Start a Business in Hong Kong — Asia's Premier Gateway to China

Hong Kong company formation is the process of incorporating a Private Limited Company (Ltd) with the Companies Registry (CR), costing just HKD 3,895 (~USD 500) via the e-Registry portal. Hong Kong offers Asia’s most competitive tax regime: 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of profits, 16.5% above that, and territorial taxation meaning offshore profits are exempt. The India-Hong Kong DTAA provides a 5% withholding tax on dividends the lowest rate India has with any jurisdiction globally. With CEPA providing preferential access to 153 service sectors in mainland China, Hong Kong is the definitive gateway for Indian companies targeting the Chinese market. Comply Globally has helped 1,080+ entrepreneurs across 45+ countries.

500+

Companies launched

45+

Countries served

4.9

Client rating

+12 today

Founders onboarded

Incorporated in 7 days

Average turnaround time

8.25%

First HKD 2M

60K+

Indian Community

5%

DTAA Dividends (Lowest!)

CEPA

China 153 Sectors

~$500

Formation Cost

Our Services in Hong Kong

What We Help You With in Hong Kong

Leverage our expertise for company formation, EXIM, IOR/EOR, visas, banking, and ongoing
compliance  all from a single point of contact. Hong Kong remains Asia’s premier international
business hub and gateway to mainland China.

Most Popular

Company Formation

Register a Hong Kong Private Limited Company in 1–2 business days through the Companies Registry. We handle name search and reservation, Articles of Association drafting, director and company secretary appointment, registered address provision, and full incorporation remotely from India. Minimum capital: HKD 1. 100% foreign ownership permitted. Average Comply Globally turnaround: 1.8 business days. Starting from ₹45,000.

Tax & Compliance Advisory​

Navigate Hong Kong's competitive 8.25% / 16.5% two-tier Profits Tax, Salaries Tax, Property Tax, and annual Companies Registry returns. We optimise your structure using the India–Hong Kong DTAA (dividends 5%, interest 10%, royalties 10%) and the Offshore Claim exemption for income sourced entirely outside Hong Kong. Hong Kong levies zero GST/VAT, zero capital gains tax, and zero withholding tax on dividends — one of the lowest tax regimes globally. Source: Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Hong Kong.

Most Popular

FEMA & RBI Compliance

We handle BOTH sides simultaneously: Hong Kong incorporation AND Indian FEMA compliance. Form ODI filing with your Authorised Dealer bank, Annual Performance Reports (APR) by 31 December, FLA returns to RBI by 15 July, and Foreign Tax Credit (Section 90) claims under the India–Hong Kong DTAA. This dual-side expertise is our #1 differentiator — no other firm seamlessly manages the full India–Hong Kong compliance cycle in one engagement.

Visas & Immigration

Employment Visa (skilled professionals), Investment Visa / Entrepreneur scheme (business founders and investors), and Dependant Visa for family members. We handle Immigration Department applications, renewals, and extension compliance. Investment Visa typically requires a credible business plan and evidence of substantial capital contribution. Employment Visa requires proof of specialist skills and a genuine job offer from a Hong Kong employer.

EXIM & Logistics

Import/export licences, customs clearance via Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, 3PL warehousing, IOR/AOR/EOR services, and Hong Kong–India trade facilitation. As a free port with zero customs tariffs on most goods, Hong Kong is the world's seventh-largest trading economy and the gateway for ASEAN and Greater Bay Area distribution.

Cross-Border Banking

Corporate account opening at HSBC, Standard Chartered, Hang Seng, DBS Hong Kong, or Citibank. We prepare your business plan, projected financials, and KYC documentation. Enhanced due diligence applies to new overseas-incorporated entities — our proven documentation framework dramatically reduces rejection risk and processing time. Most banks require an in-person visit or video-based KYC verification.

Why Partner With Comply Globally?

Our 4 Brand Promises — Backed by Results

These are not marketing claims. They are measurable operational standards tracked
and verified across 1,080+ client engagements worldwide.

Speed of Action

We respond within 4 hours. Average Hong Kong Private Limited incorporation: 1.8 business days often same-day for straightforward cases.

Fastest: Same-day incorporation

Accuracy & Competence

Zero compliance failures across 1,080+ engagements. Every filing is reviewed by a dedicated country specialist before submission.

100% filing accuracy · 4.7★ rating

Ease of Doing Business

One contact for everything — Hong Kong Companies Registry incorporation AND Indian FEMA compliance handled simultaneously. No vendor juggling, no coordination overhead.

Single Point of Management · 45+ countries

Cost Competitiveness

Transparent, all-inclusive pricing with zero hidden fees. Consistently 30–40% lower than Big 4 firms for equivalent scope and quality.

Hong Kong Pte Ltd 5.7★ rating

“Initially I was thinking their brand promises were marketing jargon — but after taking their services, I can say they are better than excellent in Speed of Action, Cost Competitiveness, and Competence.” 

Deepak Nirwan
Hong Kong

TAX FRAMEWORk

What Is the Corporate Tax Rate in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong operates a two-tier Profits Tax system one of the most competitive in Asia.

According to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), Hong Kong levies Profits Tax at 8.25% on the first HKD 2,000,000 of assessable profits and 16.5% on the remainder for corporations. Unincorporated businesses pay 7.5% and 15% respectively. Hong Kong imposes zero capital gains tax, zero VAT/GST, and zero withholding tax on dividends  making it uniquely attractive for holding company structures and regional headquarters. The Offshore Claim provision allows companies with profits sourced entirely outside Hong Kong to apply for full tax exemption on those profits.  The India  Hong Kong DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) reduces cross-border withholding tax to 5% on dividends (where the beneficial owner holds at least 10% equity), 10% on interest, and 10% on royalties.

