Under Section 658 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, every Hong Kong company must have a registered office address. This is where the company’s statutory records are located.
A registered office must be a physical address in Hong Kong (not a P.O. box), and it should meet accessibility and display requirements.
Companies may use the address of their company secretary (provided that it is a professional holding a TCSP license) as a registered office address.
Services like Air Corporate ensure compliance, handle government notices promptly, and display the company name at a prestigious business address, offering flexibility and saving costs associated with physical office spaces.
When registering a company, providing a registered address is essential. However, many online businesses do not actually need a physical office especially if their business is not in Hong Kong.
In this article, we explain the key elements you should have in mind when it comes to the registered office of your company.
Why Does Your Company Need a Registered Address?
According to Section 658 of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance, all companies operating in Hong Kong must maintain a registered office address in the city.
This address serves as the official location for all critical government correspondence, keeping your business compliant and accessible to authorities.
The registered office of a Hong Kong company is the address:
- Where the company’s statutory records must be stored
- Where any government notices and correspondence will be mailed
- That will appear on your company’s official records (such as on its Business Registration Certificate)
The registered address fulfills an administrative role and is distinct from any “business address” you may use for day-to-day operations. This means that a company can have an actual business address (in Hong Kong or elsewhere that can be different from its registered address).
Although it’s often common to use a virtual office or the address of a professional service provider, this address must meet certain conditions: it must be accessible for receiving mail and government notices, be a physical location within Hong Kong, and not be a P.O. box.
This legal address signifies your company’s official standing and is pivotal for ensuring the timely receipt of all essential government communications.
Based on applicable regulations, a Hong Kong company is also required to display its name and liability status in legible characters at its registered office address and every business venue.
The company name should be easily seen and positioned on the premises stated above for all visitors.
Can You Use a Residential Address as a Registered Address?
Your company address is not limited to commercial or office locations. This means that a residential address could also be a dedicated business address and used as a registered office address for a company.
If you decide to use a residential location as a registered address, you should:
- Check whether your tenancy agreement allows its usage as a registered office address
- Ensure that all communications and notices, including government notices, can be received during business hours
- Ensure that you comply with the obligation to display the company name continuously on the premises
- Remember that the address will be made into public information as the registered office address of a business can be easily found
Taking the above into consideration, most businesses and entrepreneurs choose not to use their house or apartment as a registered address. Also, using a company address in a business district in Hong Kong sends a better trust signal to clients, suppliers, and banks.
Can You Use a Virtual Address As Your Company’s Registered Address?
A Hong Kong business can use a virtual address for company registration, providing an official business address without needing a physical office space. Virtual office services often include mail handling, scanning, and forwarding, making them ideal for remote businesses seeking a professional image.
Many may wonder, however, if it is legal to use a virtual office as a registered address. The key to legality lies in whether the virtual office provider holds a “Corporate Service Provider Licence” (TCSP).
By using a licensed virtual office provider, you gain the benefits of a registered address that complies with legal standards, enabling your company to present a professional front while staying compliant.
Most licensed company secretaries in Hong Kong (same as us at Air Corporate) include the provision of a registered address for your company as part of their incorporation packages. Make sure that their offer includes the scanning and emailing of any correspondence without additional charge.
Using a virtual address is the preferred option for most companies, especially those with a business outside of Hong Kong. This solution comes with various benefits:
| Cost | Obtaining a virtual address is cheaper than renting an actual office. |
|---|---|
| Convenience | Hong Kong companies with operations overseas may not need to have an actual physical space in Hong Kong. |
| Compliance | Using a virtual address provided by your company secretary helps ensure that all government correspondence is received and forwarded to you. |
| Credibility | Virtual addresses are generally located within central business districts of Hong Kong, which conveys trust to third parties. |
What Are the Benefits of Using Air Corporate's Registered Office Services?
Using the registered address services of Air Corporate guarantees compliance with applicable laws.
We bring you peace of mind by:
- Ensuring immediate attention to government notices that may have a return deadline or be subject to late filing penalties (e.g., tax return, business registration renewal demand note mandatory survey, etc.)
- Avoiding the pitfalls of using a residential address as discussed above
- Ensuring that your company name is always properly displayed at our office in legible characters
- Enjoying an office address located in prestigious Hong Kong central business districts, ensuring immediate credibility from potential investors and customers. This address can be used on business cards, websites, letterheads, and other corporate documents
- Ensuring that you do not have to report to the authorities, your bank, and your business cards each time you move your actual operations to another location
- Not having an actual office can be expensive in Hong Kong. This is especially relevant if you carry your business from outside of Hong Kong
How Can You Change Your Registered Address to Air Corporate?
If you decide to use our registered address services, we will take care of everything for you. This includes:
- Informing your previous service provider
- Preparing the applicable company resolutions for the address change
- Reporting the address change to the Companies Registry of Hong Kong and the Inland Revenue Department (preparation and filing of IRC3111A and NR1 Form)
- Helping you in notifying your bank and other business partners about the change of address
Please note that any change of address must be reported to the Companies Registry within 15 days to avoid penalties.
What Is Included In Our Registered Address Service?
Air Corporate offers different incorporation packages available. Some include a registered address service.
We provide more than just an administrative address. Our team opens and scans government letters, bank statements, and other correspondence.
It is a hassle-free service. You can also expect prompt and reliable updates so you can focus your efforts on developing your business.
Our services notably include:
- Virtual office address and registered address services
- Display of company name and liability status in legible characters
- Statement of confirmation of address available upon request
- Scanning letter services
- Mailing letter services
- Daily letter/parcel notifications via email
- Address for use as a mailing address (on name cards, letterheads, etc.)
- Receipt of normal mail, airmail, parcels, or registered mails
If you have not incorporated with us, or if you have not appointed us as company secretary for your company, simply contact us if you need a registered address or virtual office address.
