Hong Kong

01 · What we can do here

What we can do here

• Paid business-account opening help: we pick the right bank or fintech accounts, draft your application answers and build your document checklist. You submit, complete your own ID and selfie checks, and sign.
• Optional inside Full setup: lodging your annual return as presenter, with your director or company secretary signing. Most company-secretary packages already include this.

Handled by licensed partners

• Incorporation, company secretary, registered office and significant-controllers designated representative: licensed trust or company service providers (TCSPs).
• Tax and audit: a Hong Kong practising CPA.

02 · Incorporation basics

Incorporation basics

• Usual vehicle: a private company limited by shares under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622). A foreign company can instead register a non-Hong Kong company (branch) within one month of setting up a place of business.
• Filing: incorporation form NNC1 with articles, online through the Companies Registry e-Services Portal. The certificate of incorporation and business registration certificate are issued together.
• Timeline: electronic applications are normally processed in about 1 hour; paper filings take about 4 working days.
• Government fees: HK$1,545 incorporation fee (electronic). Business registration for a 1-year certificate starting Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027: HK$2,200 + HK$150 levy = HK$2,350.
• No minimum capital. At least one share must be issued (no-par regime).
• At least one director who is a natural person. No residency or nationality requirement for directors.
• A company secretary is required: an individual who ordinarily lives in Hong Kong, or a company with a Hong Kong office. The registered office must be in Hong Kong.
• Keep a Significant Controllers Register and designate a representative (a Hong Kong-resident director, employee or member, or an accounting, legal or TCSP professional).

03 · Foreign ownership

Foreign ownership

• No general foreign-ownership restriction or investment-approval regime. Non-residents may own 100% of a Hong Kong company.
• Licensed activities (banking, insurance, securities, money services, stored-value facilities, broadcasting) need licenses regardless of who owns the company.
• Sanctions and national-security laws apply to all businesses; they are not ownership caps.

04 · Banking and fintech

Banking and fintech

• No exchange controls. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar (7.75 to 7.85 band). Transfers are subject to bank anti-money-laundering and sanctions screening.
• Typical bank documents: certificate of incorporation and business registration, articles, incorporation form or latest annual return, significant controllers register, board resolution, and IDs and address proof for directors, signatories and 25%+ owners. Banks also ask for a business plan, contracts or invoices, and source of funds.
• The HKMA tells banks to use a risk-based approach, avoid blanket de-risking (for example by nationality), explain what documents they need, give timeframes and give reasons for rejection where appropriate (HKMA circular, Apr 27, 2023).
• Common hurdles: in-person or video meetings with directors, explaining the company's Hong Kong connection when it is run from abroad, layered ownership, and onboarding that takes weeks. That is why many new non-resident-owned companies start with a fintech business account.
• Permitted non-bank channels: licensed money service operators and HKMA-licensed stored-value facilities.

05 · Annual filings

Annual filings

• Annual return (NAR1): within 42 days after each incorporation anniversary. Fee HK$105; late fees rise to HK$3,480.
• Business registration: renew every year (or every 3 years) on the certificate anniversary.
• Audited financial statements every financial year, audited by a Hong Kong practising CPA (dormant companies excepted).
• Profits tax return (BIR51): issued around early April and due in 1 month unless a tax representative's block extension applies.
• Changes to directors, secretary or registered office: notify within 15 days. Significant controllers register updates: within 7 days.
• Keep business records for at least 7 years.

06 · Tax basics

Tax basics

Published rates only. Not tax advice.

• Profits tax is two-tier: 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits, 16.5% on the rest (only one company in a connected group can use the lower tier).
• Territorial basis: only profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong are taxed. Where the profits are actually earned is a facts-based question; get professional advice for your case.
• No VAT or GST.
• No general withholding tax on service fees. Royalties paid to non-residents are subject to withholding.
• Salaries tax: progressive rates from 2% to 17%, or the standard rate if lower (15% on the first HK$5 million of net income, 16% above).

07 · Disclosure rules

Disclosure rules

• Cap. 622B: the company's registered name (in English or Chinese) must appear on its website, letters, notices, contracts, invoices and receipts, including electronic ones.
• Hong Kong law does not require the company number or registered office address on the website.
• Display the business registration certificate (a printed copy if electronic) at each place of business.

08 · Sources

Sources

1. 1.Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622)
2. 2.Cap. 622B Disclosure of Company Name Regulation
3. 3.Companies Registry: incorporation FAQ
4. 4.Companies Registry: fee details
5. 5.Companies Registry: annual return (private company)
6. 6.Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310)
7. 7.IRD: business registration fee and levy table
8. 8.Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112)
9. 9.IRD: Simple Guide on the Territorial Source Principle
10. 10.HKMA: access to banking services for corporate customers (2023)
11. 11.InvestHK: setting up in Hong Kong