Company Incorporation Guide
Offshore company formation: choices and duties
Applicable country/region: WORLD - Global
Published: Updated:
- Written by our advisory team
- Global rules and requirements
- Checked against official sources
Guide overview
What it means to form a company abroad, and when it is legal
Offshore company formation means setting up a company in a jurisdiction other than where its owners live or trade, usually through a licensed registered agent or corporate service provider. Owning one is legal when the company has a lawful purpose, its beneficial owners are identified to the agent and the bank, and the owners meet their tax and reporting duties at home. The first decision is the kind of jurisdiction (offshore, midshore or onshore) and the legal form that suits the business. Next come the identity file that traces ownership to real people, the local presence each jurisdiction expects and where tax falls for an international setup. The bank account and the yearly upkeep follow incorporation.
COMPANY TYPES
Choosing a jurisdiction for offshore company formation
Start with the company's job: a holding structure for shares or assets, trading, a listing vehicle or an operating business. The classic offshore forms are the British Virgin Islands (BVI) business company (BC) and the Cayman Islands exempted company, whose business lies mainly outside the Islands. Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE count as midshore and EU, Swiss and UK forms as onshore, though the labels are shorthand, not law. In their usual form, all are limited-liability companies with their own legal personality. The more business runs in one place, the more that place's rules matter, so operating businesses lean midshore or onshore. An LLC is not automatically pass-through: US tax classifies a foreign entity by members' liability and elections.
Reading the company types
Rows cover ownership, shareholder and director rules, capital and notes for each company type.
Basic Information
British Virgin Islands BC
Cyprus LTD
United Kingdom LTD
Netherlands BV
Switzerland GmbH
Luxembourg S.à r.l.
Singapore PTE LTD
Hong Kong SAR Limited
Cayman Islands CIEC
United Arab Emirates LLCOwnership:
Private Ownership
Ownership:
Private Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Private Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Shareholder / Director / Secretary Requirements
British Virgin Islands BCCyprus LTDUnited Kingdom LTDNetherlands BVSwitzerland GmbHLuxembourg S.à r.l.Singapore PTE LTDHong Kong SAR LimitedCayman Islands CIECUnited Arab Emirates LLCRequirements For Shareholders:
At least one.
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
1 to 100
Requirements For Shareholders:
1-50
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one shareholder
Requirements For Directors:
At least one.
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one
Requirements For Directors:
At least one director
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Negative
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
See Memo
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
See Memo
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Negative
Registered Capital Requirement
British Virgin Islands BCCyprus LTDUnited Kingdom LTDNetherlands BVSwitzerland GmbHLuxembourg S.à r.l.Singapore PTE LTDHong Kong SAR LimitedCayman Islands CIECUnited Arab Emirates LLCMinimum Registered Capital Requirement:
Starting from 1 US dollar.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. Starting from 1 euro.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. No statutory minimum share capital; a share can be any value (for example, 1 pound).
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. In practice, no capital deposit is ever required.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
20,000 Swiss francs
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
EUR 12,000
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. The minimum share capital is S$1, which can be issued without full payment;
2. A local company with paid-up capital of S$500,000 or more becomes a member of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) automatically, with a membership subscription of no more than S$1,500 in any calendar year.
2. A local company with paid-up capital of S$500,000 or more becomes a member of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) automatically, with a membership subscription of no more than S$1,500 in any calendar year.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. No minimum capital, and shares have no par value (Cap. 622 s.135);
2. The Companies Ordinance sets no required number of shares; issuing 10,000 shares is only common practice;
3. A transfer of shares attracts stamp duty of 0.1% of the consideration or value on each of the buyer's and the seller's contract notes (0.2% in total), with no threshold.
2. The Companies Ordinance sets no required number of shares; issuing 10,000 shares is only common practice;
3. A transfer of shares attracts stamp duty of 0.1% of the consideration or value on each of the buyer's and the seller's contract notes (0.2% in total), with no threshold.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
No min cap requirement
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
No single UAE-wide minimum; it depends on the licensing authority and the legal structure
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Not Required:
Positive
Capital Injection Requirement:
No requirement for capital injection
Capital Injection Requirement:
1. The nominal amount is paid when the shares are taken, unless payment is deferred by agreement to a set time or until the company calls it; payment is in cash unless a contribution in kind is agreed.
Capital Injection Requirement:
Before the establishment of the company, 100% of the registered capital needs to be actually paid.
After the company is established, the company's official bank account can be opened, and the paid registered capital can be remitted from the capital verification account to it.
After the company is established, the company's official bank account can be opened, and the paid registered capital can be remitted from the capital verification account to it.
Capital Injection Requirement:
1. 100% of the registered capital must be actually paid before the establishment of the company.
Capital Injection Requirement:
No requirement for capital injection
Capital Injection Requirement:
Depends on the licensing authority and the legal structure.
Memo
British Virgin Islands BCCyprus LTDUnited Kingdom LTDNetherlands BVSwitzerland GmbHLuxembourg S.à r.l.Singapore PTE LTDHong Kong SAR LimitedCayman Islands CIECUnited Arab Emirates LLCMemo:
- The registration of a Cyprus company does not mandate the appointment of a local nominee secretary or nominee director. A company can be incorporated even if no one is based in Cyprus; in practice, it may meet problems later, including but not limited to unsuccessful bank account openings and ineligibility to benefit from the 15% corporate tax rate.
