Frequently Asked
Questions

Once we receive your completed documents and KYC verification, incorporation typically takes 3–5 business days. The Companies Registry processes online submissions quickly, and your Business Registration Certificate is issued simultaneously. You receive your digital documents by email within 24 hours of registry approval.

Yes. There is no residency requirement for shareholders or directors of a Hong Kong private limited company. Non-residents from any country can be the sole shareholder and sole director. The only requirements are: at least one director (any nationality), at least one shareholder (can be the same person), and a Hong Kong registered office address — which we provide. Everything is handled remotely with no visit required.

There is no minimum share capital requirement in Hong Kong. Most companies are incorporated with 1 share at HK$1 par value — a nominal amount. You do not need to inject capital into the company to begin operations. Share capital can be increased at any time if required by investors, banks, or contracts.

No. A Hong Kong private limited company requires at least one natural person as director, but that director can be of any nationality and resident anywhere in the world. There is no requirement for a Hong Kong-resident director. If you prefer not to appear publicly as a director, we offer nominee director services as part of our governance packages.

For each director and shareholder we require:

• Valid passport (photo page)
• Proof of residential address dated within 3 months (utility bill, bank statement, or government letter)
• Brief description of the business activities

Corporate shareholders require additional corporate documents. All documents can be submitted digitally — no notarisation required for standard incorporation.

Yes, nominee director services are available. A nominee director appears on the public register on your behalf, while you retain full control through a private Declaration of Trust and Power of Attorney. This is a legal and commonly used arrangement in Hong Kong. We only offer nominee services to clients whose business passes our compliance screening. The beneficial owner is always recorded in the Significant Controllers Register.

A private limited company (Ltd) is a separate legal entity from its owners. Your personal assets are protected from business liabilities, the company can own assets and enter contracts in its own name, and it is more credible with banks, suppliers, and international clients.

A sole proprietorship has no legal separation — you are personally liable for all business debts. For serious international business activity, a Hong Kong Ltd is almost always the correct structure.

Only if you are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong. If you live outside Hong Kong, you cannot serve as your own company secretary — a Hong Kong-resident individual or Hong Kong-incorporated company must be appointed. Even Hong Kong-resident founders often prefer to delegate this to a professional service to ensure compliance deadlines are never missed.

Our annual company secretary service includes:

• Named company secretary on the Companies Registry record
• Maintenance of the Significant Controllers Register (SCR)
• Annual return preparation and filing
• Government correspondence handling
• Registered office address with digital mail portal
• Board resolution drafting for routine matters
• Compliance reminders and deadline tracking

The Significant Controllers Register is a mandatory internal register that every Hong Kong company must maintain. It records the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) — natural persons who ultimately own or control more than 25% of the company. The SCR is not publicly accessible but must be available for inspection by law enforcement authorities on request. HEVEA HK maintains and updates this register on your behalf.

Every Hong Kong company must file an Annual Return with the Companies Registry within 42 days of its incorporation anniversary. The return confirms key company details: directors, shareholders, registered office, and share capital. HEVEA HK handles the entire process — we prepare the return, obtain your electronic signature, pay the Government filing fee, and submit on time. You receive confirmation once filed.

Yes. You can change your company secretary at any time by filing a Form ND4 with the Companies Registry. The outgoing secretary must be formally removed and the new one appointed — both recorded in a board resolution. HEVEA HK handles the transition paperwork if you switch to us from another provider, or assists with an orderly handover if you choose to move away.

Airwallex is regulated in Hong Kong as a Money Service Operator and provides your company with:

• Multi-currency wallets in 24+ currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CNY, SGD, THB and more)
• Global payouts to 180+ countries at interbank FX rates
• Collect payments from clients worldwide in their local currency
• Virtual and physical Visa debit cards for business expenses
• Batch payroll and supplier payments

HEVEA HK prepares your full application package so the submission process is seamless.

Yes. Traditional banks such as HSBC Business, Hang Seng Business, and Bank of China (HK) do open accounts for non-resident-owned Hong Kong companies. However, the process typically involves an in-person branch visit, extensive documentation, processing times of 6–16 weeks, and possible minimum deposit requirements. We can advise on this route and help prepare your documents. Airwallex is the faster, more practical starting point for most founders.

