Company Registration in Hong Kong in a Day with Corpbiz™

Company Registration in Hong Kong

Are you seeking company registration in Hong Kong? At Corpbiz™, we have successfully assisted in 1000+ business registration in Hong Kong. Let our consultants take care of the boring paperwork so you can focus on your business expansion.

What’s Included?

Registered Address for 1 Yr
Business Registration Certificate (1 Yr)
Annual Returns Filing (NAR 1)

CS Services - Free for 1 Yr
Neobank Account Opening Support
Certificate of Incorporation

Understanding Company Registration in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is South Asia’s free port with minimal customs control and 0% VAT on the imports and exports of products, which helps foreign investors and legal entities set up a company in Hong Kong with ease and fewer tax and tariff obligations. Contact our Corpbiz™ business setup consultants in Hong Kong and register a private limited company (Pte Ltd) with just US$1 capital and enjoy an 8.25% low corporate tax rate on annual turnover under US$258,056 and a flexible legal compliance environment after company registration in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 21 countries, which would help you conduct business with ease if you’re a foreigner looking to establish a strong business presence in Hong Kong. It also has Investment Protection Agreements (IPAs) with 24 countries, which provide guarantees to foreign investments, thereby boosting Hong Kong’s economy.

At Corpbiz™, we will help you draft your memorandum of association (MOA) and articles of association (AOA), obtain the necessary licenses and permits, file your annual and quarterly tax returns, comply with the necessary regulatory compliance requirements, and acquire the mandatory visa approvals for your Hong Kong business setup.

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Benefits of Online Company Registration in Hong Kong

If you’re looking to expand your business presence in the best Asian market as a foreigner, then the following benefits might motivate you to go for online company registration in Hong Kong.

Tax Benefits

Hong Kong has a favourable tax regime that motivates foreign companies and investors to set up a company in Hong Kong. It has 0% VAT on domestic sales and imports and exports of goods and services, 0% capital on profits earned from the sale of assets, and 0% withholding tax on foreign dividends, interest, and royalties.

Low Corporate Income Tax Rate

Hong Kong offers an 8.25% corporate income tax rate instead of the nominal 16.5% to new foreign companies and investors with annual income up to US$258,056, which is another motivating factor for them to start a company in Hong Kong as compared to most countries where the tax rate is between 20-25%, such as India, France, and the USA.

Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs)

Company registration in Hong Kong helps foreign individuals and companies get foreign tax credits, deductions, and exemptions through its Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with 50+ countries, so if you’re a foreign small and medium enterprise (SMEs) seeking to establish a limited liability company (LLC) in Asia then Hong Kong is the best choice hands down.

Gateway to Mainland China

Hong Kong and China have signed a “Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)” that provides Hong Kong’s businesses get easy access to China’s service market. It also enables duty-free flow of goods in and out of China with 0% customs duties, promoting easy foreign trade after your company registration in Hong Kong.

Best Global Financial Hub

The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is the global leading stock exchange that connects China with foreign investment markets in Hong Kong and the rest of the world. It enables foreign investors and companies to facilitate their transactions via bonds, equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFS), and real estate investment trusts (REITS). It is an excellent choice if you’re thinking of starting a company in Hong Kong because it has no foreign currency control.

Hong Kong’s Support for Business Expansion

Hong Kong’s government provides financial, technological, and development support through various schemes, such as the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS), the SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF), the Innovation & Technology Fund (ITF), and the Trade & Industrial Department (TID). The Support & Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) provides expert guidance and support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to start a public limited company in Hong Kong.

Checklist for Company Registration in Hong Kong

The checklist for company registration in Hong Kong is as follows:

Business name reservation
Company’s physical or virtual address
Formulation of Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Drafting of Articles of Association (AOA)
At least one shareholder for the private limited company (Pte Ltd)
At least one director with Hong Kong citizenship for a private limited company (Pte Ltd) business setup in Hong Kong
Bank’s statement on minimum paid-up capital
Copyright, Patent, or Trademark Registration
Registration with Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)
Bank Account Setup
A chartered accountant, company secretary, in-house counsel, and auditor above 18 years of age
Compliance with Hong Kong’s laws

Documents for Company Registration in Hong Kong

Documents Required for Company Registration in Hong Kong

The list of documents needed for company registration in Hong Kong is as follows:

