🇭🇰 The Ultimate Guide to Company Registration in Hong Kong: Steps, Benefits, and Expert Help

Roger Pay
Aug 12, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Oct 29

Hong Kong Company Registration Guide

🇭🇰 The Ultimate Guide to Company Registration in Hong Kong: Steps, Benefits, and Expert Help

Hong Kong remains one of the world's most attractive and strategic locations for company incorporation, thanks to its pro-business policies, low tax regime, and unparalleled access to the global market, especially Mainland China. If you're an entrepreneur, a foreign business looking for an Asian hub, or a Mainland Chinese enterprise seeking global expansion, registering a company in Hong Kong is a smart move.

Here is a comprehensive guide to the registration process, its benefits, and how expert support can streamline your journey.

Key Benefits of Registering a Company in Hong Kong (Why Choose HK?)

Hong Kong's reputation as a premier global financial centre is built on several key advantages that make it an ideal base for international business:

Key Benefit	Description
Simple, Low Tax System	Two-tiered Profits Tax: 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits, and 16.5% on the remainder.
Territorial Taxation	You are generally only taxed on profits sourced within Hong Kong. Profits derived from overseas are often exempt.
Free Trade & Economy	Known as one of the world's freest economies. It's a free port with no import or export duties/tariffs on most goods.
Ease of Doing Business	The company setup is straightforward and fast, often completed within a few working days. There is 100% foreign ownership allowed.
Gateway to China	Offers preferential access to the Mainland China market through the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
No Major Taxes	Hong Kong does not impose VAT/Sales Tax, Capital Gains Tax, or Withholding Tax on dividends and interest.
International Credibility	A well-established legal system based on common law and a high international business reputation.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register Your Company in Hong Kong

The process of Hong Kong Company Incorporation is highly efficient, often taking only 5 working days for approval when submitting electronically.

1. Choose Your Company Structure and Name

Structure: The most common choice for foreign investors is a Private Company Limited by Shares. Other options include Company Limited by Guarantee or an Unlimited Company.
Name: Your chosen company name must be unique and not already registered or too similar to an existing one. You must check the Companies Registry database for availability.

2. Prepare Essential Documents and Requirements

You will need to fulfill the statutory requirements for a Hong Kong Private Limited Company:

Minimum of one Director (must be a natural person, any nationality).
Minimum of one Shareholder (can be the same person as the director, any nationality).
A Company Secretary (must be a Hong Kong resident or a Hong Kong-registered corporate body, this is a mandatory requirement).
A Registered Office Address in Hong Kong (a physical location, not just a P.O. Box).

The necessary paperwork includes:

Incorporation Form (Form NNC1).
Articles of Association.
Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1).
Proof of Identity for all directors, shareholders, and the company secretary.
Proof of Address for all individuals and the registered office.

3. Pay the Registration Fees and Stamp Duty

The total initial cost for registration is approximately HK$2,350, which typically includes the government fees for the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate (BRC).

Government Fee	Approximate Cost (HKD)
Incorporation Fee	HK$1,000
Business Registration Fee	HK$250
Stamp Duty (on share capital)	HK$100 (Nominal, based on a minimum HK$1 capital)
Estimated Total Government Fee	~HK$1,350

Note: This cost does not include professional services for company secretarial duties, registered address service, or agent fees, which are necessary for compliance.

4. Submit Your Application to the Companies Registry (CR)

You can submit your application either:

Electronically via the e-Registry (the faster method).
In hard copy to the Companies Registry office.

5. Receive Approval and Certificates

Upon successful approval (usually within 5 working days for online submission), the Companies Registry will issue your:

Certificate of Incorporation (CI).
Business Registration Certificate (BRC).

Expert Tip: Streamlining Incorporation with a Company Formation Agent

Given the mandatory requirement for a local Company Secretary and a registered HK address, most overseas entrepreneurs opt to use a professional company formation agent like Bestar.

How Bestar Can Help You Register a Company in Hong Kong:

🇭🇰 The Ultimate Guide to Company Registration in Hong Kong: Steps, Benefits, and Expert Help

Working with an experienced firm like Bestar simplifies compliance and accelerates the process:

Mandatory Requirements: We can provide the legally required Company Secretary and a compliant Registered Office Address service.
Documentation: We handle the preparation and submission of all complex documents (NNC1, Articles of Association, IRBR1).
Expert Advice: We guide you in choosing the optimal company type and ensure your proposed name meets all regulatory requirements.
Efficiency: We manage the entire application process, from payment to obtaining the final certificates, ensuring maximum speed and compliance.