Frequently Asked Questions

Hong Kong consistently ranks #1 in the world for economic freedom (Heritage Foundation, 25+ years). Key advantages: corporate tax of only 8.25% on the first HK$2M of profits and 16.5% above that — with 0% on offshore profits. No VAT, no capital gains tax, no dividend tax. 100% foreign ownership is allowed, no local partner required. You get access to 75+ international banks, free capital flow, and a strategic gateway to China's 1.4 billion consumers. Registration takes 3–5 business days and can be done 100% remotely.

Under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), these are three related but distinct steps. Company formation is the full setup journey — planning, incorporation filing, and post-incorporation compliance. Incorporation is the legal act of creating the company with the Hong Kong Companies Registry, resulting in a Certificate of Incorporation. Business registration is a separate step with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) that issues your Business Registration Certificate, which is required to lawfully operate.

Yes, the entire incorporation process is 100% online. You upload documents securely, sign electronically via DocuSign, and receive your Certificate of Incorporation digitally — no trips to Hong Kong required. For banking: fintech partners like Airwallex, Currenxie, and Statrys support 100% remote account opening. Traditional banks like HSBC may require an in-person visit, which is why we recommend starting with a fintech account first.

Yes. Hong Kong allows 100% foreign ownership with no restrictions on nationality. You do not need a local partner or nominee shareholder. Any individual or corporate entity from any country can be the sole director and shareholder. The only local requirement is a company secretary, which must be a Hong Kong resident individual or an HK-incorporated company — Air Corporate fills this role for you.

The most common and recommended structure is a Private Limited Company (Ltd). It provides limited liability protection, is internationally recognised, and is required for opening business bank accounts. Other structures include sole proprietorships (no liability protection, HK residents only), partnerships, and branch offices of foreign companies. For 99% of entrepreneurs and foreign business owners, a private limited company is the right choice.

Every Hong Kong company must: (1) File an Annual Return (NAR1) with the Companies Registry each year — due within 42 days of the anniversary of incorporation. (2) Renew the Business Registration Certificate annually with the IRD. (3) Hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and prepare annual financial statements. (4) Have accounts audited annually by a Hong Kong CPA. (5) Maintain statutory registers and the Significant Controllers Register (SCR) at the registered office. Air Corporate sends compliance reminders and can handle all of these.

The Companies Registry handles incorporation — it issues the Certificate of Incorporation and maintains the public register of companies. The Business Registration Office, under the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), issues the Business Registration Certificate and maintains related tax records. The IRD also oversees profits tax filing and all other tax compliance. Both registrations are required to legally operate a company in Hong Kong.

Online filing with the Companies Registry is typically approved in 1 working day. Including time to prepare documents and KYC verification, the full process from payment to Certificate of Incorporation takes 3–5 business days. You receive your documents digitally: Certificate of Incorporation, Business Registration Certificate, and Articles of Association. Company chops and share certificates are delivered within 2–3 additional days.

Step 1: You receive an instant confirmation email and your portal account is created, with a document checklist. Step 2: You upload your KYC documents (passport + proof of address) and fill in the company details form. Our team reviews within 24 hours. Step 3: We prepare all incorporation forms (NNC1/IRBR1), Articles of Association, and reserve your company name. You sign electronically via email link — takes 5 minutes. Step 4: We file with the Companies Registry. Online approval typically takes 1 working day. Step 5: You receive your Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate digitally.

We check name availability with the Companies Registry before filing. If your first choice is taken, we suggest alternatives based on your backup options. Pro tip: prepare 2–3 backup names when you sign up — we'll check all of them and reserve the available one immediately. For example, if 'ABC Trading Limited' is taken, we might suggest 'ABC Global Trading Limited' or 'ABC International Trading Limited'. We will never file with a name you haven't approved.

Your company name must end with 'Limited' (or '有限公司' in Chinese). It cannot be identical to an existing registered company name. It must not be misleading or suggest government affiliation. Certain words like 'Bank', 'Insurance', 'Trust', or 'University' require special approval. Names can be in English, Chinese, or both — if you use both, they must be consistent in meaning. We check all of this before filing.

We use DocuSign for all document signing. You receive a secure email link, review the documents on any device, and sign with a tap or click. It typically takes 5 minutes and is legally binding in Hong Kong. You don't need to print, scan, or physically mail anything.

Yes. After registration you can change directors, shareholders, company address, company name, and business activities. Each change requires filing the relevant form with the Companies Registry within the required timeframes and paying the applicable government fee. Air Corporate can handle all these changes on your behalf. Note: the company secretary must always be a Hong Kong resident or HK-incorporated company.

You receive immediately: Certificate of Incorporation (CI), Business Registration Certificate (BRC), Articles of Association, and access to your 24/7 online dashboard with a compliance calendar. Within 2–3 days: digital company chops, share certificates, and your full statutory registers. Everything is delivered digitally to your secure dashboard and can be downloaded anytime.

