Does my company need a registered office in Hong Kong, and how do I change it?
Yes. Every Hong Kong company must have a registered office in Hong Kong where communications and notices can be sent. If it changes, file Form NR1 with the Companies Registry within 15 days, otherwise the company faces up to HK$50,000 per breach plus HK$1,000 per day.
The rule A company must have a registered office in Hong Kong to which communications and notices may be addressed. The address appears on the public record.
Changing the address
- File Form NR1 (notice of change of address of registered office) within 15 days after the change.
- The same e-Form can also report the change of address with the IRD: the Registry passes the new registered office to the Inland Revenue Department, so you do not need a separate notification for business registration.
- Form NR1 is also used to update the company's contact email and Hong Kong phone number.
Penalty for default Up to HK$50,000 for each breach plus a daily default fine of HK$1,000 for a continuing offence, according to the Registry's guidance.
Practical points
- Make sure someone collects mail at the registered office and acts on official letters; missed notices can result in strike-off proceedings or court documents going unnoticed.
- If you use a service provider's address, check that the provider is licensed (see the TCSP question) and that your contract covers forwarding.
- The registered office is not necessarily where you operate; separate business addresses are reported to the IRD for business registration purposes.
Legal basis
- Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.658
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
- How do I renew my business registration certificate, and should I choose 1 or 3 years?You renew with the IRD before the certificate expires and choose a one-year or three-year certificate. Three years costs less per year in fee, but the levy and cash outlay are paid upfront. The fee and levy are not refunded if you close before a three-year certificate ends. Non-compliance is an offence with a fine up to HK$5,000 and imprisonment of one year.
- How do I issue (allot) new shares in a Hong Kong company, and what is the NSC1 deadline?Issue shares through proper board and member approvals, then file Form NSC1 (return of allotment with a statement of capital) with the Companies Registry within one month after the allotment. Late filing risks up to HK$25,000 per breach plus a HK$700 daily default fine.
- What is the annual return (NAR1) in Hong Kong and when is it due?A private company must file Form NAR1 with the Companies Registry within 42 days after each anniversary of its incorporation. The fee is HK$105 if filed on time. It reports company and officer details, member information and business nature. It is separate from business registration renewal.
- Which changes must I report to the Companies Registry and by when?Report changes in directors or company secretaries on Form ND2A or ND2B within 15 days, a registered office change on NR1 within 15 days, and a share allotment on NSC1 within one month. The annual return is due within 42 days after each incorporation anniversary. Some changes, like share transfers, wait for the annual return.
- Does a Hong Kong private company have to hold an annual general meeting (AGM)?Usually yes: a private company that is not a subsidiary of a public company must hold an AGM within nine months after its accounting reference period ends. But there are exemptions, including single-member companies, dormant companies, written resolutions covering all AGM business, and a unanimous decision to dispense with AGMs.