Hong Kong is a vibrant, reliable, and convenient place to do business. Beyond being a springboard for multinational companies expanding globally, it also offers powerful advantages for startups seeking rapid growth. For years, Hong Kong’s strengths have made it a world-renowned investment destination:

• Simple & Low Taxes: Profits tax is capped at 16.5%, with a two-tiered rates regime that offers a reduced rate on the first HKD 2 million of profits. There is no VAT, no sales tax, and dividends are tax-exempt.
  
• Flexible Corporate Structure: 100% foreign ownership is allowed. You can set up a Hong Kong company with at least one director and one local company secretary—fast, straightforward, and compliant.
  
• Strategic Location: Hong Kong’s position provides seamless access to Mainland China and other major Asian markets, making regional expansion and cross-border operations easier.

To register a Hong Kong company, the following basic conditions must be met:

Appoint a Company Secretary

All Hong Kong companies must appoint a company secretary who must either be a Hong Kong resident or a corporate entity with a registered address in Hong Kong. The company secretary will be responsible for receiving and storing company documents, receiving government letters, submitting forms, and more.

Registered Address

Your Hong Kong company must have a physical registered address in Hong Kong where statutory documents and government mail will be received. This address must be a physical location in Hong Kong, and P.O. Boxes are not allowed.

(If you don’t have a company secretary or a registered Hong Kong address, you can choose a service agent like Asomerit Consulting, which provides compliance services.)

Shareholders and Directors

A Hong Kong company requires at least one individual director and at least one shareholder. The nationalities and residence of the directors and shareholders are unrestricted, and the same person can be both the director and shareholder.

Step 1: Choose the Business Type and Name

First, you need to choose the business type that best fits your needs. In most cases, a private limited company is the most ideal and common form of business. Shareholders are liable only to the extent of their capital contribution, and shares are not available to the public.

Next, you need to give your company a name. Hong Kong has relatively relaxed company name requirements, but you must still adhere to the basic company naming guidelines provided by the Hong Kong Companies Registry. We will also assist you in checking if the company name is available to avoid unnecessary delays.

Step 2: Prepare Registration Documents

In this step, we will assist you in preparing the necessary documents. You will simply need to prepare according to the list we provide. We will also help you complete the required forms and documents, including:

• Arranging a company secretary and registered address (if needed);
• Company registration forms (NNC1 or NNC1G);
• Articles of Association;
• Letter to the Business Registration Office (IRBR1).

Step 3: Submit Application to the Companies Registry (CR)

After preparing all the documents, we will submit the application online via the e-Registry system, so you can get approval and registration as quickly as possible at a lower cost. Government fees are applicable, but if you choose Asomerit Consulting's services, our service fees will include the government fees, so you won’t need to pay extra!

Step 4: Collect Registration Certificate

Once your company registration application is approved, you will receive the official documents issued by the government, including:

• Certificate of Incorporation (CI): Issued by the Companies Registry, certifying the successful establishment of your company;
• Business Registration Certificate (BRC): Issued by the Inland Revenue Department, serving as a tax identification and compliance document. This must be renewed periodically.

Part 1：Determine Financial Year End

Hong Kong companies can freely choose their financial year end (FYE) and set their internal accounting calendar. After selecting your FYE, even if your company has no transactions, you still need to file your taxes according to the set dates. Asomerit Consulting will help you prepare the necessary filing documents on time, so you won’t need to worry about missing deadlines.

Part 2：Ongoing Bookkeeping

Asomerit helps you pay the correct taxes efficiently with our complete bookkeeping service, ensuring that your company is always in good financial compliance. We will keep your accounting up to date, and you will always know where you stand financially.

Part 3：Open Corporate Account

You need to open a corporate bank account for daily operations and business transactions. We can assist you in opening accounts with traditional banks like HSBC, DBS, or emerging banks like Airwallex. Whether you want a classic bank or a digital bank, we provide guidance on the best options available for your business.