Hong Kong company incorporation: how it works and how to choose a provider
A private limited company at the Companies Registry, a Business Registration Certificate, a registered office, a company secretary and a bank introduction — this guide explains each step, what a good provider does at each, and what to check before choosing one.
What is included
Everything the Companies Ordinance requires on day one, plus the two things you cannot open a bank account without.
- Company name search and reservation
- Incorporation at the Companies Registry: Form NNC1, Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department
- Registered office address in Hong Kong
- Company secretary — a statutory requirement, usually filled by the provider’s Hong Kong entity
- Significant Controllers Register and designated representative
- Statutory books, share certificates and first board minutes
- Bank account introduction to a Hong Kong bank or licensed virtual bank
Once the company exists it has an annual cycle. Most providers in our ranking will run it for you so that nothing lapses; the better ones treat it as the core of the job rather than an upsell.
- Annual return (Form NAR1)Yearly
- Business Registration renewalYearly
- Audited accounts and profits tax returnYearly
- Employer’s return (BIR56A / IR56B)Every April
- Payroll and MPF for your staffMonthly
Incorporated in about a week
- Scoping and know-your-clientCompany name, business activity, directors, shareholders and share structure. Identity and address documents for each director and significant controller.
- Filing at the Companies RegistryThe provider files online. The Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate are normally issued together, in electronic form, within one working day.
- Registered office and company secretaryBoth take effect on incorporation. Statutory books and the Significant Controllers Register are prepared and held at the registered office.
- Bank accountA good provider introduces you to a bank that fits your profile and prepares the pack. Traditional banks take two to six weeks and usually want a director in Hong Kong in person; the digital banks are faster and less demanding.
From complete documents to a company you can contract with. The bank account runs in parallel and is the slow part.
- Documents complete, name reservedDay 1
- Companies Registry filingDay 1–2
- Certificates issuedDay 2–4
- Statutory books, SCR, board minutesDay 5–7
- Bank account opened2–6 weeks
What a Hong Kong company needs to have
The Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) requirements in plain terms.
Directors
At least one natural personAny nationality, any residence. Corporate directors are allowed alongside.
Company secretary
Hong Kong resident or Hong Kong companyA sole director cannot also be the secretary. This is the role the provider fills.
Registered office
A Hong Kong addressNot a PO box. Where the statutory books and the SCR are kept.
Shareholders
1 to 50Individuals or companies, resident anywhere. No minimum paid-up capital.
Significant Controllers Register
Kept from day oneAnyone with more than 25% of shares or voting rights, with a designated representative.
Annual filings
NAR1, BRC renewal, audit, PTRAudited accounts are compulsory for every company, however small.
Incorporate, or hire through EOR first?
The honest answer for a first hire is often “EOR now, incorporate later”.
| Incorporate now | EOR first | |
|---|---|---|
| You have a Hong Kong client to invoice | Yes | Not needed |
| You need a licence or a local bank account | Yes | Not needed |
| You are hiring one to five people to test the market | Heavier than necessary | Yes |
| You want to move fast | About a week plus banking | Three working days |
| Annual audit, returns and tax filings | Yours (or ours, on retainer) | None |
| Later switch | — | Employees transfer to your company with service continuity |
Not sure? Describe the situation and we will tell you which one we would choose in your position.
Ready to compare incorporation providers
Ten providers ranked on company-secretarial depth, pricing and what happens after the certificate arrives. Or tell us the business, the shareholders and the timeline, and we will shortlist three.
Get in touch
We reply within one working day.
Incorporation questions?
Do I need to be in Hong Kong to incorporate?
No. Incorporation is filed online and the certificates are electronic. Some traditional banks want to meet a director in person; virtual banks and several international banks do not.
How is a Hong Kong company taxed?
Profits tax at 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% above that. Only Hong Kong-sourced profits are taxed; there is no VAT, GST, capital gains tax or withholding tax on dividends.
What does the company secretary actually do?
Maintains the statutory registers, files the annual return and changes of directors or address, keeps the Significant Controllers Register, and prepares board and shareholder resolutions. The Companies Ordinance requires every company to have one.
Is an audit really compulsory for a tiny company?
Yes. Every Hong Kong company must have its accounts audited by a Hong Kong CPA each year and file them with its profits tax return, although small companies can prepare simplified financial statements.
Can the company employ people straight away?
Once it has a bank account, an MPF scheme and employees’ compensation insurance. We set those up as part of payroll onboarding, or keep staff on EOR until the account is open.