Individual shareholders and directors
Individual shareholders and directors normally provide a passport copy, recent proof of residential address and any additional identity or supporting documents required for the case.
The basics
Can a Foreigner Register a Company in Hong Kong?
Non-Hong Kong residents may incorporate a local limited company. Directors do not have to reside in Hong Kong; a private company needs at least one natural-person director and a company secretary, and the sole director cannot also be the secretary.
For post-incorporation work, see our accounting, audit and profits tax requirements and offshore tax exemption applications pages.
The Companies Registry issues the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate for an approved incorporation application.
What you need
What You Need to Set Up a Hong Kong Company
The incorporation form must give the particulars of the first directors, the company secretary and the registered office, and the Companies Registry rejects incomplete forms. Prepare the following before filing.
A local company must have a registered office in Hong Kong and a company secretary. Hongda can provide registered-office and secretary support within the agreed setup service.
How Hongda helps
How Hongda Helps You Complete the Setup
Hongda supports the setup in four areas:
- Company setup planning: review the proposed ownership structure, directors, shareholders and intended business activities
- Document preparation: review client identification and supporting documents, prepare the incorporation file, and coordinate the signing and filing requirements
- Registered office and company secretary: Hongda can provide the required Hong Kong registered office and company secretary support as part of the agreed setup service
- Incorporation filing: coordinate the filing process, assist with or submit the prepared filing where included in the service, and coordinate any follow-up information requested by the relevant authority
Hongda can therefore support the company from initial planning and Hong Kong company registration through banking preparation and ongoing compliance.
How it works
How to register a Hong Kong company, step by step.
Use the four steps below to organise the incorporation work. For an electronic application to incorporate a private company limited by shares, the Companies Registry normally issues the certificates within one hour after delivery. Select a step for detail.
Stage 1 of 4
Confirm the company structure
The client confirms the proposed company name, founder member(s), director(s), company secretary, shareholdings, share capital and business activities.
- Hongda reviews the proposed structure before preparation begins.
Stage 2 of 4
Provide the required documents
The client provides passport or identification documents, proof of residential address, corporate documents where a shareholder is a company, and any additional information required for the ownership structure.
- Hongda reviews the documents and identifies anything missing before filing.
Stage 3 of 4
Prepare and submit the incorporation
Hongda prepares the incorporation file, coordinates the required Hong Kong registered office and company secretary arrangements, assists with signing, and coordinates or submits the prepared filing where included in the agreed service.
- Hongda can also coordinate follow-up requirements if further information is requested.
Stage 4 of 4
Complete the company setup
A local company must keep a significant controllers register in Hong Kong, except listed companies. Notify the Business Registration Office of business particulars within one month of commencing business. A private company’s annual return is due within 42 days after its incorporation anniversary, subject to the dormant-company exemption.
- Hongda can continue supporting these next steps after the Hong Kong incorporation is completed.
A new company’s particulars are open to public search from its date of incorporation.
Documents
Identification and Ownership Documents
The documents depend on whether the shareholders and directors are individuals or companies.
Company shareholders
Where a shareholder is a company, the client normally provides its corporate registration documents, ownership and beneficial-owner information, authorised representative details and any additional documents required for verification.
Once the information is ready
Once we have the proposed company information, identity documents and ownership details, Hongda can prepare the incorporation file and coordinate the local setup requirements.
After incorporation
Support After Incorporation
Corporate bank account
Discuss banking options, prepare supporting documents and coordinate submission or appointments within the agreed service.
Accounting, audit, tax and company maintenance
Support bookkeeping, accounting, financial statements, audit coordination, profits-tax filing and other routine financial-compliance requirements according to the company’s activities.
Support annual returns and other filings, registered office and company secretary requirements, and later changes to directors, shareholders or company details. Changes of director or company secretary must be reported to the Companies Registry within 15 days.
Why Hongda
Why Choose Hongda for Hong Kong Company Formation?
