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Apply to be an approved operator of an Extra-Territorial Office of Exchange
Apply to become an approved operator if you're a non-UK designated operator running an Extra-Territorial Office of Exchange in Great Britain.
Register as an overseas company with Companies House
You must register an overseas company with Companies House if you want to set up a place of business in the UK.
How to successfully expand your business and set up in the UK
Tell us about your business and we'll give you the official information and data you need, in one place
Foreign Office travel advice updates
Latest travel information for British nationals affected by the situation in the Middle East.
Check if you need a UK visa
You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.
IP in China
Information to help you protect, manage and enforce your intellectual property (IP) rights in China.
Trade marks
The Chinese trade mark system is similar to the UK’s. Trade marks protect symbols, colours or other devices used to identify a business’ products or services. A trade mark is valid for ten years, then may be renewed indefinitely for further ten-year periods.
To protect a trade mark in China you have two options:
- Apply yourself or through a representative (e.g. a trade mark agent) directly to the CNIPA. On average it takes 7-8 months for a trade mark to be granted.
- Make an international trade mark application and select China as a designated country. This can reduce the cost and effort of applying for trade marks in multiple countries, but will take longer than applying direct to CNIPA.
