Guide to Traveling to Hong Kong for Business After Company Registration A Step-by-Step Overview of Visa Application, Bank Account Opening, Tax Compliance, and Office Setup

After completing company registration in Hong Kong, many entrepreneurs from mainland China naturally wonder “Now that we have obtained the Business Registration Certificate and company seals, can we immediately fly to Hong Kong to open a bank account, sign contracts, and meet clients?” The answer is not absolute. Ease of entry and operation in Hong Kong depends not only on whether a company has been registered, but more critically on the individual’s identity status, substantive business activities, policy alignment, and operational details. Below, we outline key points across four dimensions-entry and stay, bank account opening, tax compliance, and office establishment and operations-based on the latest enforcement practices as of 2025.

I. Entry and Stay A Business Visa Does Not Equate to Long-Term Residence Permission

Mainland Chinese residents traveling to Hong Kong with an ordinary passport or the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao must distinguish between purpose and duration

1. Holders of a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao and an “S” (Business) endorsement may stay in Hong Kong for up to seven days per visit, with a cumulative stay generally not exceeding 90 days within any 12-month period;

2. Those requiring long-term presence in Hong Kong to manage company affairs-for example, establishing a physical office, hiring local employees, or participating directly in project execution-must apply for residence-based visas such as the Dependent Visa, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), or the Top Talent Pass Scheme. Merely holding company registration documents does not automatically confer work rights or residence rights;

3. The Hong Kong Immigration Department explicitly requires that when applying for a visa under a company’s name, applicants must submit supporting documents including a signed lease agreement, employment contracts for local staff, genuine business transaction records (not sham or circular transactions), and proof of average monthly operating expenses. Companies structured purely as offshore entities-with no tangible local business footprint-are unlikely to be approved for substantive visas.

II. Bank Account Opening Enhanced Due Diligence for Authenticity Verification

Since 2025, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has intensified anti-money laundering (AML) due diligence, significantly raising the difficulty of opening corporate bank accounts

1. Directors or shareholders must personally attend a designated branch for face-to-face signing. Remote video witnessing and third-party agency arrangements have been fully discontinued by major banks-including HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China (Hong Kong);

2. Concurrently, applicants must submit personal bank statements covering the past three months (demonstrating stable income sources); a detailed business plan (including target customers, service model, and projected revenue structure); and at least one genuine business contract or quotation (non-template documents);

3. For directors who are mainland Chinese nationals without a Hong Kong residential address, certain banks additionally require supplementary documentation-such as household registration books (“hukou”), property ownership certificates, and social insurance contribution records-to verify the legitimacy of fund sources.

III. Tax Filing “Zero Reporting” Does Not Mean “Zero Risk”

Hong Kong applies the territorial principle of taxation; however, “no business activity” does not exempt a company from its statutory filing obligations

1. Within 18 months of incorporation, a company must file its first Profits Tax Return (Form BIR51)-even if no business has been conducted, it must still submit a “zero return” accompanied by a written explanation;

2. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has increased proactive scrutiny of companies filing consecutive zero returns. Such companies may be required to submit explanatory letters detailing the specific reasons for non-operation and outlining concrete future operational plans;

3. Where cross-border services are involved-for instance, providing consultancy or IT support to mainland clients-the location where services are performed must be carefully assessed. If the principal performance occurs on the mainland, the related income may be deemed “offshore” (i.e., sourced outside Hong Kong); nevertheless, comprehensive evidence documenting the entire service delivery process must be retained for potential IRD review.

IV. Office Setup and Operations Virtual Addresses Cannot Replace Real-World Operational Responsibilities

1. A registered office address serves solely for official correspondence from government departments-it cannot function as the actual place of business for purposes such as bank account opening, tax audits, or commercial contracts;

2. If using a virtual address provided by a company secretary service, ensure the provider maintains a genuine physical premises with front-desk reception capabilities; otherwise, failure to satisfy this requirement during an IRD on-site inspection will result in the address being deemed “invalid,” triggering inclusion in the IRD’s list of anomalous cases;

3. Employing local staff mandates enrollment in the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme. Employer contributions must be no less than 5% of the employee’s relevant income, and registration must be completed within 10 days of the employee’s commencement date. Late registration may incur fines of up to HK$450,000.

The above outlines critical yet frequently underestimated operational considerations following Hong Kong company registration. We hope this information proves helpful to you.