A Primer on Hong Kong Company Registration By Jiahao Tu

Any person above the age of 18, can register a company in Hong Kong. And many business owners can attest that doing so offers many advantages. This small island has the kind of environment that makes businesses flourish. Despite its size, it has a wide pool of local and foreign talents, established legal system, simple taxation laws, and great infrastructure. So if you're looking for the right platform for business expansion in Asia, or you're simply looking to reduce taxes on your business gains, Hong Kong company registration might be the most viable solution.
A Look at Hong Kong Company Registration Procedure
The registration process entails two-fold procedure, which includes company name approval and the application for company registration.
Company Name Approval
Before applying for company registration, your proposed company name should be approved first. Here are the basic name guidelines:

• The name can be in English, Chinese, or you can propose both an English and Chinese name for your company; but it shouldn't have combined English word/letter and Chinese characters.
• If you are going to propose a Chinese name, it should follow the standard "New Sai Ming" font, which are traditional Chinese characters also used in the ISO 10646 international coding standard.
• The English name must end with the word limited. For Chinese names, it must have the equivalent Chinese characters.

Reasons for rejection will most likely fall in the following circumstances:

• The proposed name infringes on other trademarks.
• The name is already listed in the Index of Company Names.
• The name is contrary to public interest or considered offensive.
• Words, such as Bureau, Trust, or Cooperative, to name a few, would have to be approved further by the Chief Executive since names with these words might contravene other legislations.

Application for Hong Kong Company Registration
Once the name is approved the process to apply for company registration can now commence. To do this, the following documents have to be presented:

• Incorporation Form - should include the approved name; brief details of company's business activities; liability and rights of members; registered address, particulars of directors, legal secretary, and shareholders; and share capital on incorporation.
• Copy of passport, foreign address, and proof for foreign shareholders and directors; or ID card for locals.
• Certificate of Incorporation of Parent Company - in the case of corporate directors and shareholders.

Once these documents are completed, Hong Kong company registry requires a registration fee as well as a nominal capital fee, which is HKD 1.00 for every 1,000 shares. The capital fee is no more than HKD 30,000 per case. The application is normally processed within ten days or so. Once the registration has been approved, the authorized agent (as listed in the Incorporation Form) will have to collect the Certificate of Incorporation from the registry personally. In the event when the authorized person cannot personally collect the certificate, a written authorization will suffice to appoint a representative to collect it instead.

Hong Kong company registry is very efficient with the process that's why it can be very straightforward. However, for a more smooth-sailing process make sure you discuss the details with an expert who can help with your business' Hong Kong company registration.