Asia · Private Limited Company
Hong Kong Company Formation 2026
Filing $220 · Annual $250 · Corp tax 16.5% · Banking 7/10
The numbers
| Entity type | Private Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (one-off) | $220 |
| Annual government fee | $250 |
| Registered agent / corp. secretary | ~$500/yr |
| Headline corporate tax | 16.5% |
| Effective tax notes | Two-tier: 8.25% on first HK$2M, 16.5% above. Offshore-sourced income exempt under territorial principle. |
| VAT / GST / sales tax | 0% |
| Minimum paid-up capital | Nominal |
| Processing time | 5 business days |
| Remote formation | Yes |
| UBO public | No (private register) |
| Banking accessibility | 7/10 |
| Privacy score | 4/10 |
| Stripe | ✅ Available |
| PayPal Business | ✅ |
| Wise Business | ✅ |
Why people choose Hong Kong
- Territorial tax (offshore profits often 0%)
- No VAT/GST
- Strong gateway to China
Trade-offs to know
- Bank account opening difficult since 2018
- Annual audit mandatory
- Significant Controllers register
Who Hong Kong is best for
- China/Asia trade
- Holding companies
- International trading
Bank opening is the chokepoint—plan for 4-12 weeks and in-person KYC in HK.
Authoritative sources
Hong Kong official business registry / authorityFees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
Other commonly compared Asia jurisdictions
Deep-dive Hong Kong guides
Hong Kong for Non-Residents
Complete formation walkthrough for foreigners
Hong Kong Business Banking
Banking 7/10 — what to expect
Hong Kong vs USA
Cost, tax, banking compared to US LLC
Hong Kong–US Tax Treaty
Withholding, PE, W-8BEN-E guide
Hong Kong Entity Types
Private Limited Company vs sole trader vs branch
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form a company in Hong Kong?
The state/registry filing fee is approximately $220. A registered agent or local representative typically costs around $500/year. Annual maintenance is approximately $250.
What is the corporate tax rate in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong's headline corporate income tax rate is 16.5%. Two-tier: 8.25% on first HK$2M, 16.5% above. Offshore-sourced income exempt under territorial principle.
Can a non-resident form a company in Hong Kong?
Yes, remote formation is generally possible in Hong Kong.
Is Stripe available for Hong Kong companies?
Yes, Stripe supports businesses incorporated in Hong Kong.
What is the minimum paid-up capital?
Effectively none — companies can be formed with a nominal $1 of share capital.