Hong Kong company setup: guide and FAQ

How do you start a business in Hong Kong?

Setting up a company in Hong Kong takes six steps. Here is a simplified overview of the process:

Step 1: Choose the company structure

The first and most important step is choosing the right type of entity. Hong Kong offers a wide choice of legal structures, but some industries are regulated and must follow specific rules, so check your activity before you decide.

Plizz handles company formation for Hong Kong companies and for the Hong Kong branches and subsidiaries of foreign groups. We can also help when you acquire shares in an existing Hong Kong company.

If you plan to move to Hong Kong to run the company, you will also need a visa or entry permit; see the section on entering Hong Kong below.

Our Hong Kong incorporation page compares the main company structures in more detail.

Step 2: Choose a company name

Next, choose a name for your company, in English, in traditional Chinese, or both. To avoid problems:

• Check that the name is available on the Companies Registry website, or give your company secretary a shortlist to check for you.
• Check that the name is not already a registered trademark in another jurisdiction.
• If you plan to use the name as a trademark, register it with the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department.

The Companies Registry publishes detailed guidelines on company names.

Step 3: Choose the registered address of your company

The registered address is where government departments send official correspondence. Many companies use their company secretary’s address, and the secretary tells them when new mail arrives. You can use your own office address instead; in that case, collect your mail regularly and notify the authorities each time you move.

Step 4: Appoint a company secretary

Every Hong Kong company must have a company secretary who lives in Hong Kong, or a Hong Kong company acting as secretary. The secretary is the authorities’ point of contact for your company and is named in the incorporation documents.

The company secretary makes sure that your company complies with the rules on its incorporation and ongoing operations in Hong Kong.

The company secretary’s main tasks include:

• Company records: keeping the register of directors, the register of members, share certificates and the significant controllers register up to date and compliant.
• Meetings: organizing board meetings and annual general meetings, preparing agendas and recording minutes, in line with legal requirements.
• Statutory filings: preparing and filing the annual return and any changes with the Companies Registry, and keeping track of tax deadlines with your accountant.
• Legal and regulatory updates: watching for changes in the rules that affect your company and advising on the action needed.

In short, the company secretary keeps your company’s legal and administrative records accurate and up to date, and supports you through meetings and regulatory changes.

Step 5: Prepare the incorporation documents

Unlike in many countries, incorporating a company in Hong Kong needs only a few documents:

• Incorporation form NNC1 (for a company limited by shares), signed by the founder members.
• Identity documents: copies of the directors’ and shareholders’ Hong Kong identity cards or, for non-residents, passports.
• Articles of association: usually provided by your company secretary. They are the company’s constitution and set its internal rules, including how directors are appointed, how shares are transferred and how financial matters are handled.

Step 6: File the application with the Companies Registry

Incorporation is a simple procedure run by the Companies Registry. You can file the documents:

• Online: through the Companies Registry’s e-Registry, open 24/7.
• By post: to the Companies Registry.
• In person: at the Companies Registry counter.

Once the application is approved, the Companies Registry issues the certificate of incorporation and the business registration certificate together, usually within about an hour for straightforward online filings and about four working days for paper filings. Both can be received electronically.

The certificate of incorporation is issued once, when the company is formed, and stays valid for the life of the company.

The business registration certificate is valid for one or three years and must be renewed before it expires. Late renewal can lead to penalties.

Entering Hong Kong: what you should know

Unless they have the right of abode, most people need a visa or entry permit to come to Hong Kong for any purpose other than a visit. Many nationalities can visit without a visa for a limited period, which depends on the passport.

To work, study, invest or settle in Hong Kong, you must apply for a visa or entry permit before you travel. Different rules apply to residents of mainland China and Taiwan.

We can point you to the requirements that apply to your nationality and purpose of stay.

Entry permits can be granted for these purposes:

• Employment: for applicants with a confirmed job offer on normal market terms and the skills or experience the role requires.
• Investment: for entrepreneurs who can make a substantial contribution to the economy, through the amount invested, the jobs created or the technology they bring.
• Study: for students admitted to a full-time course at a local school or post-secondary institution.
• Dependents: the spouse and unmarried children under 18 of a person admitted for employment can apply to join them.
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme: for talented applicants selected through a points-based assessment with a minimum passing score.

Do I need a visa to enter Hong Kong?

Not always. Many travelers can visit visa-free for a limited time. You need a visa or entry permit to work, study, or stay longer than the visa-free period.

What are the rules on employment?

The relationship between employer and employee is set out in a written employment contract, covering the job, duties, working hours, pay and benefits. Both parties must respect the notice periods in the contract and in the Employment Ordinance. If you plan to hire in Hong Kong, ask us about employment contracts and payroll.

What legal requirements apply to foreign investors in Hong Kong?

Foreign investors have the same rights as local investors to set up companies in Hong Kong. The key decisions are the company structure and meeting the tax, financial reporting and audit requirements. We can walk you through each of them.

How are business disputes handled in Hong Kong?

Larger commercial claims are heard in the Court of First Instance of the High Court, and smaller claims in the District Court. A case starts with a writ of summons and a statement of claim served on the defendant. Both parties then exchange evidence (discovery) before the trial, where each side presents its arguments and evidence. Mediation and arbitration are also widely used in Hong Kong.

How do I become a Hong Kong permanent resident?

Hong Kong does not grant citizenship as such; the long-term status is permanent residency, which gives the right of abode. You can generally qualify if:

• You are not a Chinese citizen, have lived in Hong Kong continuously for at least 7 years, and have taken Hong Kong as your permanent place of residence.
• You are a Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong, or who has lived in Hong Kong continuously for at least 7 years.
• You are the child of a Hong Kong permanent resident and meet the conditions that apply to your case.

Immigration rules change, so check your situation with a licensed Hong Kong immigration adviser before you apply.