Memo:
The company must have at least one manager responsible for the management of the company.
Memo:
Abbreviations such as "LLC" are not allowed
Memo:
Unless exempt, UAE limited liability companies, free zone companies included, are within the scope of federal corporate tax as taxable persons: they must register for corporate tax and file a corporate tax return for each tax period. In addition, depending on the nature of the business, companies need to apply for licenses.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Why the identity file reaches the people behind the company
Anti-money-laundering rules make the registered agent that forms a company identify the people behind it before acting. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standard asks every corporate service provider to check each beneficial owner, looking through corporate shareholders to the people in control. The BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) applies it to registered agents, and since 2 January 2025 beneficial ownership information goes only through the agent, into a register that is not public. In the Cayman Islands the corporate service provider keeps the register, while the UK puts people with significant control on a public one. Nominee directors or shareholders do not take the real owners off these records. A bank opening the account will ask again.
Reading the documents
Rows are document types grouped by who provides them; each entry ends with its process and format.
Natural Person Shareholders & Directors's Required Documents
British Virgin Islands Company Registration (British Virgin Islands)Cyprus Company Registration (LTD)UK Company Registration (LTD)Netherlands Company Registration (BV)Company Registration in Switzerland (GmbH)Luxembourg Company Registration (SARL)Singapore Company Registration (PTE LTD)Hong Kong Company Registration (Limited)Cayman Company Registration (Offshore)Company Formation in Dubai Mainland UAEPassport:
Shareholders and directors' passports.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Shareholder and director passport data page scan;
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Shareholder and director's passport front page scan. May require English notarization Apostille.
Process: Other CertificationFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Passport front page scans of shareholders and directors need to be translated into English or German, notarized in English or German, and apostilled.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Shareholders' and directors' passport copy
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Passport scan of shareholders and directors and picture of the bearer holding the passport.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Passport/ID card handheld photo
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Other
Passport/ID card front and back scans
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Dated Within The Last 3 Months
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
Scan copy of the entire passport, including hardcover
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Shareholder and director's address proof: water, electricity, or gas bills. Translation into English required. The document must clearly indicate the name, address, and date of the legal person and should not be older than 1 month.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Shareholders and directors' address proof: scanned copies of water, electricity, and gas bills, or bank statements. It needs to be translated into English, and the documents should clearly indicate the name, address, and date of the shareholder/director, not exceeding one month. (Note: if your address is located within the territory of mainland China, due to anti-money laundering regulations, we can only accept comprehensive personal bank information certificates stamped by local banks as address proof).
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Proof of address can be a water and electricity bill payment receipt. The proof needs to clearly state the individual's name, address, and date. The date should not exceed one month.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Shareholder and director address proof: Scan of water, electricity, and gas bills or bank statements. The documents should clearly indicate the name + address + date of the shareholder/director and should not be older than 1 month. They need to be translated into English or German, notarized in English or German, and apostilled.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Shareholders and directors' address proof: scanned copies of water, electricity, and gas bills or bank statements. English translation is required, and the document must clearly indicate the name, address, and date of the shareholder/director, and must not exceed one month.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Shareholder and director address proof: scan of utility bills or bank statements. Translation into English is required, and the documents must clearly indicate the shareholder/director's name, address, and a date not exceeding 3 months.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Water, electricity, and gas bills or bank statements scans. The documents should clearly show the shareholder/director's name + address + a date that is not more than 1 month old.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Bank reference / Bank statement / Utility bill / Driver license. Dated within the last 3 months.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
English translated
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Power of Attorney:
Power of Attorney (document provided by our company). Requires English notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Power of Attorney:
Authorization letter (provided by our company); requires English or German translation + English or German notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Power of Attorney:
Power of Attorney (document provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)).
Process: ApostilleFormat: Physical Copy
Resume:
Provide the English resumes of natural person directors and shareholders.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Resume:
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Other Documents:
Shareholders and directors' signature samples scanned
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Other Documents:
Passport holding picture of all the shareholder
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Three Preferred Company Trade Names (to check the availability)
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Other
One Digital Passport Size Photograph
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Other
Legal Entity Shareholders's Required Documents
British Virgin Islands Company Registration (British Virgin Islands)Cyprus Company Registration (LTD)UK Company Registration (LTD)Netherlands Company Registration (BV)Company Registration in Switzerland (GmbH)Luxembourg Company Registration (SARL)Singapore Company Registration (PTE LTD)Hong Kong Company Registration (Limited)Cayman Company Registration (Offshore)Company Formation in Dubai Mainland UAEPassport:
The legal person of the holding company and shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares shall provide the passport.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
The legal representative of the holding company and the scanned copy of the first page of the passport of shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
The legal person of the holding company as well as the scanned copy of the first page of the passport of shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares;
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
The legal representative of the holding company and shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares need to provide a passport, along with an English or German translation, English or German notarization, and Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
The legal representative of the holding company and shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares need to provide an English notarized copy of their passport.
