End-to-end support
What you can do with Air Corporate
Built for founders who want one online workflow from incorporation through annual compliance.
Licensed TCSP provider
Licensed provider: Air Corporate is registered as a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) in Hong Kong (Licence No. TC008778). Learn more about Air Corporate
Why incorporate in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is widely used for international business because it combines a globally recognized legal environment with business-friendly operations for cross-border trade and digital-first companies.
Practical advantages for founders
Territorial taxation (general principle)
Hong Kong generally taxes profits sourced in Hong Kong; whether profits are "offshore" depends on the facts and how the profit is earned.
No VAT / sales tax
Hong Kong does not levy VAT/GST or a general sales tax.
No separate capital gains tax
Hong Kong does not impose a separate capital gains tax (tax treatment depends on facts—e.g., capital vs trading nature).
Established banking + payments ecosystem
Options include traditional banks and fintech/EMI payment providers (approval criteria vary).
Strong market adoption
Hong Kong continues to see high volumes of incorporations, reflecting its role as a regional business hub.
Note: This page provides general information and is not tax or legal advice. Your actual obligations depend on your business model and circumstances.
Service scope
What’s included in our Hong Kong incorporation service
Air Corporate’s incorporation service is designed for remote founders who want a clear scope, a guided process, and ongoing support after the company is formed.
If you’re not sure what you need, contact us and tell us your business activity and where you operate from—we’ll recommend a setup that matches your situation and compliance needs.
Core
Incorporation deliverables (core)
- Name check and incorporation guidance (company name + structure)
- Preparation of incorporation documents and filings
- One-stop Business Registration application as part of incorporation
- Digital company documents upon approval (e.g., Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate issued by the authorities)
- Onboarding for post-incorporation compliance so you know what happens next
Ongoing
Ongoing support available (add-on / packaged, depending on your plan)
- Company secretary service (mandatory for Hong Kong companies)
- Registered office / correspondence address support (mandatory requirement—Air Corporate can provide an address solution if you need one)
- Accounting & bookkeeping
- Audit coordination/support with Hong Kong-qualified professionals
- Profits tax filing support and compliance calendar management
- Bank account opening support (traditional bank and/or EMI options)
If you’re not sure what you need
Contact us and tell us your business activity and where you operate from—we’ll recommend a setup that matches your situation and compliance needs.
Hong Kong company basics (requirements you should know)
These are common statutory requirements for a Hong Kong private company, explained in plain English:
Air Corporate helps you set up and manage these requirements as part of your ongoing corporate services.
Director
A private company must have at least one natural person as a director.
Company secretary
A company must appoint a company secretary. If your company has only one director, that director cannot also be the company secretary.
Registered office address
Your company must maintain a registered office address in Hong Kong.
Annual Return
A local private company generally files an Annual Return each year (except the year of incorporation) within the required timeframe.
Significant Controllers Register (SCR)
Hong Kong companies must maintain an SCR and make it available to law enforcement upon request.
Audit
Hong Kong companies generally need audited financial statements each year (with limited exceptions such as dormant companies).
Action checklist
What you need to prepare (remote-friendly checklist)
To incorporate a Hong Kong company online, you’ll typically need to provide the following. Preparing these early helps avoid delays in KYC and bank/EMI applications.
Progress: 0/2 sections complete
Company details
0/8For banking/payment applications (recommended to prepare)
0/5If your structure involves corporate shareholders, multiple layers, or multiple countries, the documentation list can expand. Air Corporate will confirm requirements before submission.
Step-by-step
How the process works (step-by-step)
Air Corporate runs an online-first onboarding designed for founders outside Hong Kong.
1
Planning
Tell us your plan
Share your company name options, business activity, and ownership structure.
2
Planning
KYC & due diligence
We collect and verify identity/address documents for directors/shareholders/beneficial owners in line with compliance requirements.
