Hong Kong Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Hong Kong
Planning a Hong Kong company registration so you can set up a company in Hong Kong and expand into Asia and mainland China? The most common entity is the private company limited by shares. You incorporate it with the Companies Registry and apply for business registration with the Inland Revenue Department at the same time. Foreign founders can own 100% of the shares and act as directors, and directors do not need to live in Hong Kong. The company must appoint a company secretary and keep a registered office in Hong Kong.
Under the Companies Registry fee schedule, the electronic incorporation fee is HK$1,545. The one-year business registration fee and levy total HK$2,350 (for certificates taking effect from April 2026). After incorporation, the company must keep a significant controllers register, deliver an annual return every year and pay profits tax on Hong Kong-sourced profits (8.25% on the first HK$2 million for corporations, 16.5% on the rest). NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Hong Kong company formation service, from structure review, name search and documents to bank account opening and annual maintenance, for companies and individuals registering a Hong Kong company.
Filing electronically through the Companies Registry’s e-Registry lets you apply for incorporation and business registration together, and the fee is lower than a paper filing.
Corporations pay 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% on the rest. Hong Kong has no VAT and no sales tax.
Directors and shareholders do not need to be Hong Kong residents. A private company needs only 1 director who is a natural person, and the company secretary must meet the Hong Kong residency requirement.
The significant controllers register, annual return, business registration renewal, audit and tax filing all have clear deadlines. Meet them on time and the company keeps a good record.
company registration?
Hong Kong has no foreign exchange controls, so funds move in and out freely, and its financial, accounting and legal services are mature. Hong Kong taxes on a territorial basis: profits tax applies only to profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong. Corporations pay 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of profits and 16.5% on the rest.
Note that offshore profits are not exempt automatically. The company must file a claim, and the Inland Revenue Department reviews each case. A Hong Kong company that is part of a multinational enterprise group and receives specified foreign-sourced income must also meet the economic substance and other conditions of the foreign-sourced income exemption (FSIE) regime.
in 3 steps
In Hong Kong, the most common entity is the private company limited by shares. Shareholders’ liability is limited to their capital. Once incorporated with the Companies Registry, the company is a separate legal entity and receives its business registration certificate at the same time.
Setting up a Hong Kong company looks simple, but the company secretary, significant controllers register, annual return, audit and profits tax return are all legal requirements. NSS Group helps you plan the structure, prepare documents and arrange annual maintenance, so your Hong Kong company stays clear and compliant from setup through operations.
First, search the Companies Registry records to confirm the company name is available. Then plan the shareholders, directors (at least 1 natural person), company secretary and registered office address in Hong Kong.
Prepare the incorporation form (Form NNC1), the articles of association, and identity and address proof for shareholders, directors and the company secretary. A company secretary who is a natural person must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong.
File through e-Registry and pay the HK$1,545 incorporation fee and the business registration fee. Once approved, you receive the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate. After that, keep the significant controllers register and deliver the annual return within 42 days after each anniversary of incorporation.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Articles of association drafting
- Certificate collection
- Hong Kong bank and virtual bank options
- Account opening documents
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing
- Document custody and records
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and raises customer satisfaction.
A professional website is your company’s storefront online. Our full web design service makes sure your site looks clean and works well.
Online marketing is a key part of business success today. Our online marketing services include SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
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- Company name search and structure review
- Incorporation form and articles of association
- Incorporation and business registration filing
- Company secretary and Hong Kong registered office
- Significant controllers register setup
Hong Kong government incorporation fee HK$1,545 (electronic filing); one-year business registration fee and levy HK$2,350 (effective for 2026/27). Company secretary, registered address, audit and advisory fees are quoted based on your structure and scope. See the fee breakdown below. No hidden fees.
