Hong Kong Company Formation

If you are considering company formation in Hong Kong, you are looking at one of the most efficient gateways to Asia. A Hong Kong company gives you access to mainland China, regional supply chains, and world-class banking – while keeping your structure simple, compliant, and internationally respected.

At QWealth, we guide you through every stage of Hong Kong company formation: choosing the right company structure, preparing incorporation documents, filing with the Companies Registry, and securing a workable business bank account. Everything is handled remotely so you can start a business in Hong Kong without leaving home.

Hong Kong Company Registration Benefits

Before you start the process, it is worth understanding why Hong Kong company registration remains a benchmark for cross-border entrepreneurs and investors who want an Asian hub with a Western-style legal system.

Strategic Location & Global Reputation

Hong Kong sits at the crossroads of mainland China, Southeast Asia, and the global capital markets. Using a Hong Kong company, you can trade with Chinese partners, hold regional subsidiaries, or raise capital from international investors under familiar common-law rules.

The city is seen as a mature, rules-based financial center. When banks, funds, and counterparties see a well-structured private limited company from Hong Kong with clean statutory records, they usually understand what they are dealing with and which standards apply.

Low & Simple Tax Regime

Hong Kong applies a territorial system: you pay tax only on profits arising in or derived from Hong Kong. The profit tax rate uses a two-tier structure for corporations – 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% above that threshold. There is no VAT, no tax on dividends, and no capital gains tax.

This makes the jurisdiction attractive for holding, trading, consulting, and digital projects where you want a predictable corporate income tax environment and room to claim offshore treatment on non-Hong-Kong income.

100% Foreign Ownership Allowed

Foreign entrepreneurs can fully control their Hong Kong company without local partners. You can incorporate with a single shareholder and a single director, both non-resident. The only mandatory local element is a local company secretary and a local registered address – both of which QWealth arranges as part of our service packages.

This combination of flexibility and clear rules makes registering a company in Hong Kong a practical choice for startups, family offices, and established groups.

Hong Kong Limited Company Features

A standard Hong Kong limited company is straightforward yet powerful. Understanding its main characteristics will help you decide if this is the right tool for your project.

As a reminder, when we talk about a Hong Kong limited company, we normally mean a company limited by shares – the default form for commercial activity.

• Separate Legal Entity. Once company incorporation is complete, your Hong Kong limited company becomes a separate legal person. It can own assets, sign contracts, sue and be sued in its own name. This separation between you and the structure is the basis for effective asset protection and long-term planning.
• Limited Liability Protection. Shareholders are liable only up to the amount of their share capital. Personal assets are not at risk for ordinary claims against the business, provided you respect corporate formalities. This limited liability is a key reason founders register a company instead of trading in their personal capacity.
• Perpetual Succession. Ownership can change, but the Hong Kong company continues. Shares can be transferred or inherited, directors can be replaced, yet the entity keeps its contracts and licenses. This continuity is valuable for family wealth planning and larger ventures.
• Ease of Share Transfer. Shares in a Hong Kong limited company can usually be transferred with a simple instrument of transfer and internal resolutions. There is no requirement for complex court procedures, which helps when bringing in new investors, reorganizing a group, or preparing an exit.

Our All-Inclusive Company Formation Packages

To simplify company setup, QWealth offers three clear service levels. All packages include government filing fees and a registered office address for 12 months so your Hong Kong company registration is compliant from day one.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hong Kong Company Registration

The practical side of Hong Kong company registration is much easier when you have a clear roadmap. Below is how our service typically works from first contact to delivery of your corporate kit.

Step 1: Select Company Name & Structure

We start by helping you set the right structure and check your preferred name. You can propose several options; we verify that they are not in conflict with existing entities or trademarks. At this stage you also confirm whether you want a standard company limited by shares or more specific company structure features.

Step 2: Order & Submit KYC Documents

Next, we collect KYC information from all directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners. Passports and proof of address are uploaded via secure channels, so registering a company remains 100% online. For corporate participants we review existing certificate of incorporation copies and internal registers.

