Hong Kong Business Registration and Company Registration

If you aim to set up a prominent business in Asia, business registration and company registration in Hong Kong can provide a solid foundation. By registering your company with the Companies Registry and obtaining a Business Registration Certificate, you gain formal legal status under Hong Kong law, allowing you to operate in and from the vibrant jurisdiction. In fact, as of March 31, 2025, over 1.47 million local companies have been established in Hong Kong.

Understanding the registration process and requirements is crucial for founders and investors to grow, attract partners, and expand across borders. It ensures that business operations follow clear rules and stand on firm legal ground. Read on below to see how the process works and the benefits it offers.

The differences between business registration and company registration 

In Hong Kong, business registration and company registration serve distinct purposes, follow different procedures, and carry different legal implications. With the right path, your business will be on a smooth journey to legal compliance, credibility, and satisfying regulatory requirements.

Business registration

Business registration is mandatory for most businesses and is handled by the Business Registration Office under the Inland Revenue Department. It applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies. The main purpose is to obtain a Business Registration Certificate (BRC), which comes with a Business Registration Number (BRN).

Since December 2023, the Business Registration Number (BRN) also serves as the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) for companies, replacing the older Certificate of Incorporation Number (CRN) for most practical purposes.

It’s important to note that registration must occur within one month of starting operations. Although it grants legal recognition for tax and licensing purposes, the business itself is not a separate legal entity. The owners remain personally liable for debts.

As a further safeguard, compliance also requires BRC renewal every year or periodically in order to continue operations legally.

Company registration

Company registration, or incorporation, is conducted through the Companies Registry under the Companies Ordinance. The incorporation establishes a separate legal entity, typically a private limited company, which protects owners’ personal assets through limited liability.

Legal distinction is a must for entrepreneurs planning to grow, attract investors, or enter into contracts in Hong Kong and internationally while protecting their personal assets.

The Hong Kong company incorporation process requires several formal documents, including the Articles of Association, the memorandum of association, and other statutory forms. Companies must also provide basic details such as registered office address, director and shareholder information, and share capital.

Once incorporated, companies must adhere to ongoing compliance obligations under the Companies Ordinance. This includes submitting annual returns, maintaining proper financial records, conducting statutory audits if required, and following corporate governance standards.

Comparison table between business registration and company registration:

Aspect	Business registration	Company registration
Authority	IRD Business Registration Office	Companies Registry
Purpose	Obtain BRC for tax and operations	Form a separate legal entity with limited liability
Applicable to	Sole proprietorships, partnerships, companies	Only companies (private limited companies)
Legal status	Not separate; owners liable	Separate legal entity; limited liability
Timeline	Within one month of starting	Any time during incorporation
Documentation	Basic business info + fee	Incorporation documents, including Articles of Association
Compliance	Annual or periodic BRC renewal	Annual filings under the Companies Ordinance
Identifier	BRN/UBI	BRN/UBI

As an entrepreneur, it is essential to know these differences to decide whether to simply register a business for operations or incorporate a company to gain legal protection and credibility.

In the next sections, we will delve further into the key features and requirements of business registration of a Hong Kong venture.

What is business registration in Hong Kong?

Business registration in Hong Kong is the formal process of registering a business with the government.

Purpose of the process

Business registration is an official certification of your venture with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). It is a necessary step to comply with Hong Kong taxation and regulatory requirements, granting recognition that allows legal operation, access to administrative services, and eligibility for financial and commercial transactions.

Information required for registration

Applicants must submit a prescribed application form and pay the applicable fee and levy. The necessary information generally includes:

• The business name
• The official registered address
• Nature of the business

In the case of sole proprietors or partners, you must submit valid identity documents. For partnerships, the details of all partners are required. For companies, you can register your business and submit incorporation documents as part of a one-stop process. Most importantly, business owners must maintain accuracy in all fields to prevent delays or administrative issues.

Compliance requirements

After registration, you will receive a Business Registration Certificate, which must be displayed at the registered address. The certificate allows:

• Opening bank accounts
• Signing contracts under the business name
• Applying for trade licences if needed
• Annual or periodic renewal of the certificate

Credibility, legal compliance, and long-term stability can only be assured with proper registration. Therefore, seeking detailed guidance from local experts right from the start is highly recommended.

What is company registration in Hong Kong?

As mentioned, company registration in Hong Kong is the process of forming a separate legal entity through the Companies Registry.

Purpose of the process

Unlike business registration, which records a business for tax and administrative purposes, company registration creates a distinct structure that can own assets, sign contracts, and carry liabilities in its own name.

This legal foundation is governed by the Companies Ordinance and is the preferred route for entrepreneurs who seek credibility, protection, and long-term growth potential.

Information required for registration

The incorporation process requires several key documents and details. First, applicants must provide:

• The proposed company name
• A registered office address in Hong Kong
• Identification information for all directors and shareholders
• The Articles of Association
• Details of the share capital structure
• Information on the appointed company secretary

Once the Companies Registry approves the application, the company receives a Certificate of Incorporation, which serves as official proof of its establishment and legal status. Notably, the certificate of incorporation document is required for opening corporate bank accounts, applying for licences, and maintaining compliance.

Advantages of company registration

Registering a company offers several advantages that support long-term growth and operational stability. Limited liability protects the owners’ personal assets, giving entrepreneurs confidence to pursue opportunities without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk. The separate legal entity structure also strengthens credibility, helping the company build trust with banks, clients, suppliers, and potential investors.

A registered company can hire employees, make contracts under its own name, and open corporate bank accounts for managing finances professionally. It can also participate in government programs, tender for larger projects, and access a broader range of business services that are not available to unregistered entities.

