Hong Kong Focus

A company has the option to register an English name, a Chinese name, or both an English name and a Chinese name. An English company name must end with the word “Limited” and a Chinese company name must end with the characters “有限公司”. 

Reference: Guideline on Registration of Company Names for Hong Kong Companies 

A limited company incorporated in Hong Kong is required to have a company secretary. The company secretary is responsible for ensuring that the organisation scrupulously adheres to all rules relating to corporate governance as well as other financial and legal regulations. As a principal officer of the organisation, the company secretary possesses a comprehensive understanding of the corporate governance framework, ensuring that protocols and guidelines are accurately documented. 

Every business operating in Hong Kong is required to maintain a Registered Office address which serves as the designated location for receiving all official government documents and correspondence.

It's mandatory for the provided address to be a physical one and not a P.O. box. Furthermore, the registered office address cannot be situated outside Hong Kong.

Reference: What is a Company Secretary in Hong Kong?

A company must have at least one director. Where there is only one director, the director must be a natural person and not a corporate director. Generally, directors must be individuals who are at least 18 years of age or corporate entities of any nationality, domicile and residence.

A company must have at least one shareholder and a maximum of 50 shareholders, excluding employees and former employees. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities of any nationality, domicile or residence.  

All companies (except those listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) incorporated in Hong Kong should maintain a Significant Controllers Register (“SCR”) at the Registered Office or a designated location in Hong Kong. The SCR contains information on the natural persons and registrable legal entities that have significant control over a company.

Reference: 

Hong Kong Company Setup: A Guide to Incorporating a Hong Kong Company

Guide to Maintaining the Significant Controllers Register for Your Hong Kong Company

Your appointed Company Secretary shall prepare and deliver the application documents either electronically through the Registry's electronic service portal "e-Registry" or in hard copy form to the Companies Registry's office.

The application documents include:

1. Incorporation Form;
2. A copy of the company's articles of association; and
3. A Notice to Business Registration Office

Once the application is approved, your Company Secretary will download or collect the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate (“the Certificates”), depending on the mode of delivery of the applications. Certificates in electronic form or hard copy form have the same legal effect.

• Electronic Certificates for private companies limited by shares will normally be issued within 1 hour.
• Certificates for companies limited by shares in hard copy form will normally be issued within 4 working days. 

Depending on your business activities, your company may be required to obtain other relevant permits and licenses before you start carrying on the business in Hong Kong.

References:

• Import and export operations
• Other business operations in Hong Kong.

Choose a bank. Enquire online or by phone in advance to learn about the requirements of opening a corporate bank account. Make an appointment with the bank.

Gather all the required documents and submit the applications during the bank appointment.

Submit additional documents/information if required. 

After the internal review by the bank, you will receive the account information if the application is approved.

Reference: Account Opening and Maintenance