Company in an hour.
Business - after setup.

01

First, we determine where the company creates value.

Functions, customers, contracts, suppliers, management, personnel, warehouse, IP, currencies and related parties determine the tax source, FSIE, licenses and banking appetite. Hong Kong certificate does not replace this model.

02

Private company limited by shares

This is a standard form for trade, services, holding and regional business. A participant's liability is limited to the outstanding amount of shares. Company limited by guarantee is more often used for non-profit purposes; branch of a foreign company retains the responsibility of the head office and separate filing duties.

Shareholder

From one; natural or legal person

Capital

There is no general statutory minimum paid-up capital

Director

At least one natural person

Secretary

Individual ordinarily resident in HK or HK corporate secretary

Registered office

Physical address in Hong Kong

Name

English, Chinese or both; preliminary check

03

A non-resident can own and manage

Companies Registry expressly allows registration by non-residents; the director does not have to be a resident of Hong Kong. But a sole director cannot simultaneously be a company secretary. For actual governance, taxes, banking and regulated activities, residency and local presence still matter.

04

One-stop incorporation

1. 01
   Name and form

   Exact name search, trademark check and structure.

2. 02
   NNC1 + Articles

   Founder, shares, directors, secretary and registered office.

3. 03
   IRBR1

   Simultaneous business registration and fee.

4. 04
   Certificates

   Electronic Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate.

5. 05
   Operational setup

   Registers, bank, accounting, tax and licenses.

05

Founding and KYC file

06

Significant Controllers Register

Local company, in addition to listed company, identifies significant controllers and stores SCR in the registered office or other declared location in Hong Kong. Control includes more than 25% shares or voting rights, the right to appoint a majority of the board or significant influence/control. A designated representative is appointed.

Threshold

More than 25% shares, capital/profits or voting rights

Board control

Power to appoint or remove a majority of directors

Other control

Significant influence or control

Location

Registered office or notified place in Hong Kong

Access

At the request of law enforcement, not the usual public filing of SCR

07

Business Registration Certificate is not an industry license

Banking, securities, insurance, money service, trust/company services, employment agencies, education, telecom, food and other activities may require separate permission. Regulatory perimeter is checked before promising the product to the client.

08

After incorporation

1. 01

   Issue shares, registers, controllers and internal approvals.

2. 02

   Notify IRD about business particulars after the start of activity.

3. 03

   Set up accounting, audit and Profits Tax file.

4. 04

   Submit annual returns and change notices on time.

5. 05

   Update Business Registration Certificate and licenses.

09

The bank does not check the certificate, but the business

Before filing, contracts, counterparties, expected turnover, countries, source of funds, UBO, substance and destination of Hong Kong are prepared. The company structure and bank application must match the tax source memorandum.

10

Decision Matrix

Trading

Suppliers, title, Incoterms, logistics and source

Services

People, place of execution, deliverables and IP

Holding

FSIE, substance, participation and governance

Mainland China

PE, withholding, VAT/CIT, SAFE and data

Banking

The account is designed before incorporation

Key criterion

Company, tax and payments tell the same story