In 2026, the “best” Hong Kong company incorporation services aren’t just the ones that file your incorporation forms quickly. The best providers help you incorporate correctly, price your first year transparently, and support the two areas that usually cause delays and surprise costs: banking/payment onboarding and ongoing compliance (company secretary, annual return, accounting, audit, and tax filing).
This guide explains what a Hong Kong incorporation service typically includes, where fees and timelines can change, and how to compare popular providers (including Air Corporate and other well-known firms) using a practical scorecard—especially if you’re a non-resident setting up remotely.
Quick Answer: What Makes an Incorporation Service “Good”?
A strong Hong Kong incorporation service typically offers:
- Clear scope: you know exactly what’s included (and what’s not).
- Transparent pricing: setup costs plus realistic year-1 and year-2 compliance costs.
- Remote-friendly onboarding: smooth KYC, e-signatures, courier handling if needed.
- Bank/payment support: document preparation and guidance (without “guaranteed approval” claims).
- Ongoing compliance coverage: company secretary, annual return reminders/filing, SCR support, and a path to accounting/audit/tax.
- Responsive support: fast answers when you’re dealing with banks, invoices, or filings.
What Is a Hong Kong Company Incorporation Service?
A Hong Kong company incorporation service is a professional provider that helps you set up a Hong Kong limited company by preparing and filing incorporation documents with the Companies Registry, then supporting the ongoing statutory and tax obligations needed to keep the company compliant.
Most firms also bundle or offer add-ons such as:
- Company secretary service
- Registered address service
- Significant Controllers Register (SCR) support
- Accounting, audit coordination, and tax filing
- Bank account or payment provider onboarding assistance
A key point: the provider can handle filings and guide you, but you (as the business owner/director) still remain responsible for giving accurate information and running the company properly.
What You Must Have to Operate a Hong Kong Company
When you incorporate a Hong Kong company, there are several practical “must-haves” that a good provider will either supply directly or help you arrange.
1. Incorporation Documents and Filings
Typically includes preparing and filing:
- Incorporation forms and Articles of Association
- Certificates issued after successful incorporation (digital certificates are common)
Electronic incorporation can be very fast in Hong Kong; the critical requirement is that your submission is complete and passes review.
2. A Company Secretary
Hong Kong private companies need a company secretary. Many incorporation services include the first year of secretary service or offer it as an add-on.
Why it matters: the company secretary is central to compliance—annual filings, statutory records, and ensuring your company stays in good standing.
3. SCR (Significant Controllers Register) Setup Support
Hong Kong companies (with some exceptions) must maintain an SCR. Some providers include SCR setup and provide a designated representative; others charge separately.
4. Accounting, Audit, and Tax Filing Pathway
Many founders focus on setup and banking, but the ongoing financial side is where costs and workload can spike later. Depending on your activity, you may need:
- Bookkeeping and financial statements
- Audit coordination
- Profits Tax Return filing support
A strong incorporation service makes it obvious what’s needed and when—before you commit.
The Biggest Cost Trap: Setup Fees vs Ongoing Fees
A common mistake is choosing based on the cheapest “incorporation price” and discovering later that essential items were excluded.
Typical Exclusions to Watch For
Ask whether the quote includes or excludes:
- Company secretary (year 1 + renewal in year 2)
- Registered address + mail handling
- SCR setup / designated representative support
- Annual return filing assistance and government filing fees
- “KYC administration” fees (especially for corporate shareholders or multiple directors)
- Accounting + audit + tax filing (often priced separately based on activity level)
- Banking/payment provider onboarding assistance
A Simple “All-In Quote” Checklist
Before choosing a provider, request a quote that clearly states:
- Total year-1 cost (setup + secretary + address + SCR + typical compliance support)
- Total year-2 renewal cost (especially secretary/address renewals)
- What triggers additional fees (e.g., extra shareholders, complex structure, late filings)
- Banking/payment onboarding scope (what they do, what you do, what’s not guaranteed)
Bank Account and Payment Provider Setup
What’s realistic in 2026: For many non-resident founders, banking is the longest part of the journey—not incorporation.
What a Formation Firm Can Realistically Do
A good provider can:
- Help package your KYC documents
- Improve your “business profile” presentation (business model, counterparties, expected volumes)
- Coordinate introductions or guided applications with banks and/or payment providers
- Reduce back-and-forth by preparing correct supporting documents early
What No One Can Promise
Even the best provider cannot credibly guarantee:
- Bank approval
- A specific approval timeline
- A specific bank outcome (banks and payment providers have their own risk rules)
Practical Document Prep (Typical Requests)
While requirements vary, be ready for:
- Passport and proof of address for key individuals
- Company incorporation documents
- Business description, website/store links, invoices/contracts (if available)
- Expected transaction volumes and countries
- Source of funds / source of wealth explanations when requested
How to Compare Providers: 2026 Scorecard
Use this scorecard approach to compare providers consistently:
| Criteria | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fully online process | Online onboarding, e-signatures, remote KYC | Saves time and makes remote setup realistic |
| Non-resident friendliness | Clear guidance for overseas founders | Avoids delays and document mistakes |
| Transparent inclusions | Clear list of what’s included vs add-ons | Prevents surprise invoices |
| Ongoing compliance coverage | Secretary, annual filings, SCR support | Keeps the company in good standing |
| Accounting/audit/tax pathway | Bookkeeping + audit coordination available | Avoids last-minute compliance panic |
| Banking/payment support | Document prep + guided application | Helps reduce rejection risk |
| Support responsiveness | Multichannel support, clear handover | Banking and compliance issues need fast answers |
| Renewal pricing clarity | Year-2 costs shown upfront | Avoids “cheap year 1, expensive year 2” |
Providers to Consider for Hong Kong Incorporation (2026)
Below is a non-ranked shortlist of providers people commonly consider in the market. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise speed, ongoing compliance depth, accounting/audit support, or banking/payment guidance.
