Company Formation in Hong Kong - The Easiest Way in 2025

Starting a company in Hong Kong is one of the most straightforward processes in Asia. With its fully digital registration system, transparent requirements, and low entry barriers, you can complete your company formation in just a few days, even without being in Hong Kong.

This guide walks you through each step of the process, from choosing the right company type and name to appointing a company secretary and submitting your application. You’ll also learn the latest costs, document requirements, and how Statrys can simplify everything through our all-in-one company formation service.

Whether you’re a local entrepreneur or a foreign founder looking to establish a presence in Asia, you will know exactly how to register a company in Hong Kong.

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 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 (Also called a corporate 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.

• Hire an in-house company secretary –  Closer integration with internal operations, but higher costs due to salary, training, and benefits.
• 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.
• Use a professional service – A third-party provider that handles both company registration and secretarial duties in a single package is another cost-effective choice. For example, Statrys’ package includes company secretarial services that cover essential compliance for one year.

Once you have chosen your company secretary, the formal appointment is done by submitting the secretary’s details in your company registration application. The Companies Registry requires the secretary’s information during registration

You should also record the appointment in your company’s statutory records. Include the secretary’s name, address, and appointment date.

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.

The Hong Kong government provides a clear outline specifying the required documents. The following are needed for company formation.

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 online, by mail, or in person.

The first option is to incorporate your company through the Hong Kong e-Registry Portal, which is available 24/7.

You need to

1. Create an account on the e-Registry Portal for a director
2. Use the director account to access "Incorporation" tab on the website
3. Fill out digital versions of the NNC1/NNC1G and IRBR1 forms directly online
4. Upload identification documents and Articles of Association
5. Provide details on directors, shareholders, the company secretary and your Hong Kong registered business address
6. Provide a digital signature
7. Pay via credit card, PPS, or FPS

You can complete the entire process without having to set foot in Hong Kong.

You can submit documents physically by downloading and printing the required form from CR forms: NNC1 for companies limited by shares, NNC1G for others, and IRBR1.) Include supporting documents (ID, proof of address, articles of association) and 

• Send by mail with a cheque to 14/F, Queensway Government Offices. (Cash is not accepted by post), or
• Submit in person at the Shroff Counters at the Companies Registry office (the same address), Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 1:45 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Payment can be made over the counter.

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, you will get an email notification, and 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.

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.

According to our survey of 120 entrepreneurs, it costs an average of HKD 9,053 to incorporate a company in Hong Kong.

The cheapest possible route is around HKD 4,000 - 6,000, but only if you already have a local address. For most overseas founders, international business owners or founders without a local address, the realistic cost is about HKD 7,000 - 12,000. 

While Hong Kong has relatively low government fees, you have to factor in the cost for a company secretary and registered address, both of which are required by law. You’ll need to either set them up yourself or outsource to a service provider.

Let’s see the breakdown of fees

Minimum mandatory government cost to start a Hong Kong company: HKD 3,745.

These are the fees you pay to the Companies Ordinance and the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) when starting a company in Hong Kong.

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that setting up a company in Hong Kong isn’t complicated, but it does take time, paperwork, and attention to detail. Between preparing documents, appointing a company secretary, and making sure every form meets the Companies Registry’s requirements, it’s easy to see why many founders prefer to let experts handle it.

That’s where Statrys comes in.

We simplify the entire process by combining everything you need, including company registration, a Hong Kong registered address, and company secretary services, into one package. No back-and-forth emails. No paperwork confusion. Just a fully registered company, ready to operate.

Here’s what’s included:
✅ Company registration with all filings and government fees
✅ Company secretary service for one year
✅ Registered office address for one year (with mail scanning and forwarding)
✅ 24/7 access to your company documents
✅ Fast-track access to a Statrys multi-currency business account (subject to approval)

So instead of spending hours navigating government portals, you can start running your business while we handle the setup.