Company Registration in Hong Kong

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For most clients, the Private company limited by shares is the simplest and recommended structure (the local LLC-equivalent). It requires only:

• a minimum of 1 member (founder/shareholder);
• a minimum of 1 director (must be a natural person);
• a mandatory company secretary who is a Hong Kong resident;
• a mandatory registered office address in Hong Kong;
• no minimum share capital requirement.

Other forms are also available in Hong Kong — including Public company limited by shares, Company limited by guarantee (used for non-profits/associations), Unlimited company, Branch of a non-Hong Kong company, and Sole proprietorship/Partnership (the latter two registered via Business Registration rather than the Companies Registry) — but the private company limited by shares suits virtually all licensable and commercial activity and is the form used throughout this page.

Hong Kong offers a well-established, internationally trusted corporate registry and a fast, largely digital incorporation process. Key confirmed advantages:

• Same-hour electronic incorporation via the Companies Registry is among the fastest routes to a fully recognised company in Asia.
• No minimum share capital is required for a private company limited by shares.
• The Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate (the latter issued by the Inland Revenue Department) are granted simultaneously, minimising administrative back-and-forth.
• Access to globally recognised banking partners (HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Hang Seng Bank) for corporate banking.
• The Companies Registry also functions as the registrar for several licensing regimes in Hong Kong (including the Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) regime and the Registrar of Money Lenders), making it a natural first step for businesses that plan to pursue a regulated activity later.

A private company limited by shares must have at minimum 1 director (a natural person) and a company secretary who is resident in Hong Kong, plus a registered office address within Hong Kong.

The standard vehicle for doing business in Hong Kong is the Private Company Limited by Shares, the closest local equivalent to what international clients usually call an LLC (limited liability company). Incorporated through the Companies Registry, it is the fastest and most flexible way to establish a legal presence in Hong Kong, whether as a standalone trading entity or as the foundation for a later regulated license (e.g. Money Service Operator, Trust or Company Service Provider, or Money Lender registration).

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Electronic incorporation itself can be completed within about 1 hour of submission, while paper filing takes about 4 working days; the remaining steps (bank account opening, secretary appointment) do not have a confirmed standard timeline, so no combined total is stated here.

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• Basic — EUR 2,500: Entry-level package for company formation in Hong Kong, suited to straightforward incorporation needs and clients seeking the most cost-efficient route to a Hong Kong private limited company.
• Standard — EUR 6,000: Mid-tier package offering a broader level of support than the Basic tier for clients with somewhat more involved requirements.
• Premium — EUR 13,000: Our most comprehensive package, intended for clients seeking the highest level of support and attention available at this jurisdiction.

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Discover company formation and licensing opportunities across leading international jurisdictions.

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• Companies Registry
• Inland Revenue Department