Choosing the company type you need—whether it is an individual proprietor, limited company, branch or subsidiary—depends on various factors including liability preferences, operational needs, and tax considerations, and what you will call it.
If you are starting fresh in Hong Kong, setting up a Limited Company (HK Limited Company or Hong Kong Ltd Company) is the most common way to go.
Already running a business outside Hong Kong? A Branch Office lets you establish a presence here while staying connected to your parent company.
Not ready for full operations yet? A Representative Office lets you explore Hong Kong’s market without substantial investment.
Limited companies incorporated in Hong Kong cannot have the same name as any company already listed in the index kept by the Companies Registry. You can simply check name availability for free on the Companies Registry’s e-Services Portal
Most limited companies incorporated in Hong Kong are private companies limited by shares. A private limited company in Hong Kong requires at least one director and one company secretary.
If you set up a limited liability partnership (LLP) or limited company incorporated in Hong Kong, you will need to obtain and maintain up-to-date beneficial ownership information by keeping a Significant Controllers Register. This is to enhance transparency of corporate beneficial ownership and fulfil Hong Kong’s international obligations. You will have to make it available for inspection by law enforcement officers upon demand.
You can enjoy a seamless company incorporation and business registration with the Hong Kong Companies Registry (CR).
There are two ways to submit your application — either online via the 24-hour e-Services Portal of the Companies Registry (CR), or by delivering the documents in hard copy to the CR with the correct fees.
Any application for company incorporation will include a simultaneous application for business registration.
You will need to get these ready:
The fees for incorporating a company limited by shares are:
Online applications for company incorporation and business registration are normally processed within one hour. Hard copy applications will typically see the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate issued within four working days.
Companies are required to register with the Inland Revenue Department's Business Registration Office within a month of commencing operations. After registering your business, you are required to visibly display your Business Registration Certificate at your business location.
You need to submit documents to the Companies Registry (CR), as indicated in Step 2, when applying for company incorporation. The following items are required in addition to the incorporation documents:
*Please note there might be some concessions from time to time.
You can receive your certificate in 30 minutes for in-person applications. Otherwise, you can expect to receive it by mail within two working days.
Business registration certificates can be obtained through the one-stop company incorporation service. These certificates will be issued along with the Certificate of Incorporation by CR.
Online applications typically take about one hour to process. Hard copy applications, on the other hand, usually take around four working days to process.
Businesses and individuals in Hong Kong enjoy one of the most tax-friendly systems in the world. Only three direct taxes are imposed and there are generous allowances and deductions which can reduce your taxable amount.
As a duty-free port, our free trade policy complements with smooth customs make importing, exporting, and global trade of your business hassle-free.
Did you know travellers from over 170 countries and territories can visit Hong Kong visa-free for 7 to 180 days with our business-friendly immigration policies? If you are thinking of staying longer — whether for work, investment, or residency — we have got a range of visa and entry permit options to suit your needs.
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES): This scheme is open for applications from qualified individuals who aged 18 or above. This includes foreign citizens, Chinese citizens with permanent residency in a foreign country, residents of Macao Special Administrative Region, and Taiwan's Chinese residents. Each applicant is required to demonstrate that they have a net worth of at least HK$30 million, which they have fully and beneficially owned throughout six months preceding the application. Jointly-owned assets with family member(s) can also be taken into account
You must invest a minimum of HK$30 million in permissible investment assets, including investing a minimum of HK$27 million in the permissible financial assets and/or real estate (subject to an aggregate cap of HK$15 million (among which the cap on residential real estate is HK$10 million)), and placing HK$3 million into a New CIES Investment Portfolio. The portfolio will be set up and managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to invest in companies/projects with a Hong Kong nexus, with a view to supporting the development of innovation and technology industries and other strategic industries that are beneficial to the long-term development of the city’s economy
Visa recipients can also relocate their spouse and children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong, given they have adequate financial resources and appropriate housing.
For the latest enrollment schemes for skilled individuals, professionals, and business owners, kindly click here.
Before setting up a company bank account, be sure to register and incorporate your business — your bank will ask for these documents. Each bank has its own requirements, so they will let you know what other documents are needed. You may expect a minimum deposit (amount varies by bank), as well as a proof of identity and residency for all company owners (required under Hong Kong’s anti-money laundering guidelines). Need more details? Check out the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Hong Kong has a wide variety of office spaces to suit every business, from startups to large corporations. At InvestHK, we can guide you to a premier business location or recommend flexible rental options and connect you with relevant real estate providers or relevant networks. Not sure where to start? Our team is ready to assist.
Here’s what you need to know about when you are hiring employees:
You may also check the Employment Ordinance for full details.
If you are wondering how much it will cost to run your business in Hong Kong, get a quick estimate by selecting your options below.
To get an estimation on the costs for setting up and operating an office in Hong Kong, please enter your choice for the following selection boxes.
You must select Office Type
You must select Location
You must enter size (1 - 99999)
m2You must select Industry
You must select Staff Category
You must enter no. of staff (1 - 9999)
You must input no. of school children
Please provide the information below if you would like to download the full estimation report in Excel format with detailed breakdown, including relevant links to costs related to startup.
Data Sources: Rating and Valuation Department and Census and Statistics Department of the HKSARG.
The estimated costs are our best estimation based on existing data sources available and they are provided on an “AS IS” basis without any express of implied warranty of any kind by InvestHK.")
Data Sources: Rating and Valuation Department and Census and Statistics Department of the HKSARG.
The estimated costs are our best estimation based on existing data sources available and they are provided on an “AS IS” basis without any express of implied warranty of any kind by InvestHK.
Our Service Providers Directory <investhk.getproven.com> offers resources to facilitate your business set up and expansion in Hong Kong. It is accessible to users around the clock online, and service providers may update their company profile anytime.
Hong Kong companies wishing to register as a service provider on the Directory can send their contact details (including name, telephone number and e-mail address of contact person) and basic company information (including company name and URL of company website) to register@investhk.gov.hk.
Note: The Directory is not a comprehensive list. The information on the Directory is provided for a general, indicative purpose only and does not imply having obtained InvestHK’s endorsement or recommendation. Users are recommended to make their own assessment of the information contained on this Directory and to verify such information by making reference, for example, to original publications and obtaining independent advice before acting upon it.
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