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Obtaining a TCSP Licence in Hong Kong. Service offer

A Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) Licence is required to carry on trust and corporate service activities in Hong Kong, including company formation, the provision of corporate officers, trustee and nominee shareholder services, and registered office facilities. The licence is valid for three years and is subject to ongoing regulatory requirements, including AML/CFT compliance, the appointment of designated compliance officers, and the maintenance of a physical business presence in Hong Kong.

A Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) Licence in Hong Kong authorizes the holder to carry on the following activities:

  • forming corporations or other legal persons;
  • acting, or arranging for another person to act:
    • as a director or a secretary of a corporation;
    • as a partner of a partnership; or
    • in a similar position in relation to other legal persons;
  • providing a registered office, business address, correspondence or administrative address for a corporation, a partnership or any other legal person or legal arrangement;
  • acting, or arranging for another person to act:
    • as a trustee of an express trust or a similar legal arrangement; or
    • as a nominee shareholder for a person other than a corporation whose securities are listed on a recognized stock market.

The validity period of a TCSP Licence is 3 years.

Key requirements applicable to a TCSP licensee

1. A licensee must have a Compliance Officer (CO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)* that are:

  • fit and proper (i.e. have no current bankruptcy, no criminal record, no AML breaches, and no disqualifications);
  • equipped with sufficient AML/CFT knowledge (no special education or certifications are required, the only requirement is to have reviewed the relevant laws and the AML guidelines);
  • subject to constraint of size of the TCSP licensee, independent of all operational and business functions;
  • normally based in Hong Kong;
  • of a sufficient level of seniority and authority within the TCSP licensee.

*It can be the same person as director or UBO.

2. A licensee must also have engagement with:

  • Alternate or deputy CO and MLRO to cover for the absence of the usual CO and MLRO;
  • External AML Auditor for independent reviews of the AML/CFT Systems.

3. Business premises in Hong Kong are mandatory and must be used for the purpose of:

  • the administration of the licensee’s affairs or business;
  • the processing of transactions; or
  • the storage of documents, data or records.

Business premises should be available for inspections at any moment.

Fees*

Services
Fees (USD)

Company incorporation and subsequent administration

Incorporation of Hong Kong Limited Company, including preparation and provision of the company’s original constitutive documents and their apostilled copies, share issue documents and common seal; not including Compliance fee and preparation of financial statements
2 500
Subsequent annual maintenance (starting from the second year), including provision of registered office, not including Compliance fee and preparation of financial statements
2 185
Compliance fee
Payable in the cases of:
- incorporation of a company,
- renewal of a company,
- liquidation of a company,
- transfer out of a company,
- issue of a power of attorney to a new attorney,
- change of director / shareholder / beneficial owner, except the change to a nominee director / shareholder,
- signing of documents.
440 (standard rate – includes the check of 1 individual)
+ 200 for each additional individual (director, shareholder, or beneficial owner) or legal entity (director or shareholder) if such legal entity is administered by GSL
+ 265 for each additional legal entity (director or shareholder) if such legal entity is not administered by GSL
550 (rate for High Risk companies – includes the check of 1 individual)
135 (signing of documents)

Licensing process

Preparing and compiling supporting documentation for the application for a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) Licence, including:
- advising on licensing requirements and ongoing compliance obligations
- preparing required documents (AML manual, resolutions, additional documents which should be kept by TCSP licensees at all times)
- guidance in relation to the fit and proper assessment
- review and assessment of the form and content of supporting documentation
- submission of the application to the relevant authority
10 000
Government fees (non-refundable):
- Application for the grant of a Licence
- For each person who is subject to the fit and proper person test

440
(3 440 HKD)
125 (975 HKD)
Additional consultations on the AML regulations and process (after the Licence is granted)
300 / hour

Creating office in Hong Kong

Searching for office space, including:
- GSL services of searching for office space, agreeing the terms of and arranging the signing of the office rent agreement are charged on an hourly basis at the rate USD 300 / hour, with a report on the work done
300 / hour minimum deposit – 1 200
- GSL agency fee, if the rent agreement is signed (payable once)
10% of annual sum
- the HK realtor’s fee, if any, is paid additionally as invoiced by the realtor (the fees of local realtors can equal a monthly or two monthly rents)
according to invoice of a realtor
Office rent
from HKD 300 per sq. feet/ year
Recruiting actual staff
Minimum wage per month
from 25-35% of annual salary
from 2 500
Individual telephone line and/or SIM card
upon request
Pay roll services
upon request**
Work permits for foreign employees
6 600 per person

*The fees are valid as of July 2026.

**Please request the separate offer.

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from USD 10 000
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