- The Hong Kong Companies Registry handles company incorporation and key statutory filings for Hong Kong companies.
- Private companies limited by shares can usually be incorporated online within 1 hour after electronic submission, if the application is complete.
- Annual returns, tax filings, and proper record-keeping are required to keep your company compliant.
- Every Hong Kong company must have a local registered office address and a company secretary.
- Expert support can help reduce filing errors, delays, and ongoing compliance risk.
- What it does: Registers companies, maintains records, regulates compliance under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622)
- Online registration timeline: 1–2 working days through the e-Registry portal
- Total government fees (2026): HK$3,895 (HK$1,545 CI + HK$2,350 BRC)
- Annual compliance: NAR1 Annual Return within 42 days of incorporation anniversary
The Companies Registry (CR) is the government body responsible for incorporating and regulating all companies in Hong Kong. It’s your first stop for starting a new business in Hong Kong.
This guide explains everything you need to know about the HK Company Registry, including helpful tips for navigating government websites, forms, and clear guidance that explains what you need to know and do when setting up in HK
What is the Hong Kong Companies Registry?
The Hong Kong Companies Registry is the government body responsible for the incorporation and regulation of companies in Hong Kong. Established in 1993, it operates under the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and plays a key role in ensuring transparency and compliance within Hong Kong’s business environment.
The Companies Registry oversees:
- Company incorporation — Managing the registration process for local and foreign businesses.
- Corporate record-keeping — Maintaining an official database of registered companies.
- Public company searches — Providing access to corporate information for due diligence and compliance.
- Regulatory compliance — Ensuring companies adhere to the Companies Ordinance and other relevant laws.
The Hong Kong Companies Registry also offers a fully digital service platform, enabling businesses to complete company registration, filings, and searches online. This streamlined approach aligns with Hong Kong’s reputation as a pro-business jurisdiction, allowing companies to be set up quickly and efficiently.
What services does the Hong Kong Companies Registry offer?
The Hong Kong Companies Registry provides a range of essential services to support businesses in their incorporation, compliance, and ongoing operations. These services are designed to ensure that companies in Hong Kong operate transparently and in accordance with legal requirements.
1. Company incorporation and registration
- Facilitates the registration of local and non-Hong Kong companies .
- Offers electronic incorporation through the e-Registry portal, allowing businesses to be set up within one to two working days.
- Issues Certificates of Incorporation (CI) and Business Registration Certificates (BRC) upon successful registration.
2. Corporate record-keeping and public search services
- Maintains an up-to-date Companies Register, which contains details of registered businesses.
- Provides public access to company information , including directorships, registered addresses, and financial filings.
- Allows users to conduct company name searches and document retrievals for due diligence purposes.
3. Compliance and regulatory oversight
- Ensures businesses comply with the Companies Ordinance and other legal requirements.
- Manages the yearly return filing process, where companies must submit updates on their corporate status.
- Regulates corporate filings, such as changes in directorships, registered offices, and company structures.
4. Online services and digital filing
- Operates the e-Registry, an online platform for electronic filing of incorporation forms, annual returns, and other statutory documents.
- Supports the CR eFiling mobile app , which enables companies to submit documents conveniently.
- Provides automated reminders and notifications to help businesses stay compliant with filing deadlines.
5. Licensing and registration for corporate service providers
- Regulates Trust or Company Service Providers (TCSPs) to ensure they meet compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) standards.
- Grants licenses to corporate service providers offering incorporation and secretarial services.
By offering these services, the Hong Kong Companies Registry plays a key role in maintaining an efficient and business-friendly environment for companies who do business in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong makes company setup fast and accessible. Ongoing compliance, however, requires consistent attention and local knowledge.
How can you simply your Hong Kong incorporation?
While the HK Companies Registry offers online tools and forms for company incorporation, navigating local regulations and paperwork can be complicated. This is especially true for international founders who are unfamiliar with Hong Kong procedures.
Sleek’s company registration experts will be here to help you from day 1. Our accounting and compliance support will keep you on track, on-time, and at ease.
