What is MSO license
MSO (Money Service Operator) is a license issued by Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong, under the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance of Hong Kong. The MSO license authorizes a person to perform currencies exchange and also fund remittance. The remittance services include transfer fund to any country in the world or receive Fund in Hong Kong.
Remittance service means service as below:

1) Sending, or arranging for the sending of, money to a place outside Hong Kong;

2) Receiving, or arranging for the receipt of, money from a place outside Hong Kong;

3) Arranging for the receipt of money in a place outside Hong Kong.

It is an offence to operate a money service in Hong Kong without MSO license.

How to Apply
Hong Kong Limited Company, Hong Kong Unlimited Company and Overseas Company can apply for MSO license. Applicant is require to submit four main types of supporting documents together with application form:

1) Supporting documents of the applicant’s particulars, such as business registration certificate and certificate of incorporation;

2) Supporting documents of particulars of each premises, such as a tenancy agreement and floor plan;

3) Supporting documents of particulars of individual partner, director or owners of the applicant business, known as Fit and Proper Person Declaration Forms;

4) Authorization letter signed by all partners or Board of Directors authorizing the application.

Upon submission of documents, applicant will need to pay application fees to the Commissioner of Customers and Excise (CCE). Commissioner of Customers and Excise (CCE) will then interview the applicant and issue an additional information form. Normally, a MSO license will valid for 2 years hence the operator will need to apply for renewal of  MSO license before expiration.