3
Incorporation filing
Prepare and submit incorporation
We draft and submit the required incorporation filings and the one-stop business registration application.
4
Incorporation filing
Receive your company documents
For electronic incorporation, government processing can be very fast once submitted; overall timeline depends on how quickly KYC and documentation are completed.
5
Post-incorporation
Bank account / EMI application (optional but common)
We help you choose a pathway (traditional bank vs EMI/payment provider), prepare the application pack, and guide you through the process.
6
Post-incorporation
Ongoing compliance onboarding
We set up your compliance calendar and connect you with company secretary and accounting workflows so nothing is missed.
Banking support
Bank account opening support (traditional banks + EMIs)
Opening a Hong Kong business bank account is often the most sensitive step for non-resident founders. Approval depends on the institution’s risk appetite and your business profile—no provider can guarantee approval. What Air Corporate can do is increase your chances by helping you present a complete, coherent application.
Traditional banks
Traditional banks can be a good fit if you need broader services, trade facilities, or long-term banking relationships.
What to expect
- More detailed due diligence and ongoing monitoring
- Possible additional questions about customers/suppliers and transaction countries
- Some cases require a video interview or in-person verification (depends on the bank and profile)
Common options
EMIs / payment providers
EMIs and payment providers can be faster to start with for many e-commerce and international service businesses, especially when you primarily need multi-currency collections, payouts, and online payment rails.
What to expect
- Faster onboarding in many cases, but still KYC-heavy for cross-border businesses
- Product limits vary by provider (currencies, countries, settlement times, chargeback handling)
- A strong compliance narrative still matters (what you sell, where funds flow, who you pay)
Common options
What Air Corporate does
- Recommends a banking/payment pathway based on your business model and jurisdictions
- Helps you prepare documents and a clear business explanation (fund flows, counterparties, expected turnover)
- Reviews application materials for common red flags and gaps
- Guides you through interview questions (if required) and follow-up requests
If a traditional bank is not the best initial route for your profile, we’ll discuss alternatives that still let you operate internationally.
Ongoing support
Ongoing Hong Kong corporate services (so you stay compliant)
Incorporation is only the beginning. Air Corporate supports the recurring work required to keep your Hong Kong company in good standing.
Tax treatment—especially “offshore” positions—depends on facts and documentation. We focus on compliant processes and proper recordkeeping.
Company secretarial services (mandatory)
A company secretary helps the company meet statutory obligations and maintain required records.
We can help with
- Acting as company secretary (where engaged)
- Managing key filings and changes (e.g., director/shareholder updates, address changes)
- Preparing and filing Annual Returns
- Maintaining statutory registers and compliance records, including SCR support
- Providing practical guidance on what must be kept and for how long
Accounting & bookkeeping
Good bookkeeping is the foundation for audit and tax filing—especially for cross-border businesses with multiple currencies and payment channels.
We can help with
- Monthly/quarterly bookkeeping and reconciliation
- Handling multi-currency transactions and payment platform statements (as applicable)
- Management accounts and basic reporting (depending on your plan)
- Preparing accounts for audit and profits tax filing
You provide
- Bank statements and payment platform statements
- Sales records/invoices and expense receipts
- Basic operational context when unusual transactions occur
Audit support / coordination
In Hong Kong, audited financial statements are commonly required for companies (with limited exceptions such as dormant companies). Air Corporate helps you prepare audit-ready accounts and coordinate the audit process with qualified professionals.
We can help with
- Preparing schedules and working papers typically required for audit
- Coordinating timelines, document requests, and clarification Q&A
- Helping you maintain clean records to reduce audit time and cost
Profits tax filing and annual compliance rhythm
Tax filing is driven by financial statements and the nature/source of profit.
We can help with
- Preparing information for Profits Tax Return filing and supporting documents
- Explaining the compliance timeline (so you know what to expect each year)
- Coordinating with your accounting and audit workflow so deadlines are manageable
Transparent pricing
Pricing approach (transparent, predictable, and date-aware)
Air Corporate aims to make Hong Kong company formation and compliance costs understandable—especially for remote founders.
