I'm a foreigner living abroad. Can I still set up a company in Hong Kong?

Yes, you can absolutely set up a company in Hong Kong as a foreigner living abroad. The entire incorporation process can be completed remotely without you ever needing to visit Hong Kong.

How Foreigners Can Open a Hong Kong Company From Abroad (A Step-by-Step Guide)

For ambitious entrepreneurs, Hong Kong is the ultimate prize—a low-tax, globally respected business hub that serves as the perfect gateway to Asia. Its legendary efficiency promises a company incorporation process that can be over in just a couple of business days.

But this speed creates a dangerous illusion. Many founders assume that such an efficient system must require a local presence, a plane ticket, or a Hong Kong resident on their board.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

At Athenasia, we guide international founders through this exact process every day, and the first thing we confirm is a game-changer: you can set up a 100% foreign-owned Hong Kong company without ever setting foot in the city. The legal framework is built for global entrepreneurs. The real challenge isn't getting the company registered; it’s getting it banked. And for that, we’ve built a modern playbook that works.

Step 1: We Confirm Your Eligibility (It’s Easier Than You Think)

When a new client comes to us, their first question is almost always, "Am I even allowed to do this as a foreigner?" The answer is a resounding yes. We immediately clarify that Hong Kong’s legal system is one of the most open in the world.

• 100% Foreign Ownership is Standard: We confirm that you can be the sole director and the sole shareholder of your company. There are no requirements to give up equity to a local partner.

• No Resident Director Needed: This is a crucial point we emphasize. Unlike jurisdictions like Singapore that demand a local resident on your board, Hong Kong doesn’t. This saves our clients significant cost and complexity, allowing them full control over their enterprise from day one.

  
  

Our job begins by taking this incredible flexibility and turning it into a simple, actionable plan. We don't just process paperwork; we strategize the setup for a smooth, remote launch.

Step 2: Our Remote Onboarding—The 48-Hour Launch Plan

Once a client is ready to proceed, we initiate our streamlined, fully digital onboarding process. Our entire system is designed for people who are busy running their businesses abroad. We handle the bureaucracy so you don't have to.

First, we collect the essentials. Here's what we ask for:

• Your Company Name Options: The name must be unique. A common mistake is getting stuck on a single name that's already taken. We advise our clients to provide three name options in order of preference. Our team runs the availability checks with the Companies Registry to avoid back-and-forth delays.

• Clear Personal IDs: For every director and shareholder, we need a high-quality copy of their passport and a recent proof of address (like a utility bill or bank statement). We also require a "selfie" of them holding their passport. While it might feel unusual, we explain that this is a critical anti-fraud measure required by modern compliance standards.

• Key Company Details: We'll ask for a simple description of the business activities and the proposed share capital. A frequent question we get is about share capital. While the legal minimum is just HK1,∗∗wealwaysadviseclientstoregisterwithHK10,000**. We know from experience that banks, and even some Fintechs like Wise, can be skeptical of a company with just HK$1 of capital. We clarify that this money isn't paid to us—it’s the stated liability of the shareholders.

Next, we handle the local requirements for you:

Once we have your information, our team prepares the official incorporation documents (the NNC1 form) and immediately assigns the two mandatory local components included in our package:

1. A Registered Hong Kong Address: This is a legal requirement for all official government mail. Our office address in Hong Kong fulfills this for you.

   
   

2. A Licensed Company Secretary: We appoint Athenasia Consulting (a licensed TCSP holder) as your company secretary, satisfying this crucial legal obligation from the moment of incorporation.

   
   

With everything in place, we submit the application electronically. If all documents are correct, the government typically issues the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate within a few hours to a couple of business days.

The Banking Challenge: How We Cracked the Code for Non-Residents

Here’s where our expertise becomes most critical. Getting your company incorporated is the easy part. The real boss level for a non-resident founder is opening a bank account.

We are upfront with our clients: trying to open an account at a traditional Hong Kong bank like HSBC as a non-resident is a long, frustrating, and often fruitless endeavor. They almost always require an in-person visit and have a strong preference for HK residents or businesses with a clear "nexus" to Mainland China.

Instead of sending clients down this path, we've developed a modern banking playbook. We don't just give you a list of banks; we provide direct assistance with applications to our trusted Fintech partners at no extra cost.

Our recommended first step is always a Fintech solution like Airwallex, Wise, or Payoneer. We are an official Gold Partner of Airwallex and have deep relationships with these platforms.

We guide clients to them because:

• The Onboarding is 100% Remote: You can apply and get approved from anywhere.

• It's Fast: The process takes 5-10 business days, not months.

• They're Built for Global Business: They offer multi-currency accounts, excellent FX rates, and the ability to issue corporate cards you can use worldwide.

  
  

For us, solving the banking problem isn't an afterthought—it's a core part of our incorporation service. We recognized years ago that a company without a bank account is useless, which is why we built this Fintech-first strategy to ensure our non-resident clients are operational from day one.

From Setup to Scale: Your Long-Term Partner

Once your company is incorporated and your bank account is active, our role transitions from setup to long-term support. We deliver your digital company kit and immediately start guiding you on your compliance journey, starting with the timeline for your first audit and tax return, which is typically due 18 months after incorporation.

The message is simple: Hong Kong is unequivocally open for global business, and you don’t need to be there to claim your stake. The system is designed for remote execution, provided you have a partner on the ground to navigate the details. With a clear process and a modern approach to banking, launching your Hong Kong company from abroad is not just possible—it’s a strategic advantage waiting to be seized.