Setup for non-residents
We register a Hong Kong Private Limited Company for international trade, IT and working with Asian counterparties. We reserve the company name, prepare the documents and incorporate the company with the Companies Registry, delivering the Certificate of Incorporation. We provide a licensed resident company secretary and a registered office address - statutory requirements for non-residents. Hong Kong operates a territorial basis of taxation; we handle the setup remotely and support your bank account opening.
A quick overview of the corporate, tax and annual requirements in this jurisdiction.
Private Limited Company (Ltd) under the Companies Ordinance, incorporated through the Companies Registry. The standard structure for non-residents.
Full ownership by a non-resident with no nationality restrictions; no local shareholder or partner required.
One director and one shareholder minimum, with no residency requirement. A resident company secretary and a registered office in Hong Kong are mandatory.
Profits tax of 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million and 16.5% above that. Only Hong Kong-sourced profits are taxed, with no tax on dividends or capital gains.
No formal minimum, technically from HKD 1. In practice the amount is set to suit the business and the bank.
Annual Return (NAR1), the profits tax return and a mandatory audit for every company, plus renewal of the Business Registration Certificate.
The final cost depends on the package you choose, the required local support and any additional project tasks.
Information current as of July 2026.
From basic registration to a full launch with corporate support and bank account opening.
Company registration
Secretary and address included
With banking support
For launching a company with a prepared banking route and support through to the end of the account opening process.
Important: banking support does not guarantee that an account will be opened. The final decision rests with the bank or EMI after reviewing the company and beneficial owner profiles.
Hong Kong suits international businesses that need access to Asian markets, a clear corporate environment and a well-developed financial infrastructure.
Import, export and settlements with suppliers and clients in China and across Asia.
Software development, digital products, subscription services and the export of professional services.
Holding shares in companies, managing assets and structuring an international group.
Cross-border sales, marketplaces, overseas suppliers and payment providers.
Tax liability depends on where the profit is sourced and the applicable conditions.
A corporate environment suited to contracts and settlements with counterparties in the region.
A well-recognised corporate structure for overseas partners and investors.
Foreign ownership with no local director requirement.
To register a company in Hong Kong you'll need the participants' documents and a decision on the company structure. Most steps are completed remotely, after a preliminary check of your details.
The exact set of documents may vary depending on the ownership structure and the nationality of the participants.
At least one individual director; Hong Kong residency is not required.
One or more shareholders, either individuals or corporate entities. Disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners and a significant controllers register.
Required by law; must be based in Hong Kong or be a local company.
The registered office must be located in Hong Kong.
There is no minimum capital; the share structure is set at incorporation.
Hong Kong applies a territorial basis of taxation. The overall tax burden depends on where the profit is sourced, the actual business activity and compliance with reporting requirements.
Profits tax
8.25% / 16.5%
on profits above HK$2 million
Tax system
Territorial
taxed on the source of profit
Audit
Annual
for most companies
Annual return
42 days
after the company's incorporation anniversary
Territorial principle
Tax applies to profits that arise in or are sourced from Hong Kong.
Source of profit
It is assessed which operations generate the profit and where they are actually carried out.
Foreign profit
May not be taxable in Hong Kong, but the conclusion depends on the facts, documentation and nature of the operations.
FSIE
Additional requirements may apply to certain types of foreign passive income and gains from the disposal of assets.
Keep accounting records and retain supporting documents
Prepare financial statements
Complete an audit unless the company is exempt
File the Profits Tax Return
File the annual return by the deadline
Renew the company secretary and registered office
Keep corporate registers and participant information up to date
A company's tax status cannot be determined solely by its place of registration, bank account or the owner's nationality. To assess the source of profit, the contracts, functions, counterparties and actual performance of operations are all analysed.
Data accurate as at July 2026
The banking route depends on the company's activity, its payment geography and the beneficial owner profile. Depending on the goal, we consider both traditional banks and regulated fintech providers.
For companies with demonstrable activity and a clear payment structure. We match the bank to the company profile, with options including HSBC, DBS, CCB (Asia) and Zhejiang Chouzhou.
For international operations, a fast launch and working across several currencies. Applications are remote, with options including Airwallex, Statrys, Wise and Payoneer.
We prepare the company profile before applying, so the main requirements of the bank or payment institution are addressed in advance.
We'll assess your activity, payment geography and the banks' requirements before you apply.
We support your project from the initial review through to receiving the corporate documents and completing any agreed additional tasks.
We review the ownership structure, participants, activity and source documents before any work begins.
We agree the company name, prepare the registration forms and handle the document filing with the Companies Registry.
We arrange the company secretary, registered office and internal documents in line with your chosen package.
We hand over the corporate pack, explain the annual obligations and support any agreed additional matters.
The process covers an initial review, setting up the corporate structure, filing the documents and handing the registered company over to you.
Hong Kong isn't the answer to every need. In some cases it's more honest to consider a different jurisdiction, and we'll help you find the right one.
If your team, clients and operations are mainly in Europe, an EU jurisdiction may be more convenient for tax administration and banking infrastructure.