Process: NotarizationFormat: Scan Copy
Passport:
All members of the corporation, including Directors, Shareholders, Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), and Contact persons. Dated within the last 3 months
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Proof of address for the legal representative of the holding company and shareholders owning more than 25% of the shares: water, electricity, or utility bills. Translation into English required. The document must clearly indicate the name, address, and date. And should not be older than 1 month.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Shareholders and directors' address proof: Scanned copies of water, electricity, and gas bills or bank statements. They need to be translated into English, and the documents must clearly show the name, address, and date of the shareholder/director, not exceeding one month. (Note: if your address is in mainland China, due to anti-money laundering regulations, we can only accept personal bank information comprehensive certificates stamped by local banks as address proof.)
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
The text you provided in Chinese translates to:
"Proof of address for the legal person of the holding company and shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares: water, electricity, and gas bills or bank statements. The documents should clearly indicate the name + address + date of the shareholder/director and should not be older than 1 month; they need to be translated into English or German + notarized in English or German + apostilled."
"Proof of address for the legal person of the holding company and shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares: water, electricity, and gas bills or bank statements. The documents should clearly indicate the name + address + date of the shareholder/director and should not be older than 1 month; they need to be translated into English or German + notarized in English or German + apostilled."
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
Proof of address for the legal person of the holding company and for shareholders holding more than 25% of the shares: scanned copies of water, electricity, and gas bills, or bank statements. English translation required, with clear indication of the legal person's name, address, and date, not exceeding one month.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof of Address:
All members of the corporation, including Directors, Shareholders, Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), and Contact persons. Dated within the last 3 months.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof Of Registration / Business License:
Certified copies of business License of the Holding Company, English Translation Required.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof Of Registration / Business License:
Business license of the holding company.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Proof Of Registration / Business License:
The business license of the holding company requires English notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof Of Registration / Business License:
The business license of the holding company needs to be translated into English or German + notarized in English or German + apostilled.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof Of Registration / Business License:
English translation of the business license of the holding company + English notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Proof Of Registration / Business License:
in case the company documents can be certified via official government site, there is no need to submit certified copies.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Company Bylaw:
The English translation of the company's articles of association for the holding company.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
Company Bylaw:
Articles of association of the holding company.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Company Bylaw:
The company's articles of association for holding companies; English or German translation + English or German notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Company Bylaw:
The English translation of the company's articles of association, English notarization, and Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Company Bylaw:
in case the company documents can be certified via official government site, there is no need to submit certified copies.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Power of Attorney:
Power of Attorney (document provided by our company). Requires English notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Power of Attorney:
Power of attorney (document provided by our company); requires English or German translation + English or German notarization + Apostille. Requires English or German translation + English or German notarization + Apostille.
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Other Documents:
If using a legal entity as a company shareholder, please contact the customer relationship manager.
Process: Other CertificationFormat: Other
Other Documents:
- Register of Director;
- Register of Shareholder / UBO;
- Extract of the company’s details from the Registrar of Companies, which can include any of the following: Business Profile / Certificate of Incumbency / Certificate of Good standing (valid for within 6 months if any).
Process: ApostilleFormat: Scan Copy
Other Entities's Required Documents
British Virgin Islands Company Registration (British Virgin Islands)Cyprus Company Registration (LTD)UK Company Registration (LTD)Netherlands Company Registration (BV)Company Registration in Switzerland (GmbH)Luxembourg Company Registration (SARL)Singapore Company Registration (PTE LTD)Hong Kong Company Registration (Limited)Cayman Company Registration (Offshore)Company Formation in Dubai Mainland UAEPassport:
If the company will have only one director (excluding the nominee director), incorporation documents must be signed under a witness (can be anyone other than the director himself). The witness need to provide a scan copy of his/her passport.
Process: Not ApplicableFormat: Scan Copy
REQUIREMENTS AND ESTIMATED COST
Local presence: what is fixed and what varies
A classic offshore company must keep a registered office in its jurisdiction at all times. A BVI company must also keep a licensed registered agent, or the Registrar may strike it off. A Cayman exempted company's office sits at its corporate service provider's address. Among the other requirements, the local person varies: some jurisdictions add a resident director, secretary or representative, while the BVI and Cayman forms need no resident director. A registered address alone is not substance and does not make the company managed there. Order matters too: the BVI is on the European Commission's anti-money-laundering high-risk list, so a BVI parent above an EU company can draw extra checks from the notary or bank there.
Reading the requirements
Base cost is the service and government fees; each requirement shows if it is included and what solving it costs; the estimate adds them up.
