How much does it cost to start a company? Incorporation costs are one of the most important considerations before starting a business. The cost depends on whether the entrepreneur chooses to incorporate a limited company or establish an unlimited company. Furthermore, the Business Registration Certificate fees and levies announced in the annual Budget will also affect the incorporation charges.
This article breaks down the comparison of registration costs between limited and unlimited companies, with a list of annual company fees to help entrepreneurs gain a deep understanding of their incorporation budget.
Extended Reading: Hong Kong Business Registration Certificate
How much does it cost to start a company? Unlimited/Limited Company Registration Fees 2026
| Government Fees | Limited Company Incorporation Cost | Unlimited Company Incorporation Cost2 |
|---|---|---|
| Business Registration Fee1 (BR fee) (1-year cert) |
$2,350 (from April 1, 2026) $2,200 (from April 1, 2025) $2,200 (from April 1, 2024) |
$2,350 (from April 1, 2026) $2,200 (from April 1, 2025) $2,200 (from April 1, 2024) |
| Business Registration Fee (BR fee) (3-year cert) |
$6,170 (from April 1, 2026) $6,020 (from April 1, 2025) $5,870 (before April 1, 2024) |
$6,170 (from April 1, 2026) $6,020 (from April 1, 2025) $5,870 (before April 1, 2024) |
| Government Registration Fee3 | $1,720 (Hard copy submission) $1,545 (Electronic submission) |
N/A |
Important Notice!!
According to the 2025/26 Budget, the two-year waiver period for the “Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund” levy will expire on March 31, 2026. The total Business Registration Certificate fee will increase to $2,350 on April 1, 2026.
For more information regarding Business Registration Fees 2026/27, please visit another article on the General Accounting blog: [Business Registration Fees] BR Fee Increases to $2,350! Latest Precautions and Money-Saving Strategies
Extended Reading: Must-Read for Registering a Limited Company! Comprehensive Guide to Incorporation Documents | Latest NNC1 Version
Business Registration Fee (BR fee)
The 2026 Budget announced that the $150 BR levy will no longer be waived for the 2026/27 financial year. Therefore, from April 1, 2026, the total fee for a Business Registration Certificate will be $2,350**.
Furthermore, incorporation costs vary depending on the BR fee. Company registration and business registration fees are adjusted from time to time based on the annual Budget. Before incorporating, you can check the latest CR/BR charges on the Companies Registry and Inland Revenue Department websites.
Additionally, if an unlimited company meets the requirements of Section 9 of the Business Registration Ordinance, it may submit Form IRBR61 (Form 3) to apply for a waiver of the business registration fee.
Extended Reading: [Business Registration Fee Waiver] Conditions and Process for BR Waiver Application | IRBR61 Form Guide
**Note: The Budget must be submitted to the Legislative Council for deliberation before it officially takes effect.
Limited Company Government Registration Fees 2026
Whether applying to register a company limited by shares, a non-Hong Kong company, or a company limited by guarantee, submitting an application to the Companies Registry also constitutes a simultaneous application for a Business Registration Certificate.
Government Registration Fee + First Year Business Registration Fee = Government Incorporation Cost2
Below is the breakdown of Hong Kong company registration fees:
Registering a Company Limited by Shares
- Electronic incorporation registration fee: $1,545; if the application is not approved, $1,280 is refundable;
- Hard copy form registration fee: $1,720; if the application is not approved, $1,425 is refundable.
Registering a Non-Hong Kong Company
- Electronic incorporation registration fee: $1,545; if the application is not approved, $1,280 is refundable;
- Hard copy form registration fee: $1,720; if the application is not approved, $1,425 is refundable.
Registering a Company Limited by Guarantee
Electronic registration fee for a company limited by guarantee:
- Number of members 25 or fewer: $155
- Number of members 26 to 100: $305
- Number of members 100 or more: $305 for the first 100 members, plus $18 for every additional 50 members (or part thereof), with a total fee cap of $925
Hard copy form registration fee for a company limited by guarantee
- Number of members 25 or fewer: $170
- Number of members 26 to 100: $340
- Number of members 100 or more: $340 for the first 100 members, plus $20 for every additional 50 members (or part thereof), with a total fee cap of $925
What is the cheapest way to incorporate a limited company?
Answer: The cheapest way to incorporate a limited company is through online incorporation. As the Companies Registry has been actively promoting electronic incorporation in recent years, a 10% discount is offered on online company registration fees to encourage entrepreneurs to use electronic incorporation services.
Therefore, the cheapest cost to incorporate a limited company is $1,545 + $2,350 = $3,8953.
Company Incorporation Costs: What expenses should be included in startup costs?
Company Seals
A company requires a signature chop and a small round seal costing approximately $200, or a custom-made company green box with Articles of Association for $600 – $800.
Business Bank Account Opening Fees
Opening a corporate bank account requires payment of account opening service fees and search fees. Charges depend on the company type, nature of business, company size, and the scope of banking services.
For details, please see: Account Opening Requirements and Fees for 18 Commercial Banks in Hong Kong
Virtual Office Services
If you do not have a suitable business address or registered office address, you may consider using a registered office address service, with an annual service fee of approximately $1,500 – $3,000.
Certified True Copies by a CPA
For bank account opening or license applications, you may need to provide Certified True Copies of incorporation documents, with a service fee of $500 – $1,000.