Hong Kong Company Registration Form
Identification Proofs of President, Directors, or Shareholders
Business Activity Details
Passport Copies of all Foreign Directors & Shareholders
Company’s Correspondence or Virtual Address Proof
A Power of Attorney for Foreign Applicants
Articles of Association (AOA)
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
A Notarized Copy of Investment or Employment Visa
Translation in English or Chinese (Cantonese)
Minimum Capital Requirement Declaration

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Process of Online Company Registration in Hong Kong

Follow the below-mentioned step-by-step procedure for online company registration in Hong Kong:

Step 1: Choose a Business Structure: You must select a business structure type based on your capital and manpower requirements.
Step 2: Company Name Search & Subsequent Reservation: You must refer to the business name manual for the availability of the desired company name and register it via the Hong Kong Companies Registry’s website or in person.
Step 3: Hong Kong Company Formation Application & Document Submission: The applicant must submit the Hong Kong company formation application and documents with the Hong Kong Companies Registry’s e-service portal or in person.
Step 4: Hong Kong Company Formation Application Examination: The Companies Registry (CR) will examine your Hong Kong company registration application and supporting documents.
Step 5: Issuance of Hong Kong Company Formation & Unique Business Identifiers (UBI) Certificates: The Companies Registry (CR) will issue the Hong Kong company formation and Unique Business Identifiers (UBI), previously known as the business registration certificate (BRC), in just one hour for online applications. The CR will take at least 4 business days to register a business for paper filing.
Step 6: Receive the Unique Business Identifiers (UBI): All companies must record the Unique Business Identifiers (UBI), formerly known as Business Registration Numbers (BRN), through the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).
Step 7: Open a Bank Account: You must open a bank account to deposit or disperse funds after company registration in Hong Kong.
Step 8: Relevant Trade License: You must acquire relevant trade licenses, such as commercial, industrial, or services to officially start your business after company formation in Hong Kong.
Step 9: Obtain the Necessary Visa: You must obtain an investment or employment visa to start your business operations after company formation in Hong Kong.

Business Structures for Hong Kong Company Formation

Scroll down and make the right choice of business structures for Hong Kong company formation are as listed below:

Private Limited Company

A private company limited includes at least 2 and a maximum of 50 shareholders. All shareholders have limited liability against the company’s debts and liabilities. Highly recommended for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Public Limited Company (PLC)

A public limited company must comprise at least two and a maximum of 50 shareholders. Directors and shareholders have protection against the company’s debts and liabilities. Highly recommended for large companies and multinational companies (MNCs)

Subsidiaries

A subsidiary company operates as an independent entity different from its foreign parent company, hence it doesn’t have any minimum shareholder or member requirement.

Branch Office (BO)

A branch office is an extension of a foreign parent company. It doesn’t have a separate legal entity and operates under its foreign parent company’s name.

Sole Proprietorship (SP)

A sole proprietorship has one member who is responsible for the overall management of the company. The founder assumes all the liabilities against his assets.

General Partnership (GP)

A general partnership contains at least two members who have equal control in the management of the firm with unlimited liability against the firm’s loans and credit defaults.

Limited Partnership (LP)

A general partnership includes a general partner and a limited partner. The general partner assumes the entire control and has unlimited liability against the firm’s debts, whereas the limited partner has limited liability with no active participation in the management of the firm.

Comparison of Entities for Hong Kong Business Setup

Study the below table and make the right choice of business entity for Hong Kong business setup:

Business Structure	Foreign Ownership	Capital Requirement	Directors	Partners/Shareholders	Personal Liability
Sole Proprietorship (SP)	100%	US$1	Not applicable	1 Founder	Unlimited
General Partnership (GP)	100%	US$1	Not applicable	At least 2 Members	Equal Liability for all Partners
Limited Partnership (LP)	100%	US$1	Not applicable	At least 1 general and limited partner	Unlimited-General Limited- Silent Partner
Private Limited Company	100%	US$1	At least 1	At least 2 and maximum 50 shareholders	Limited
Public Limited Company (PLC)	100%	US$1	At least 2	At least with no maximum cap on shareholders	Limited
Subsidiary	100%	US$1	1	At least 1, but not more than 50 shareholders	Limited to the extent of invested capital.
Foreign Branch	100%	US$1	At least 1 Hong Kong Authorized Representative	Not Applicable because it is just an extension of its parent company.	Parent Company is liable

Compliance for Hong Kong Company Formation

Check out the below-listed essential post-enrolment compliance requirements from tax filings and annual financial reporting to license obligations for Hong Kong company formation:

Open a Bank Account

You must immediately open a corporate bank account to monitor the company’s finances and employee salary disbursements after company registration in Hong Kong.

