How to register a company in Hong Kong: 6 steps

A limited company can be formed in Hong Kong in as little as one working day, with government fees from about HK$3,895 (e-filing). The whole process involves six main steps: company name search, document preparation, fee payment, collecting the certificates and opening a bank account. This article is a complete roadmap to forming a company, covering the process, costs, choosing a company type and the statutory compliance duties after registration.

Checklist for preparing to set up a company in Hong Kong

SetupHK tip: Many people rush to find the forms but overlook that the “groundwork before applying” takes the most time. Get these four things clear and the rest will go quickly.

Company type: limited company or unlimited company?
Personnel structure: who will act as director, shareholder and company secretary?
Company name: are the Chinese and English names compliant and available?
Company address: physical office, virtual address or residential address?

Limited company vs unlimited company: which suits you?

A limited company separates the founder’s personal assets from the company’s debts, and suits founders with long-term plans, who need financing or whose business involves larger sums. An unlimited company (sole proprietorship / partnership) has a low start-up cost and simple procedures, but the owner bears all debts with personal assets, so the risk should not be underestimated.

The two differ clearly in tax rates, legal status and audit requirements. The vast majority of founders who work with corporate clients, plan to raise finance or aim for long-term growth choose a limited company.

Detailed comparison and recommendations:

Hong Kong unlimited company registration: process and costs quick guide

Limited or unlimited company? A complete comparison guide

Minimum personnel requirements for forming a limited company

A limited company needs at least 1 director + 1 shareholder (who may be the same person) + 1 company secretary. All three roles are indispensable: the company secretary is a statutory requirement, and if the company has only 1 director, that director cannot also act as secretary.

Responsibilities and eligibility requirements for each role:

Role	Minimum number	Basic requirements	Details
directors	1 shareholder	Aged 18 or above, any nationality	What is the difference between a shareholder and a director?
Shareholder	1 shareholder	Can be the same person as the director
Company secretary	1 shareholder	Must be appointed by law	What is a company secretary? Definition, duties and requirements

The company name and address must be confirmed before incorporation

Company name

The company name must not duplicate, or be too similar to, an existing company’s. The Chinese name may use traditional characters only, and the English name must end with “Limited”. Before formally applying, check that the name is available using the Companies Registry’s online Cyber Search Centre.

SetupHK tip: the English name is not a translation of the Chinese name and the two can be completely different, but each must be searched separately to confirm it is available.

Company address

Every Hong Kong company must provide a valid registered address to receive government mail (including tax returns and business registration renewal notices). Using a virtual office or business address service is lawful in Hong Kong, but you need to confirm that the service provider holds a valid TCSP licence.

Hong Kong company formation process: 6 steps

Forming a limited company in Hong Kong takes six steps: confirm the company name → prepare the application documents → pay the government fees → submit the application → obtain the CI and BR → open a corporate bank account. Government fees start from about HK$3,895 (April 2026 standard), and an e-filing application can be completed in as little as 1 working day.

Step	Core task	Detailed guide
1	Search the register and confirm the company name	Name search guide
2	Prepare the application documents (NNC1, articles of association)	What are the articles of association?
3	Pay the government fees	Full explanation of fees and cost calculator
4	Submit the application and obtain the Certificate of Incorporation (CI) and Business Registration Certificate (BR)	What is the difference between a CI and a BR?
5	Opening a corporate bank account	Checklist of documents required for account opening
6	Apply for specific business licences (if applicable)	Depends on the industry; see the Trade and Industry Department

After incorporation: 4 annual statutory compliance obligations

According to the Hong Kong’s Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) requires every Hong Kong limited company to meet four statutory obligations each year: (1) file the annual return (NAR1) within 42 days after the company’s incorporation anniversary; (2) hold an annual general meeting on time (single-member companies are exempt); (3) pay the annual business registration fee on time; (4) arrange the annual audit and submit the profits tax return to the IRD. The first profits tax return is usually received about 18 months after incorporation.

Compliance item	Deadline	Details
Annual return (NAR1)	Within 42 days after the company’s incorporation anniversary	What is an annual return? NAR1 sample
Annual general meeting	Depending on the type of company, usually within 6–9 months after the end of the accounting period	—
Business Registration renewal	The IRD sends a payment notice every year	—
Annual audit and tax filing	According to the IRD requirement, with the first tax return received about 18 months after incorporation	Audit report services \| 2026 guide to tax filing for Hong Kong companies

Should you register a new company yourself or use an agent?

Doing it yourself saves agent fees, but you need to be familiar with the form requirements, the format of the articles of association and the application process, and any error or omission in the information may delay the application. Using an agent reduces the risk of errors and is especially worthwhile for first-time founders or owners short of time. Before choosing an agent, you must confirm that they hold a valid TCSP licence. This is a statutory requirement, and operating without one is unlawful.

Want to know more? Full cost comparison and risk analysis of using an agent versus doing it yourself:

Hong Kong company formation FAQs

Can foreigners form a company in Hong Kong?

Yes. Hong Kong places no restriction on the nationality of company founders, and non-Hong Kong residents can also act as directors and shareholders; they only need to provide a valid passport and proof of residential address. The one thing to note is that if the company has only one director and that director is not a local resident, a company secretary must be appointed separately, and you must confirm that the secretary holds a valid TCSP licence.

Can one person form a Hong Kong company?

Yes. Hong Kong law allows a one-person company, where the same person is both the sole director and the sole shareholder. In that case, however, the director cannot also act as company secretary, and an independent company secretary must be appointed separately.

Can a residential address be used as the company address?

Legally yes, but we do not recommend it. A company’s registered address becomes Companies Registry public information, and using a residential address means your private home address is open to the public, which may cause unnecessary personal trouble if the company becomes involved in any dispute. The safer approach is to rent a business registered address or a virtual office service, from about HK$1,000 a year.

Roughly how much does it cost to form a company?

Government fees start from HK$3,895 (e-filing, April 2026 standard). If you appoint an agent, a service fee is payable on top, depending on the package. For the detailed fee structure and an explanation of each item, see: Hong Kong company formation costs explained in full

Do I need to file tax straight after forming a company?

No, not immediately. A newly formed company usually receives its first profits tax return from the Inland Revenue Department about 18 months after incorporation, and the filing deadline is 3 months after receiving the return. But the company should keep complete financial records from incorporation, for use in future audits and tax filing.

Is it safe to use an agent to form a company? How can I tell?

In Hong Kong, an organisation providing company secretarial and company formation services must hold a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licence, which is a statutory requirement. Before choosing an agent, first confirm that it holds a valid TCSP licence, which you can check on the Companies Registry website. An agent without a licence is operating illegally, and the client may also bear related risks. Please see: Is it safe to use an agent to form a company?

Does every Hong Kong company need a company secretary? Can I act as one myself?

Every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary by law. This is mandatory and cannot be omitted. If the company has several directors, one of them may also act as company secretary. If the company has only one director, that director may not also act as secretary, and a secretary must be appointed separately. The company secretary is responsible for filing statutory documents, maintaining company records and other compliance work, so the role is important.

SetupHK: one-stop company formation service

SetupHK has provided Hong Kong company formation and ongoing compliance support since 2014. It holds a TCSP licence and has won the Economic Digest Outstanding Brand Awards for 4 consecutive years. Its services cover document preparation, company secretarial services, bank account assistance, and audit and tax filing arrangements, and it serves over 300 clients every year.

If you are a first-time founder, are not familiar with the process, or want to focus on your core business, contact SetupHK to find out about our packages: View company formation packages or click the WhatsApp button to contact us!