Airwallex supports 24+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, HKD, AUD, CAD, CNY, SGD, JPY, CHF, NZD, THB, MYR, PHP, and INR among others. Each currency wallet is separate — you can hold balances in multiple currencies simultaneously and convert between them at competitive rates without forced conversion.

All physical mail received at your registered office address is scanned and uploaded to your secure online portal within 1 business day. You receive an email notification for each new item. Your portal stores a searchable archive of all correspondence — government letters, Companies Registry notices, and any other mail. Physical forwarding to your international address can be arranged on request at cost.

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest. We comply with Hong Kong's Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) and retain only the data necessary for legal compliance and service delivery. We do not sell, share, or monetise client data. Your KYC documents and company records are stored in secure, access-controlled systems.

Hong Kong taxes profits on a territorial basis. Profits arising from transactions negotiated, concluded, and performed entirely outside Hong Kong may qualify as offshore and not be subject to Hong Kong profits tax. This is an explicit feature of Hong Kong tax law (Inland Revenue Ordinance Cap. 112), not a loophole. Businesses legitimately trading internationally can apply for an offshore profits exemption ruling from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

You apply to the Inland Revenue Department by filing your profits tax return and declaring the offshore nature of your income. Alternatively, you can request an advance ruling from the IRD before commencing operations. The IRD requires clear documentation showing all operations occurred outside Hong Kong. HEVEA HK can introduce you to qualified Hong Kong tax advisors who specialise in this process.

No. Hong Kong is not on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, nor on the FATF blacklist or greylist. It is a member of the OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information, and participates in the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Hong Kong's tax attractiveness comes from its legal territorial tax system, not from opacity.

Yes. Every Hong Kong company must file a profits tax return with the IRD annually, typically 18 months after incorporation and annually thereafter. The return must be accompanied by audited financial statements. Even if your profits are offshore-sourced and exempt from tax, you must still file the return declaring the nature and source of income. Non-filing attracts penalties.

Economic Substance refers to the requirement that companies claiming tax benefits have genuine business activities in the jurisdiction, not just a postal address. For offshore profits exemption claims, the IRD evaluates whether transactions were genuinely performed offshore. Unlike some jurisdictions, Hong Kong does not have a separate formal Economic Substance Act, but the IRD applies substance tests when reviewing offshore claims. Maintain proper records of where and how your transactions occur.

AMLO (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance Cap. 615) regulates Trust or Company Service Providers (TCSPs) like HEVEA HK, requiring us to conduct Know-Your-Client (KYC) checks before providing services. This directly affects you as a client — you must provide identity and address verification documents before we can incorporate your company. This is a legal requirement, and the process is straightforward.

A Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licence is issued by the Companies Registry of Hong Kong. It is required for any business providing company formation services, company secretary services, or registered office services for profit in Hong Kong. HEVEA HK holds a valid TCSP licence. Working with an unlicensed provider is illegal in Hong Kong — always verify your service provider is licensed on the Companies Registry website.

As a company director, you have ongoing duties to ensure your company is not used for money laundering or terrorist financing. Directors can face personal liability if they knowingly allow their company to be used for illicit purposes. In practice, running a legitimate business — maintaining proper records, conducting business with verified counterparties, and filing returns — satisfies your obligations. HEVEA HK flags any compliance concerns as part of our ongoing service.

Every year your Hong Kong company must:

• Renew the Business Registration Certificate (annually, fee payable to IRD)
• File an Annual Return with the Companies Registry (within 42 days of anniversary)
• File a Profits Tax Return with audited financial statements
• Hold an Annual General Meeting or pass a written resolution in lieu
• Update the Significant Controllers Register if ownership changes

HEVEA HK tracks all deadlines and manages the Companies Registry filings as part of our company secretary service.

Yes. A Hong Kong company can be deregistered if it has ceased all business activities, has no outstanding liabilities, and all tax obligations are settled. The process typically takes 4–6 months from application to completion. If a company has significant assets or creditors, a formal winding-up process may be required instead. HEVEA HK offers company dissolution services and can advise on the most appropriate route.