This leaflet tells you about the standards of service which you can
expect from the Police Licensing Office when you submit your application.
It also tells you the steps you can take if you want to comment on the
service you receive or complain about the way services have been
delivered.
To assist you, application guidelines have been produced for
licences/permits for which the Commissioner of Police is the Licensing
Authority. These guidelines explain in detail the procedures to be
followed when applying for a particular licence or permit. They are
available in English and Chinese and can be obtained by browsing our
website, writing to us, calling our hotline or visiting us direct.
Our office is located at 12/F, Arsenal House, Police Headquarters, No.1
Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Our office hours are from 9:00 am to
1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:45 pm on weekdays. The office is closed on
Saturdays, Sundays and general holidays. You may also obtain the details
through fax by calling our 24-hour service hotline at 2860 2973, or
through Internet by visiting our website at
www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/licences/.
This performance pledge covers issuance of all the licences and permits by the Commissioner of Police acting in the capacity of the Licensing Authority
Performance targets for services provided by the Police Licensing Office are expressed in terms of time required to process your application. The targets depend much on the sufficiency of information provided in your application which may affect the processing time required.
Application / Licence / Permit | Working days required to process |
Licence for Possession (Firearms) | 24 days |
Limited Licence for Possession (Firearms) | 9 days (by post) 2 days (in person) |
Exemption Permit (General) (Firearms) | 24 days |
Exemption Permit (Film Shooting or Sports) (Firearms) | 9 days |
Authorisation for Arms Instructor | 2 calendar months |
Approval for Range Officer | 2 calendar months |
Authorisation for Agent for Arms Licence | 1 calendar month |
Pawnbroker Licence | 26 days |
Massage Establishment Licence (for the issue of a letter of approval-in-principle for establishments) |
35 days |
Temporary Liquor Licence | 12 days |
Societies Registration | 12 days |
Lion / Dragon / Unicorn Dance Permit | 14 days |
Security Personnel Permit | 6 days |
The time taken to process Full and Restricted Firearms Dealer's Licence will depend on individual applications and related requirements.
The Police Licensing Office is committed to providing an efficient and professional service.
On receipt of your application, we will issue an acknowledgement letter informing you that your application has been received and is being processed.
The Police Force will monitor these standards internally.
To improve our service, we welcome comments or suggestions on the way in which these services are delivered and how they can be improved.
There may be occasions, for example, because of high demands for a particular service, or when your application does not contain all the relevant information - when the time taken to process your application may take slightly longer than the target times.
If you feel that your application has not been dealt with adequately, you can contact the officer-in-charge of the appropriate licensing section who will provide an explanation for any delay incurred.
If you wish to complain that your case has not been dealt with
adequately, you may:
- lodge a complaint in person to any police station;
- telephone the 24-hour complaint hotline (2866 7700);
- write to Complaints Against Police Reporting Centre, Ground Floor, Annex
Block, Caine House, No.3 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong;
- fax to Complaints Against Police Reporting Centre (2200 4460 / 2200 4461
/ 2200 4462);
- use the e-report form (Complaint Against Police) on the Police Public
Page (www.police.gov.hk); or
- use the “e-Report Room” function on the Police's smart-phone
application, "Hong Kong Police Mobile App".
You may telephone the relevant licensing section:
Arms Licensing Section 2860 6536
Liquor and Miscellaneous Licensing Section 2860 6524
Societies Office 2860 3572
Security Personnel Permit Section 2860 6543
Public Order Events Support Section 2860 6551
Hong Kong Police Force November 2017
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