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Hong Kong Focus

Why Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is Asia’s World City

With over 9,000 businesses and companies having chosen Hong Kong as their home, no other city has ever quite succeeded in stealing the show from Hong Kong in the contest to win the much coveted title “Asia’s World City”. Lauded for its economic freedom, competitiveness, opportunity and ease of doing business, and for its role as an international financial centre and the key gateway to China, Hong Kong is truly one of a kind. 

A stable, low and straightforward tax system

Free trade and free market

Free flow of capital without foreign exchange controls

English as the lingua franca of business

One of the most advanced business infrastructures in the world

Strong trade and economic ties with the Mainland China and other international markets

Doing Business in Hong Kong

Steps to Set Up a Company in Hong Kong

Disclaimer:

The information provided below is intended for general reference purposes only and should not be construed as our formal egal, financial, or professional advice.

Company Type

Step 1 – Choose the type of company that best suits your company's purposes

Company limited by shares - the liability of members is limited by the articles of association to the amount unpaid on the shares respectively held by them.

Company limited by guarantee - no share capital and the liability of members is limited by the articles of association to the amount that the members respectively undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up. Non-profit-making organisations are usually registered as guarantee companies.

Company Type

Company Name

Step 2 - Choose a registrable name for your company

A company may be registered with an English name, a Chinese name, or 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”.

Company Name

Company Registration Application

Step 3 - Application for the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration

Incorporate the company with the Companies Registry and register the business with the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department.

Company Registration Application

Account Opening

Step 4 - Opening a Corporate Bank Account

Hong Kong banks implement robust customer due diligence and ongoing monitoring measures for both new and existing customers. However, additional obligations imposed by overseas authorities or head offices may influence individual account opening procedures.

Account Opening

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Disclaimer:

The provided questions and answers below are not meant to encompass all possible inquiries and should not be considered as personalized professional advice for your specific questions, issues, or concerns. These responses do not establish any obligation on our part to provide assistance. We invite you to reach out to us for a more comprehensive discussion about your individual matters or areas of focus.

Can a foreigner set up a company in Hong Kong?

Yes. You can set up a company in Hong Kong with 100% foreign ownership. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities of any nationality, domicile or residence.

What is the minimum capital requirement for a Hong Kong company?

The Companies Ordinance prescribes no minimum share capital. Since the amendment of company law in March 2014, companies are no longer required to set a par value per share, thereby affording a large degree of discretion in setting the price of shares for each issuance.

Do I need to rent a physical office space in Hong Kong?

In most cases, having a physical office space is not obligatory, allowing you the flexibility to manage your Hong Kong company from abroad. Nevertheless, a legal prerequisite entails maintaining a Registered Office address within Hong Kong, designated for the receipt of all government communications. Importantly, this Registered Office address is not permitted to be a P.O. box. Deciding whether to lease a physical office in Hong Kong may be influenced by additional considerations or requirements. We recommend seeking personalized advice for your specific circumstances to make an informed choice.

How long does it take to form a Hong Kong company?

Assuming all your application documents are in order, the processing time is contingent on the chosen application delivery method. For private companies limited by shares opting for hard copy certificates, issuance usually takes up to 4 working days from the point of successfully submitting the application in physical form. For private companies limited by shares opting for electronic certificates ("e-incorporation"), issuance typically occurs within an hour following the successful submission through the "e-Registry" platform. Currently our "e-incorporation" service is only available to those those shareholder(s) who is(are) natural person(s).

What are my annual obligations to maintain a Hong Kong company?

Annually, you must meet several compliance requirements: 1 - Filing of Annual Return with Companies Registry; 2 - Filing of Profits Tax Return with the Inland Revenue Department (along with the Audited Financial Statements); 3 - Filing of Employer's Return with the Inland Revenue Department when the obligation arises.

How much tax does my company have to pay in Hong Kong?

For incorporated businesses, profits tax for the first HK$2 million of profits is 8.25 percent. Profits above that amount will be subject to the tax rate of 16.5 percent. There are no sales tax, VAT, withholding tax, capital gains tax, dividends tax, estate tax in Hong Kong. In addition, Hong Kong has its free trade policy with easy customs procedures. Please consult us to get the most accurate and up-to-date information based on your company's specific situation.

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