Company formation in Hong Kong
What it costs to open a private limited company in Hong Kong in 2026, what the registry requires and which taxes and filings follow.
The standard business form in Hong Kong is a private company limited by shares. It is registered by the Hong Kong Companies Registry: according to the registry, online applications usually receive their certificates within 1 hour. A foreigner needs neither residence nor a local partner: one founder member and one individual director are enough, of any nationality and residence.
Two local elements are mandatory: a registered office in Hong Kong and a company secretary who is a Hong Kong resident or a local company. Without them the company will not be registered or served.
How much company formation in Hong Kong costs: government fees
| Payment | Amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Online incorporation | HKD 1,545, ~$200 | HKD 1,720 on paper |
| 1-year business registration | HKD 2,350, ~$300 | fee 2,200 plus levy 150, rate from 1 April 2026 |
| 3-year business registration | HKD 6,170, ~$790 | instead of yearly renewal |
| Annual return to the registry | HKD 105, ~$15 | if filed within 42 days after the incorporation anniversary; otherwise the fee rises |
Incorporation and business registration are paid together on filing. Amounts follow the Companies Registry and the Inland Revenue fee table, in US dollars at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, rounded up. Our basic package with incorporation starts at $5,000, and annual maintenance is $4,400; options with a nominee director and account pre-approval are in the price table below.
About $500 in government fees to start, but an annual audit and a secretary are mandatory
The law does not stop you registering a company on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: a company without a secretary who lives in Hong Kong or is a local company, an annual return filed later than 42 days, after which the penalty grows, a significant controllers register not kept at the office and a missed annual audit. We register the company and business registration, provide the secretary and address, keep the registers and annual returns and help with the bank.
Turnkey package prices are in the table on this page; a manager will calculate the total for your structure in the chat.
How registration works
- Name. We check that the English and, if wanted, Chinese name are available and acceptable.
- Structure. Founders, director, secretary, registered office and share capital, with no minimum.
- Online filing. Articles, the incorporation form and the business registration notice go to the registry with payment.
- Certificates. The certificate of incorporation and business registration usually arrive within an hour.
- Controllers register and account. The company keeps a register of significant controllers and opens a bank account.
What documents you need
Passports and proof of address of founders and directors; for a corporate founder, a register extract and articles. Beneficial owners holding more than 25% are entered in the significant controllers register, kept at the company's office. Documents not in English or Chinese are translated, and banks often need an apostilled company document set.
Taxes and reporting
Hong Kong profits tax is two-tiered: 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of profit, about $255,000, and 16.5% on the rest, according to the Inland Revenue Department. Only Hong Kong-sourced profit is taxed, and there is no VAT. Every company keeps books, has an annual audit and files a profits tax return, plus an annual return to the registry, which per the Companies Registry costs HKD 105 when filed on time.
Why problems arise
- The bank will not open an account. Without real activity, clear clients and payment geography, Hong Kong banks turn down even a ready company.
- A late annual return. The fee rises from HKD 105 to thousands, and directors face penalties.
- No audit. An annual audit is mandatory for every company, even without turnover.
- Wrong assumptions on tax. Exemption of foreign-sourced profit has to be proven with documents; it is not automatic.
What we do
Murblz specialists check the name and structure, provide the registered office and secretary, incorporate the company online, maintain the controllers register, prepare an apostilled document set and help with the bank account. We handle the annual return, audit and business registration renewal on schedule.
Fees
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Company registration (Base package) | $5 000 |
| Company registration (Package with nominee service) | $7 800 |
| Company registration (Package with bank pre-approval) | $9 000 |
| Annual legal maintenance | $4 400 |
| Apostilled set of documents | $2 000 |
| Courier delivery | $590 |
| Nominee director (non-resident), per year | $1 800 |
| Nominee shareholder, per year | $1 300 |
| Client compliance check (standard) | $880 |
| Compliance: additional individual | $400 |
| Compliance: additional legal entity (Murblz client) | $400 |
| Compliance: additional legal entity (non-client) | $530 |
| Compliance check (high risk) | $1 100 |
| Document signing (per document) | $270 |
| Financial statements preparation and audit, per year | $3 500 |
| Office setup with real presence | from $2 810 |
| Virtual office | from $6 640 |
| Bank account opening | $7 000 |
| Money Service Operator license | from $13 620 |
We will calculate online the cost of registering and running your company for the first year.
See also
Business account · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs
FAQ
How much does it cost to register a company in Hong Kong?
How long does company formation in Hong Kong take?
Can a foreigner open a company in Hong Kong?
What tax does a Hong Kong company pay?
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What is a Hong Kong limited company?
Want to open a company in Hong Kong?
We register your Hong Kong company, appoint the company secretary, explain the tax on local profits only and help with the bank and annual audit. The catalogue covers every country.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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