A non-resident can own 100% of a Hong Kong private company limited by shares. Incorporation takes 1–3 working days once a Hong Kong registered address and a company secretary are in place, both of which an agent can provide. Minimum share capital is HKD 1; annual obligations are the business registration renewal, profits tax return and audited accounts.
What is required
- A Hong Kong registered address — cannot be a post office box. Usually supplied by the corporate service provider.
- A company secretary — a resident individual or a licensed trust company. Mandatory for every Hong Kong company.
- At least one director and one shareholder — can be the same person, of any nationality, aged 18 or over.
- Share capital — HKD 1 is acceptable. A higher figure is only a signal; it is not paid into a bank at incorporation.
The annual cycle
Hong Kong is attractive precisely because the obligations are predictable. Every year the company renews its business registration, files the annual return with the Companies Registry, and — once trading — files a profits tax return supported by audited accounts. The first audit is usually prepared 18 months after incorporation.
Profits tax is charged on Hong Kong-sourced profits only, at 8.25% for the first HKD 2 million and 16.5% above that for corporations. Claims that profits are offshore-sourced require evidence, not an assertion, which is why the audit file matters.
Hong Kong or mainland — or both
Most international founders we work with end up with both: a Hong Kong company to hold contracts and receive foreign currency, and a Shenzhen WFOE to invoice mainland customers and employ staff. The structure has to be planned before either entity is registered, because the ownership chain determines what the bank will accept and how the mainland tax position is assessed.
Annual obligations, Hong Kong private company
| Obligation | When | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Business registration renewal | Annually | Fee depends on current relief measures |
| Annual return (NAR1) | Annually, on incorporation anniversary | Companies Registry |
| Profits tax return | Annually, first one around 18 months | Requires audited accounts |
| Employer's return | Annually if staff employed | IR56B forms |
Frequently asked
Do I need to travel to Hong Kong to incorporate?
No. Incorporation is filed electronically and can be completed remotely with passport and proof-of-address copies. Bank account opening is separate and depends on the bank: some accept video onboarding for straightforward ownership structures, others still require a physical visit.
Can I open a Hong Kong bank account remotely?
It depends on the bank and the ownership chain. Banks are most receptive to companies with a clear business rationale, a single layer of ownership and directors who can attend a video interview. Complex offshore holding structures are frequently declined, and repeated declined applications make later attempts harder.
Should I register in Hong Kong or mainland China?
If your customers are outside mainland China and you need foreign currency, Hong Kong is usually simpler and cheaper to maintain. If you invoice mainland customers, employ staff in China or need fapiao, you need a mainland entity. Many businesses use both, with the Hong Kong company holding the contracts.
Not sure which route applies to you?
Tell us what you are trying to do. The first call is a feasibility check, not a sales pitch.