REGISTRATION OF AN NON-HONG KONG COMPANY
(Formerly known as overseas Company)

Foreign companies intends to carry out business in Hong Kong need to apply for registration within one month of establishing a place of business in Hong Kong.

Documents Required

The following documents must be submitted to the Registrar of Companies:

	A certified copy of the instrument defining the company's constitution
	Form F1 reporting
	The particulars of directors and secretary
	The particulars of the person(s) authorised to act in Hong Kong on behalf of the company
	The principal place of business in Hong Kong and in the place of incorporation
	The registered office in the place of incorporation
	Memorandum of Appointment/Power of Attorney authorising the person(s) reported above
	A certified copy of the company's Certificate of Incorporation (or its equivalent, such as bylaws, constitutions); and
	A certified copy of the latest accounts of the company, unless exemption has been granted by the Registrar of Companies upon application

See also: detailed list of documents to be submitted to teh Companies Registry for registration of Non-Hong Kong companies (formerly known as Overseas Company).

Notes:

	The method of certification is set out in Regulation 3 of the Companies (Forms) Regulations. Form F1 is available for sale at the Companies Registry.
	Where the above items are not written in Chinese or English, a certified translation in Chinese or English should also be filed. There is no need to provide translations in both languages.
	If the translation is made in Hong Kong, the competence of the translator can be certified by a notary public in Hong Kong or a solicitor of the High Court of Hong Kong.
	If the translation is done in a foreign country, the competence of the translator can be certified by a notary public in the place where the translation is made or by such other person as may be specified by the Registrar of Companies. The processing time for registering a branch of an overseas company is 25 working days.

Non-Hong Kong Company Registration Procedures and Costs

Registration Procedures

Step 1:
File the following documents with Companies Registry with the appropriate fees:-
(a) a certified copy of the instrument defining the company's constitution.
(b) Form F1 reporting :-
(1) the particulars of directors and secretary;
(2) the particulars of the person(s) authorized to act in Hong Kong on behalf of the company;
(3) the principal place of business in Hong Kong and in the place of incorporation; and
(4) the registered office in the place of incorporation.
(c) a certified copy of the company's Certificate of Incorporation (or its equivalent).
(d) a certified copy of the latest accounts of the company, unless exemption has been granted by the Registrar of Companies upon application.

Step 2:
Apply for Business Registration Certificate with the appropriate fees

For items (a) and (d), if the original document is not in Chinese or English, only a certified translation into Chinese or English needs to be filed. For item (c), if the original document is not in Chinese or English, a certified copy of the document in the original language together with a certified translation into Chinese or English should be filed.

Registration Costs

Our fees for registration of a Non-Hong Kong company are USD1,325. In particular, our fees cover the following services:

(1) Application for Certificate of Incorporation as Non-Hong Kong Compay (formerly as as Overseas Company, i.e., branch offices of foreign companies) and Business Registration Certificate and payment of statutory fees;
(2) Filing of particulars of directors, company secretary and filing of business address;
(3) Provision of business address (one year); and
(4) Provision of local resident representative (one year).

Documents returned to clients after registration:

(1) Original copy of Certificate of Incorporation as Overseas Company
(2) Original copy of Business Registration Certificate (sample business registration certificate)
(3) Duplicate copy of documents filed with Companies Registry, such as Notification fo particulars of of directors, secretary, location of business address and appointment of local resident representative

Optional Services

4Hong Kong Corporate Bank Account: we can assist in the opening of corporate bank account with one of the international bank in Hong Kong for only US$400. Please click here for details.

HONG KONG - virtual office: US$50 per month
(1) Provision of one telephone and one fax number
(2) Mails, telephone and fax message forwarding

Annual Maintenance Costs of a Non-Hong Kong Company

The annual maintenance cost for a company registered as overseas company in Hong Kong from second year and thereafter is estimated at US$1450. In particular, the annual maintenance cost consists of:

1. Business address: US$200 (per annum)
2. Local resident representative: US$300 (per annum)
3. Business registration fee: US$335 (subject to change by the Government)
4. Annual Return filing fee: US$14
5. Book-keeping fee: NIL if not operating
6. Statutory audit fee: US$500 if operation is minimal
7. Filing of Profits Tax Return: US$75
8. Filing of Employer's Return: US$30

Also see:

How to register a Hong Kong limited laibility company (domestic or local company)
How to purchase a reademade Hong Kong company from Kaizen
Features of Hong Kong limited liability company
Hong Kong Taxation