Registering a Company in Hong Kong
Hong Kong company incorporation is one of the fastest processes of any major financial centre - a private limited company can typically be registered within 3 to 5 business days of the Companies Registry receiving complete, correct documentation.
How We Handle Registration
Name Search
Check availability against the Companies Registry.
Document Prep
Prepare the incorporation form and articles of association.
Filing
Submit to the Companies Registry and obtain your certificate.
Company Kit
Statutory registers, chop and company kit prepared.
Bank & Secretary
Move into bank account support and ongoing secretarial compliance.
Why Hong Kong
| Factor | Hong Kong position |
|---|---|
| Profits tax | 8.25% on first HKD 2M, 16.5% thereafter |
| Capital gains / dividend withholding | None |
| VAT / GST | None |
| Foreign ownership | 100% permitted, no restriction |
| Legal system | Common law, strong contract enforceability |
What You Need to Register
- A proposed company name that passes the Companies Registry name search
- At least one director and one shareholder (can be the same person, no residency requirement)
- A Hong Kong company secretary (legal requirement)
- A registered office address in Hong Kong
- Identification documents for all directors and shareholders
After Incorporation: What's Due and When
| Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Appoint company secretary | Within 6 months of incorporation |
| First annual return | Within 42 days of incorporation anniversary |
| First tax return | Typically issued ~18 months after incorporation |
| Annual audit | Before each profits tax filing |
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can a Hong Kong company actually be registered?
3 to 5 business days is typical once the Companies Registry has complete, correct documentation - the main variable is how quickly your name search clears and how complete your director/shareholder documentation is on first submission. Incomplete submissions are the main cause of delay, not the Registry's processing speed itself.
Do I need to live in Hong Kong or visit in person to register a company?
No - there is no residency requirement for directors or shareholders, and incorporation can be completed remotely. A physical presence only becomes relevant later, typically for corporate bank account opening, where some banks require in-person verification.
What is a company secretary, and why is it required?
Every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary under the Companies Ordinance, responsible for statutory filings, registers and compliance administration. It is a legal requirement from incorporation, not an optional service - see our company secretarial services page for the specific obligations involved.
Can one person be the sole director, shareholder and hold all roles?
One person can be both the sole director and sole shareholder. The company secretary role, however, cannot be filled by the sole director if that director is the only person involved - Hong Kong law requires the secretary to be a separate qualified individual or corporate entity in that specific case.
What happens if I miss the annual return or audit deadline?
Late annual return filing carries an escalating penalty that increases the longer it remains outstanding, and a missed audit delays your profits tax filing, which carries its own separate penalty. Both are avoidable with a secretarial and accounting engagement that tracks these dates - which is why most companies bundle formation with ongoing compliance rather than treating them separately.