Open a Bank Account

You must immediately open a corporate bank account to monitor the company’s finances and employee salary disbursements after company registration in Hong Kong.

Obtain Industry-Specific Licenses

Hong Kong mandates relevant trade licenses for conducting various business activities, so you should obtain the necessary business licenses, such as food, financial services, retail, travel agency, and payment aggregator, after business registration in Hong Kong.

Obtain Industry-Specific Licenses

Appoint an Auditor and a Company Secretary

The Hong Kong government requires all companies to appoint a company secretary and an auditor within 6 months of the company registration in Hong Kong.

Appoint an Auditor and a Company Secretary

The Hong Kong government requires all companies to appoint a company secretary and an auditor within 6 months of the company registration in Hong Kong.

Maintain Company Register

All companies must maintain an updated register of their directors and shareholders after the Hong Kong business setup.

Maintain Company Register

All companies must maintain an updated register of their directors and shareholders after the Hong Kong business setup.

Hold Annual Meeting

You must hold an annual general meeting within six months of company registration in Hong Kong.

Hold Annual Meeting

You must hold an annual general meeting within six months of company registration in Hong Kong.

Complete Tax Obligations

Filing an annual tax return is the most important part of the annual compliance calendar after you register a business in Hong Kong. All companies must file the N Code by June 2nd, the D Code by August 15th, the M Code by November 17th, and the M Code loss return by February 2nd of each year.

Complete Tax Obligations

File Annual Returns

You should file annual returns within 42 days each year following the company’s incorporation. The Companies Registry (CR) offers annual return reminder services, which you can obtain by registering via the respective portal under the “Compliance Section” of CR’s website.

File Annual Returns

Manage Book-Keeping

Registered companies must maintain proper books of account at all times to comply with regulatory requirements after company registration in Hong Kong.

Manage Book-Keeping

Registered companies must maintain proper books of account at all times to comply with regulatory requirements after company registration in Hong Kong.

Comply with Labor Laws

All companies should make relevant contributions to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) after business registration in Hong Kong. You must also renew insurance schemes for your employees.

Comply with Labor Laws

All companies should make relevant contributions to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) after business registration in Hong Kong. You must also renew insurance schemes for your employees.

Notify the Registration Authority in case of a Change.

You must notify the “Companies Registry” in case of any change concerning the registered address, company secretary, and director within 15 days after the said change.

Notify the Registration Authority in case of a Change.

You must notify the “Companies Registry” in case of any change concerning the registered address, company secretary, and director within 15 days after the said change.

Significant Controllers Registers (SCR) Compliance

All foreign companies in Hong Kong must make the beneficial owner declaration within one month of the Companies Registry’s notice.

Significant Controllers Registers (SCR) Compliance

All foreign companies in Hong Kong must make the beneficial owner declaration within one month of the Companies Registry’s notice.

Issuance of Stock Certificate

You should issue stock certificates to the respective shareholders within two months of allotment after business registration in Hong Kong.

Issuance of Stock Certificate

You should issue stock certificates to the respective shareholders within two months of allotment after business registration in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Company Setup Services by Corpbiz™

Free Preliminary Meeting

Our consultants will help you choose the best business structure according to your capital and manpower needs for company registration in Hong Kong.

Name Reservation

We will assist you in picking and reserving your desired company name before making a formal application for business registration in Hong Kong.

Full Paperwork

We will assign you an individual case worker who will take care of the entire documentation, such as submitting the application form with KYC verification, and drafting the MOA and AOA to complete the Hong Kong company formation process.

Banking & Funding Service

Our network of 150+ business setup consultants in Hong Kong will help you set up a bank account with ease after you register a business in Hong Kong.

IP Registration

Our IP attorneys will help you acquire copyright, patent, and trademark registration after you obtain Corpbiz™’s Hong Kong company incorporation services.

Tax Compliance

We will help you obtain a business registration number (BRN) from the Inland Revenue Department after online company registration in Hong Kong.

Corporate Agent

We will provide a registered corporate agent for 1 year after you avail of our Hong Kong company setup services.

Annual Financial Reporting

Our global accounting analysts will file your annual financial returns via Form NAR1 with the Companies Registry (CR) after you setup a company in Hong Kong.

Virtual CFO

We will provide uninterrupted CFO services, such as cash flow management and financial planning, for one year from the official Hong Kong company formation.

Business E-Presence

Our IT experts will setup an online business domain, so you can increase your customer base after corporate registration in Hong Kong.

