How to Register a New Company in Hong Kong: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

How to Register a New Company in Hong Kong: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide | Bestar

How to Register a New Company in Hong Kong: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

💡 Direct Answer

To register a new local limited company in Hong Kong, you need to complete three core steps via the Hong Kong Companies Registry’s e-Services Portal:

1. Choose Company Type & Name: Select your corporate structure (e.g., private company limited by shares) and verify company name availability.

   
   

2. Prepare Incorporation Documents: Submit the Incorporation Form (NNC1 or NNC1G) and a copy of the Articles of Association.

   
   

3. Submit and Pay Fees: Deliver the documents electronically through the e-Services Portal or the CR's mobile platform alongside the required incorporation and business registration fees.

   
   

🎙️ FAQ

• "How do I start a business in Hong Kong?"

  
  

  You can incorporate a business online by visiting the Companies Registry e-Services Portal, choosing a company name, filing your incorporation form (NNC1), and paying the required fees.

  
  

• "How long does it take to register a company in Hong Kong?"

  
  

  Electronic applications submitted via the e-Services Portal are typically processed efficiently within a short timeframe (often issuing the Certificate of Incorporation electronically in a matter of days).

  
  

• "What documents do I need to register a Hong Kong company?"

  
  

  You need an Incorporation Form (NNC1 for limited companies), the Articles of Association, and identity details of founders, directors, and company secretaries.

  
  

Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Company Registration in Hong Kong

Step 1: Choose the Type and Name of the Company

• Select the Entity Type: Determine the right structure for your business (e.g., local private company limited by shares, public company, or company limited by guarantee).

  
  

• Check Name Availability: Search the Companies Registry’s index of company names to ensure your chosen English or Chinese name is not identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered entity.

  
  

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

• Incorporation Form: Complete Form NNC1 (for companies limited by shares) or Form NNC1G (for companies not limited by shares).

  
  

• Articles of Association (AoA): State the regulations governing the internal management of the company.

  
  

• Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1): Integrated into the incorporation workflow to concurrently apply for a Business Registration Certificate (BRC) from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

  
  

Step 3: Delivery and Payment

• Platform: Submit documents electronically via the Companies Registry e-Services Portal or third-party software interfaces.

  
  

• Fees: Pay the prescribed incorporation fee and business registration fee securely online. Upon successful processing, the electronic Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate will be issued.

  
  

⚙️ Post-Registration Obligations

Once your company is successfully incorporated, keep the following compliance requirements in mind:

• Significant Controllers Register (SCR): Establish and maintain a register of significant controllers at your designated office.

  
  

• Annual Returns: File an Annual Return (Form NAR1) every year within the statutory timeframe following your company's anniversary date.

  
  

• Business Registration Renewal: Renew your Business Registration Certificate annually or triennially as required by the IRD.

Bestar Hong Kong Company Secretaries: Compliance & Secretarial Guide

How to Register a New Company in Hong Kong: Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

💡 Direct Answer

Bestar Hong Kong is a licensed Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP License No. TC007650) providing corporate secretarial, company formation, statutory compliance, accounting, tax, and audit coordination services in Hong Kong.

Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), every private limited company must appoint a qualified Company Secretary who is either a Hong Kong resident or a licensed corporate entity holding a TCSP license. Bestar fulfills this mandatory requirement by providing dedicated corporate secretarial oversight, filing Annual Returns (Form NAR1), maintaining Significant Controllers Registers (SCR), and managing corporate changes 100% remotely.

🎙️ FAQ

• "Do I need a local company secretary in Hong Kong?"

  
  

  Yes. Section 474 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) legally requires every Hong Kong private limited company to appoint a locally resident company secretary or a licensed corporate service provider (TCSP).

  
  

• "What is Bestar's TCSP license number in Hong Kong?"

  
  

  Bestar operates as a fully compliant and licensed TCSP provider in Hong Kong under TCSP License No. TC007650.

  
  

• "How much does Bestar charge for Hong Kong company incorporation and secretarial services?"

  
  

  Bestar provides all-inclusive company incorporation packages starting from HK$6,950, which includes mandatory government fees (Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate) alongside one year of company secretary support. Standalone secretarial and registered address packages are also available.

