Setting Up a Company in Hong Kong - The Easiest Way in 2025

Setting up a company in Hong Kong should be simple. But if you’ve ever tried to follow the official guides or asked around in founder circles, you know the reality can be overwhelming, with too many forms and too many “what do I do next?” moments.

The good news is that starting a business in Hong Kong is more accessible than ever in 2025, and you don’t need to be a legal expert to do it right. 

This guide simplifies the Hong Kong company registration process with the key steps and essentials you need, whether you're starting a new business or expanding into Asia from overseas.

Let’s get started!

The process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few working days, even if you’re not based in Hong Kong. The key steps are:

▶️ Choosing your company type
▶️ Picking a company name
▶️ Appointing a local company secretary  (required for legal compliance)
▶️ Selecting a physical registered address for official correspondence
▶️ Prepare documents  (IDs, Articles of Association, and registration forms)
▶️ Submit your application online, by mail, or in person
🎉 Receive certificates 

Let's examine each step in detail.

The first real step in the registration process is choosing your company structure. This decision is crucial, as it will influence how you name your company, your tax obligations, the flexibility you have in running the business, and the extent of your legal liability.

Here are the main company types in Hong Kong.

Choosing a company name is a critical part of the incorporation process. If the Hong Kong authorities do not approve the name, you may have to restart the entire application process. 

The name must follow the Companies Registry’s rules. Below are the key guidelines for the Hong Kong company name:

*Abbreviations, spaces, punctuation, articles, capital letters, and grammatical variations do not make a name unique. For example, “Tech” is treated the same as “Technology,” and “Company” is the same as “Companies.”

To check whether your desired name is available, use the e-Search Services on the Companies Registry’s e-Services Portal or visit the e-Services Centre in person on the 13th floor of the Queensway Government Offices. This name search service is free of charge.

Use the "Exact Name Search" function, and be sure to input your intended company name in full, including:

• All punctuation marks and spaces
• Ending terms such as “Limited”, “Company Limited”, “有限公司”, “公司”, etc.

Only English or traditional Chinese characters should be used in your search. Inputting simplified Chinese characters or other languages may return inaccurate results or “no matching record found.”

It is mandatory for all companies in Hong Kong to appoint a local company secretary when registering your company, as they are the main point of contact with local authorities and play a key role in keeping your business compliant with regulatory obligations. When submitting the company registration application, you are required to provide the name of the appointed company secretary

The company secretary must be a Hong Kong resident or a licensed corporate service provider. There are three ways to find and hire a company secretary:

1. Hire an in-house company secretary – The advantage is the company secretary will have a closer integration with internal operations. However, it comes with higher costs due to salary, training, and benefits.
2. Hire an outsourced company secretary – A third-party provider handles compliance on your behalf, usually by a team of professionals, which makes it more scalable, but the trade-off is less direct control over day-to-day processes.
3. Use a professional service that combines registration and secretarial support – A third-party provider that handles both company registration and secretarial duties in a single package is another solid and cost-effective choice. For example, Statrys’ package includes company secretarial services that cover essential compliance for one year.

Your registered office address is where government departments will send all official correspondence. It must be a Hong Kong address that is accessible to your company secretary, who handles legal documents and government notices. That’s why many companies use their secretary’s address as the registered office.

If you do not have a physical office in Hong Kong, you can opt for a service provider that provides a registered business address or virtual office services to receive mail and packages without needing to rent office space. Just make sure the address is a physical location and not a P.O. Box.

It’s also important to note that certain business activities and industries, like food and beverage, may not be eligible to use a virtual office for their registered address.

In Hong Kong, the company incorporation process is streamlined, with a clear set of required documents outlined by the government. 

Here are the required documents for company incorporation: 

• Identification Documents: Copies of the identification documents for the directors, shareholders, and company secretary, typically Hong Kong ID cards for Hong Kong residents and passports certified by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for foreigners.
• Articles of Association: A document that sets out the internal rules for running a company, including how directors are appointed, how finances are managed, and details about the company’s share capital. You can find examples of Articles of Association, including a simplified form and model articles, on the Companies Registry website.
• Proof of Address: Documentation confirming the residential addresses of directors and shareholders, such as recent utility bills issued within the last three months.
• NNC1 or NNC1G Form: These are company incorporation forms that require information like the proposed company name, the nature of the business, and the director’s information. The NNC1 form is used for companies limited by shares, while the NNC1G is for companies that are not limited by shares.
• IRBR1 Form: A notice submitted to the Business Registration Office to record your business registration details, mainly whether you are applying for a 1-year or 3-year business certificate.

The NNC1, NNC1G, or IRBR1 forms can be found and downloaded on the Companies Registry's official website.

If you're registering your company online, you don't need to download the NNC1, NNC1G, or IRBR1 forms. Simply fill in the required information on the website, and these documents will be automatically generated. Make sure you have your identification documents, Articles of Association, proof of address, and all necessary business information ready to complete the process.

Once you have prepared all the necessary information and documents, you can submit the incorporation documents in one of the following ways:

• Online submission through the e-Registry Portal
• Send by mail to the Companies Registry’s address at 14/F, Queensway Government Offices, or
• In person at the Shroff Counters at the Companies Registry office.

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see this sign. 

Once the application is approved, you will receive two documents to prove your company's incorporation. 

If you apply online: Once approved, certificates are issued electronically within one hour and can be downloaded from the Companies Registry system. 

If you apply in person or by mail: Physical hard copies will typically be delivered within four business days after approval. 

