HK Incorporation 2026 Complete Guide: Government Fees from HK$3,895, Process & Requirements Explained

The minimum total government cost of incorporating a Hong Kong company is approximately HK$3,895 from 1 April 2026 — the HK$1,545 electronic incorporation fee plus HK$2,350 for a one-year Business Registration Certificate. Directors do not need to be Hong Kong residents, and straightforward cases submitted electronically can be approved in as little as about one hour. The fees below are based on the current charges of the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue Department; actual costs will vary depending on the submission method and whether professional assistance is required.

1. HK Incorporation Costs Fully Broken Down: Government Fees + Market Rates

Government Fees at a Glance

BR Fee Changeover Date Reminder

On or before 31 March 2026, the fee for a one-year Business Registration Certificate is HK$2,200 (during the levy waiver period). From 1 April 2026, the levy on the one-year Business Registration Certificate is reinstated, raising the fee to HK$2,350. If an incorporation spans this date, the Business Registration fee is based on the Companies Registry's official charge on the day the application is submitted — do not rely on outdated figures.

Minimum Total Government Cost

For electronic submission, the minimum total government cost is HK$1,545 (incorporation fee) + HK$2,350 (one-year Business Registration Certificate) = HK$3,895. For paper submission, it is HK$1,720 + HK$2,350 = HK$4,070.

Market Rates for Agency Services

All-inclusive agency packages from company secretarial firms on the market commonly range from around HK$6,000 to HK$15,000 or more, depending on the scope of services included. Overall costs can be divided into three tiers:

• Government fees: incorporation fee + Business Registration fee, fixed and unchanged
• Ongoing statutory costs: company secretary, registered address, Annual Return filing, etc.
• Optional professional services: document preparation, bank account opening support, bookkeeping and audit, etc.

For complete service packages for Hong Kong company incorporation, refer to Hong Kong Company Incorporation Service.

Reference: Companies Registry fee schedule https://www.cr.gov.hk/tc/services/fees.htm; Inland Revenue Department Business Registration fee table https://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/brfee_table.pdf

2. Three Key Legal Requirements for Registering a HK Company: Directors, Company Secretary, Registered Address

Directors

A Hong Kong private company limited by shares must appoint at least one natural person as director. Directors do not need to be Hong Kong residents; foreign nationals or overseas persons may serve, and there is no strict requirement for directors to be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.

Company Secretary

Every company must appoint a company secretary. An individual secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong; a corporate secretary must be incorporated in Hong Kong or have a principal place of business in Hong Kong. Note in particular: if a company has only one director, that director cannot also serve as the company secretary.

Registered Office

The company must have a registered office address in Hong Kong for receiving government correspondence and statutory notices.

Both the company secretary and the registered address are statutory requirements. It is common in the market for agency firms to bundle these arrangements into packages; applicants are free to choose a suitable external service provider. To learn more about the specifics of company secretarial services, browse Company Secretary Service.

Reference: Companies Registry FAQ https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/faq/local-company/incorporation.htm

3. HK Incorporation Process in 5 Steps: Required Documents and Timeline

Step 1: Company Naming and Initial Check

After settling on a company name, you can first search the Companies Registry's online Cyber Search Centre to make a preliminary check on whether the name duplicates or conflicts with an existing company. Final approval of the name rests with the Companies Registry; if the name is rejected, the submission fee already paid is non-refundable.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

Key documents include: Incorporation Form NNC1 (for companies with share capital) or NNC1G (without share capital), the Articles of Association, and the Business Registration Notice IRBR1.

Step 3: Submit the Application and Pay Fees

Submit electronically via the Companies Registry's e-Registry, or deliver a paper application in person to the Queensway Government Offices, and pay the prescribed fees.

Step 4: Approval

Straightforward cases submitted electronically (no referral to other departments required) can be approved in as little as about one hour; paper submissions generally take around four working days.

Step 5: Collect Certificates and Post-Incorporation Follow-Up

Once approved, you can collect the Certificate of Incorporation and the Business Registration Certificate. You will then need to arrange a company secretary and registered address, and kick off post-incorporation compliance matters.

Reference: Companies Registry company registration services https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/services/register-company.htm

4. DIY vs Hiring an Agent (TCSP): How to Choose?

Going the DIY route means paying only the government fees, but the applicant must arrange the company secretary and registered address themselves, and follow up on the subsequent Annual Return and Business Registration renewals on their own. Hiring an agent saves time on document preparation and process research; it is common in the market for TCSP-licensed company secretarial firms to offer one-stop solutions.

Compliance note: Regulated Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) services are provided by Intelligent Services Limited (license number TC010349).

5. Must-Do Items After Incorporation and Ongoing Compliance

After incorporation, the following items should be added to your annual compliance schedule:

• Annual Return NAR1: filed each year within 42 days after the anniversary of incorporation; late filing incurs a higher registration fee
• Business Registration renewal: renewed annually or every three years, and must be completed before the current certificate expires
• Bookkeeping, tax filing, and audit: depending on the company's actual operations, you must keep accounting records, prepare financial statements, and file Profits Tax returns and arrange an audit as required under the Inland Revenue Ordinance

Opening a bank account is a separate process after incorporation; banks vary considerably in their due diligence and business documentation requirements, and the actual outcome depends on the individual circumstances.

6. HK Incorporation FAQs

1. What is the minimum government fee for HK incorporation?

From 1 April 2026, the electronic incorporation fee of HK$1,545 plus HK$2,350 for the one-year Business Registration Certificate brings the minimum total government cost to approximately HK$3,895.

2. Can foreigners / non-HK residents register a Hong Kong company?

Yes. Directors do not need to be Hong Kong residents; foreign nationals or overseas persons may serve as directors. However, the company secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong (or be a corporate body registered in Hong Kong), and the registered office must be located within Hong Kong.

3. How long does it take to register a Hong Kong company?

Straightforward cases submitted electronically can be approved in as little as about one hour; paper submissions generally take around four working days. The actual time required must also factor in preparatory steps such as document preparation and arranging a company secretary and registered address.

4. Is a local director required?

No. At least one natural-person director is sufficient, with no residency restrictions and no requirement to be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.

5. What else needs to be done after incorporation?

You must appoint a company secretary, file the Annual Return NAR1 each year, renew the Business Registration Certificate, and — depending on your operations — keep accounting records, file tax returns, and arrange an audit.

To learn more about preparing to incorporate a company in Hong Kong, contact us via the homepage.