Base Cost
British Virgin Islands Company Registration (British Virgin Islands)Cyprus Company Registration (LTD)UK Company Registration (LTD)Netherlands Company Registration (BV)Company Registration in Switzerland (GmbH)Luxembourg Company Registration (SARL)Singapore Company Registration (PTE LTD)Hong Kong Company Registration (Limited)Cayman Company Registration (Offshore)Company Formation in Dubai Mainland UAEService Fee:
CNY 18,500
Service Fee:
EUR 2,325
Service Fee:
GBP 75
Service Fee:
EUR 2,925
Service Fee:
CHF 5,375
Service Fee:
EUR 5,725
Service Fee:
CNY 10,000
Service Fee:
CNY 7,250
Service Fee:
USD 4,225
Service Fee:
AED 19,250
Government Fee:
GBP 100
Government Fee:
AED 450
Requirements
British Virgin Islands Company Registration (British Virgin Islands)Cyprus Company Registration (LTD)UK Company Registration (LTD)Netherlands Company Registration (BV)Company Registration in Switzerland (GmbH)Luxembourg Company Registration (SARL)Singapore Company Registration (PTE LTD)Hong Kong Company Registration (Limited)Cayman Company Registration (Offshore)Company Formation in Dubai Mainland UAERegistered Address: A Cyprus registered office address is needed
To register a company in Cyprus, a Cyprus address is required. If you do not have a Cyprus address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
To register a company in Cyprus, a Cyprus address is required. If you do not have a Cyprus address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: EUR 450 – 600
Registered Address: British companies need to have a British address
To register a company in the UK, a UK address is mandatory. If you do not have a UK address, you can opt for the Registered Address service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium). The service already includes one year of address hosting in England or Scotland, UK.
To register a company in the UK, a UK address is mandatory. If you do not have a UK address, you can opt for the Registered Address service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium). The service already includes one year of address hosting in England or Scotland, UK.
Included: Yes ×1.00
Registered Address: A commercial address in the Netherlands is needed
To register a Dutch company, a Dutch address is required. If you do not have a Dutch address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
To register a Dutch company, a Dutch address is required. If you do not have a Dutch address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: EUR 125 – 1,575
Registered Address: Swiss address is required
To register a Swiss company, a Swiss address is required. If you do not have a Swiss address, you can choose TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s Registered Address service.
To register a Swiss company, a Swiss address is required. If you do not have a Swiss address, you can choose TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s Registered Address service.
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: CHF 2,450
Registered Address: Requires a Luxembourg address
Luxembourg company registration must have a Luxembourg address. If there is no Luxembourg address, you can choose the Registered Address service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
Luxembourg company registration must have a Luxembourg address. If there is no Luxembourg address, you can choose the Registered Address service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
Included: No · Solution available
Registered Address: A Singapore address is needed
To register a company in Singapore, a Singapore address is required. If you do not have a Singapore address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium). This service already includes one year of Singapore Registered Address.
To register a company in Singapore, a Singapore address is required. If you do not have a Singapore address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium). This service already includes one year of Singapore Registered Address.
Included: Yes ×1.00
Registered Address: You need to have a Hong Kong SAR address.
To register a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) company, it is necessary to have a Hong Kong SAR address. If there is no HKSAR address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium). This service already includes one year of HKSAR address hosting.
To register a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) company, it is necessary to have a Hong Kong SAR address. If there is no HKSAR address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium). This service already includes one year of HKSAR address hosting.
Included: Yes ×1.00
Registered Address: Company registered address
To register a Dubai Mainland Company, a Dubai address is necessary. If you do not have a Dubai address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
To register a Dubai Mainland Company, a Dubai address is necessary. If you do not have a Dubai address, you can choose the address hosting service provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: AED 6,000
Other Services: To use TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s same-day / next-day incorporation service, all natural person directors, natural person shareholders, and Ultimate Beneficiary Owners (Personal With Significant Control) must have their own Company House Personal Code.
To use TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s same-day / next-day incorporation service, all natural person directors, natural person shareholders, and Ultimate Beneficiary Owners (Personal With Significant Control) must have their own Company House Personal Code or use TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s Company House Personal Code obtention service.
To use TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s same-day / next-day incorporation service, all natural person directors, natural person shareholders, and Ultimate Beneficiary Owners (Personal With Significant Control) must have their own Company House Personal Code or use TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium)'s Company House Personal Code obtention service.
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: GBP 75
Other Services: Legal entities registered in jurisdictions with high risk or tax avoidance attributes require background investigation reports when holding shares.
If using shares held by legal entities registered in jurisdictions with high risk or tax avoidance attributes (such as the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, etc.), additional background check fees will be required.
If using shares held by legal entities registered in jurisdictions with high risk or tax avoidance attributes (such as the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, etc.), additional background check fees will be required.
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: EUR 825
Nominee Director: Swiss residents are needed to serve as company representatives
The Swiss do not require Swiss residents to serve as company directors, but they do require the appointment of a Swiss resident to serve as a company representative. If no Swiss resident can serve as a company representative, they can choose the nomination director services provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
The Swiss do not require Swiss residents to serve as company directors, but they do require the appointment of a Swiss resident to serve as a company representative. If no Swiss resident can serve as a company representative, they can choose the nomination director services provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium).
Included: No · Solution availableEstimated Cost: CHF 8,575
Nominee Director: At least one company director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore
Singapore company registration must have at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore. If there is no Singapore resident to serve as the company director, the "Nominee Director Service" provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium) is available. This service already includes a one-year company nominee director service.
Singapore company registration must have at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore. If there is no Singapore resident to serve as the company director, the "Nominee Director Service" provided by TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium) is available. This service already includes a one-year company nominee director service.
Included: Yes ×1.00
Company Secretary: Must have a Hong Kong-based company secretary (Cap. 622 s.474).
Hong Kong companies must have a company secretary: an individual secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong, and a corporate secretary must have its registered office or a place of business in Hong Kong. If there is no company secretary meeting this requirement, the "Nominee Secretary Service" provided by the TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium) could be utilized. This service includes one year of company secretary service.
