Updated 11 May 2026
5-minute guide to applying for a business registration certificate: required documents, online application guide and FAQs on changing your address
You can apply for a Business Registration Certificate (BR) online or on paper. Online applications can receive an electronic BR in as little as 2 working days; in-person paper applications take about half an hour to collect […]
Updated 11 May 2026
Complete guide to the Hong Kong business registration certificate: BR definition, fees, application process and the difference from the CI (2026 update)
By law, anyone carrying on business in Hong Kong must apply for a Business Registration Certificate. This article explains in detail what a Business Registration Certificate is, which businesses need one, the business registration certificate number, and how it differs from company registration.
Updated 10 March 2026
Online shop business registration in Hong Kong | SetupHK
You do not necessarily need a company to run an online shop, but if you trade continuously for profit you must have a business registration. Registering as an individual is enough at the start; upgrade to a limited […]
Updated 8 May 2026
Shareholder vs director in Hong Kong: key differences
Shareholders are the owners of the company, with voting and dividend rights; directors manage the company day to day and bear heavier legal responsibilities. One person can be both, but a director's statutory duties do not […]
Updated 9 January 2026
What is a credit rating? Hong Kong TU grades, their impact, how to check your credit report and key ways to improve your score
A credit rating is an important basis on which banks assess lending risk. It is calculated by TransUnion (TU) and divided into grades A–J. The score affects loan interest rates and mortgage approval […]
![[Complete guide to company transfers] Documents, process, stamp duty and points to note for transferring shares (equity) in a Hong Kong limited company](https://setuphk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/hk-company-transfer-1-768x485.jpg)
Updated 8 December 2025
[Complete guide to company transfers] Documents, process, stamp duty and points to note for transferring shares (equity) in a Hong Kong limited company
A company transfer requires the company information and statutory documents to be prepared and stamp duty to be paid; the transfer takes effect once the register of members is updated in accordance with the procedure. As long as you have the documents, the process and the tax filing deadlines in hand, you can […]
Updated 12 May 2026
What is the nature of business on a business registration certificate? How to fill in CORP, how to change it and points to note (with form guide)
When a limited company is formed, the nature of business on its BR defaults to “CORP” (meaning a body corporate that has not yet declared its actual business). Once the company starts operating, it must within 1 month […]
Updated 12 May 2026
Business registration certificate renewal guide: what is the penalty for an expired BR? 6 tips to avoid expiry (2026 update)
About 1 month before a Business Registration Certificate (BR) expires, the IRD sends a payment notice. Once you have paid, the notice itself serves as a valid BR, and there is no need to collect a new certificate. […]
Updated 2 December 2025
What is winding up? Conditions, process and FAQs for winding up a Hong Kong limited company explained
Winding up a Hong Kong limited company is a legal process of selling assets to repay debts and closing the business. It is mainly divided into voluntary winding up by shareholders or creditors and compulsory winding up by the court, […]
Updated 3 December 2025
How do you deregister a company? The Hong Kong deregistration process, conditions, fees and cancelling the business registration at a glance
Deregistering a Hong Kong company applies to a limited company that is no longer operating and has no debts. After the shareholders agree, all liabilities are settled and a notice of no objection is obtained from the Inland Revenue Department, an application is made to the Companies […]
![[Cancelling a business registration] Closure procedures for limited and unlimited companies, and the conditions for deregistering a company, explained](https://setuphk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cancellation-of-business-registration-0-768x485.webp)
Updated 2 December 2025
[Cancelling a business registration] Closure procedures for limited and unlimited companies, and the conditions for deregistering a company, explained
When a business is closed, both limited companies and unlimited companies must cancel their business registration, and failure to do so may result in a fine. This article fully explains the process of cancelling business registration, unlimited […]
Updated 2 December 2025
Why do banks freeze accounts? Can they be unfrozen? 5 common reasons for account freezes and how to prevent them
What should you do if a bank account is suddenly frozen? Can it be unfrozen? How can it be prevented? As a platform that manages public funds, a bank must not only ensure the safety of customers' assets […]