Both electronic and paper versions hold equal legal validity. 

Those documents are:

Issued by the Companies Registry once at the time of company formation, Certificate of Incorporation serves as official proof of your company’s legal existence and remains valid during the entire lifetime of the company. You usually use it when opening a bank account, signing contracts, or handling compliance matters.

Business Registration Certificate (BRC) is issued by the Business Registration Office (part of the IRD) to confirm your company is authorised to conduct business in Hong Kong. It is also used for tax purposes.

Valid for one or three years, the BRC must be renewed annually within one month of your company’s incorporation anniversary to avoid penalties.

Once your Hong Kong company is officially registered, there are a few critical steps you must complete to ensure your business is fully operational and compliant with local regulations.

Below is a checklist of the other most important post-registration actions to take:

After your company is incorporated, you should give each shareholder a share certificate. This certificate is the official proof that they own shares in the company. It must be signed by the company’s authorised officers, and if your company uses a common seal, it should be stamped accordingly. This is typically handled by the company secretary and should be completed promptly as part of the company’s statutory records. 

Once your company is incorporated, the next step is to open a business account to manage your company’s transactions, whether sending or receiving payments. A business account is essential because it separates your personal and company finances, making taxes and audits easier to handle.

Opening a business account in Hong Kong typically requires the following:

• Business registration documents
• Identification documents for directors and shareholders
• Proof of business operations (such as contracts, invoices, or a website)
• In some cases, a business plan or details of your source of funds

Opening a business account with a traditional bank in Hong Kong can be challenging, mainly because they often require in-person meetings for all key company personnel. If you’re not based in Hong Kong, this process can be time-consuming. Some businesses may wait 2–4 weeks or longer to complete this process.

To save time, you can work with a service provider like Statrys, which helps newly registered companies apply for a multi-currency business account remotely. This option is especially useful for overseas founders and SMEs that want to avoid unnecessary delays

Under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, every company registered in Hong Kong must maintain a Significant Controller Register (SCR). SRC is a record of any individual or legal entity that has significant control over your company, usually anyone who owns more than 25% of shares or voting rights.

The SCR must be kept and displayed at the company’s registered office (or another authorised location) and made available to law enforcement upon request. You are also required to appoint a designated representative to assist with SCR-related matters and liaise with authorities if needed.

Depending on the nature of your business in Hong Kong, you may need to apply for specific licenses or permits before commencing operations. Common industries that require a license include food and beverage, education, financial services, travel agencies, and import/export businesses.

Operating without the required license will result in fines, penalties, or suspension of your business. Securing the appropriate permits is therefore an essential step following incorporation.

You can identify the licenses relevant to your industry by visiting the Business Licence Information Service.

After incorporation, the Companies Registry will automatically report your company's existence to the Inland Revenue Department (Hong Kong’s tax authority), so you don’t have to do everything twice.

However, it is your responsibility to keep up with your financial reporting. Typically, your company secretary should handle your reporting and tax notifications, as well as communicate with you on this matter, depending on the level of service your company secretary provides. 

For more information and updates regarding the rules and regulations for tax in Hong Kong, you can check this guide to the Hong Kong tax system and the Hong Kong Government’s website.

Once your company is registered, staying compliant with local regulations is essential. Here are the main compliance tasks and their respective deadlines you need to be aware of:

Yes, foreigners can register a company in Hong Kong, and the process is relatively straightforward. Many of the procedures are the same as those for local entrepreneurs. However, certain considerations can make the process more challenging for non-residents, including having a registered business address in Hong Kong, appointing a Hong Kong-based company secretary and securing the right funding to cover setup and operating costs.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I receive from foreign entrepreneurs looking to set up their businesses in Hong Kong.

You don’t have to rent a physical office for your business. However, you do need a registered business address. This is the address where official correspondence from the government and tax authorities will be sent.

For foreign business owners, using a virtual office or partnering with a service provider is a popular option. These services provide a local business address and mail forwarding services.

Yes. You can set up a Hong Kong company entirely online without visiting in person. The process is accessible to international founders through digital systems and service providers. This flexibility is one of the reasons why Hong Kong remains a popular destination for international entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors.

You don’t need a visa or residency to register a company. All you need is a valid passport and proof of address.

However, if you plan to live or work in Hong Kong, you’ll need an Investment Visa (for owners/investors) or an Employment Visa (if hiring or working in your own company). Processing can take a few weeks, so plan ahead if needed.

Choosing whether to register your company yourself or work with a professional company formation service provider depends on your experience, available time, and comfort with legal documentation.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

If you're confident navigating government systems and handling paperwork, the DIY route can save money. However, for most founders, especially those based overseas, a hassle-free registration service like Statrys offers a more efficient and reliable way to complete the Hong Kong company registration process.

Setting up a company in Hong Kong doesn’t have to be complicated, especially in 2025. By following the steps in this guide, you can avoid common mistakes, stay compliant, and get your business off the ground with confidence. 

If you'd rather not do it alone, we can help. Our bundled packages include incorporation, a registered address, and company secretary services, so you’ll have everything covered from day one.

Your all-in-one package includes:

✅ Company registration with all filings and government fees

✅ Company secretary service for one year

✅ Registered office address for one year, including mail scanning and forwarding

✅ 24/7 access to your company documents

✅ A fast-track to Statrys multi-currency business account application (subject to approval). You can use the business account for domestic and international transfers, with FX fees starting from 0.1%.