Sources: Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) · India–Hong Kong DTAA 1994 (amended) · Updated April 2026

Hong Kong vs Singapore vs Dubai vs Luxembourg— Tax Comparison

Hong Kong Tax Comparison Table
Factor🇭🇰Hong Kong🇸🇬Singapore🇦🇪Dubai (UAE)🇱🇺Luxembourg
CIT Rate
16.5% (8.25% on first HKD 2M)17%9% (0% on profits ≤ AED 375k)17% (15% SMEs)
Capital Gains Tax
0% (no CGT)0%0%0% (qualifying participations)
Dividend WHT
0% (no WHT on dividends)0%0%15% (0% for qualifying EU/treaty residents)
VAT / GST
0% (no VAT/GST)9% GST5% VAT17% VAT
DTAA Network
~50 treaties (+ 20 CDTAs)~90 treaties~140 treaties~85 treaties
Ease of Doing Business
#3 (World Bank)#1#16#72
Offshore / Special Regime
Territorial tax: only HK-sourced income taxed; Foreign-sourced income exemptTerritorial + exemption on foreign-sourced incomeFree Zones: 0% CIT for 50 yrs; 100% foreign ownershipIP regime: 80% exemption on IP income (6.8% effective)
Investment Incentives
Patent Box: 5% concessionary rate on IP income; R&D: 300% deduction on first HKD 2M; Family Office: 0% profits taxStartup: 0–4.25% CIT for 3 yrs; Pioneer: tax holiday 5–10 yrsFree Zones: 0% CIT & import duty; R&D incentives via ADIOIP Box: 80% income exemption; R&D super-deduction

Free Resource

Get Your Personalised Singapore Compliance Calendar

Tell us about your company and we’ll prepare a customised compliance calendar
with every key date — delivered via WhatsApp and email within 24 hours.

    📅

    Request Your Free Compliance Calendar

    We'll map ALL applicable compliance deadlines for your Singapore entity and your Indian FEMA obligations — in one personalised document.

    🏢 Your Singapore Company









    📨 Where should we send the calendar?





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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Your Singapore Questions Answered by Experts

    Yes. Indian residents can legally own a Singapore company under FEMA’s Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) regulations. You must file Form ODI with your Authorised Dealer bank and maintain annual compliance (APR, FLA). The 400% net worth limit applies — your total overseas investment cannot exceed 400% of your Indian company’s net worth without prior RBI approval. Source: RBI Master Direction on ODI.
     
    How much tax will I actually pay in Singapore?
    For a new startup: effectively 0-4.25% on the first SGD 200,000 for the first 3 years, then 8.3% on first SGD 200K and 17% on the rest. There is no capital gains tax and no dividend withholding tax. If you repatriate profits to India, the DTAA limits WHT to 10-15% on dividends. Your total effective tax rate (Singapore CIT + India dividend tax – FTC) is typically 17-22% depending on structure. Source: IRAS.
     
    What are the real risks of setting up in Singapore?
    Key risks: (1) Non-compliance with ACRA — annual returns must be filed; penalties up to SGD 5,000. (2) FEMA non-compliance — penalties up to 3x the investment amount. (3) Bank account challenges — can take 2-4 weeks with strict KYC. (4) Ongoing costs — annual maintenance SGD 3,000-6,000 even with zero revenue. (5) Director residency — at least 1 Singapore-resident director always required. Comply Globally mitigates all these with our structured process.
     
    What are the ongoing annual costs of a Singapore company?
    Annual maintenance costs: company secretary (SGD 300-800), registered address (SGD 500-1,500), nominee director (SGD 2,000-3,000 if applicable), ACRA annual return (SGD 60), accounting & audit (SGD 1,500-5,000 depending on complexity), and tax filing (SGD 500-2,000). Total: approximately SGD 4,000-10,000/year (₹2.5L-6.3L). Comply Globally’s annual compliance package covers all essentials from ₹75,000/year.
     
    Do I need to disclose my Singapore company in India?
    Yes — mandatory. Indian residents must disclose overseas investments in: (1) Form ODI to AD bank, (2) Annual Performance Report (APR) by 31 December, (3) FLA return to RBI by 15 July, (4) Schedule FA of your Indian income tax return. Failure to disclose is a FEMA contravention with penalties up to 3x the amount involved or ₹2 lakh per day. This is the most common compliance gap we see in Indian-owned Singapore entities.
     
    Can I open a Singapore bank account without visiting?
    Partially. DBS and OCBC now offer video-based KYC for some account types. However, most banks still prefer at least one in-person visit by a director. The bank account opening process typically takes 2-4 weeks and requires: passport copies, proof of address, business plan, expected transaction details, and a reference letter. Indian banks SBI and BOI operating in Singapore may be more accommodating for Indian applicants.
     
    Singapore vs Hong Kong — which is better for Indian businesses?
    For ASEAN access: Singapore wins (direct ASEAN hub, 680M market). For China access: Hong Kong wins (CEPA, 5% DTAA dividends vs Singapore’s 10-15%). Tax: HK offers lower headline rates (8.25/16.5% + territorial taxation) but Singapore’s startup exemptions can be more effective. Both have 0% CGT and common law systems. Comply Globally operates in both — we recommend based on your target market.
     

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