How to Set Up a Hong Kong Company in 2026: The Ultimate Guide for Global Entrepreneurs

Yiunam Leung
8 minutes ago
4 min read

A Blueprint for Digital Nomads, Remote Founders, and International Business Owners.

Are you a location-independent entrepreneur looking for the perfect home for your business? In 2026, Hong Kong remains the "Goldilocks" solution: it offers the safety and reputation of a top-tier financial hub combined with the tax efficiency of an offshore haven.

This guide breaks down exactly how to incorporate, bank, and manage a Hong Kong company remotely—without getting bogged down in legal jargon.

1. Why Hong Kong? The "Hybrid" Advantage

Most jurisdictions are either "High Tax/High Reputation" (like the UK or USA) or "No Tax/Low Reputation" (like the BVI or Seychelles).

Hong Kong is unique because it is a Hybrid Entity.

The Onshore Face: Legally, a Hong Kong company is a respectable, transparent entity. It works with global partners and Stripe/PayPal without issues.

The Offshore Tax Perk: Hong Kong uses a Territorial Tax System. If your business is managed from outside Hong Kong and your profits come from outside Hong Kong, you can legally pay 0% Corporate Tax.

Key Benefits at a Glance:

100% Foreign Ownership: You do not need a local partner.

Remote Management: You do not need to live in (or even visit) Hong Kong.

Asset Protection: Your personal assets are separate from business liabilities.

2. Requirements for Hong Kong Company Registration

You don't need a complex board of directors. The structure is surprisingly simple for a "Solopreneur" (a one-person business).

The "Must-Haves" checklist:

One Director: Can be you. Can be any nationality. Can live anywhere.
One Shareholder: Can be you. (Yes, you can be both the Director and Shareholder).
A Company Secretary: Mandatory. This must be a local Hong Kong licensed professional (individual or corporate body) responsible for compliance. You cannot do this yourself if you are the sole director.
A Registered Office Address: Mandatory. A physical address in Hong Kong (PO Boxes are banned) to receive government mail.

Pro Tip: At ATHENASIA, our company secretary service provides you with all you need in a single package, including the Registered Address

3. The Step-by-Step Incorporation Process

Step 1: Name Selection & KYC (Days 1-2)

You choose a company name (English, Chinese, or both). Your provider checks if it's available. You will need to submit:

A scan of your Passport.

Proof of Address (Bank statement or utility bill from the last 3 months).

Liveness Verification (A quick digital selfie check).

Step 2: Digital Filing (Days 3-4)

Your provider submits the NNC1 Form (Incorporation) and Articles of Association to the Companies Registry.

Note: If you are a foreign national, manual vetting usually takes 24–48 hours.

Step 3: Activation (Day 5)

Once approved, you receive two vital digital documents:

Certificate of Incorporation (CI): Your company's birth certificate.
Business Registration Certificate (BRC): Your tax license.

You will also receive a "Virtual Green Box" containing your company chops (digital stamps) and statutory records.

4. Solving the Banking Challenge: Fintech vs. Traditional Banks

The 2026 Solution: Fintech & Neobanks

The standard for remote entrepreneurs is to use licensed Money Service Operators (MSOs).

Airwallex: Best for e-commerce (Shopify/Amazon) and digital nomads. Gives you local bank details in USD, EUR, GBP, and HKD.

Aspire: Best for SMEs needing personalized support and Forex services.

How to Get Approved (The "Proof of Business")

Banks need to know you aren't a shell company. You must provide:

A Professional Website: This is your "digital storefront." It must show what you sell.

Business Plan: If you don't have invoices yet, write a clear plan on where your money comes from and who your customers are.

Consistency: Ensure your business nature described in government filings matches your website exactly.

5. Hong Kong Corporate Tax Guide: The 0% Exemption

Onshore Profits (Taxed): If you run operations inside HK, you pay 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million profit, and 16.5% on the rest.

Offshore Profits (Tax Exempt): If you run the business from Bali, London, or New York, and have no customers/suppliers in HK, you can claim 0% tax.

The "Catch": It’s Not Automatic

You must claim this exemption. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will ask for proof.

Keep Your Records: Save flight tickets, meeting minutes, and IP addresses to prove you made decisions outside Hong Kong.

The Audit: Every active company must do an annual audit. There are no exceptions. However, small businesses can use the simplified SME-FRS standard to keep audit costs lower.

6. Costs & Budgeting: The Real Price Tag

Setup Costs (~HKD 10,800 / USD 1,380)

At ATHENASIA, our fees are transparent, our prices are all inclusive and includes:

Government Registration Fees.

1 Year of Company Secretary.

1 Year of Registered Address.

Banking Introduction & Assistance.

Significant Controllers Register (SCR) setup.

After your company is set up, there are two main annual obligations:

1. Legal Maintenance (Company Renewal): HKD8,800 * per year

Our all-inclusive annual package covers:

Acting as your Company Secretary.

Company Secretarial Services: (e.g., changes to directors, shareholders). Government fees/stamp duty, if any, are not included.

1-Year Registered and Correspondence Address (for official letters).

Annual Return Filing & Fees (HKD105). This is different from Tax Filing.

Business Registration (BR) Renewal & Payment (HKD2,200).

Significant Controllers Register (SCR) Renewal.

*additional HKD1,000 for providing our office as director's correspondence address (per person). This is Optional

2. Accounting, Audit & Tax Filing

You are required to maintain accounting records, have them audited by a Practicing CPA, and file your tax return via your official tax representative. The first Profit Tax Return is typically issued about 18 months from the incorporation date.

Our All-In Package: We offer a comprehensive service covering accounting, audit, tax representation, and offshore application (if needed).

Standardized Packages: Available for turnovers from HKD0 to HKD8,000,000. Custom quotes are provided for higher turnovers.

Summary Checklist for the Entrepreneur

Prepare ID: High-quality passport scan + Proof of Address.

Pick a Partner: Choose a provider that offers "Fintech-First" banking support.

Build the Site: Launch a professional website to validate your business.

Incorporate: File documents and get your CI/BRC.

Open Bank: Apply for Airwallex or Statrys immediately.

Keep Records: Save all proof of offshore operations for tax season.

Ready to Start?

The 2026 landscape is strict on compliance but incredibly rewarding for those who set it up correctly. By separating your physical location from your corporate domiciliation, you gain the freedom to operate globally with tax efficiency.

Next Step: Would you like to draft a business description for your new company to see if it qualifies for a Fintech bank account?