For individual shareholders/directors: (1) Certified copy of passport — valid for 6+ months, bio page minimum, certified by a notary, lawyer, accountant, or TCSP. (2) Certified proof of address within 3 months — bank statement, utility bill, or government letter. (3) A 10-second identity verification video. For corporate shareholders: Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association, Register of Directors and Shareholders, Certificate of Good Standing (within 6 months), Board Resolution, and beneficial owner documents. Air Corporate's All-Inclusive and Expert packages include document certification — no need to find a notary.

Documents must be in English or Chinese. If your passport or proof of address is in another language, they must be accompanied by a certified translation. We can advise on certified translators if needed. Most passports from major countries are accepted as-is since the bio page is typically in English as well as the local language.

The minimum issued share capital is HK$1. Most clients start with HK$10,000 to appear more professional on official records, but there is no obligation to pay this money into the company bank account immediately. Share capital in Hong Kong is 'authorised' rather than paid-up, and you can increase it at any time after incorporation. We recommend HK$10,000 with 10,000 ordinary shares at HK$1 each.

Yes — every Hong Kong company must have a physical registered office address in Hong Kong. It cannot be a P.O. Box. This address is publicly listed on the Companies Registry and is where government correspondence and legal notices are sent. All statutory records must be kept at this address. Air Corporate's All-Inclusive and Expert packages include a registered office address for 12 months.

You do not need a local director — directors can be of any nationality and based anywhere in the world. However, every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary, which must be either a Hong Kong resident individual or an HK-incorporated company. The company secretary is responsible for filing compliance documents and liaising with the government. Air Corporate serves as your company secretary in all our packages.

A company secretary is a mandatory officer required by the Companies Ordinance. Their responsibilities include: maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns (NAR1) with the Companies Registry, preparing AGM resolutions, updating the Companies Registry on any changes (directors, shareholders, address), and ensuring the company stays compliant. The secretary must be a Hong Kong resident or HK-incorporated company — they cannot be the same person as the sole director.

Under the Companies Ordinance, all Hong Kong companies must maintain a Significant Controllers Register (SCR) identifying anyone who has significant control over the company — typically persons or entities owning 25%+ of shares or voting rights. The SCR must be kept at the registered office and be available for inspection by law enforcement. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to HK$25,000. Air Corporate sets up and maintains your SCR as part of the incorporation service.

Statutory records are the official books and registers every Hong Kong company must maintain. They include: Register of Directors, Register of Members (shareholders), Register of Company Secretaries, Register of Significant Controllers (SCR), minutes of board and general meetings, resolutions, share certificates, and the Articles of Association. These must be kept at the company's registered office in Hong Kong and be available for inspection as required by law. We maintain all of these for you.

A minimum of 1 director (individual, any nationality) and 1 shareholder (individual or corporate entity) are required. One person can be both the sole director and sole shareholder simultaneously. There is no maximum number of directors or shareholders. Corporate shareholders are allowed — you can have a holding company as a shareholder. Directors must be at least 18 years old and not bankrupt.

Yes. You have two main options: (1) Fintech/neobank accounts — providers like Airwallex, Currenxie, Statrys, and NEAT offer 100% remote account opening, often within 1–3 business days. Multi-currency, low fees, excellent for international payments. (2) Traditional banks — HSBC, DBS, Hang Seng offer more established banking but typically require a physical visit and more documentation. We recommend starting with a fintech account immediately after incorporation and applying to a traditional bank once you have trading history.

No provider can legally guarantee bank account approval, as the decision rests with the bank or financial institution. However, Air Corporate has a 95%+ success rate with our fintech partner network. We help you prepare a strong application, review your business model, and match you with the most suitable institution. If one bank declines, we help you apply to alternatives. We do not charge extra for bank account support — it is included in our All-Inclusive and Expert packages.

Yes. Our fintech partners — Airwallex, Currenxie, Statrys, and WorldFirst — support 100% remote account opening with no in-person visit required. The application is done online, KYC is completed via video call or document upload, and your account is typically active within 1–3 business days. For traditional banks like HSBC, a physical visit to a Hong Kong branch is usually required.

With fintech accounts, you can typically hold and transact in 10–30+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD, CNY, JPY, HKD, and many others. This makes Hong Kong companies ideal for international businesses that need to receive and pay in multiple currencies. Traditional banks also offer multi-currency accounts, though with higher fees and stricter requirements.

We work with a curated network including: Airwallex (multi-currency, e-commerce friendly), Currenxie (FX-focused, competitive rates), Statrys (Hong Kong-based, excellent for SMEs), WorldFirst (Amazon seller friendly), HSBC (traditional, most recognised globally), and DBS (strong for Asia-Pacific trade). We match you with the right bank based on your business model, country of residence, and transaction volume.