Coordinate incorporation with the banking and compliance work after it, with one service team.
Since 2007
Serving foreign companies in China since 2007, with client relationships that go back to 2008.
One team, end to end
Company setup, banking, tax, payroll and work permits coordinated by one team.
In English, on the ground
English-language project management with a China-based team in seven locations.
Clear scope and limits
We confirm the scope before work begins and say which decisions rest with authorities or banks.
Trusted by companies including
Client voices
Clients who have stayed with us for years.
Travis Perkins
David Finch BA ACMA CMIIA CAMA
Director of Group Business Risk & Assurance, Travis Perkins PLC
With Hongda since 2008
Travis Perkins PLC (a leading builders merchant in the UK) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2008 for accounting and professional services. Throughout this time, we have found the team at Hongda to be very helpful and professional in their dealings with us. We look forward to working with the company in the future.
Sound United
Jack Peng
Vice President, Asia Pacific, Sound United
With Hongda since 2013
Sound United (a leading designer and manufacturer of consumer audio products in the US) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2013. Moving one’s operations to China is not a small task, but Hongda’s expert services helped us set up a company and deal with tax issues so we could get on with growing our business in no time at all, and that’s why we continue to use them today.
Tulip Pacific Ltd.
Erik de Waard
Director, Tulip Pacific Ltd.
With Hongda since 2012
Tulip Pacific Ltd. (Business planning and interim financial management services) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2012. Hongda has helped us set up legal entities in China/HK and takes care of our annual company audits. They are the most efficient business service provider I have worked with to-date, and their professional advice has helped me better advise my own clients and provide greater value to my overall business.
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Your team
The people you will work with.
Meet the three chief consultants at Hongda, including founder Angel Ho and co-founder Bobby Lee.
Angel Ho
Chief Consultant, CEO
Founder of Hongda in 2007. Holds Chinese Tax Agent, IPA (Australia) and IFA (UK) certificates. Provides one-stop services covering market access, company establishment, financial settlement, financial and tax consultation, and human resources management.
Bobby Lee
Chief Consultant
Co-founder of Hongda. Many years of corporate legal consultancy and involvement in managing client enterprises. Familiar with tax, personnel and project management work across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Excellent English communication skills.
Strong Song
Chief Consultant
24 years in enterprise management, business development, and financial and tax compliance. Has provided financial and tax advisory services for hundreds of companies. In-depth learning and practical experience in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and International Taxation.
Can a foreigner own a Hong Kong company?
Non-Hong Kong residents may incorporate a local limited company. The company needs a Hong Kong registered office and a qualifying secretary, but directors need not reside in Hong Kong.
What share capital is needed for a Hong Kong company?
The Companies Ordinance sets no minimum paid-up capital and no prescribed number of shares; at least one founder member is required. The articles state the capital and initial shareholdings.
Do I need to travel to Hong Kong to incorporate the company?
The Companies Registry accepts electronic incorporation applications. An eligible founder member may sign through its registered portal password, digital certificate or linked iAM Smart, subject to the portal’s registration and account-association requirements. Confirm your signing arrangements before filing.
What company-secretary support is required?
A private company must appoint a company secretary. Hongda can provide company-secretarial support within the agreed setup service.
Can Hongda handle the incorporation filing?
Hongda can prepare and coordinate the incorporation file and, where included in the agreed service, assist with or submit it through the appropriate channel.
Can Hongda help with the bank account after incorporation?
Hongda can assist with bank-account preparation and application coordination within the agreed service.
Is Hongda a government agency or official government website?
No. Hongda is a private corporate-services provider and is not the Hong Kong Companies Registry, Inland Revenue Department (IRD), or another government authority. We provide document preparation, filing coordination and related business support, while official registrations, certificates and final application decisions remain with the relevant authorities.
Contact our team
Still Have a Question? Get in Touch Today!
Share your plans, structure and timing. We confirm the scope with you before any work starts.