Worth considering: Cyprus, Lithuania, Portugal
If your activity must be licensed in a specific country, the structure should be chosen around the local regulator's requirements.
Worth considering: a jurisdiction with a suitable licensing regime
Hong Kong requires accounting, corporate reporting and an audit. For projects with minimal activity, simpler structures may be a better fit.
Worth considering: BVI, Seychelles, Belize
A company secretary, registered office, accounting, reporting and audit all add to the company's regular annual costs.
Worth considering: offshore jurisdictions with a simpler maintenance model
Not sure whether Hong Kong suits your project? In a consultation we'll assess your needs honestly and suggest the best jurisdiction, even if it isn't Hong Kong.
If Hong Kong isn't a full fit on structure, costs or banking route, compare the alternatives on the key criteria.
| Jurisdiction | Best for | Tax | Maintenance | Banking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Singapore | Best for International business, IT, holdings. | Tax Up to 17%, incentives for new companies. | Maintenance Moderate, audit once thresholds are exceeded. | Banking Strong banking and fintech access. |
 China | Best for Manufacturing, domestic market. | Tax Standard rate 25%. | Maintenance High, complex reporting. | Banking Local banks, presence requirements. |
 Indonesia | Best for Local business, growing market. | Tax Standard rate 22%. | Maintenance Moderate, local requirements. | Banking Local banks, presence required. |
 Malaysia | Best for Regional business, trade, services. | Tax Standard rate 24%. | Maintenance Moderate in cost. | Banking Regional banks, moderate requirements. |
We'll help you compare jurisdictions on tax, banking, annual costs and structure requirements for your specific needs.
Every project is unique - we tailor the solution to each client's specific needs, jurisdiction and business model.
Hong Kong · China The client was buying goods in China and selling into Europe, with everything settled through a Russian entity. After two payments from a European buyer were held up in compliance checks, it was clear a separate structure was needed for both sides.
Solution We incorporated a Hong Kong Limited, opened an account with a Hong Kong bank for incoming EU payments and a second account with a Chinese bank for paying suppliers in yuan. Existing contracts were moved to the new company.
My main worry was having to fly over and sign everything in person. In the end it was all done remotely, I just sent the papers by courier. The second account took longer than planned, but it went through.
Hong Kong The team was building a SaaS product and invoicing clients across Asia and Europe from a Russian entity. Some clients would not sign the contract, others simply could not push the payment through. On top of that, contractors in four countries needed paying every month.
Solution We incorporated a Hong Kong company, arranged an account taking payments in US dollars, euros and Hong Kong dollars, and set up recurring contractor payouts. Client contracts were moved to the new entity.
We are developers, we had neither the time nor the expertise to work through Hong Kong requirements. Finextwin handled it and only came back with questions that actually mattered. First client payments landed about a month in.
China · Shenzhen For several years the client had been sourcing equipment from Chinese factories through intermediaries, losing money on commission and time on delays. A Chinese entity was needed to sign directly with the plants, pay in yuan and clear customs without a middleman.
Solution We registered a WFOE in Shenzhen, obtained the business licence and the full set of company chops, completed tax and foreign exchange registration, and opened a corporate account with a Chinese bank.
The slowest part was the founder paperwork, some of it had to be redone twice over certification formats. After that it ran to plan: licence, chops, account. We paid the first batch straight to the factory in yuan, without flying out.
If you can't find the answer to your question, leave a request and we'll look into your situation personally.
Get a consultationWith a complete set of documents, registration takes from 2 working days. The exact timeframe depends on the company structure, the number of participants and the outcome of the checks. Opening a bank account is handled separately and is not included in this timeframe.
No, registration is completed entirely remotely. Preparing and signing the documents, verifying the participants and receiving the completed set all happen remotely, with no trip to Hong Kong. Personal attendance may only be needed in certain cases when opening an account with a traditional bank, and we will let you know about this in advance.
No. The director can be a non-resident; there are no requirements as to the director's nationality or place of residence. The residency requirement applies only to the company secretary, who must be based in Hong Kong or be a local company.
A territorial principle applies: tax is charged on profits sourced in Hong Kong. Profits tax follows a two-tier regime, 8.25% on the first HK$2 million and 16.5% on the remainder. There is no VAT, no dividend tax and no capital gains tax. The tax position depends on the actual business activity, not just the place of registration.
No, no provider can guarantee that an account will be opened. The final decision always rests with the bank or payment institution after reviewing the company profile. We support the process: we select a suitable bank or payment system and prepare the company for the review, which improves the chances of a successful opening.
Yes, an audit of the financial statements is mandatory for most companies. Dormant companies with no activity are the exception. The audit is carried out by a licensed auditor in Hong Kong.
You will receive the Certificate of Incorporation, the Business Registration Certificate, the Articles of Association and a corporate pack: resolutions, registers and forms. Whether you need originals, apostille or translation depends on your requirements, for example opening an account or working with overseas counterparties.
Passports of the director and shareholders, proof of residential address, a description of the company's activities, information on client locations and expected turnover, and three proposed company names. The exact list may vary depending on the ownership structure.
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