How much does Hong Kong company registration cost? Fee breakdown
The government fees to register a Hong Kong company are mainly the Companies Registry incorporation fee and the Inland Revenue Department business registration fee. After that, each year brings the annual return registration fee, business registration renewal, audit and tax filing. Below are the official figures so you can check each item when comparing quotes.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporation fee for a local private company limited by shares | HK$1,545 (electronic) / HK$1,720 (paper) | Charged by the Companies Registry. Filing electronically through e-Registry costs less and lets you apply for business registration at the same time. |
| Business registration fee and levy (1-year certificate) | HK$2,350 | For certificates taking effect from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027: registration fee HK$2,200 + Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund levy HK$150. |
| Business registration fee and levy (3-year certificate) | HK$6,170 | 3-year certificate taking effect in the same period: registration fee HK$5,720 + levy HK$450. |
| Annual return (NAR1) registration fee | HK$105 | A private company delivers it within 42 days after the anniversary of its incorporation. Late filing raises the fee to HK$870, HK$1,740 or HK$2,610 depending on the delay, up to HK$3,480. |
| Company secretary and registered office | Quoted by service | A private company must appoint a company secretary and keep a registered office address in Hong Kong. This is a fixed yearly maintenance item. |
| Audit and profits tax filing | Quoted by bookkeeping volume | A Hong Kong limited company must prepare audited financial statements every year and submit them to the Inland Revenue Department with its profits tax return. |
| NSS Group advisory fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on shareholder structure, number of directors, and whether you need bank account opening or cross-border tax planning. Each item is listed in the quote. No hidden fees. |
Incorporation and annual return fees follow the Companies Registry schedule of major fees under the Companies Ordinance. Business registration fees follow the Inland Revenue Department table of business registration fees and levy, matched to the certificate's effective date. The latest official notices prevail.
Hong Kong company tax and compliance: two-tiered profits tax and annual filing
Hong Kong taxes on a territorial basis: profits tax applies only to profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong, and there is no VAT or sales tax. A Hong Kong company still has yearly duties, including the annual return, business registration renewal, audit and tax filing. Foreign shareholders should also check the controlled foreign company (CFC) rules of their home country.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Profits tax (corporations) | 8.25% on the first HK$2 million, 16.5% on the rest | The Inland Revenue Department's two-tiered profits tax rates apply from the 2018/19 year of assessment. Among connected entities, only one may elect the two-tiered rates. |
| Offshore profits | Claim required, reviewed by the Inland Revenue Department | Profits not sourced in Hong Kong are not subject to profits tax, but the Inland Revenue Department decides whether profits are offshore based on the facts of each case. The exemption is not automatic. |
| Foreign-sourced income exemption (FSIE) | Applies to multinational enterprise entities | From January 1, 2023, specified foreign-sourced income (interest, dividends, intellectual property income and disposal gains) received in Hong Kong by a Hong Kong company that is part of a multinational enterprise group is exempt only if economic substance and other conditions are met. |
| VAT and sales tax | None | Hong Kong does not levy VAT or sales tax, so sales of goods and services do not need separate tax invoices. |
| Annual return | Within 42 days after the anniversary | Each year, a private company uses the anniversary of its incorporation as the return date and delivers the annual return (NAR1) to the Companies Registry. |
| Significant controllers register | Kept by the company | A local company must identify its significant controllers and keep a register for inspection by law enforcement officers. Even with no significant controller, the company must keep the register and appoint a person resident in Hong Kong to assist law enforcement officers. |
| Home-country CFC rules | Applies to foreign shareholders | If your home country has controlled foreign company rules, profits of a Hong Kong company you control directly or indirectly may need to be reported there. Check with a tax adviser in your country. |
Tax rates and rules follow notices from the Inland Revenue Department and the Companies Registry. Ask an accountant to review how they apply to your actual structure.
Hong Kong limited company or non-Hong Kong company (branch)?
