START A COMPANY / ASIA-PACIFIC
How to register a company in Hong Kong
Hong Kong incorporates a private company online in about an hour through the Companies Registry e-Registry, with the Business Registration Certificate issued together. Government cost is HK$3,895 in 2026–27, with one director, one shareholder, a local secretary and a Hong Kong address.
- REGISTRY
- Companies Registry (e-Registry), Hong Kong SAR
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- HK$1,775 (≈ £170)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Yes. No residency rule for directors or shareholders, so one overseas director who is also the only shareholder is fine. You need a Hong Kong company secretary (resident individual or HK company) and a Hong Kong registered office. Banking is the main hurdle; owning a company does not give a visa.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Ltd: Private company limited by shares
Most trading, services and holding businesses: limited liability and territorial tax (8.25% on the first HK$2m of profit).
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 director (natural person, any residency), 1 shareholder and 1 company secretary (HK-resident individual or HK company; not the sole director)
- Minimum capital
- None (HK$1 per share is typical)
- Time
- 1 day to incorporate online (about an hour); 2–6 weeks including a business bank account
Steps
Choose a name and check it on the Companies Registry e-Services Portal; prepare the Articles of Association (the Model Articles apply by default).
Create an e-Registry user account and complete Form NNC1 with the director, secretary, shareholder, share capital and registered-office details.
Include the Notice to the Business Registration Office (IRBR1) so the Business Registration Certificate is issued with the incorporation.
Submit online and pay HK$1,545 plus the business registration fee and levy (HK$2,350 for a one-year certificate in 2026–27); private companies are normally processed within an hour.
Download the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate and display the latter at the business address.
Appoint the company secretary, set up the registered office and statutory registers, including the Register of Significant Controllers, and issue the shares.
Open a business bank account (allow 2–6 weeks; expect KYC on directors and shareholders).
Documents
- Form NNC1 and the Articles of Association
- Form IRBR1 (Notice to the Business Registration Office)
- ID card or passport details and residential and correspondence addresses for each director and shareholder
- Company secretary details with a Hong Kong address
- Registered office address in Hong Kong
- Details of significant controllers for the register
Official fees
HK$1,545 online incorporation (HK$1,720 on paper) plus business registration HK$2,350 for one year (HK$2,200 fee + HK$150 levy), or HK$6,170 for three years (1 Apr 2026–31 Mar 2027).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | HK$3,895≈ £370 | DIY on e-Registry: HK$1,545 incorporation + HK$2,350 one-year business registration |
| With an accountant or agent | HK$6,500≈ £620 | With a secretary firm: government fees plus incorporation, secretary and address in year one (about) |
| Full service | HK$15,000≈ £1,400 | Corporate-services/lawyer package with bank-account introduction and accounting set-up (about) |
Every year
- File the annual return (NAR1) each year (HK$105 if filed within 42 days of the anniversary)
- Renew the Business Registration Certificate every year (HK$2,350 in 2026–27) or every three years (HK$6,170)
- Have the accounts audited by a Hong Kong CPA and file a profits tax return (8.25% on the first HK$2 million, 16.5% above); there is no VAT or GST
- Keep the Register of Significant Controllers current and enrol staff in the MPF scheme within 60 days of hiring
Good to know. All government fees verified on cr.gov.hk and the IRD fee table; budgets above the official minimum are market estimates.
SOLE TRADER
Sole proprietorship: Sole proprietorship (business registration only)
Freelancers and very small traders; quick and cheap, but unlimited personal liability and immigration rules apply to non-residents.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 individual (18+) permitted to engage in business in Hong Kong
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- Same day to 1 week
Steps
Confirm your immigration status allows self-employment; non-residents generally need a work, talent or investment visa.
Apply to the Business Registration Office (Inland Revenue Department) online or in person within one month of starting business.
Pay the business registration fee and levy (HK$2,350 for one year or HK$6,170 for three years in 2026–27).
Receive the Business Registration Certificate and display it at the business premises.
Open a business bank account and apply for any trade licences from the relevant department.
Documents
- Hong Kong ID card or passport and visa evidence
- Business name and address
- Business registration application form
Official fees
No Companies Registry fee. Business registration HK$2,350 one-year (HK$2,200 fee + HK$150 levy) or HK$6,170 three-year (1 Apr 2026–31 Mar 2027).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | HK$2,350≈ £220 | DIY: one-year business registration fee and levy for 2026–27 |
| With an accountant or agent | HK$3,500≈ £330 | With an accountant or agent handling registration and bank set-up (about) |
| Full service | HK$8,000≈ £760 | Accountant package with registration, bookkeeping set-up and first tax return (about) |
Every year
- Renew the Business Registration Certificate each year or every three years
- File the Profits Tax return for the business (unincorporated rates: 7.5% on the first HK$2 million, 15% above)
- Keep business records for 7 years and enrol staff in the MPF scheme if you hire
Good to know. Fees verified on the IRD table; tax rates from general knowledge.
BRANCH OF A FOREIGN COMPANY
Branch: Registered non-Hong Kong company (branch office)
Foreign companies that want to trade in Hong Kong in the parent's name without forming a separate legal entity.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- An existing overseas company with a place of business in Hong Kong and a local authorised representative
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- A few days to 2 weeks (plus bank account time)
Steps
Prepare certified copies of the parent's certificate of incorporation, constitution and latest accounts, with translations if needed.
Register as a non-Hong Kong company within one month of establishing a place of business, using the Companies Registry e-Services Portal.
Include the business registration notice so the Branch Registration Certificate is issued with the registration.
Pay HK$1,545 (electronic) plus the branch business-registration fee and levy (HK$230 for one year; HK$658 for three).
Appoint the authorised representative in Hong Kong and keep a registered place of business.
Open a bank account and register for tax as required.
Documents
- Certified copy of the certificate of incorporation and constitution
- Latest accounts of the overseas company
- Details of directors and the authorised representative
- Business registration notice for the branch
Official fees
HK$1,545 electronic registration (HK$1,720 paper) plus branch business registration HK$230 one-year or HK$658 three-year (2026–27).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | HK$1,775≈ £170 | DIY: HK$1,545 registration + HK$230 one-year branch registration |
| With an accountant or agent | HK$5,500≈ £520 | With a corporate-services firm handling documents and filing (about) |
| Full service | HK$12,000≈ £1,100 | Package with authorised representative, address and bank introduction (about) |
Every year
- File the annual return and the accounts of the registered non-Hong Kong company as required
- Renew the branch registration certificate each year or every three years
- File a profits tax return on Hong Kong-sourced profits
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: authorised-representative rule and exact form names; fees verified.
After you register
- The Business Registration Certificate (issued with incorporation) must be renewed annually or every three years and displayed at the business premises
- No VAT or GST in Hong Kong; the IRD issues profits tax returns after registration and accounts must be audited
- Open a corporate bank account (banks require KYC, a business plan and proof of address; digital banks are an alternative)
- MPF enrolment for employees within 60 days of hiring and mandatory employees' compensation insurance
- Keep the Register of Significant Controllers and other statutory registers at the registered office
- Industry licences (for example money service operators, restaurants, travel agents) and trade marks with the Intellectual Property Department
- To live and work in Hong Kong, use a visa route such as the General Employment Policy or Top Talent Pass Scheme; owning a company does not give residency
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Asia-Pacific
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.