Entering Hong Kong and Registering Your Business
Entering Hong Kong
Generally speaking, Canadians can visit Hong Kong for up to three months without
a visa.
When you intend to work or set up a business in Hong Kong, you are
required to apply for a visa.
Employment Visa
Anyone who wishes to work in Hong Kong is required to apply for an employment
visa. The applicant has to provide proofs of employment offer in Hong Kong and
that he or she is qualified for the job.
Investment Visa
Anyone who wishes to set up business in Hong Kong is required to apply for an
investment visa. The applicant has to prove the intent to invest and potential
contribution to Hong Kong.
Upon approval, applicants may bring along heir spouse and
dependents to Hong Kong.
Applicants may submit their visa applications to the nearest
Chinese consular office in their cities or directly to the Hong Kong Immigration
Department by post or through their sponsors in Hong Kong.
More...
HKSAR Travel Pass
For frequent business travellers to Hong Kong, you are welcomed to apply for a
HKSAR Travel Pass. Holders of the Travel Pass may enjoy the following
convenience:
- Make
multiple visits to Hong Kong without a visa (generally for a period of 3
years)
- Stay
up to 2 months on each entry
- Entry
through the Hong Kong Resident counters and enjoy streamlined immigration
clearance
All Canadian business travellers with valid Canadian passports may
apply. Applicants, who had made at least three visits to Hong Kong in the past
year or can satisfy the Immigration Department their visits may bring
substantial benefits to Hong Kong, will be eligible. The fee is HK$500 (about
C$100).
More...
To download application form for the HKSAR Travel Pass, please go
to: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id888.htm
Registering your business
All businesses in Hong Kong must obtain a business registration
certificate from the Business Registration Office within one month of operation.
-
Processing time: 30 minutes over
the counter.
-
The registration fee for one-year certificate
is HK$2,600(C$460) and three-year certificate is HK$7,000(C$1,250).
Company Registration
Most commonly, overseas investors opt to set up their companies in
two ways:
- Incorporate a limited
company
- Register an overseas
company branch
Incorporating a limited company
Procedures:
-
Check to see if the intended name
is available
-
Submit
a cover letter stating the intended company name and the contact information
of the presenter
- Submit the required
documentation: Memorandum and Articles of Associations and the Statutory
Declaration of Compliance
- File the application
and make payment to the Registrar of Companies in person
Processing time: 6 working days
Charges:
Application fee - HK$1,720 (C$307)
Capital fee - HK$1 (C$0.17) for every HK$1,000 (C$178) of share capital, subject
to a maximum of HK$30,000 (C$5,357)
Registering an overseas company branch
Procedures:
-
Submit completed Form F1 to the
Company Registry
- Submit certified
company documents: (a) Certificate of Incorporation (or its equivalent), (b)
instrument defining the company's constitution, (c) latest accounts of the
company
- Submit information on
the company: (a) particulars of directors and secretary, (b) particulars of
authorized person to act on behalf of the company in Hong Kong, (c)
principal place of business in Hong Kong, (d) registered office in the place
of incorporation
- File the application
and make payment to the Registrar of Companies
Processing
time: 22 working days
Charges:
Application fee - HK$1,720 (C$307)
Additional registration fee - HK$20 (C$3.57) for each supporting document
required
More...
Business
Licensing
The Business Licence
Information Service (BLIS) is a one-stop service run by the Trade and Industry
Department to provide a whole array of information on the licensing requirements
for all business operations in Hong Kong, such as factories, restaurants, etc.
Its purpose is to save investors time and to reduce the risk of non-compliance
with government regulations. For detailed information, please visit http://www.licence.tid.gov.hk/eng/index.htm
