How Long Does It Take to Dissolve a Hong Kong Company? Complete Guide!

The process of deregistering a Hong Kong company is relatively complex, involving multiple steps and time planning. For business owners or company directors, understanding the details of the entire process is very important, especially considering the changes in Hong Kong's business environment in recent years and adjustments to related regulations. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the specific procedures for deregistering a Hong Kong company, the required time, and some key considerations.

First, according to the revised Hong Kong Companies Ordinance published in July 2025, the company deregistration process has been simplified but with enhanced compliance requirements. This means that companies must ensure all financial, tax, and legal obligations have been fully fulfilled before applying for deregistration. Otherwise, the application may be rejected, or the company may face fines or other legal consequences.

I. Preparations Before Deregistration

Before formally submitting the deregistration application, the company needs to complete a series of preparatory tasks, including but not limited to

1. Settling debts The company must ensure all debts have been settled, including employee wages, supplier payments, and bank loans. If there are outstanding debts, a court procedure may be required for liquidation.

2. Tax filing According to the Inland Revenue Department IRD of Hong Kong, the company must complete the latest profit tax return and ensure there is no outstanding tax. It is also necessary to confirm whether the final business report has been submitted to the tax authority.

3. Bank account handling The company must close all bank accounts and confirm with the bank that the account balances have been properly handled.

4. Employee settlement If the company has employees, all salaries, severance pay, and other benefits must be fully paid.

5. Signing documents Directors of the company must sign the deregistration form N8A, and the company secretary or lawyer should assist in preparing the relevant documents.

II. Submitting the Deregistration Application

After completing the above preparations, the company can submit the deregistration application to the Companies Registry in Hong Kong. According to the updated process in 2025, there are currently two main methods

Simplified Deregistration Applicable to companies with no assets, liabilities, or disputes. This method usually takes about one month.

Ordinary Deregistration Applicable to companies with assets or liabilities, requiring a liquidation process, which takes longer, typically between six months to one year.

According to a South China Morning Post report in September 2025, with the push for administrative simplification, some small companies can now complete the deregistration process quickly through an online platform, greatly reducing time costs.

III. Common Issues During the Deregistration Process

Although the process has been simplified, some issues may still arise during actual operations

1. Incomplete documents Many companies are rejected due to incomplete materials, causing delays.

2. Tax issues If the company has a history of tax violations, even after paying back taxes, it may affect the deregistration process.

3. Duplicate company names If the company name has already been used by another company, it may need to be renamed before applying for deregistration.

4. Legal disputes If there are unresolved legal cases or lawsuits, the deregistration application will not be approved.

IV. Post-Deregistration Considerations

Once the company is successfully deregistered, it will lose its legal status, and all business activities will come to an end. Before deregistration, the company should ensure that all contracts, agreements, and other legal documents have been properly handled. According to the Companies Ordinance, the information of the deregistered company will remain in the Companies Registry for a certain period for public access. For companies wishing to completely disappear, it is recommended to take additional measures after deregistration, such as removing online information and notifying partners.

V. Conclusion

Overall, the time required to deregister a Hong Kong company varies depending on the company's specific situation. Generally, simplified deregistration can be completed within one month, while ordinary deregistration may take between six months to one year. In recent years, with policy optimization and the acceleration of digitalization, the deregistration process has become more efficient. However, companies still need to make full preparations in advance to avoid unnecessary delays and risks. For business owners who plan to deregister their Hong Kong company, it is recommended to consult a professional accountant or lawyer in advance to ensure that each step complies with the latest regulatory requirements, thus completing the deregistration process smoothly and safely.