AirCorporate
Air Corporate is typically a strong fit if you want:
- A fully online incorporation experience designed for remote founders
- End-to-end coverage beyond formation: company secretarial, accounting, audit/tax filing coordination, and bank/payment onboarding assistance
- Transparent, all-in style quoting (so you can see year-1 and renewal costs clearly)
- Support that matches how global founders communicate, including channels like WhatsApp/WeChat (where applicable)
Acclime
- Often considered by businesses that want broader regional corporate support.
- Typically relevant for SMEs planning multi-market operations.
- Ask about: who handles ongoing filings, renewal pricing, and the best banking route for your profile.
Asia Business Centre (AsiaBC)
- Often chosen by founders who want a packaged incorporation + support approach.
- Ask about: what’s included in year 1 vs renewals, and how banking support is structured.
BBCIncorp
- Known for multi-jurisdiction incorporation offerings.
- Ask about: how Hong Kong ongoing compliance is handled (secretary, annual return, accounting/audit coordination) and what’s bundled vs optional.
BoardRoom
- Often seen as a more traditional corporate services provider.
- May suit businesses that want governance-heavy support.
- Ask about: service model (dedicated manager vs shared team), turnaround times for changes, and renewal fees.
EasyCorp
- Commonly considered by founders who prefer a Hong Kong-focused corporate services approach.
- Ask about: what’s included in registered address/mail handling and how they support banking/payment onboarding.
FastLane
- Often associated with accounting-led services alongside company setup.
- Ask about: ongoing bookkeeping/audit/tax workflow and who your point of contact will be.
Osome
- Known for tech-led administration and accounting workflows in multiple markets.
- Ask about: what’s included in Hong Kong secretary/address services and how complex structures are priced.
PAT Certified Public Accountants Ltd
- Often considered by businesses that prioritise accounting/audit/tax depth.
- Ask about: how incorporation packages connect to ongoing audit and tax filing.
Sleek
- Multi-market provider with a tech-forward model.
- Ask about: the Hong Kong team structure, what’s bundled, and renewal visibility.
Statrys
- Often considered by founders looking at business account options alongside incorporation.
- Ask about: whether the “account” is a bank account or a payment/EMI-type account, fees, and onboarding requirements.
Step-by-Step: What the Incorporation Process Typically Looks Like
Most remote incorporations follow a predictable sequence:
- Pre-check and company name selection
- KYC / due diligence (for directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners)
- Prepare incorporation documents (Articles, forms, internal setup)
- File incorporation and receive company documents
- Set up compliance basics (statutory records, SCR support, annual calendar)
- Apply for bank account and/or payment provider account (often the slowest step)
- Begin ongoing accounting/tax workflow (bookkeeping discipline early saves time later)
Common Delay Factors
- Incomplete KYC documents or inconsistent information
- Complex ownership structures (multiple entities/shareholders)
- Banking compliance follow-ups (business model, counterparties, source of funds)
Practical Takeaways
Use these points before you make your decision:
- Compare providers on total year-1 + year-2 cost, not the headline incorporation fee.
- Treat banking as a separate project with its own timeline and compliance requirements.
- Confirm who covers company secretary + SCR + annual return and what’s included.
- Choose a provider that can support your ongoing accounting/audit/tax needs as you scale.
- Ask for an itemised quote and a clear “what’s included vs add-on” list.
FAQs
Often yes, depending on your structure and the provider’s KYC process. Many founders incorporate and operate without travelling, but banking requirements can differ by institution.
Electronic filing can be fast once documents are ready. The bigger variable is usually how quickly you complete KYC and how complex your structure is.
Not always. Some banks/payment providers support remote onboarding for certain profiles, but approval depends on compliance checks and your business model.
A company secretary is a statutory role focused on compliance and filings. Most Hong Kong private companies need one, and many incorporation providers include or offer this service.
Many Hong Kong companies arrange audited financial statements as part of annual compliance. The exact requirement can depend on the company’s status and activity, so confirm with a qualified professional for your situation.
At minimum: incorporation filing, year-1 company secretary, registered address, SCR support, and clear renewal pricing. If you need banking support, the quote should define what assistance is included.
Air Corporate provides incorporation and can support ongoing corporate services such as company secretarial and accounting/audit/tax coordination, which is useful if you want one provider across the lifecycle.
A bank account is a traditional banking product. Payment provider accounts (or EMI-style accounts) may be better suited to accepting card payments and handling marketplace payouts, but fees, limits, and onboarding differ.
