What Documents Are Required to Register a Company in Hong Kong? Full Disclosure of Platform Fees

Registering a company in Hong Kong is not as bureaucratic as in mainland China-there’s no need to visit multiple government departments for stamps-but it’s also far from a simple “click-and-done” process. In practice, the completeness of your documentation and the appropriateness of your chosen registration platform directly determine whether registration takes three to five days-or drags on for two to three weeks. Many entrepreneurs mistakenly assume that picking an appealing company name and inflating the registered capital guarantees success, only to get stuck at identity verification for directors or address validation-wasting valuable time.

I. Essential Documents Required for Submission

1. One Chinese and one English company name: the Chinese name must include the term “Limited Company” (), and the English name must end with “Limited”;

2. At least one natural person serving as director, with a clear, legible scanned copy of a valid travel document-such as a Home Return Permit for Hong Kong/Macau residents, a passport, or a Hong Kong Identity Card;

3. At least one shareholder (who may be the same person as the director): if the shareholder is an individual, the same identification documents apply; if the shareholder is a corporate entity, you must provide its certificate of incorporation and a board resolution appointing the authorized representative;

4. A registered office address in Hong Kong-must be a genuine commercial or residential address (P.O. boxes are not accepted). Acceptable proof includes a utility bill (electricity, water, or gas), a lease agreement, or an address confirmation letter issued by a licensed management company-all dated within the last three months;

5. Articles of Association: You may adopt the standard Model Articles in Schedule 1 of the Companies Ordinance, or draft your own-provided they fully comply with the requirements under Cap. 622 of the Companies Ordinance;

6. Signed ND2B Form (“Consent to Act as Designated Representative or Alternate Director”) and IRBR1 Form (“Application for Business Registration Certificate”), both completed and signed by directors and shareholders.

II. Common Reasons for Document Rejection

Company names are frequently rejected due to inclusion of sensitive terms (e.g., “Bank”, “Insurance”, or “Securities”-words requiring separate regulatory licenses) or excessive similarity to already-registered names;

Address proof documents older than three months, or utility bills listing names inconsistent with the applicant’s without supporting explanation of relationship;

Incomplete passport scans-missing signature pages, visa pages, or blurry/unclear data pages;

Articles of Association containing clauses conflicting with statutory requirements-for example, stipulating that shareholder meetings may convene without a quorum. Such provisions are legally invalid and result in rejection of the entire document.

III. Reference Fee Structures Across Mainstream Registration Platforms (2025 Real-World Data)

1. Hong Kong Companies Registry Official Website (electronic submission only): HK$170 for company registration fee + HK$220 for the first-year Business Registration Certificate = HK$390 total;

2. Licensed Corporate Secretarial Firms (Basic Package): Includes company incorporation, first-year statutory secretary services, registered office address, and mail handling-priced between HK$1,800 and HK$3,200;

3. Online Self-Service Platforms (e.g., certified compliance service providers): One-time incorporation service fee ranging from HK$1,200 to HK$2,000-annual renewal fees are not included;

4. Optional Add-on Services (charged separately): Bank account opening assistance (success not guaranteed): HK$800-HK$1,500; Tax Representative service (first year): starting from HK$1,200; Accounting and tax filing services-tiered by reporting frequency; annual fee for small-scale companies typically ranges from HK$4,000 to HK$6,500.

Note: None of the above platforms cover government levies. Fees payable to the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue Department must be settled separately by the applicant.

The above provides an objective overview of required documentation and typical fee structures across major registration channels in Hong Kong. Should you have further questions-or wish to explore specific procedural details-we recommend consulting a licensed corporate secretarial firm, clearly outlining your business nature and shareholder composition, and requesting a written service proposal before making any final decision.