Hong Kong companies must have a company secretary: an individual secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong, and a corporate secretary must have its registered office or a place of business in Hong Kong. If there is no company secretary meeting this requirement, the "Nominee Secretary Service" provided by the TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium) could be utilized. This service includes one year of company secretary service.
Included: Yes ×1.00
Estimated Cost
British Virgin Islands Company Registration (British Virgin Islands)Cyprus Company Registration (LTD)UK Company Registration (LTD)Netherlands Company Registration (BV)Company Registration in Switzerland (GmbH)Luxembourg Company Registration (SARL)Singapore Company Registration (PTE LTD)Hong Kong Company Registration (Limited)Cayman Company Registration (Offshore)Company Formation in Dubai Mainland UAEEstimated Cost:
CNY 18,500
Estimated Cost:
EUR 2,325 – 2,925
Estimated Cost:
GBP 175 – 250
Estimated Cost:
EUR 2,925 – 5,325
Estimated Cost:
CHF 5,375 – 16,400
Estimated Cost:
EUR 5,725
Estimated Cost:
CNY 10,000
Estimated Cost:
CNY 7,250
Estimated Cost:
USD 4,225
Estimated Cost:
AED 19,700 – 25,700
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TAX
Where the tax actually falls
Incorporation does not settle tax: where the company is managed, where income arises and the owners' home rules do. Certain US owners must file IRS Form 5471. Hong Kong taxes only Hong Kong-sourced profits, yet the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) finds most businesses based there with no presence abroad likely chargeable. Its foreign-sourced income exemption (FSIE) regime can tax certain foreign income received there by group entities, normally including one with a BVI parent. BVI and Cayman substance tests cover only relevant activities. Under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Common Reporting Standard (CRS), a passive company's accounts are reported to its owners' tax authority. A Hong Kong incorporation filing also applies for business registration with the IRD.
Reading the tax data
Rows cover corporate income, withholding, value-added and capital gains tax, plus effective rates, for each jurisdiction.
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
British Virgin IslandsCyprusUnited KingdomNetherlandsSwitzerlandLuxembourgSingaporeHong Kong SARCayman IslandsUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral CIT Rate:
The British Virgin Islands does not impose a corporate income tax on businesses. This tax-free environment is a significant reason why the BVI is an attractive destination for international businesses https://tradecouncil.org/corporate-income-tax-in-the-british-virgin-islands/
General CIT Rate:
15
General CIT Rate:
25.8
General CIT Rate:
Federal corporate income tax: after-tax profit of 8.5% (pre-tax profit of 7.83%). State and local CIT is added to federal CIT, resulting in an overall effective tax rate between 11.9% and 21.0%, depending on the company's domicile in Switzerland.
General CIT Rate:
23.87% (CIT, employment-fund surcharge, and municipal business tax [Luxembourg City, from tax year 2025])
General CIT Rate:
17
General CIT Rate:
Corporations: 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% on the remainder; unincorporated businesses: 7.5% on the first HKD 2 million and 15% on the remainder.
CIT Return Due Date:
From tax year 2026: 31 January of the second year after the tax year.
CIT Return Due Date:
Tax returns need to be submitted within one year after the end of the accounting period.
CIT Return Due Date:
Usually five months after the end of the company's fiscal year.
CIT Return Due Date:
The due date varies from canton to canton (usually between six and nine months after the close of the business year).
CIT Return Due Date:
December 31 of the following year.
CIT Return Due Date:
November 30
CIT Return Due Date:
The tax return forms are typically released on the first working day of April each year. The filing deadline is usually within one month from the day the forms are released. Certain companies (e.g., those with a fiscal year ending on December 31) may have an extended filing deadline under the Inland Revenue Department's block extension scheme for companies with a tax representative, usually in mid-August of the year the forms are released (for accounting date code "D", 17 August 2026 for the 2025/26 returns), and in certain circumstances (e.g., electronic filing), extensions may be granted.
CIT Return Due Date:
The Cayman Islands has no tax reporting requirements.
CIT Return Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, all taxable persons must submit the company tax return within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period.
CIT Payment Due Date:
From tax year 2026, the balance is due by 31 January of the second year after the tax year.
CIT Payment Due Date:
According to the scale of the payment company, there may be differences. For more information, please refer to the UK company summary.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Tax should be paid within six weeks from the date of assessment.
CIT Payment Due Date:
The due date varies from canton to canton.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Within one month of receiving the tax assessment notice.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Tax is payable within one month from the date of the Notice of Assessment.
CIT Payment Due Date:
For companies with a fiscal year ending on December 31st, the final tax payment for a specific tax year is typically due in November of the year when the tax return is filed.
CIT Payment Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, all taxable persons must pay corporate tax within nine months after the end of the relevant tax period.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Payment in installments of equal amounts on July 31 and December 31 of the relevant tax/calendar year.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
According to the scale of the payment company, there may be differences. For more information, please refer to the UK company summary.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Within six weeks of the assessment; a provisional assessment issued during the year is payable in equal monthly instalments over the rest of the year.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Federal CIT is usually due by 31 March of the following tax period. At the cantonal level, the due dates vary from canton to canton.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Quarterly installment payment.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
The estimated income tax assessment must be submitted within three months after the end of the company's fiscal year. The estimated tax should be paid within one month after receiving the assessment notice, or paid in installments according to the installment payment plan. No estimated chargeable income (ECI) needs to be filed for a year of assessment when the company's annual revenue for the financial year is S$5,000,000 or below and its ECI is nil (the IRAS ECI filing waiver).
