Setting up in Hong Kong

So you’re setting up a private limited company?

Here is our guide on the necessities and practicalities in setting up a Private Limited Company in Hong Kong. Please feel free to reach out if you have further queries.

Key Legal Requirements

Directors

A minimum of 1 director is required. They don’t need to be a resident in Hong Kong. They can be a company or a person. Directors must be 18 years or older, and they cannot be bankrupt or have been convicted for any malpractices.

Shareholders

A shareholder can be either a person or a legal entity, and you can have anywhere from 1 to 50 shareholders. Shareholders must be 18 years or older. Shareholding is permitted to be 100% local or foreign.

Company Secretary

You are required to have a Company Secretary who is both a resident in Hong Kong and, if not exempt, is suitably licensed to provide the service. If you have only 1 director, they cannot also be the Company Secretary.

Paid-up Capital

There is no minimum paid up share capital requirement. You can also have share capital denominated in currencies alternative to HKD.

Registered Address

Your registered business address must be a physical address and not a P.O. Box.

Registration steps and timeline

Company registration is done either directly with the Company Registry yourself, or via an agent like Stepping Stone. This can be done within 24 hours of receiving all the required information.

Setting up in Hong Kong
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Key Compliance Headlines

  • The company must file annual returns with the Companies Registry and pay the annual registration fee.
  • Accounts are required to be audited each year, and submitted to the IRD together with the tax return. This can be avoided if the company is registered as Dormant.
  • The company must hold its first AGM within 18 months of incorporation.
  • Following that, each AGM must be held at least every 15 months.

Still a bit unsure about the process?

Please feel free to send us a message, and one of our team from our office nearest to you will get in touch to help you build your successful new business

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