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Hong Kong Business Setup Guide: Requirements, Costs & Steps

Hong Kong is an ideal place to start your entrepreneurial journey with its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly policies. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the business world, understanding the process of setting up a company is crucial. 

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to set up a business in Hong Kong, from selecting the right company name to understanding the legal requirements. 

Setting up a company in Hong Kong can be a straightforward process. The Companies Ordinance and Companies Registry provide a clear framework and company formation platform.

Whether you’re aiming for local operations or international expansion, incorporating your business in Hong Kong offers numerous benefits. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Steps of Company Registration in Hong Kong

Step 1: Choose a company name

When choosing a company name in Hong Kong, it’s important to ensure that the name is not already in use by another company and is not offensive or misleading. To check the availability of the desired name, you can conduct a company name search through the Companies Registry’s Cyber Search Centre.

Step 2: Appoint a company secretary

Every Hong Kong company must appoint a secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The company secretary can be an individual or a corporate body, but they must be a resident of Hong Kong. The role of the company secretary is to ensure that the company complies with statutory requirements and maintains proper records.

Step 3: Prepare incorporation documents

Starting a company in Hong Kong requires important paperwork, such as the Incorporation Form (NNC1), Articles of Association, and Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1). These forms detail how your company will be organised and run. 

Step 4: Register with the Companies Registry

Once the incorporation documents are ready, they must be submitted to the Companies Registry for registration. This can be done online through the e-services portal or in person at the Companies Registry office. The registration process typically takes about 4 working days, after which the Certificate of Incorporation will be issued. Refer to this table for the range of fees set for new businesses.

Step 5: Obtain a business registration certificate

After incorporating the company, obtaining a Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department is necessary. This certificate is required for all businesses operating in Hong Kong, regardless of size or nature. The application for the Business Registration Certificate can be made online or in person, and the certificate is usually issued within 2 working days.

Checklist for Setting Up a Company in Hong Kong

During company formation it’s crucial to meet all the following requirements. If you miss any step, your application could be delayed or even be rejected.

Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate Requirements

1: Registered office address

You must have a registered office address to establish a company in Hong Kong. This physical address serves as the official registered company address to deliver documents, for receiving government and legal correspondence. The registered office address can be different from the company’s business address, which can be a virtual or serviced office. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted as registered office addresses.

Learn More:

Annual Return Filing in Hong Kong: A Lazy Pack

Hong Kong Profits Tax: Your Ultimate Guide

2: Share capital

There is no minimum share capital requirement to create a company in Hong Kong. However, having a share capital of at least HK$1,000 is common practice to demonstrate the company’s financial stability. The share capital can be denominated in any currency and can be increased or decreased after incorporation or company registration.

3: Directors

A Hong Kong company must have at least one director who is a natural person. There is no requirement for directors to be residents of Hong Kong, but it’s recommended to have at least one director who is familiar with Hong Kong’s business environment. Directors are responsible for managing the company’s affairs and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

4: Company secretary

As mentioned earlier, to create a company, every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The company secretary plays a crucial role in ensuring the company’s compliance with statutory requirements and maintaining proper records. If the company secretary is an individual, they must be a resident of Hong Kong. If the company secretary is a corporate body, it must have a registered office or place of business in Hong Kong.

Follow the steps above to officially establish your business and take advantage of Hong Kong’s dynamic market. At the same time, keep an eye on our e-Marketplace for a range of quality products online:

You may want to explore diverse product categories yourself – register for our upcoming trade fairs by clicking below banner now:

This article is originally published by Sleek:

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Sleek

Sleek is a revolutionary one-stop solution for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and investors. It allows them to register new businesses from anywhere and effortlessly manage their accounting, payroll, tax compliance, business accounts, and governance through a simple online platform with first-class support. With a presence in Singapore, the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong, Sleek has served over 450,000 clients worldwide.

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