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
For companies with a fiscal year ending on December 31st, interim taxes for a specific tax year will be paid in two installments, typically due in November of the current year and January of the following year.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
According to the UAE CT law, there is no need to estimate/prepay taxes.
Withholding Tax (WHT)
British Virgin IslandsCyprusUnited KingdomNetherlandsSwitzerlandLuxembourgSingaporeHong Kong SARCayman IslandsUnited Arab EmiratesResident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/20/20
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/0*/0* (*25.8% conditional withholding tax on interest, royalties and, since 2024, dividends paid to an affiliated entity in a low-tax jurisdiction or in abuse cases)
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%-35% / 0%-35% / 0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/0/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/10
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/20/20
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/0*/0* (*25.8% conditional withholding tax on interest, royalties and, since 2024, dividends paid to an affiliated entity in a low-tax jurisdiction or in abuse cases)
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%-35% / 0%-35% / 0
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
15/0/0
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/15/10
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/2.475-4.95
Non-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0%
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
British Virgin IslandsCyprusUnited KingdomNetherlandsSwitzerlandLuxembourgSingaporeHong Kong SARCayman IslandsUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral VAT Rate:
0%
General VAT Rate:
19
General VAT Rate:
20
General VAT Rate:
21
General VAT Rate:
8.1%
General VAT Rate:
17
General VAT Rate:
9
General VAT Rate:
5
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
British Virgin IslandsCyprusUnited KingdomNetherlandsSwitzerlandLuxembourgSingaporeHong Kong SARCayman IslandsUnited Arab EmiratesGeneral Capital Gain Tax Rate:
0%
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
20
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Capital gains are subject to the regular corporate tax rate.
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Capital gains are constrained by the normal corporate income tax rate (25.8%). Eligible participated capital gains are tax-exempt under the participation exemption.
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
The effective tax rate (ETR) depends on the company’s location of corporate residency in Switzerland. The ETR of a company resident at the capital cities of the Swiss cantons varies between 11.9% and 20.5%. Exceptions to be considered relate to the participation relief and capital gains on real estate.
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Taxed at the normal corporate income tax rates, except gains on a qualifying participation (at least 10% or an acquisition price of EUR 6,000,000, held at least 12 months), which are exempt.
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
British Virgin IslandsCyprusUnited KingdomNetherlandsSwitzerlandLuxembourgSingaporeHong Kong SARCayman IslandsUnited Arab EmiratesComposite Effective Average Tax Rate:
11.4%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
22.55
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
17.1%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
23.24%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
16.09%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
5.92%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
11.51
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
10.4%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
18.09%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
13.15%
Conclusion
After the certificate: the bank and yearly upkeep
Banking is a separate step: a certificate of incorporation does not secure a corporate bank account, because each bank decides on its own due diligence. It may ask who owns and controls the company, what the account is for and, in higher-risk cases, the source of funds. Upkeep follows: keep the registered agent and office, pay the annual fee to avoid strike-off, keep accounting records and update beneficial ownership details. For the annual filing, a BVI company sends its annual financial return to the registered agent within nine months of its financial year-end. A Cayman exempted company files an annual return each January. The next step is a first-year compliance calendar, with records kept from day one.
Jurisdiction Overview
About Global
TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium) provides business services across nearly 200 countries and territories worldwide, helping foreign entrepreneurs navigate company incorporation, tax compliance, banking, and regulatory requirements in any jurisdiction.
View Complete InformationFrequently Asked Questions
The company's registered capital belongs to the company, not to its shareholders, so the shareholders cannot simply withdraw it after incorporation. The company may spend it on its business. Returning capital to the shareholders requires a procedure the applicable company law provides, such as a formal capital reduction, and profits can be paid out to them only as a lawful distribution.
- The Cyprus government does not impose any nationality or identity restrictions on foreigners registering a Cyprus company and does not require EU residency as a nominee director.
- A company secretary who is a resident of Cyprus is required.
A Cyprus private company name cannot end in 'PLC' (that ending is reserved for public companies) and must instead end in 'Ltd'. In addition, if the same name is already registered in another country, the Cyprus Registrar of Companies may reject it as too similar to an existing company, so it is best to prepare several alternative names.
Beyond a nominee secretary and registered address, Cyprus incorporation requires a TIC (Tax Identification Code) application and a UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) registration. The UBO details of the physical persons behind any corporate shareholder must be disclosed. If an accountant is engaged, they can usually handle the TIC application, so a separate TIC purchase may not be needed. A corporate shareholder must also provide a utility-bill proof of address and an English CV/resume to complete the nominee-secretary KYC questionnaire.
A POA requirement is not tied to the applicant's nationality. Incorporation in Portugal, Spain, Poland, Malta and Cyprus may not require a POA, but this ultimately depends on the lawyer/supplier handling the specific case.
