Hong Kong Company Incorporation 2026: HK$3,895, 4-Step Process and Requirements for Foreigners
From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, the total government fees for incorporating a private company limited by shares electronically through the Companies Registry, including a one-year business registration, are HK$3,895; in a simple case where the company name does not require further review and the information passes the system checks, the electronic versions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate can generally be obtained within one hour. This guide sets out the fee breakdown, four-step registration process, requirements for foreigners, and key points for comparing agency quotations; actual fees and approval remain subject to the official notices in effect when the application is filed and the outcome of the individual case.
I. How Much Does Hong Kong Company Incorporation Cost in 2026? Verifying Government Fees
Government Fee Summary
| Item | Electronic application | Paper application |
|---|---|---|
| Companies Registry incorporation fee | HK$1,545 | HK$1,720 |
| Registration fee refundable if application is unsuccessful | HK$1,280 | HK$1,425 |
| Submission fee (non-refundable) | HK$265 | HK$295 |
| One-year Business Registration Certificate | HK$2,350 | HK$2,350 |
| Three-year Business Registration Certificate | HK$6,170 | HK$6,170 |
| Total (electronic application + one-year certificate) | HK$3,895 | — |
| Total (paper application + one-year certificate) | — | HK$4,070 |
Business registration fee breakdown: From April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, the one-year certificate comprises a registration fee of HK$2,200 plus a levy of HK$150, for a total of HK$2,350; the three-year certificate comprises a registration fee of HK$5,720 plus a levy of HK$450, for a total of HK$6,170. The levy resumed on April 1, 2026; before filing, refer to the Inland Revenue Department's latest business registration fee table. All amounts above are government fees and exclude company secretary, registered address, accounting, audit, and agency coordination fees.
What Else Is Included in the Actual First-Year Total
Government fees are only the starting cost. Common additional expenses in the market may include an annual company secretary fee, a Hong Kong registered address, document processing, accounting, and the first audit; the scope and market pricing of company secretary packages vary widely. See the Company Secretary Fees and Package Comparison. Audits are handled by practising accountants, and fees usually depend on turnover, number of transactions, and the completeness of the records.
If the total price of a package is below HK$3,895, this may indicate that government fees are charged separately, the service scope differs, or a different fee period applies; before signing, ask for an itemized breakdown of the incorporation fee, business registration, company secretary, registered address, and subsequent filing items instead of looking only at the headline price.
II. Registration Guide: Complete Companies Registry Registration in 4 Steps
Step 1 | Choose the Company Type and Name
The most common choice in Hong Kong is a private company limited by shares. Shareholders' liability is limited to their shareholdings, making it suitable for most SMEs and cross-border entrepreneurs. You can search the Companies Registry e-Services website for free, but a name that is identical or too similar to an existing company in the index may still be rejected; whether a name can ultimately be registered must be confirmed after the application is processed. We recommend checking the Intellectual Property Department's trademark information at the same time; company-name registration is not the same as trademark protection.
Step 2 | Prepare Three Core Documents
- NNC1 (company limited by shares) or NNC1G (company not limited by shares): sets out the company name, registered office address, director and shareholder details, and share capital structure.
- Articles of association: You may adopt the model articles in the Schedule to the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), so you do not need to draft them yourself.
- IRBR1: Business Registration Notification, for reporting business details to the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department.
Also prepare identity documents and addresses for directors and shareholders, together with information on the company's share allocation. Notarization, translation, proof of address, or requests for supplemental documents may be separately required by company secretary service providers, banks, or payment institutions under their KYC procedures; the Companies Registry does not impose these requirements uniformly on every incorporation.
Step 3 | Submit the Application and Pay the Fees
Electronic applications are submitted through the Companies Registry e-Services Portal; paper applications may be delivered in person or by post to the Companies Registry. For details, see the Companies Registry guide to incorporating a local limited company.
| Electronic application | Paper application | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuance time | Simple cases where the name and information pass the checks: generally within 1 hour | Private companies limited by shares: generally within 4 working days |
| Certificate format | CI + BR electronic PDF | Paper CI + BR certificates |
| Companies Registry incorporation application fee | HK$1,545 | HK$1,720 |
If the company name requires further review or the documents are incomplete, processing will take longer.
Step 4 | Registrations to Complete Immediately After Receiving the Certificates
Since December 27, 2023, the first eight digits of the Business Registration Number (BRN) have served as the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) for companies and entities, replacing the former company registration number; it should not be understood as two numbers that must be separately applied for and matched after incorporation. For details, see the Companies Registry explanation of UBI.
Within one month after the business actually commences operations, you must notify the Business Registration Office in writing or via IRBR200 of the business name, business description and nature, commencement date, and, where necessary, business address; see the Inland Revenue Department's One-stop Company Incorporation FAQ. Depending on the type of business, you may also need to obtain licences from the relevant departments, such as a food business licence for the catering industry or a licence for regulated financial activities; these are external regulatory requirements and are not automatically granted through company incorporation.
III. Three Hard Requirements for Foreigners Forming a Hong Kong Company
Non-Hong Kong residents may establish a local Hong Kong company and hold all its shares, and directors do not have to be Hong Kong residents; this does not remove the following statutory requirements or mean that a bank will approve the opening of an account:
- At least one natural-person director: A corporate director cannot be the sole director; at least one individual aged 18 or above must also be appointed.
