Getting started: Setting up a business

Foreigners are also eligible to register a business in Hong Kong. In fact, Hong Kong encourages foreigners to set up businesses in the country. The following key points must be taken into consideration by foreigners who wish to register an offshore limited liability company in Hong Kong;

• A foreigner has the complete right to be the individual director and shareholder of a company in Hong Kong. There is no requirement for a local resident to do so.
• For the registration of the company in Hong Kong, there is no need for the physical presence of the owner.
• The owner can register the company through online sources but will have to be physically present for the opening of the bank account in Hong Kong.
• Foreigners who do not intend to relocate to Hong Kong have the right to operate their Hong Kong offshore company from abroad.

Documents Required
The documents required of foreigners who are planning to register a company in Hong Kong are the same as those required of locals. These documents are to include such important information as the company name, a copy of the prospective owner’s Hong Kong identity card, residential address proof, parent company registration documents, liability of members, and registered address, just to name a few. When these have been confirmed and approved, the foreigner may proceed with the registration of the company.