Step 3: Compliance Review & E-Signing

Our team and the local agent conduct an internal compliance review. Once everything is clear, you receive draft articles of association and other forms for e-signature. At this point you know exactly how your company setup will look and which obligations apply.

Step 4: Official Submission to Companies Registry

After signatures, we file the NNC1 form and related incorporation data through the e-Registry. This is the core company incorporation step where your application is examined and added to the public register.

Step 5: Receive Digital Certificates

When the Registrar approves the file, your certificate of incorporation and Business Registration Certificate are issued electronically and then in physical form. From this moment, your Hong Kong structure exists and can start operating.

Requirements for Incorporation

Hong Kong keeps formal requirements clear and manageable. Meeting them from the outset will make it easier to open accounts and maintain good standing later.

Company Structure Requirements

A standard Hong Kong entity must meet the following minimum criteria:

• At least one director (individual or corporate, any nationality)
• At least one shareholder – can be the same person as the director
• One local company secretary
• A registered office address in Hong Kong

QWealth coordinates all local elements, including the local registered address and company secretary service, so you do not need to search for separate providers.

KYC Documents Required

For individuals (directors and shareholders) we usually require:

• Passport copy
• Recent certified proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement)

For corporate shareholders or directors:

• Existing certificate of incorporation and memorandum
• Board resolution approving participation in the new entity
• Overview of ownership and control

All KYC is handled before company incorporation to avoid delays.

Discuss the details with an expert

Check the list of required documents, and get the details of the process, terms, and costs.

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Understanding Hong Kong Corporate Taxes

Tax is a central part of any business registration decision. Hong Kong keeps things simple but expects companies to file correctly.

Two-Tiered Profits Tax Rates

As noted above, the profit tax rate for corporations is 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% above that level. Only income arising in or derived from Hong Kong is taxable, and there is no tax on dividends or capital gains.

You still need proper bookkeeping and an accounting solution that can support annual audits and tax filings.

Offshore Tax Exemption Claim

If your Hong Kong company earns all or most of its income outside Hong Kong, it may be possible to claim offshore treatment and pay 0% profits tax on that income. To support such a claim, you must show that key activities, contracts, and decision-making occur outside the territory.

Our team helps you set up documentation flows that support an offshore claim while staying realistic about how the business actually operates.

Opening a Corporate Business Bank Account

For many clients, banking is the most sensitive stage of company formation. A strong business bank account is what turns a paper entity into a working structure.

QWealth works with both traditional Hong Kong banks and modern fintech platforms. Depending on your model, we can propose several institutions and service packages.

We start with a pre-assessment of your activities and documents, then submit a well-prepared application. No provider can guarantee acceptance, but experienced guidance and complete paperwork greatly increase your chances.

Beyond Incorporation: Essential Post-Formation Services

Once your Hong Kong company is live, you still need to manage maintenance and compliance. QWealth offers integrated support so you can focus on real business rather than forms.

Professional Company Secretary Service

The company secretary is a statutory role in Hong Kong. This person or licensed firm keeps registers, files annual returns, prepares minutes, and ensures that filings are made on time. Our secretary service keeps your statutory records up to date and coordinates with the Companies Registry.

Registered Office Address & Mail Handling

Every Hong Kong company must maintain a registered office address in the territory. This cannot be a P.O. box. We provide a commercial address where official mail is received, scanned, and forwarded according to your instructions.

Significant Controllers Register (SCR) Compliance

Hong Kong requires companies to maintain a Significant Controllers Register showing who ultimately controls the entity. The register is kept at the registered office address or another designated place and must be available to authorities on request. 

Set Up Your Hong Kong Company Online with QWealth

Using Hong Kong as your Asian base should not mean fighting with forms and regulators alone. With QWealth, you get transparent pricing, realistic expectations, and a single point of contact for business registration, banking, and post-incorporation support.

Whether you want a lean trading vehicle or a more complex holding structure, we set out your options clearly and tailor the company formation process to your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions