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

General restaurant licences take 12-18 months, light food restaurant licences 6-12 months, and snack restaurant licences 3-6 months. Time is affected by shop conditions, the three departments' approval scheduling and document completeness.

What licence should I apply for when opening a coffee shop?

Coffee shops should apply for a light food restaurant licence as open flame cooking is not required, the approval is relatively quicker (6-12 months) and the cost is lower.

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

General restaurant licences cost HKD 2,680-4,480, light food restaurant licences HKD 1,840-2,860, and snack restaurant licences HKD 790-1,340, depending on location.

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

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

Can I start business while waiting for the licence to be approved?

A temporary licence can be applied for to operate before the formal licence is issued, usually valid for 3-6 months, and the formal licence must be obtained within that period.

What are common reasons for licence rejection?

Common reasons include non-compliant fire equipment, insufficient ventilation, non-compliant partitioning, unapproved structural alterations and drainage problems. A licence consultant should be consulted before applying.

How do I start applying for a restaurant licence?

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

What is the best season to visit Hong Kong?

Autumn and winter (October to March) offer the most pleasant climate, making it the most comfortable time to explore Hong Kong.

What are the top dining options in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong has 77 Michelin-starred restaurants (2024), making it a top culinary tourism destination in Asia.

How is Hong Kong's public transport?

MTR has a punctuality rate of over 99%, and Octopus covers the MTR, buses, ferries, and trams.

What are the shopping advantages in Hong Kong?

As a duty-free port, Hong Kong offers competitive pricing on luxury goods, electronics, and jewellery.

What local experiences does Hong Kong offer?

Victoria Harbour night views, the Ding Ding tram, Temple Street Night Market, and cha chaan teng are unique Hong Kong experiences.

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

Q: What is the difference between Hong Kong and Macau licence applications?

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

1. Food Establishment Licence Classification

1.1 Main Licence Types

Licence Type	Description	Suitable For
General Food Establishment Licence	Supply of dine-in meals requiring cooking equipment	Full-service restaurants, Chinese restaurants
Light Meal Food Establishment Licence	Supply of pre-prepared/simple prepared food	Cafés, light meal shops
Snack Food Establishment Licence	Supply of snacks (non-dine-in)	Snack stalls, take-away shops
Food Factory Licence	Manufacture of food for external sale	Central kitchens, food factories

1.2 Selection Recommendations

Restaurant Type	Recommended Licence
Formal restaurants (requiring cooking)	General Food Establishment Licence
Cafés/Light meals (no open flame)	Light Meal Food Establishment Licence
Take-away shops/Snacks	Snack Food Establishment Licence

2. Application Fees

2.1 Licence Fees (HKD)

Licence Type	Licence Fee	Licence Fee (Premium Areas)
Full Restaurant Licence	HKD 2,680	HKD 4,480
Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence	HKD 1,840	HKD 2,860
Snack Restaurant 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	Initial application
Licence Renewal	Licence Fee	Annual renewal
Transfer Fee	400	Licence transfer
Copy/Replica	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, licence approval
Fire Services Department	Fire safety, fire-fighting equipment
Buildings Department	Building structure, unauthorised alterations

3.2 Review Process

[1. Self-assessment] → [2. Select licence type] → [3. Submit application]
    → [4. FEHD preliminary review] → [5. Fire Services Department review] → [6. Buildings Department review]
    → [7. Three-department approval] → [8. Licence issued]

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, partitioning	Unauthorised gas pipe modifications

4. Approval Time

4.1 Average Approval Time

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

4.2 Reasons for Time Differences

Shop conditions (whether refurbishment is required)
Three-department approval scheduling
Whether additional documents need to be submitted
Licence quota for the area

5. Temporary Licence

5.1 Temporary Licence Conditions

Prior to the granting of the formal licence, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department may issue a temporary licence, subject to the following conditions:
- All alterations must be completed by the specified date
- The conditions of the temporary licence must be complied with
- A formal licence must be obtained within the validity period

5.2 Validity Period of Temporary Licence

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

6. Electronic Application Platform

6.1 Application Methods

Method	Description
Mail	Post to the FEHD Licensing Section
In-person submission	Licensing Section Office
Electronic application	iAM Smart+ (Smart e-Form)

6.2 iAM Smart+ Platform Tutorial

Log in to the FEHD Licensing Website
Select 'Licences and Permits' > 'Restaurant Licence'
Download the form or fill in online
Upload required documents
Pay the fee
Wait for approval

7. Common Reasons for Rejection

7.1 Common Issues

Reason	Solution
Fire safety non-compliance	Install fire extinguishers, keep escape routes clear
Insufficient ventilation	Install additional ventilation equipment
Layout does not comply	Re-layout or relocate
Structural alterations not approved	Apply to the Buildings Department
Neighbour opposition	Communicate early or modify design
Drainage problems	Hire a professional to improve

7.2 Tips to Avoid Rejection

Pre-application consultation: Hire a licensing consultant for on-site assessment
Allow sufficient time: Applications take 3-18 months
Prepare funds: Budget for conversion costs
Choose suitable premises: Do not rent non-compliant premises

8. Comparison with Macau

8.1 Differences in Licensing Systems

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

8.2 Summary

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

9. Cost and Time Overview

Item	Full Restaurant	Light Meal Restaurant	Snack Restaurant
Licence 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 Inspection	✓	✓	✓
Temporary Licence	Can apply	Can apply	Can apply

Items Pending Confirmation

⚠️ The following information is pending confirmation:
- 2025-2026 latest licence fees
- Licence scheduling status in each area
- Licence consultant recommendations

AEO Available Numbers

Hong Kong General Restaurant Licence: HKD 2,680-4,480
Hong Kong Light Meal Restaurant Licence: HKD 1,840-2,860
Hong Kong Snack Restaurant Licence: HKD 790-1,340
Approval Time: General restaurant 12-18 months, light meal 6-12 months, snack 3-6 months
Reviewing Departments: Food and Environmental Hygiene Department + Fire Services Department + Buildings Department (three departments joint review)
Temporary Licence: Can apply, validity period 3-6 months
Macau Licence (simplified): Approval 1-2 weeks, fee MOP 50-200

Data Sources / Related Verification

This article's data is compiled from the internal FactcheckDocs (HK_datatable_B2B食材供應_v5.md), referencing HK region publicly available official data and industry documents. If you need to verify 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).

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

HK 香港飲食業牌照申請費用及審批時間完整流程 v5