With a Hong Kong company and bank account, you can accept: international wire transfers (SWIFT), credit card payments (via Stripe, PayPal, Adyen), e-commerce payouts (Amazon, Shopify), and platform payments. You can also integrate with payment gateways for your online business. Hong Kong has no capital controls, so you can freely move money in and out without restrictions.

Hong Kong uses a two-tier profits tax system: 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits, and 16.5% on profits above that. This applies only to profits sourced in Hong Kong. If your profits are generated outside Hong Kong, you can apply for offshore tax exemption — 0% tax. There is no VAT, no capital gains tax, no dividend withholding tax, no inheritance tax, and no tax on interest income.

If your Hong Kong company earns profits from business activities conducted entirely outside Hong Kong, those profits may qualify for offshore exemption and be subject to 0% tax. To qualify, you must demonstrate that the sales contracts are negotiated and concluded outside Hong Kong, management decisions are made outside Hong Kong, and no significant work is performed in Hong Kong. You apply by submitting an Offshore Status Claim to the IRD with supporting documentation. Air Corporate's Expert package includes tax advisory to help you qualify.

Yes. There are two main annual obligations: (1) Annual Return (NAR1) — filed with the Companies Registry within 42 days of your incorporation anniversary each year. (2) Profits Tax Return — filed with the IRD. New companies receive the first Profits Tax Return about 18 months after incorporation. Even if you have zero profits or are claiming offshore exemption, you must still file. Failure to file on time results in penalties. We send reminders and can handle all filings.

Yes. All Hong Kong private limited companies are required to have their annual financial statements audited by a Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The audited accounts are needed to file your Profits Tax Return. The cost of an audit varies by company size and transaction volume — typically HK$5,000–HK$25,000 per year for SMEs. Air Corporate can introduce you to affordable HK-licensed audit partners when your first audit is due.

Hong Kong does not have: VAT or GST (0%), capital gains tax (0%), dividend withholding tax (0%), inheritance tax (0%), estate duty (abolished since 2006), sales tax (0%), import duty (on most goods, 0%), and there is no requirement to pay national insurance or social security for non-resident directors. This tax-friendly environment is one of the primary reasons entrepreneurs choose Hong Kong.

Yes. If you are a director or employee of your Hong Kong company, you can pay yourself a salary. Salaries are subject to Salaries Tax in Hong Kong at progressive rates (2%–17%), but the tax-free threshold and allowances are generous. For non-resident directors who do not live in Hong Kong, salary income sourced outside Hong Kong may not be subject to Hong Kong salaries tax. We recommend consulting a Hong Kong tax advisor for your specific situation.

Your first financial year typically runs from your incorporation date to the last day of the next available month-end (for example, if you incorporate on March 15, your first year may run to March 31 of the following year — up to 18 months). The IRD generally issues your first Profits Tax Return about 18 months after incorporation. You should begin keeping proper accounting records from day one of operations.

Government fees are fixed: HK$1,545 for incorporation (Companies Registry) + HK$2,350 for a 1-year Business Registration Certificate (IRD, effective 1 Apr 2026) = HK$3,895 total in government fees (approximately USD 500). With Air Corporate's All-Inclusive package at USD 1,070, everything is included: government fees, company secretary (12 months), registered address (12 months), bank account support, and all documents. There are no hidden fees.

All packages include digital documents and 24/7 dashboard access. The All-Inclusive package (USD 1,070) includes: complete incorporation filing, Certificate of Incorporation, Business Registration Certificate, Articles of Association, all government fees (HK$3,895), company secretary for 12 months, registered office address for 12 months, Annual General Meeting resolutions, company chops, bank account support (95%+ success rate), 15+ business document templates. The Expert package (USD 1,405) additionally includes 5 hours of legal and tax consulting, a dedicated account manager, Certificate of Incumbency, and support for complex share structures.

With Air Corporate, what you see is what you pay. The All-Inclusive package at USD 1,070 covers everything for your first year. From the second year onwards, you need to renew: company secretary (approx. USD 350/year), registered address (approx. USD 250/year), and Business Registration Certificate renewal (HK$2,350 government fee, effective 1 Apr 2026). The Companies Registry Annual Return fee (HK$105) is also due annually. We provide a full renewal quote 60 days before it's due.

Annual renewal costs include: Business Registration Certificate renewal (HK$2,350 government fee, effective 1 Apr 2026), Annual Return filing (HK$105 government fee), company secretary renewal (Air Corporate charges approx. USD 350/year), and registered address renewal (approx. USD 250/year). Total annual cost is roughly USD 700–900 depending on your package and whether you need additional services. There are no surprise fees — we send you a complete renewal invoice 60 days in advance.

Yes. Air Corporate offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with our service for any reason within 30 days of payment, we will refund you in full — no questions asked. Note: government fees (HK$3,895) are non-refundable once paid to the Companies Registry and IRD, as these are third-party fees.