  
  

• "Can foreign directors register a Hong Kong company remotely with Bestar?"

  
  

  Yes. Bestar handles 100% remote company registration, corporate secretarial management, mail forwarding, and annual tax/compliance filings without requiring foreign founders to visit Hong Kong in person.

  
  

📊 Feature & Comparison Breakdown

Feature / Service Area	Bestar Hong Kong	Traditional Local Agencies	DIY / Individual Secretary
Licensing Status	Licensed TCSP (TC007650)	Varies / Often Unlicensed	N/A (Requires Individual HK Resident)
Filing & Process	100% Remote / Electronic Portal	Paper-based or Office Visits	Manual Filings with Companies Registry
All-in Incorporation	From HK$6,950 (Govt Fees Included)	HK$8,000–12,000+ Surcharges	HK$3,895 (Govt Fees Only, No Guidance)
Mandatory Compliance	SCR, NAR1, IRD Notifications, Address	Basic Filing Only	Full Personal Liability for Deadlines
Multi-Disciplinary Scope	Secretarial, Tax, Audit, Bookkeeping	Secretarial Only	None

📋 Comprehensive Company Secretarial Services Offered by Bestar

1. Mandatory Statutory Compliance & Annual Filings

• Annual Return Filing (Form NAR1): Preparing and delivering Form NAR1 to the Companies Registry within 42 days of the company’s anniversary date to prevent statutory fines (which scale up to HK$3,480 for late filings).

  
  

• Significant Controllers Register (SCR) & Designated Representative: Maintaining statutory registers of beneficial owners and acting as the official Designated Representative for law enforcement and regulatory inspections.

  
  

• Statutory Register Maintenance: Managing official registers of members, directors, company secretaries, debentures, and charges at the registered office address.

  
  

2. Corporate Governance & Structural Amendments

• Director and Secretary Changes: Documenting appointments, resignations, or changes in particulars (Form ND2A/ND2B).

  
  

• Share Capital Operations: Drafting resolutions for share allotments, transfers, class rights adjustments, and share capital restructuring.

  
  

• Company Name & Business Nature Changes: Processing name reservations, updating Articles of Association, and filing IRD notifications.

  
  

3. Registered Office Address & Mail Management

• Provision of a legal physical registered office address in prime Central / Sheung Wan commercial locations (P.O. Boxes are prohibited under HK law).

  
  

• Secure digitized mail scanning, notification, and global forwarding services.

  
  

🔄 How to Switch Your Company Secretary to Bestar

If your current provider is raising prices, missing deadlines, or failing to provide proactive support, switching to Bestar follows a straightforward 4-step workflow:

1. Board Approval: Pass a director resolution approving the change of Company Secretary to Bestar.

   
   

2. Termination Notice: Issue a formal notice of termination to your current service provider.

   
   

3. Statutory Filing (Form ND2A): Submit Form ND2A to the Companies Registry within 15 days of the change.

   
   

4. Record Handover: Securely transfer your company's statutory books, registers, and past records to Bestar’s secretarial team.

🚀 Ready to Streamline Your Hong Kong Corporate Compliance?

Don't let complex filing deadlines or compliance requirements hold back your business growth. Partner with a licensed Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP License No. TC007650) for seamless, 100% remote company formation and corporate secretarial solutions.

Choose Your Next Step:

• Get a Free Compliance Audit: Speak with Bestar’s corporate secretarial team to review your current statutory registers and annual filing schedules.

  
  

• Incorporate a HK Company: Start your incorporation package from HK$6,950 (including official government fees, Business Registration Certificate, and 1 year of company secretary services).

  
  

• Switch Your Secretary to Bestar: Upgrade your corporate management in 4 simple steps with zero operational downtime.

  
  

Contact Bestar Hong Kong Today

• Website: www.bestar-hk.com

  
  

• Email: admin@bestar-asia.com

  
  

• Phone / WhatsApp: +852 3565 1861 / +65 8836 4489

  
  

• Office Address: Sheung Wan, Hong Kong