Registering a UK company requires at least one shareholder. This can be a natural person or a company. The UK government does not have any requirements or restrictions on the nationality or legal domicile of shareholders of UK companies.
The name of the company may be in any language but must be written in Roman characters. Its limited liability status must be reflected at the end of the company name by the word “Limited” or its abbreviation “LTD”. The name of the company must not be the same as an existing name on the index or be offensive, and there are conditions on the use of the words “bank”,“association”,“university”,“charity”, “architect” and related words.
No capital verification is required to register a UK company.
The UK government does not impose any nationality or identity restrictions on foreigners registering UK companies, and directors do not have to live in the UK.
Once incorporation is complete, HMRC automatically issues a Corporation Tax Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and posts it to the company's registered office address by letter after registration. If the letter has not arrived 15 working days after registration, the company can request its UTR online.
Following updated anti-money-laundering (AML) requirements, some law firms and partner banks will only accept a manually stamped bank certificate (个人银行信息综合凭证, personal comprehensive bank information voucher) that bears a verification code and is issued by the client's local bank branch as proof of address for Chinese clients. Other address documents may be rejected as unverifiable.
Yes. Under the UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, all company directors and people with significant control (UBOs) must verify their identity with Companies House via GOV.UK One Login, obtain a personal Companies House identity code, and provide that code to their service provider. Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has been compulsory for new incorporations and for new directors and people with significant control.
The Dutch government does not impose any nationality or identity restrictions on foreigners registering a Dutch company and does not require EU residency as a nominee director. A professional nominee director, acting for a client outside their own group, needs a De Nederlandsche Bank trust-office licence.
At least one shareholder is required to register a Dutch company. This can be a natural person or a company. The Dutch government does not have any requirements or restrictions on the nationality or legal domicile of the shareholders of a Dutch company.
Not necessarily: shares are paid up when taken unless payment is deferred by agreement, payment may be in cash or in kind, and a BV needs no bank account to be formed; the company must also maintain its own shareholder register. A high share capital is permitted but invites notary/bank source-of-funds scrutiny: large amounts require extensive official proof of how the funds were acquired (a simple bank statement is not enough), with even stricter checks if any entity in the ownership structure is from a high-risk country. A modest capital (e.g. under EUR 10,000) generally avoids such scrutiny, so a lower amount is often advised.
For legal-entity-shareholder incorporation in the Netherlands: (1) provide a shareholding ownership chart (UBO piercing) identifying every natural person who ultimately holds, directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the new company — for complex structures this chart must be certified by a lawyer or accountant in the parent's home country and then apostilled; (2) the corporate documents (articles/constitution and business licence) must be in English, so a separate translation is unnecessary if the notarization already produces a certified English translation; (3) address proof is required for the holding company's legal representative and for the ultimate beneficial owners; (4) the notary may require a video call at their discretion; and (5) if the holding company itself has a complex/legal-entity ownership, a separate legal-entity-shareholder background-check product must be purchased.
In the weeks after incorporation the company will receive roughly 3 letters from the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and several letters from the Tax Authorities regarding corporate tax and VAT registration; the Tax Authorities let the company know within 10 working days of the KvK registration whether it is a VAT entrepreneur. Shareholders should deposit their stated share capital (advisably within 2 weeks of opening the business bank account) and send the bank statement showing receipt so the notary can update the KvK registration, and the company must maintain its own shareholder register recording any capital changes.
The UBO extract is open to the people listed on the company's KvK registration (its directors and secretaries), who can download it by logging into the KvK with a Dutch electronic identity (eID). It cannot be obtained by an unauthorised third party; if a new copy is needed, it must be obtained by whoever originally registered or holds KvK access (the party that prepared the UBO filing already provided the document at the time).
Yes. Once incorporation begins (in practice once the notary starts the registration), the entire process — including the video meeting and the Power of Attorney apostille — must be completed within one month, otherwise the case expires and must be restarted. On restart, the shareholder's proof of address must be re-collected and dated within the current month.
Swiss law sets no nationality or EU-residence rule. A GmbH must be able to be represented by at least one person resident in Switzerland, who must be a managing director or a Direktor (CO Art. 814(3)). If you do not have such a person, TKEG Expat ™ (Belgium) can match you with a nominee director resident in Switzerland.
The Luxembourg government does not impose any nationality or identity restrictions on foreigners registering a Luxembourg company and does not require EU residency as a nominee director.
An EU-resident director is required for a Luxembourg company when the company needs to actually operate or have a real presence — for example, when the client cannot travel to Luxembourg to open the capital-verification bank account, when the company begins trading, or when it needs to obtain a VAT number. A simple shelf or registered company with no local activity does not require an EU-resident director.
Certain words trigger extra scrutiny: 'Investment' may require a prior/pre-approval license, 'Royal' is sensitive and may be refused, and 'Group' is a general sensitive word that is usually not recommended.
Singapore's Companies Act 1967 requires every Singapore company, whoever sets it up, to have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Therefore, if you do not have a candidate to act as a director of your Singapore company, you can use a specialist service to match you with a Singapore Nominee Director.
The name of the company may be in any language. Its limited liability status must be reflected by the abbreviation “PTE. LTD” at the end of the company name. The use of the words “bank”, “association”, “university”, “charity”, “architect” and related words in the name of the company is subject to conditions;.
