How to Register a Company in Hong Kong

If you’ve decided that a Hong Kong company fits your plans, the next step is to actually register it correctly and efficiently.

We’ll go through each step in detail, not just what documents you need, but also the reasoning behind each step, so you can avoid wasted time or costly mistakes.

Step 1: Decide on Your Structure

Before you fill in any paperwork, answer these four basic questions.

1. What will your company do?

This is your business activity, and it goes directly into your incorporation form. It influences your taxes, banking options, and any licensing you might need.

There’s no official list of activities, just describe your business clearly in plain English. For instance:

Avoid overloading your scope (e.g., “consulting, import/export, crypto, and real estate”). Banks and platforms may flag overly broad activities as suspicious. Keep it focused, you can always update it later.

If your company operates in a regulated sector such as finance, education, or controlled goods, you’ll likely need a specific license (we’ll get to that next).

2. Who will be the shareholder?

Shareholders own the company and receive dividends. They can be individuals or other companies; local or foreign. There’s no nationality restriction and you can have one or several shareholders.

Most founders register under their personal names, but for high-risk profiles, shareholder choice is strategic. Some banks refuse to onboard companies whose ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) are from certain countries.

3. Who will be the director?

Every Hong Kong company must have at least one director, who is legally responsible for the company and signs all official filings. The director must be a real person, not another company, and does not need to live in Hong Kong.

Again, banks assess directors carefully, especially if they’re from higher-risk jurisdictions.

4. What will be the name?

Your company can have an English name, a Chinese name, or both. Each name must end with “Limited” and not duplicate any existing names. You can verify name availability on the Companies Registry website (https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm).

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Step 2: Check if Your Activity Needs a License

Hong Kong has a business-friendly environment, but certain sectors are regulated.

Common examples include:

• Finance, Crypto & Corporate Services

• Property, Construction & Utilities

• Trading of controlled goods (alcohol, tobacco, precious metals)

• Legal, HR, and Security Services

• Health & Education

• Transport & Logistics

• Tourism & Entertainment
  

If you fall under one of these, check licensing requirements before registering. For most global trading or consulting firms, no extra license is needed.

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Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Here’s what’s required to set up a standard Hong Kong company:

• Passport of shareholder(s)

• Proof of residential address (within 3 months)

• Passport of director(s)

• Hong Kong registered address (usually provided by your agent)

• Company secretary (also provided by agent)

• Chosen company name and business activity

  
  

If a company (not an individual) is the shareholder, you’ll also need:

• Business Registration Certificate

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Company structure chart

• Board resolution authorizing setup

• Director’s ID and proof of address

• UBO declaration

If these documents are not in English or Chinese, they need to be translated and notarized.

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Step 4: Submit and Register

Submit your documents to the Companies Registry either directly or through a local service provider.

Providers generally fall into two categories:

• Secretarial firms: handle basic filings, renewals, and registered addresses.

• Consultants: offer all the above plus strategic advice, compliance, and banking assistance.
  

The entire process is remote. No physical visit required. Registration usually takes 2–5 business days, after which you’ll receive:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Business Registration Certificate

• Company Number

• NNC1 form (company particulars)

• Share Certificates

• Company chops and seals

A quick word on seals

While not legally required, seals are still widely used in international business:

• Rectangular chop: For contracts and official documents (signed with director’s signature).

• Round chop: For invoices and operational paperwork; often required by Chinese banks.

• Metal seal: For major transactions such as share transfers or property deals.

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Step 5: Open a Bank Account and Start Operations

Once registered, your company can invoice clients, sign contracts, and operate. However, banking can be tricky for some founders.

Remember: no annual filings are required before your company’s first anniversary, but it’s smart to keep all invoices and records from day one.

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Takeaways:

Setting up a Hong Kong company is quick, remote, and efficient but strategy matters. For founders from “complex” countries, structure, shareholders, and compliance can affect long-term success.

Most people use a trusted provider for registration, address, secretary, and accounting. Choose one who understands your business model and risk profile, not just the paperwork.

In the next part, we’ll explore corporate banking in Hong Kong: how it works, what’s realistic, and what to prepare if you’re from a high-risk region.