Challenges when registering with HK Companies Registry
Common issues for international enterprises include:
- Ensuring company name availability
- Understanding share capital requirements
- Appointing a corporate secretary.
- Understanding director’s duties in Hong Kong,
- Preparing necessary government forms documents.
- Keeping compliant with changing legalities in Hong Kong.
Simplifying the process with Sleek
Sleek assists founders with almost all Hong Kong company incorporation services. We handle paperwork, government procedures, and local regulations. Here’s how:
- Company Name Check: We verify your chosen name’s availability and compliance with the HK Company Registry.
- Documentation Assistance: We prepare and file all required documents.
- Corporate Secretary Services: We help you appoint a compliant company secretary to manage obligations and other duties.
Whether you want to register a company locally or from abroad, our team is here to guide, simplify, and take the stress out of the process by providing helpful, actionable, friendly support for you and your business.
What else should I consider when registering with the HK Companies Registry?
When forming a company in Hong Kong, you’ll need to consider these additional factors.
Business registration levy
All companies registered in Hong Kong must obtain a Business Registration Certificate (BRC) from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). Typically, this involves paying the levy along with the registration fee.
Note: From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025, this levy has been waived for eligible businesses. This temporary waiver reduces the cost of maintaining a company in Hong Kong during this period.
Registered office address
Your registered office must be a physical Hong Kong address, not a P.O. Box. If you are a local, you might choose to use a residential address, but if you are based abroad, Sleek can provide a registered office address for you.
Corporate secretary
Every Hong Kong company is required to appoint a company secretary, who plays a key role in ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations. The Companies Registry mandates that:
- If the corporate secretary is an individual, they must be a Hong Kong resident.
- If the company secretary is a corporate entity, it must be a Hong Kong-registered company holding a valid Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licence.
The corporate secretary is responsible for maintaining statutory records, filing annual returns, ensuring compliance with the Companies Ordinance, and facilitating communication with government authorities. Having a qualified company secretary is crucial to avoiding penalties and ensuring smooth business operations.
Annual return filing
Companies registered using the HK Company Registry must file a return yearly. Non-compliance results in penalties or deregistration. Sleek can help manage your Annual Return filing and navigate important deadlines and steps with ease.
Business bank account
A Hong Kong business bank account enables financial management, payment receipts, and building financial credibility. Banks in Hong Kong conduct strict KYC (Know Your Customer) checks, and opening a business bank account requires in-person verification at most banks. Some FinTech solutions (e.g., Airwallex, Neat, Statrys) allow remote onboarding.
What ongoing compliance does my Hong Kong company need?
Ensuring compliance with local business regulations is essential for companies registered with the Hong Kong Companies Registry. Key areas of compliance include:
- Annual Return Filing — Companies must submit Form NAR1 to the Companies Registry within 42 days of their incorporation anniversary each year. The standard fee is HK$105 if filed on time; late filing penalties range from HK$870 to HK$3,480.
- Registration Renewal — Companies must renew their Business Registration Certificate (BRC) annually (HK$2,350 from 1 April 2026) or every three years (HK$6,170), depending on their selected registration period.
- Maintaining Company Records — Proper documentation of financial statements, directorship changes, and corporate resolutions must be kept in accordance with the Companies Ordinance.
- Tax Compliance — Businesses must file profits tax returns with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) annually and comply with applicable tax regulations.
What taxes does a new Hong Kong business pay?
It’s generally correct that new businesses in Hong Kong must file their first tax return 18 months after incorporation. However, the specific tax obligations depend on the nature of the business.
Here’s a breakdown:
1. Corporate tax obligations for new companies
First profits tax return:
- Issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) approximately 18 months after incorporation.
- Must be filed within 1 month of issuance.
Annual tax filing:
- After the first return, companies must file tax returns annually.
- The corporate tax rate is 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of profits and 16.5% on profits exceeding HK$2 million.
Offshore tax exemption:
- Businesses that generate income solely from outside Hong Kong can apply for an offshore tax exemption to avoid corporate tax.
