FAQ

InvestHK works with overseas and Mainland entrepreneurs, SMEs and multinationals that are planning to set up an office or expand their existing business in Hong Kong.  We offer customised and confidential advice and services to support companies from the planning stage right through to the launch and expansion of their business.  An indicative list of our free services can be found at "How We Can Help".

Please check out our StartmeupHK’s website for information of some business angels and venture capitalists to which you may reach out.

Our website at "Register the Business" provides general information about the costs, processing time and basic guidelines for business registration. You may also visit the Companies Registry website at www.cr.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm for the latest information on company inorporation. For further assistance, you are welcome to contact us via email to enq@investhk.gov.hk or submit your question via our online enquiry form.

The Support and Consultation Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises of the Trade and Industry Department runs an online Business Licence Information Service which provides information on government licences or permits for running different types of businesses and starting a business in Hong Kong.  The service can be accessed at https://www.success.tid.gov.hk/tid/eng/blics/index.jsp.

Please check out our website at "Decide on a Company Type and Name" for general information about the common types of companies and related considerations.  For further assistance, you are welcome to contact us via email to enq@investhk.gov.hk or submit your question via our online enquiry form.

Non-Hong Kong residents may incorporate a local limited company in Hong Kong and may be appointed as a director of the company. However, the company secretary, who is a natural person, should ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. For company secretary which is a body corporate, its registered office or place of business should be in Hong Kong.

A private local limited company must have at least one director who is a natural person and one company secretary. The sole director cannot act as the company secretary of the same company.

Please visit the Companies Registry website at www.cr.gov.hk/en/home/index.htm for the latest information on company incorporation.

There is no requirement on the minimum amount of a company's paid-up capital under the Companies Ordinance.

You may download a copy of our “Setting Up in Hong Kong” flyer or check out our website at "Setting up in Hong Kong" which provides, inter alia, a step-by-step guide on Hong Kong company incorporation. For further information relevant to businesses looking to set up in Hong Kong, please check out our website at "Resource Centre" for a wide range of free, useful publications and information (e.g. brochures, guides, investment newsletters and sector leaflets) and subscribe to our electronic newsletter to get relevant news, information and case studies sent directly to your inbox.

The section “Why Hong Kong” on our website features our city’s unique appeal as an ideal place to do business in Asia, including our low and simple tax regime, world-class business infrastructure, government support for companies, and much more.  Also, you may check out our web sites for case studies of companies that InvestHK has supported in their setting up or expanding businesses in Hong Kong.

Please check out our website "Business Locations" for some general advice on finding an office in Hong Kong.  Should you intend to start your business in a co-work space, please check our StartmeupHK webpage at www.startmeup.hk/startup-resources/shared-facilities for possible options. For further assistance, you are welcome to contact us via email to enq@investhk.gov.hk or submit your question via our online enquiry form.

InvestHK maintains an online Service Provider Directory to facilitate our clients from overseas and Mainland China in setting up or expanding their operations in Hong Kong. Please contact us via email to register@investhk.gov.hk.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has been working closely with the banking industry and has launched a dedicated web page (https://www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/smart-consumers/account-opening/) to provide useful information about account opening as well as a dedicated email account (accountopening@hkma.gov.hk) to receive comments and answer queries regarding opening and maintenance of bank accounts.

You may check out our StartmeupHK’s webpage (https://www.startmeup.hk/startup-resources/government-funding-scheme-and-support/) for information about a number of government funding schemes available to support business startups.  Alternatively, you may go to this government website (https://www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/funding/index.htm) for information about government support for local & foreign enterprises.

Please visit our webpage for upcoming events organised, sponsored or supported by InvestHK. You can also find a list of startup and Fintech-related events in Hong Kong on https://www.startmeup.hk/events/ and http://www.hongkong-fintech.hk/en/events respectively.

InvestHK is open to participate in international trade fairs and conferences to promote Hong Kong’s status as the leading international business location in Asia and to further our mission in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into Hong Kong. Interested parties are welcome to share proposal, with event details, date and venue, target audience, entitlements, proposed fee and company profile, to enq@investhk.gov.hk for consideration.

The Talent List of Hong Kong has been drawn up with a view to attracting high quality talent in an effective and focused manner to support Hong Kong’s development into a high value-added and diversified economy. Please visit www.talentlist.gov.hk/en/index.html for the latest Talent List information.

You may also check out our Global Talent Attraction thematic website to see how InvestHK’s complimentary and customised services can help support businesses and individuals who settle in Hong Kong.

Please check out the “Cost Calculator” on our website for the estimated costs of setting up and operating an office in Hong Kong for general reference.

The GBA is a vibrant city cluster that comprises the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as nine municipalities in Guangdong (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing).  The combined population and productivity of the GBA represent a vast and vibrant economic force as well as enormous opportunities for foreign investors in Hong Kong.  Please visit the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau’s dedicated website on Greater Bay Area for details. 

You may also check out our GBA thematic website for insights on harvesting GBA opportunities by leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages.

Our StartmeupHK team helps founders of innovative and scalable startups from overseas to set up or expand in Hong Kong by providing information about the startup ecosystem in the city, connecting people to the startup community, hosting startup events and helping to foster a positive environment for startups to thrive. The team provides a one-stop service platform to enable startups and scaleups to grow in Hong Kong and beyond. It also organises the annual StartmeupHK Festival which provides a unique platform for members of the startup community to exchange ideas and make connections. Please check out our StartmeupHK thematic website for more information.

As a well‐recognised premier international financial centre and wealth management centre, Hong Kong offers many unique advantages for family offices to operate and grow. With InvestHK’s one-stop-shop services, family offices set up here can enjoy a thriving economic environment in one of the top global cities. Please check out our Family Offices thematic website for more information.

The I&T sector has become one of the most important pillar industries of Hong Kong with tremendous progresses seen in technology innovation and talent development. Different areas in the sector present very promising opportunities that I&T professionals are most eager to seize. Please check out our I&T thematic website for more information.