Annual Maintenance Costs for Limited Companies
After completing the incorporation process, a limited company still needs to pay annual maintenance fees, including: company secretarial services, Annual Return (NAR1), Designated Representative for Significant Controllers Register (SCR), tax filing, employer’s tax return, and profits tax. Entrepreneurs should plan for annual maintenance costs before incorporating to prepare sufficient working capital.
1. Company Secretarial Services
General secretarial company fees range between $1,000 – $2,500, depending on the service content. Taking General Accounting as an example, the Premium Company Secretarial Plan fee of $1,295 covers 6 services, including the most important “Preparation and Submission of Annual Return.”
2. Annual Return (NAR1)
The law requires Hong Kong limited companies to submit an Annual Return on their anniversary date each year. The NAR1 registration fee is $105.
3. Designated Representative for Significant Controllers Register
Hong Kong companies or corporations are required to maintain a Significant Controllers Register. If you are unfamiliar with the relevant laws, it is recommended to appoint a professional secretarial company as the Designated Representative for the Significant Controllers Register, with an annual fee of approximately $1,000 – $2,000.
4. Corporate Tax Filing
A company’s first Profits Tax Return is issued within 18 months of incorporation. It requires a qualified CPA to conduct an audit. Tax filing fees vary depending on the company’s scale and nature of business.
5. Employer’s Tax Return
Companies receive an Employer’s Return every April. If you are unfamiliar with Hong Kong taxation, you can commission an accounting firm to handle it for a fee of approximately $500 – $2,000.
6. Profits Tax
Hong Kong limited companies use a two-tiered tax system of 8.25% – 16.5%. The first $2,000,000 of assessable profits is taxed at 8.25%, and the remainder at 16.5%. For example, with $100,000 in assessable profits, the tax payable would be $8,500.
7. Provisional Tax
In addition to paying profits tax for the current year, companies also need to prepay provisional tax for the following year—essentially paying an extra year’s tax in advance. Therefore, the annual maintenance cost for a limited company increases due to provisional tax, which directors should note.
More Information: Provisional Tax
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a company in 2026?
Incorporation costs depend on the type of company (limited or unlimited) and the method of submission. For a limited company, the minimum government fee from April 1, 2026, is $3,895 (electronic registration fee $1,545 + business registration certificate $2,350). Additionally, entrepreneurs should reserve funds for initial expenses such as company seals, bank account opening, and virtual offices, as well as annual maintenance fees like company secretarial services and tax filing.
What is the fee for a Business Registration Certificate (BR Fee) in 2026?
According to the 2025/26 Budget, the waiver period for the business registration levy ended on March 31, 2026. Therefore, from April 1, 2026, the total fee for a one-year Business Registration Certificate will be adjusted to $2,350. The fee for a three-year certificate is $6,170.
What is the difference in registration fees between a limited company and an unlimited company?
The main difference lies in the government registration fee. Incorporating a limited company requires a registration fee ($1,545 for electronic submission), while an unlimited company does not require this fee. However, both must pay the same Business Registration Certificate fee ($2,350 from April 1, 2026).
Besides government fees, what other initial costs are involved in starting a company?
- Company Seals: Signature chop and small round seal approximately $200, or a custom company green box with Articles for $600-$800.
- Bank Account Opening Fee: Fees vary by bank and service content.
- Virtual Office Service: If there is no physical business address, the annual fee is approximately $1,500-$3,000.
- Certified True Copies by a CPA: If required, the service fee is approximately $500-$1,000.
What annual maintenance fees does a limited company need to pay?
- Company Secretarial Service Fee: Approximately $1,000-$2,500.
- Annual Return (NAR1) Fee: $105.
- Business Registration Certificate Fee: $2,350 (from April 1, 2026).
- Designated Representative for Significant Controllers Register Fee: Approximately $1,000-$2,000.
- Corporate Tax Filing and Audit Fees: Depending on company size and business nature.
- Employer's Tax Return Fee: Approximately $500-$2,000.
- Profits Tax and Provisional Tax: Calculated based on assessable profits, with rates of 8.25%-16.5%.
Summary:
Company incorporation costs depend on whether you choose a limited or unlimited company and are affected by the Business Registration Certificate (BR fee) and government registration fees. The latest BR fee for 2026 is $2,350, and the minimum cost to incorporate a limited company is $3,895 (electronic registration + business registration fee). Companies also need to consider other expenses such as company seals ($200-$800), bank account opening fees, virtual offices ($1,500-$3,000), and CPA certification ($500-$1,000).
Annual maintenance fees for limited companies include company secretarial services ($1,000-$2,500), Annual Return NAR1 ($105), Significant Controllers Register representative ($1,000-$2,000), tax filing fees (depending on business scale), employer’s tax return ($500-$2,000), and profits tax (8.25%-16.5%).
Additionally, companies must pay provisional tax, which affects annual cash flow; entrepreneurs should plan their working capital accordingly.
Further reading:
[Shelf Company] 5 Key Benefits of Shelf Companies | 8 Important Things to Note When Buying a Company
Sources
1. Business Registration Fee and Levy Table 2026
https://www.ird.gov.hk/eng/pdf/brfee_table.pdf
2. Major Fees under the Companies Ordinance
https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/services/fees.htm
3. Companies Registry – Fee Details
https://www.cr.gov.hk/en/forms/specified-forms/details.htm
