To register a foreign-invested travel agency in Hainan, it is necessary to meet the relevant laws and regulations of China and the Hainan Free Trade Port. The following are the main conditions and steps summarized based on existing policies and practices (as of March 5, 2025):
To register a foreign-invested travel agency in Hainan, it is necessary to meet the relevant laws and regulations of China and the Hainan Free Trade Port. The following are the main conditions and steps summarized based on existing policies and practices (as of March 5, 2025):
I. Basic conditions
1. Qualification of investment subject
o Foreign-invested enterprises can be foreign legal persons, natural persons or other legal entities established in China.
o It must comply with the requirements of the Foreign Investment Law and the Special Management Measures for Foreign Investment Access in Hainan Free Trade Port (Negative List) (2020 Edition). The tourism industry is an encouraged industry and is not included in the negative list, so it enjoys a more relaxed access policy.
2. Registered capital
o According to the Travel Agency Regulations, the minimum registered capital of domestic travel agencies is RMB 300,000, and the minimum registered capital of international travel agencies is RMB 1.5 million.
o Hainan Free Trade Port implements a subscription system, and the registered capital does not need to be paid in full at one time, but the subscription period must be agreed upon in the company's articles of association.
o In addition, international travel agencies are required to pay a quality deposit (generally RMB 200,000 or more, depending on the scope of business) to the account designated by the tourism administration department.
3. Business premises
o Must have a fixed business premises and provide real estate certificates or lease agreements.
o The premises must be equipped with necessary business facilities, such as computers, telephones, fax machines, etc., to meet business needs.
4. Personnel requirements
o At least 3 full-time tour guides with tour guide certificates must be equipped.
o The general manager or deputy general manager must hold a "Travel Agency Manager Qualification Certificate" issued by the tourism administration department at or above the provincial level, or have relevant industry experience (specific requirements may be adjusted due to local policies).
o Business personnel must have corresponding tourism qualifications or experience.
5. Business scope
o It is necessary to clarify whether to register a domestic travel agency or an international travel agency. International travel agencies can operate inbound tourism, outbound tourism and domestic tourism businesses, while domestic travel agencies are limited to domestic tourism businesses.
o The scope of business must be clearly stated in the company's articles of association and application materials.
2. Special policy advantages of Hainan Free Trade Port
1. Convenient access for foreign investment
o Hainan Free Trade Port adopts a "registration system" rather than an "approval system" for the tourism industry (except for the negative list). Foreign-invested travel agencies do not need to go through cumbersome approval to set up, and only need to be registered with the commerce department.
o The "Overall Plan for the Construction of Hainan Free Trade Port" encourages the development of the tourism industry, and foreign investment can enjoy tax incentives, such as exemption of corporate income tax for new foreign direct investment income before 2025.
2. Full electronic registration
o Foreign investors can handle the establishment and registration of enterprises online, support bilingual forms, and do not need to submit additional identity documents (if authentication is required, identity verification and electronic signature can be completed online); complete the entire process of enterprise establishment, tax registration, official seal engraving, foreign investment information reporting, etc.
3. Tax incentives
o Travel agencies that meet the Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industry Catalogue and whose main business income accounts for more than 60% can enjoy a 15% reduction in corporate income tax.
o The highest personal income tax rate for high-income employees is reduced to 15%.
III. Registration Process
1. Name Pre-approval
o Submit the name of the travel agency, which must comply with the regulations (such as "Hainan XX Travel Agency Co., Ltd."). After approval, obtain the "Name Pre-approval Notice".
2. Submit application materials
o "Company Establishment Registration Application" (signed by the legal person).
o Articles of Association (signed by shareholders).
o Investor identity certificate (foreign natural persons provide passports and other valid documents, and legal persons provide copies of business licenses).
o Proof of business premises.
o Feasibility study report (explain the necessity and plan of establishing a travel agency).
o Manager and tour guide qualification certificate.
3. Business filing
o Submit a foreign investment information report at the Hainan International Investment "Single Window" or the Commerce Department, including the investment amount, equity structure, etc.
4. Obtain business license
o After the materials are reviewed and approved, obtain the business license, usually handled online throughout the process, "at most once".
5. Subsequent procedures
o Carve official seals (official seals, financial seals, legal person seals, etc.).
o Tax registration (fill in tax information online).
o Open a bank account.
o Apply for a tourism business license (submit an application to the Hainan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and provide a quality deposit certificate).
IV. Notes
• Substantial business requirements
The Hainan Free Trade Port requires enterprises to have substantial operations, the registered address must be consistent with the actual business address, and can accept on-site inspections by industrial and commercial, tax and other departments, otherwise they may be included in the abnormal list.
• Policy dynamics
It is recommended to pay attention to the latest policies of Hainan Province, such as the update of the "Hainan Free Trade Port Encouraged Industry Catalogue", which may affect the qualification for tax incentives.
• Professional assistance
For foreign investors investing in China for the first time, it is recommended to obtain one-to-one guidance through the Hainan International Investment "Single Window" or professional agencies to ensure a smooth process.
V. Summary
The conditions for foreign investors to register travel agencies in Hainan are relatively loose, thanks to the open policies and facilitation measures of the Free Trade Port. The core requirements include legal investment entities, registered capital, fixed locations, professional personnel and compliance procedures. As long as you are well prepared and use online platforms, you can usually complete registration in a short time and enjoy policy dividends.