Trade Licensing Approvals

We will entitle you with various relevant licensing approvals, so you remain 100% compliant with Hong Kong’s regulatory framework after you register a business in Hong Kong.

Visa Approvals

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) and Entrepreneur visa before or after you incorporate in Hong Kong.

Why Trust Corpbiz™ for Business Registration in Hong Kong?

Spectrum of Services

We offer a wide range of professional services, starting from company registration to accounting, legal, and tech services.

10+ Years of Proven Expertise

With more than a decade of experience in company registrations, Corpbiz™ has assisted 1000+ global clients with company registration in Hong Kong.

200+ Local Consultants in Hong Kong

We have more than 200 local consultants in Hong Kong to ease the journey of business registration in Hong Kong.

Saved 12 Lakh+ Hours of Entrepreneurs

Our business consultants at Corpbiz™ have successfully saved more than 12 lakh hours of entrepreneurs in company registration in Hong Kong.

Dedicated Customer Support

We provide 24/7 customer care support throughout the company formation in the Hong Kong approval process.

Expert Team

Our business setup consultants in the Hong Kong network enable us to provide you with guidance from global experts, entitling you to have a competitive advantage in the diverse consumer markets.

No Hidden Cost

We have a transparent fee structure with no surprises. Full cost revelation at the start for online company registration in Hong Kong.

Global Service Provider

We provide virtual global opportunities in business locations including Cambodia, Cyprus, Dubai, Egypt, Greece, the United States of America (USA), and Vietnam.

Fintech Consulting Support

Our experts will fulfil your fintech consulting and licensing needs in the vibrant, business-friendly climate of Hong Kong.

FAQs on Hong Kong Business Setup

Given below are the reasons for company formation in Hong Kong:

A central hub for top Asian markets
8.25% corporate tax rate
No value-added tax (VAT) on almost everything
Skilled workforce
Robust Economy
Technologically advanced infrastructure
100% foreign ownership
Flexible immigration policies
Easy Access to the People’s Republic of China (Mainland China)
Double taxation agreement with 51 countries

The fee for company registration in Hong Kong for a private company limited by shares (Pte Ltd) is US$200.

The Companies Registry (CR) is the governmental authority that registers companies in Hong Kong, and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issues the “Unique Business Identifiers (UBI) certificate.

The CAP. 622 Companies Ordinance is the main legislation that controls and regulates the registration of companies in Hong Kong.

The process of company formation in Hong Kong is as follows:

Choose Business Type and Complete Name Reservation
Application submission with documents, such as shareholder IDs, memorandum of association (MOA), articles of association, and the company’s physical or virtual address proof to the Companies Registry (CR).
Grant of company incorporation and Unique Business Identifiers (UBI).
Bank account setup
Obtain a visa and a license permit.
Register for tax obligations with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD)

The Company’s Registry (CR) takes one hour to register a company in Hong Kong via the online mode. The CR takes at least 4 days to complete the registration process through the in-person mode.

A Unique Business Identifier (UBI) is a document that allows companies to conduct their business operations and fulfil their tax obligations, whereas a company incorporation certificate is proof of a company’s legal existence. Business registration is mostly a

There’s no minimum paid-up capital requirement to establish a business in Hong Kong. You can set up a business with just US$1.

The different types of company structures in Hong Kong are as follows:

Sole proprietorship (SP)
General Partnership (GP)
Limited Partnership (LP)
Private Limited Company
Public Limited Company (PLC)
Subsidiary Company (SC)
Foreign Branch Office (BO)

Yes, a limited liability company (LLC), popularly known as the private limited company (Pte Ltd) is a type of LLC that is mostly used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong.

The list of important documents for company registration is as follows:

Business Name Reservation Certificate
IDs of directors, shareholders, and managers
The company’s correspondence or virtual address proof
Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Articles of Association (AOA)

The minimum directors for a private company in Hong Kong are 1. You can however employ as many directors as you want.

All private limited companies (Pte Ltd) must have at least 1, but not more than 50 shareholders for Hongkong company incorporation.

A Unique Business Identifiers UBI is an eight-digit unique identification number, which is issued by Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to companies for regulatory and tax compliance requirements.

All companies must renew their Unique Business Identifiers (UBI), previously known as business registration certificates (BRC,) within the last month of the ongoing 3-year term with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

You may require additional licenses and permits after you set up a business in Hong Kong. You can check the relevant regulatory licenses on the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department (HKTID)’s website.