- Company secretary: A sole director may not also act as company secretary; an individual secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong, while a corporate secretary must have a registered office or place of business in Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong registered office: The registered office address in the NNC1 cannot be left blank. It must be an actual address in Hong Kong, not a post office box, and is used to receive government and legal documents.
These requirements can be checked in the Companies Registry FAQ on incorporating a local company and the FAQ on directors and company secretaries. The Companies Registry also states that applicants who are not ordinarily in Hong Kong may appoint a local professional firm to assist with incorporation; this is only an external agency arrangement and does not mean that every package includes licensed TCSP services. To understand the documents and timeline, you can also refer to Hong Kong Company Registration Process and Compliance Timeline.
IV. DIY vs Agency: How to Choose Without Overpaying
| DIY | Agency or consultant coordination | |
|---|---|---|
| Time cost | Research the process, prepare documents, and handle communications with the government yourself | The service provider handles matters according to the appointed scope |
| Documentation error risk | A resubmission fee may not be refunded, and you bear the time cost yourself | A preliminary document consistency check may be available, but liability and the outcome depend on the contract |
| Overseas applicant receiving certificates | Download or arrange collection yourself according to the application format | Arrange collection according to the authorization and certificate format |
| Ongoing compliance | Track annual returns, BR renewals, and other deadlines yourself | Reminders or coordination may be provided; confirm the scope item by item |
chanchung's Hong Kong company formation service focuses on consulting and process coordination. It can assist with organizing a name search, NNC1 and articles of association, CI/BR collection, statutory register information, company seals and a company formation document package, as well as guidance on preparing bank account-opening materials. After incorporation, if regulated trust or company services such as a company secretary, registered address, or statutory maintenance are involved, those services are provided by Intelligent Services Limited (TCSP licence no. TC010349); Chan & Chung Consultancy Services Limited is not itself a licensed TCSP. See chanchung's Hong Kong company formation service.
Bank account opening depends on the bank's internal review and is outside the scope of company secretary services; guidance on preparing materials is assistance only and does not guarantee account opening or approval.
V. Compliance Milestones During the First 18 Months
- Annual Return (NAR1): Except in the year of incorporation, a private company must file within 42 days after its anniversary; the on-time registration fee is HK$105. Late registration fees increase by delay: HK$870 (more than 42 days late but within 3 months), HK$1,740 (more than 3 months but within 6 months), HK$2,610 (more than 6 months but within 9 months), and a maximum of HK$3,480 (more than 9 months late). See the Companies Registry Annual Return FAQ.
- Business registration renewal: You may choose a one-year certificate (HK$2,350 from 2026/4/1) or a three-year certificate (HK$6,170), and must arrange renewal based on the certificate's expiry date; see the Inland Revenue Department fee table for the applicable fees.
- Maintain the company secretary and statutory registers: This includes the Significant Controllers Register (SCR); information must be kept up to date and stored at the registered office or a specified place, where law enforcement authorities may inspect it as permitted. See the Companies Registry SCR FAQ.
Audits and offshore profits tax exemptions are extended tax topics; a practising accountant or other qualified professional should handle them on a case-by-case basis, and this article does not draw direct conclusions on them.
VI. FAQ
Q1: How Much Does It Cost to Incorporate a Hong Kong Company?
An electronic application plus one-year business registration costs HK$3,895 in government fees; a paper application costs HK$4,070. These are only government fees; first-year total costs must also be estimated item by item for the company secretary, registered address, document processing, accounting, audit, and other professional services.
Q2: Can Foreigners or Taiwanese Incorporate a Company in Hong Kong? Is a Local Director Required?
Yes. Non-Hong Kong residents may incorporate a local Hong Kong company and act as directors; directors do not have to be Hong Kong residents. However, a qualified company secretary and Hong Kong registered office are still required, and documents must be prepared in accordance with the KYC requirements of banks or payment platforms. Founders may plan the shareholding structure according to the company's needs; non-Hong Kong resident status does not by itself require a local director.
Q3: How Long Does It Take, and What Documents Are Required?
For a private company limited by shares whose name and information pass the system checks, certificates are generally issued within 1 hour for an electronic application and in around 4 working days for a paper application. The core documents are NNC1, the articles of association, and IRBR1; you must also prepare identity, address, and shareholding structure information for the directors and shareholders. Any supplemental documents or certification requirements depend on the receiving party.
Q4: What Should I Do Immediately After Incorporation?
Except in the year of incorporation, a private company should file NAR1 within 42 days after each incorporation anniversary; renew its business registration on time; maintain the company secretary, SCR, and other statutory records; and, within one month after the business actually commences, notify the Business Registration Office of the business details in writing or via IRBR200.
Q5: Does Company-Name Registration Mean I Have a Trademark?
No. Company-name registration only addresses name conflicts within the company-registration system. Trademark protection requires a separate search and application with the Intellectual Property Department; approval of a company name does not create trademark rights.
VII. Next Steps
The government fees and basic process for Hong Kong company incorporation are relatively fixed, but after incorporation you still need to handle annual returns, BR, statutory records, and accounting and tax arrangements on schedule. To compare the scope of chanchung's consulting and process coordination, see chanchung's Hong Kong company formation service; regulated services are provided by a licensed TCSP, and actual arrangements should be assessed case by case with professional advice.