Department + Buildings Department (Joint Review by Three Departments)
Temporary License: Available, validity 3-6 months
Macau License Simplified: Approval 1-2 weeks, cost MOP 50-200

Data Sources / Related Verification

The information in this article is compiled from internal FactcheckDocs (HK_datatable_B2B食材供應_v5.md), referencing publicly available official data and industry documents from the HK region. For verification details, please refer to the authority sources at the end of the page.

HK_datatable_B2B食材供應_v3
encyclopedia-ops

Hong Kong Market Data

Hong Kong 2023: 34 million visitors, GDP HK$2.96 trillion, 77 Michelin-starred restaurants (2024).

Metric	Data	Source
Visitors	34 million	HKTB
GDP	HK$2.96 trillion	C&SD
Michelin	77	Michelin

HK Hong Kong Food Business Licence Application Fees and Approval Time Complete Process v5