When you onboard, we confirm the current government fee components relevant to your filing date and certificate term (1-year vs 3-year where applicable).
Costs usually fall into three buckets
One-time incorporation service fee
One-time incorporation service fee (our professional service)
Government fees
Government fees (incorporation + business registration, set by the authorities)
Ongoing annual costs
Ongoing annual costs (company secretary, registered address solution if needed, accounting, audit, and annual filings)
Government fees to be aware of (2026 snapshot)
Government fees change from time to time. As a reference:
- Incorporation fee (e-filing) and hard-copy fee differ (e-filing is typically lower).
- Annual Return has a standard fee when filed on time, but late filing can trigger significantly higher fees.
- Business Registration fee applies, and the business registration levy is scheduled to resume from April 1, 2026 (after a waiver period).
Why choose us
Why founders choose Air Corporate
Online-first, founder-friendly
You can incorporate and manage compliance remotely, with clear guidance and a defined workflow.
Local Hong Kong expertise (licensed TCSP)
You’re supported by a team that operates within Hong Kong’s compliance framework and service requirements.
Clear scope and transparent pricing
We explain what’s included, what’s optional, and what renews annually—before you commit.
Banking and payments support
We help you choose the right account pathway and prepare stronger applications—without promising guaranteed approval.
Responsive support
Multi-channel support including WhatsApp/WeChat, designed for founders operating across time zones.
Explore Related Hong Kong Services
Company Registration
View full registration process, costs, timeline, and requirements.
View serviceCompany Secretary
Manage statutory obligations, annual return filings, and company records.
View serviceBank Account Opening
Get support with traditional bank and EMI/payment provider applications.
View serviceAccounting & Audit
Handle bookkeeping, audit prep, and profits tax support in one workflow.
View serviceThey succeeded with Air Corporate
Trusted by 1,000+ entrepreneurs and SMEs
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ (Hong Kong company incorporation)
Categories
General questions
Yes. Many Hong Kong companies are incorporated by founders who do not live in Hong Kong. You will still need to complete identity verification/KYC and provide supporting documents.
Government processing for electronic incorporation can be very fast once submitted. In practice, the end-to-end timeline depends on how quickly KYC documents are provided and verified, and whether your structure requires additional checks.
Typically: passport/ID, proof of address, and basic company details (name, business activity, director/shareholder information). More complex ownership structures may require additional corporate documents.
Requirements
Yes. A Hong Kong private company must appoint a company secretary. If the company has only one director, that director cannot also serve as the company secretary.
Yes. Your company must maintain a registered office address in Hong Kong. Air Corporate can provide an address solution if you don’t have one.
In general, Hong Kong companies are required to prepare audited financial statements each year, with limited exceptions (for example, dormant companies). Audit is a common requirement even for small companies, so it’s best to plan for it early.
Hong Kong does not levy VAT/GST or a general sales tax.
Hong Kong does not impose a separate capital gains tax. However, whether a gain is treated as capital or trading in nature depends on the facts.
Banking & Payments
Yes. We support both traditional bank applications and EMI/payment provider options. We help you prepare documents, explain your business model and fund flows, and navigate follow-up questions.
No. Approval depends on the bank/payment provider and your specific profile (industry, countries involved, transaction patterns, and KYC results). Our role is to strengthen your application and recommend suitable routes.
Ongoing compliance
Common recurring tasks include maintaining company secretary compliance, bookkeeping, preparing audited financial statements (where applicable), filing the Annual Return, and handling tax filings based on your accounts and activities.
Yes. If your company is already incorporated, we can review your current status and advise the steps to transition company secretarial and/or accounting support.
Compliance note
Air Corporate provides corporate services and compliance support. This page is for general information and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Government fees, policies, and bank requirements can change; exact requirements depend on your situation.