Foreign companies setting up in Hong Kong usually compare forming a new Hong Kong limited company with registering the overseas parent as a "non-Hong Kong company" to open a branch.
| Comparison | Hong Kong private company limited by shares | Non-Hong Kong company (overseas company's place of business in Hong Kong) |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity; shareholders' liability is limited to their capital | Not a separate legal entity; the overseas parent company is liable |
| Registration | Incorporate with the Companies Registry and apply for business registration at the same time | After setting up a place of business in Hong Kong, register with the Companies Registry as a non-Hong Kong company and apply for branch business registration |
| Officer requirements | At least 1 director who is a natural person, 1 company secretary, and a registered office in Hong Kong | Must appoint an authorized representative resident in Hong Kong |
| Tax | Profits tax on Hong Kong-sourced profits; the two-tiered rates can be elected | The Hong Kong branch's Hong Kong-sourced profits are also subject to profits tax; the parent company files under its home-country tax law |
| Best for | Trading, brand operations, holding companies and investment into mainland China | Parent companies that want to operate directly in Hong Kong without a new legal entity |
These are general principles. Choose based on shareholder background, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Hong Kong
- Foreign founders can own 100% and act as directors: The Companies Ordinance does not require directors to be Hong Kong residents. A private company needs at least 1 director who is a natural person.
- The company secretary must be based in Hong Kong: A company secretary who is a natural person must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. A corporate secretary must have its registered office or a place of business in Hong Kong. A sole director cannot also be the company secretary.
- Bank account opening is the biggest hurdle: Hong Kong banks review business substance, customers and suppliers, source of funds and beneficial owners. Some banks require directors to attend an interview in person. Prepare contracts, invoices and a business description in advance.
- Check your home-country tax rules: If your home country has controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, check whether profits of your Hong Kong company must be included in your income there.
- Do not miss yearly deadlines: The annual return (within 42 days after the anniversary), business registration renewal, profits tax return and audit are the basic tasks that keep a Hong Kong company in good standing.
Further reading
Sources: Companies Registry: major fees under the Companies Ordinance; Inland Revenue Department: business registration fee and levy table; Inland Revenue Department: profits tax; Inland Revenue Department: two-tiered profits tax rates FAQ; Inland Revenue Department: foreign-sourced income exemption; Companies Registry: significant controllers register FAQ; Companies Registry: incorporation of local limited companies FAQ. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice.
How long does it take to set up a Hong Kong company?
The time to set up a Hong Kong company depends on the name search, document signing and the Companies Registry review. Filing electronically through e-Registry is usually faster than a paper filing, and bank account opening needs its own review time. If the business needs a license for a regulated industry, it may take longer. Before we start, we give you the actual steps and timeline for your structure.
What documents do I need to set up a Hong Kong company?
To set up a Hong Kong company, you usually prepare the following first:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. Hong Kong company name, entity type and registered address arrangement
- 4. Description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding ratios, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to be in Hong Kong in person to set up the company?
Most of the Hong Kong company setup can be done remotely through document preparation, authorized signing and a local agent, so you do not need to be there in person for the whole process. However, bank account opening, identity verification, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help you arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a Hong Kong company have?
- 1. Profits tax (8.25% on the first HK$2 million for corporations, 16.5% on the rest); Hong Kong has no VAT or sales tax
- 2. Annual filing, company registration maintenance, and registered agent or secretary services
- 3. Bookkeeping, audit, and economic substance or beneficial owner records
For a Hong Kong company, the usual follow-up items are the annual return (within 42 days after the anniversary of incorporation, registration fee HK$105), business registration certificate renewal, audit and profits tax filing, the significant controllers register and company secretary maintenance. We can plan your bookkeeping, filing and annual maintenance schedule around your business model.
What businesses and structures is a Hong Kong company suited for?
Who can help me register a company in Hong Kong?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. We provide one-stop support from pre-incorporation assessment to post-incorporation maintenance, reducing uncertainty in cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. Hong Kong entity type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration filing
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website development, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advisory and cross-border business support
We arrange your Hong Kong company setup, maintenance and ongoing support based on your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.