2. Tax obligations for agencies and consultants
For businesses such as agencies, consultants, and service providers, tax obligations are largely the same as those for other companies, but there are some key considerations:
Profits Tax:
- If the consultancy or agency operates in Hong Kong, all profits derived from local clients are taxable under the standard corporate tax rates.
- If services are provided entirely outside Hong Kong, the business may qualify for offshore tax exemption.
Employment Tax (if hiring staff in Hong Kong):
- Agencies and consultants employing staff must register as an employer with the IRD within three months of hiring their first employee.
- Employers must file an Employer’s Return of Remuneration and Pensions (Form BIR56A) annually.
Personal Income Tax (if sole proprietor or freelancer):
- Sole proprietors and freelancers providing consulting services must file personal tax returns under Salaries Tax or Profits Tax, depending on their business structure.
- Personal tax rates range from 2% to 17% on a progressive scale.
3. Other tax considerations
- Hong Kong does not impose Value Added Tax (VAT), Goods and Services Tax (GST), or Capital Gains Tax, making it an attractive jurisdiction for service-based businesses.
- All businesses, including consultants and agencies, must renew their Business Registration Certificate (BRC) annually.
For up-to-date tax deadlines, refer to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) website.
How do Companies Registry obligations compare at a glance?
Here’s a summary of the key fees, deadlines, and forms every Hong Kong company must track:
|
Requirement |
Fee or amount (2026) |
Deadline |
Form |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Certificate of Incorporation |
HK$1,545 (electronic) |
One-time, at incorporation |
Form NNC1 or NNC1G |
|
Business Registration Certificate (1-year) |
HK$2,350 |
Annual renewal |
IRBR1 + renewal via Demand Note |
|
Business Registration Certificate (3-year) |
HK$6,170 |
Every 3 years |
IRBR1 + renewal via Demand Note |
|
Annual Return |
HK$105 on time; HK$870–3,480 if late |
Within 42 days of incorporation anniversary |
Form NAR1 |
|
First Profits Tax Return |
Free to file (tax payable depends on profits) |
Within 1 month of IRD issuing return (~18 months after incorporation) |
BIR51 |
|
Director or secretary change |
No fee for filing |
Within 15 days of the change |
Form ND2A or NSC1 |
The biggest recurring cost is the annual BRC at HK$2,350 (or HK$6,170 for three years). The Annual Return is cheap on time at HK$105, but late filing costs HK$870 to HK$3,480. First Profits Tax Return is typically due 18 months after incorporation. Diary the 42-day annual return window from day one.
HK Companies Registry: incorporation made easy
The Hong Kong Companies Registry provides the forms and online tools to incorporate a company, but the process can still feel complicated, especially if you are unfamiliar with local filing requirements and compliance rules. That is where expert support makes the difference.
Sleek helps founders handle incorporation from day one. We guide you through the paperwork, explain what is required, and keep your company on track after registration with ongoing accounting and compliance support.
Common challenges for overseas founders
International founders often run into avoidable issues when dealing with the Hong Kong Companies Registry, including:
-
Checking whether the company name is available and acceptable.
-
Understanding share capital and ownership structure.
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Appointing a compliant company secretary.
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Understanding directors’ duties in Hong Kong before the company goes live.
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Preparing the correct incorporation documents and supporting information.
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Keeping up with ongoing compliance requirements after registration.
How Sleek makes it simpler
Sleek supports founders through nearly every step of Hong Kong company incorporation. We handle the admin, guide you through local requirements, and help you avoid the common delays that slow applications down.
Here is how we help:
-
Company name check: We check whether your preferred company name is available and suitable for filing.
-
Document preparation: We prepare and submit the required incorporation documents on your behalf.
-
Company secretary support: We help you appoint a compliant company secretary and stay on top of ongoing obligations.
Whether you are registering locally or from overseas, Sleek gives you a clearer, smoother way to get your company set up in Hong Kong, with practical support at every stage
Our experts are here to help you sort incorporation, compliance, and ongoing regulatory requirements.
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