Why Choose Hong Kong?
Hong Kong can be a practical base for foreign founders connecting Mainland China, Asia and international markets. Non-Hong Kong residents can generally own shares and act as directors, making a Hong Kong company useful for international trading, services, holding structures and regional operations.
- International business environment: Hong Kong has an established legal and commercial system used by businesses operating across borders.
- Movement of capital: Hong Kong does not generally impose foreign-exchange controls, allowing capital and major currencies to move relatively freely, subject to bank requirements and applicable laws.
- Straightforward corporate tax framework: Where the two-tier profits tax regime applies, the first HK$2 million of a corporation's assessable profits is taxed at 8.25%, with the remainder taxed at 16.5%.
- Regional connectivity: A Hong Kong company can support business with Mainland China while also serving customers, suppliers and investors elsewhere in Asia and internationally.
Tax treatment depends on the company's activities and the source of its profits. Learn more about Hong Kong accounting, audit and profits tax requirements and offshore tax exemption applications.
What You Need to Set Up a Hong Kong Company
To begin a Hong Kong company setup, the client normally needs to provide or confirm the following information and documents.
Proposed Company Information
- Preferred company name or alternative names.
- Intended business activities.
- Details of the proposed shareholder(s) and director(s).
- Proposed shareholding percentages and share capital.
- Basic contact information for the people involved.
Identification and Ownership Documents
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.
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.
Hong Kong Local Requirements
A Hong Kong registered office and company secretary are required. If the client does not already have these arrangements, Hongda can provide the required registered office and company secretary support as part of the setup service.
Once we have the proposed company information, identity documents and ownership details, Hongda can prepare the incorporation file and coordinate the local setup requirements.
How to Register a Hong Kong Company
1. Confirm the Company Structure
The client confirms the proposed company name, shareholder(s), director(s), shareholding, business activities and share capital. Hongda reviews the proposed structure before preparation begins.
2. 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.
3. 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.
The Hong Kong Companies Registry makes the official registration decision and issues the incorporation documents.
4. Complete the Company Setup
After incorporation, organise the corporate records, begin corporate bank-account preparation, establish accounting and bookkeeping, prepare for tax and ongoing compliance, and identify any additional licences or business-specific requirements. Hongda can continue supporting these next steps after the Hong Kong incorporation is completed.
How Hongda Helps You Complete the Setup
Company Setup Planning
Review the proposed ownership structure, directors, shareholders and intended business activities, and identify any case-specific information or requirements before preparation begins.
Document Preparation
Review client identification and supporting documents, prepare the incorporation file, and coordinate the signing and filing requirements.
Registered Office and Company Secretary
If the client has not already arranged them, Hongda can provide the required Hong Kong registered office and company secretary support as part of the agreed setup service, so the client does not need to source these local requirements separately.
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.
Support After Incorporation
- Corporate bank account: discuss banking options where appropriate, prepare the application package, review supporting documents, and coordinate submission or appointments with the selected bank. The bank independently determines its due diligence, processing time and approval decision.
- Accounting, audit and tax: support bookkeeping, accounting, financial statements, audit coordination, profits-tax filing and other routine financial-compliance requirements according to the company's activities.
- Ongoing company maintenance: support annual maintenance and filings, registered office and company secretary requirements, and future changes to directors, shareholders, the registered office or other company information where required.
Hongda can therefore support the company from initial planning and Hong Kong company registration through banking preparation and ongoing compliance.