Some well-known licenses are as follows:

Food License
Restaurant License
Retail License
Financial Service License
E-commerce License
Travel Agency License
Insurance License
Pharma Manufacturer, Wholesale, or Retail License
Digital Payments License

Although not necessary or mandated by Hong Kong’s government, we strongly recommend you hire a lawyer to:

Apply for a name reservation certificate
Submit the company registration application with mandatory documents
Form a memorandum of association (MOA) and articles of association (AOA)
Register a physical or virtual address
Complete your annual tax and finance obligations
Renew your trade licenses and permits

All foreigners and non-resident companies must authorise a local corporate agent to set up a company in Hong Kong.

Yes, if you aren’t physically present in Hong Kong, then you must sign a power of attorney (POA) through your authorised agent to represent yourself before the Company’s Registry (CR) and Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

You must pay income tax at 8.25% if your annual income is within US$258,056, and thereafter at a 16% rate on the amount exceeding US$258,056.

There’s no value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax in Hong Kong because it’s a free port. Hence, there are no taxes or tariffs on foreign trade (imports) or exports. However, this rule doesn’t apply to products such as liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil, and methyl alcohol.

There is no such language barrier in Hong Kong because more than half of its population speaks English. However, all company registration applicants must submit the documents and other related compliance requirements in English or Chinese.

The Hong Kong Companies Ordinance entitles all companies to change their business name, provided they notify the Companies Registry (CR) within 15 days of the said change via the Form NNC2.

Yes, you can easily set up a business in Hong Kong using your passport and home country identification, provided you represent yourself through a Hong Kong-based authorized agent.

Hong Kong follows “the territorial source principle of taxation”, which means that your income earned outside Hong Kong will be tax-free, so no tax obligations.

Company Registration in Hong Kong

Understanding Company Registration in Hong Kong

Benefits of Online Company Registration in Hong Kong

Tax Benefits

Low Corporate Income Tax Rate

Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs)

Gateway to Mainland China

Best Global Financial Hub

Hong Kong’s Support for Business Expansion

Checklist for Company Registration in Hong Kong

The checklist for company registration in Hong Kong is as follows:

Documents Required for Company Registration in Hong Kong

Process of Online Company Registration in Hong Kong

Business Structures for Hong Kong Company Formation

Private Limited Company

Public Limited Company (PLC)

Subsidiaries

Branch Office (BO)

Sole Proprietorship (SP)

General Partnership (GP)

Limited Partnership (LP)

Comparison of Entities for Hong Kong Business Setup

Compliance for Hong Kong Company Formation

Open a Bank Account

Open a Bank Account

Obtain Industry-Specific Licenses

Obtain Industry-Specific Licenses

Appoint an Auditor and a Company Secretary

Appoint an Auditor and a Company Secretary

Maintain Company Register

Maintain Company Register

Hold Annual Meeting

Hold Annual Meeting

Complete Tax Obligations

Complete Tax Obligations

File Annual Returns

File Annual Returns

Manage Book-Keeping

Manage Book-Keeping

Comply with Labor Laws

Comply with Labor Laws

Notify the Registration Authority in case of a Change.

Notify the Registration Authority in case of a Change.

Significant Controllers Registers (SCR) Compliance

Significant Controllers Registers (SCR) Compliance

Issuance of Stock Certificate

Issuance of Stock Certificate

Hong Kong Company Setup Services by Corpbiz™

Free Preliminary Meeting

Name Reservation

Full Paperwork

Banking & Funding Service

IP Registration

Tax Compliance

Corporate Agent

Annual Financial Reporting

Virtual CFO

Business E-Presence

Trade Licensing Approvals

Visa Approvals

Why Trust Corpbiz™ for Business Registration in Hong Kong?

Spectrum of Services

10+ Years of Proven Expertise

200+ Local Consultants in Hong Kong

Saved 12 Lakh+ Hours of Entrepreneurs

Dedicated Customer Support

Expert Team

No Hidden Cost

Global Service Provider

Fintech Consulting Support

FAQs on Hong Kong Business Setup

Why should I register a business in Hong Kong?

What is the cost of registering a private limited company (Pte Ltd) in Hong Kong?

What is the primary authority that governs company registration in Hong Kong?

What is the primary law that governs company registration in Hong Kong?

What is the process for company registration in Hong Kong?

What is the timeframe for company registration in Hong Kong?

What is Unique Business Identifiers (UBI), and how is it different than the company incorporation certificate?

Is there a minimum capital requirement to start a business in Hong Kong?

What are the different types of company structures for business setup in Hong Kong?