Can a foreigner set up a company in Hong Kong, and what is required?
Yes. Hong Kong has no nationality or residency requirement for shareholders or directors. The company needs at least one director who is an individual, a company secretary based in Hong Kong, a Hong Kong registered office, and business registration. A visa to live or work in Hong Kong is a separate matter.
What company law requires
- At least one shareholder (any nationality, individual or corporate).
- At least one director who is a natural person; non-residents are allowed.
- A company secretary who is an individual ordinarily resident in Hong Kong or a corporate with a Hong Kong office. Many foreign founders use a licensed service provider or a solicitor or CPA firm for this.
- A registered office address in Hong Kong.
- Business registration, completed together with incorporation.
Process Incorporation can be done online with the e-Services Portal. The Registry's guide says a straightforward online application can be completed in about an hour. You will need to be able to sign the incorporation form, either through your own e-Services account or through an authorised person.
Other steps
- Open a bank account (see the bank account question in this section).
- Sort out immigration status if you plan to live or work in Hong Kong.
- Check any licensing for your trade.
- Understand tax residence and filing duties; see the tax sections.
Remember Owning a Hong Kong company does not give a right to reside or work. Immigration permission is decided separately by the Immigration Department.
Legal basis
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.457
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.474
Sources
Applies to 2026 · Last reviewed 29 October 2026
General information for business owners, not legal, tax or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources or ask a licensed professional before you act.
Related questions
- Should an overseas company set up a branch, a representative office or a Hong Kong subsidiary?A branch is the overseas company itself trading in Hong Kong and must register as a non-Hong Kong company within one month. A representative office can only liaise or research, not trade for profit. A subsidiary is a separate Hong Kong company that ring-fences liability.
- Can a foreigner or non-resident be a director of a Hong Kong company?Yes. The Companies Ordinance has no residency or nationality requirement for directors, and a non-resident can be the only director. Being a director does not by itself give any right to live or work in Hong Kong, which is a separate immigration question.
- Why is opening a bank account for a new Hong Kong company difficult, and what do banks ask for?Banks must carry out customer due diligence under anti-money-laundering rules, so they ask who owns and controls the company and what it will do. New companies with non-resident owners or no trading history often face extra questions. The HKMA says banks should not reject applicants just for being offshore or a start-up.
- Does setting up a Hong Kong company give me a visa to live and work there?No. Incorporating a company or holding its shares does not give immigration status. A non-resident founder normally needs permission from the Immigration Department, for example under the Investment as Entrepreneurs route or a talent scheme, and must show a real business.
- How do I register an overseas company in Hong Kong (Part 16, registered non-Hong Kong company)?An overseas company that establishes a place of business in Hong Kong must register with the Companies Registry within one month on Form NN1. You file certified copies of its constitution, incorporation certificate and latest accounts, plus the business registration notice. The fee is HK$1,545 online or HK$1,720 on paper.