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.
Key point Company law and immigration law are separate. The Companies Registry does not issue visas, and the Immigration Department decides on entry and stay.
Routes to know about (headline only)
- Investment as Entrepreneurs (General Employment Policy): for people who want to establish or join a business in Hong Kong. Applicants usually submit a three-year business plan and financial forecasts, and the Department weighs whether the business suits Hong Kong's economy. Start-ups backed by a government-supported programme may be looked at favourably.
- Talent and professional schemes: including the General Employment Policy for professionals, the Top Talent Pass Scheme, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, and schemes for mainland talents and technology talent.
- Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: a wealth-based route with a net worth requirement and an investment in a specified portfolio; check current thresholds.
- Visa-free visits: many nationalities can enter for visits of 7 to 180 days, but visiting is not the same as working.
Family Some visa holders may bring a spouse and children under 18, subject to meeting financial and housing requirements.
Next steps Rules, quotas and thresholds change. Confirm directly with the Immigration Department or take immigration advice before relying on any scheme.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.