At least one shareholder is required to register a Singapore company. This can be a natural person or a company. The Singapore Government does not have any requirements or restrictions on the nationality or legal domicile of the shareholders of a Singapore company.
No capital verification is required for the registration of a Singapore company.
Two directors is generally preferable for later bank account opening, because each bank sets its own requirements for who can sign for the account. With only one director, a provider/nominee director must assist and pass the bank's risk control, which is more complicated. If the client insists on a single individual director, any extra co-signer is the bank's own requirement. In Singapore, neither the Companies Act 1967 nor the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) requires a witness to co-sign when a company opens a bank account, and ACRA says banks usually need persons who can sign for the account, most directors physically present in Singapore, a board decision with certified company documents, and identity checks for directors and the people who own the business.
For a Singapore incorporation, background-company information is requested because a client choosing to incorporate in Singapore is generally expected to have relevant prior business or company experience supporting that decision. Details of any companies the client has previously participated in or held should be provided to support due diligence.
Where a Singapore incorporation involves nominee/proxy shareholding, an Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) package must be verified before proceeding, typically including: a completed EDD form; the client's business background and source-of-funds explanation with related-company information, tax-clearance proof and bank statements; the fully signed nominee/proxy-holding agreement; the commercial rationale for using the nominee service; identification of the ultimate controller and UBO (with ID, address proof and CV); an explanation of bank-account control; a description of the business model; and a list of main customers and suppliers (with countries).
Nominee (named) directors are not provided for a Singapore company that has genuine operating activity. Publishing and media-related business scopes or company names are more likely to be scrutinised by the registry (ACRA), which may raise follow-up queries. If a proposed name is rejected, a name re-submission fee applies; and if registration cannot proceed because the client is unable to cooperate with the registry's queries, a document withdrawal/cancellation fee applies.
A nominee director for a Singapore company must be attached to a registered corporate service provider (CSP), which conducts a Fit and Proper assessment of the nominee. This incurs additional charges, typically a nominee-director registration fee plus an annual risk-control fee. A 'Fit and Proper Assessment Form - Nominee Director' must be completed, with the relevant section filled in and signed personally by the nominee director, and the client must disclose any related/affiliated/sister companies or past employers.
A company's name may be in English, in Chinese, or both, but a name that combines English words or letters with Chinese characters is not allowed. Its limited liability status must be reflected in the word “Limited” at the end of the English name and the characters “有限公司” at the end of the Chinese name. The use of words such as “trust”, “trustee”, “savings” and “chamber of commerce” in the name of the company needs the Registrar's prior approval, and words such as “bank”, “insurance” and “certified public accountant” are restricted by other Ordinances.
At least one shareholder is required to register a Hong Kong company. This can be a natural person or a company. The Hong Kong government does not have any requirements or restrictions on the nationality or legal domicile of the shareholders of a Hong Kong company.
No capital verification is required for the registration of a Hong Kong company.
A Hong Kong limited company must appoint a company secretary: an individual secretary must ordinarily reside in Hong Kong, and a corporate secretary must have its registered office or a place of business in Hong Kong. The secretary's address is normally used as the company's registered address. A client with a genuine Hong Kong office may use it as the registered address, but government correspondence would then go directly to the client with no provider follow-up service. It is therefore generally recommended to keep the registered address at the nominee secretary office while the actual operating address remains the client's choice. Banks and e-commerce platforms distinguish registered address from operating address, so a nominee registered address causes no practical problems.
A shelf company is generally not worthwhile in Hong Kong because a brand-new incorporation completes very quickly: for a private company limited by shares, the Companies Registry normally issues the certificates within one hour of an electronic application, or within four working days of a paper one. Registering a fresh company is usually preferable to purchasing a shelf company.
References
laws.gov.vg · bvi business companies actciregistry.ky · exempted companyfatf-gafi.org · fatf recommendations 2012bvifsc.vg · beneficial ownership qalaws.gov.vg · BVI Business Companies Actfinance.ec.europa.eu · anti money laundering and countering financing terrorism international levelird.gov.hk · bus pft tspirs.gov · about form 5471laws.gov.vg · SI No 18 of 2023 BVI Business Companies (Financial Return) Order, 2023ciregistry.ky · faqslegislation.gov.ky · 1961 0003 2026 Revisiongov.uk · incorporation and nameslaws.gov.vg · Act No 15 of 2024 BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2024ciregistry.ky · 2026 Amendments Beneficial Ownership Transparency General Guidancegov.uk · people with significant control pscsgov.uk · intm120060ird.gov.hk · bus fsieird.gov.hk · one stopditc.ky · crsditc.ky · esbviita.vg · economic substancehkma.gov.hk · account openingirs.gov · f8832laws.gov.vg · Act No 6 of 2022 BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Gazett August 12 2022)bviita.vg · Economic Substance Comapanies and Limited Partnerships Act 2020 Revised Editionlegislation.gov.ky · 2018 0045 2026 Revisionird.gov.hk · dta aeoihkma.gov.hk · information requiredsso.agc.gov.sg · CoA1967 · ProvIds pr145sso.agc.gov.sg · CoA1967 · ProvIds pr171
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