In addition, Hong Kong companies benefit from strong international recognition, which makes cross-border operations, partnership development, and fundraising more accessible.

What is the difference between BRN and CRN Hong Kong?

Understanding the difference between a BRN (Business Registration Number) and a CRN (Company Registration Number) is a must for anyone starting or managing a business in Hong Kong. Although both are unique registration numbers, they serve different purposes and are issued by different authorities.

Hong Kong Business Registration Number (BRN)

The BRN is issued by the Business Registration Office under the Inland Revenue Department and is linked to the business registration certificate. It applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies. The BRN primarily acts as proof that a business is registered for tax and administrative purposes.

Businesses use the BRN for tax filings, issuing invoices, and opening bank accounts. Additionally, the validity of the BRN is tied to the business registration period, which requires renewal annually or periodically.

Hong Kong Company Registration Number (CRN)

The CRN is issued by the Companies Registry and is associated with the certificate of incorporation for limited companies only. It serves as proof of a company’s legal incorporation and existence.

A CRN is used for a wider range of purposes, including tax filings, invoicing, banking, and official legal documents. The CRN remains valid throughout the company’s existence and is an essential identifier for regulatory and compliance matters.

Latest update: Unified Business Identifier (UBI):

In December 2023, Hong Kong introduced the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) system, effectively replacing the CRN for most practical purposes. Today, the BRN also serves as the primary identifier for companies, unifying business and company registration numbers.

To summarize the differences between the current BRN, or UBI, and the CRN, please see the detailed table below:

Feature	BRN / UBI (current)	CRN / former Company No.
Issued by	Business Registration Office / Companies Registry (post‑Dec 2023)	Companies Registry (pre‑Dec 2023)
Associated with	Business registration certificate, Certificate of Incorporation	Certificate of Incorporation (historical)
Applicable to	All entities – sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited companies	Limited companies only
Purpose	Unified identifier for regulatory, tax, banking, legal documents	Proof of company incorporation (legacy)
Usage	Tax filings, licences, banking, legal documents, public records	Historical reference, legacy documents
Validity	Linked to business existence under UBI system	Replaced by BRN/UBI for new filings

Introduction of UBI (Unique Business Identifier) in Hong Kong

As stated above, the Hong Kong Companies Registry launched the Unique Business Identifier (UBI) system, marking a major update in business registration and company registration from 27 December 2023.

Since then, the UBI has served as a unified, standardized identifier for companies and other registered entities, simplifying regulatory processes and improving clarity in government and commercial interactions.

What is the UBI?

The UBI is derived from the Business Registration Number (BRN), specifically the first eight digits of the number assigned by the Business Registration Office. This means that for all practical purposes, the BRN now functions as the primary identifier for both business registration and company registration.

Previously, the Company Registration Number (CRN) served as the unique identifier for incorporated companies, but under the new system, it has been effectively replaced by the UBI.

Does UBI replace CRN?

Yes. The UBI now replaces the CRN for entities under the Companies Registry. All companies, whether local or non-Hong Kong entities, will use the UBI as the primary reference in official documentation.

For companies incorporated on or after 27 December 2023, the BRN/UBI will also appear as the “No.” on the Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Registration of Non-Hong Kong Company.

Applications and usage of the UBI

The UBI is widely applied across regulatory, administrative, and commercial activities, including:

• Communication with government agencies and business partners
• Filing statutory forms and documents with the Companies Registry
• Searching and verifying company/entity details through the Registry’s Electronic Search Services
• Appearing as the primary identifier on Certificates of Incorporation or Registration

This unified approach reduces confusion between previous identifiers like the BRN and CRN, streamlines compliance, and record keeping for both authorities and businesses. As a result, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers now have a consistent and reliable reference number that consolidates tax, legal, and corporate information under a single identifier.

The introduction of the UBI reflects Hong Kong’s commitment to modernizing its business registry system, providing a clearer, more efficient, and internationally recognizable framework for all companies and entities operating in the region.

Simplify your business registration with BBCIncorp’s support

At BBCIncorp, we provide comprehensive services to help entrepreneurs and businesses navigate business registration and company registration in Hong Kong effortlessly and efficiently. Our expert team combines years of experience assisting clients in setting up, managing, and maintaining a company in Hong Kong.

We offer a full suite of services to cover all aspects of business operations:

• Business registration and company incorporation: We support clients through these processes, which include choosing the right business structure, obtaining the necessary certificates (e.g., BR CI), ensuring that all filings are completed efficiently to open a company in Hong Kong.

• Business banking account: Open an account with a reputable bank/EMI to make international transactions with minimal fees and enjoy exclusive promotions from us.

• Company secretary services: Our experienced team acts as your Hong Kong company secretary, maintaining corporate records, statutory registers, and filings to meet all legal obligations.
• Compliance support: Stay compliant with the Companies Ordinance and other regulatory requirements, including annual filings, BRC/UBI updates, accounting, and audit preparations.

BBCIncorp team offers customized advice based on your individual business situation, guiding you through every stage of the registration process. Thus, with our secure Client Portal, you can track deadlines, receive automated notifications, and manage tasks at all times, giving full visibility and control over your operations.

Partner with BBCIncorp to simplify your Hong Kong business journey. Contact us today at service@bbcincorp.com or visit our website for more information!

Conclusion

Successfully navigating business registration and company registration lays the foundation for operating confidently in Hong Kong. While a Business Registration Certificate enables tax compliance and smooth day-to-day operations, a Certificate of Incorporation establishes a separate legal entity, providing limited liability, credibility, and broader business opportunities.

By completing the right registration, businesses can remain fully compliant with ease, be recognized by banks, clients, and partners, and be ready to grow without unnecessary obstacles.

At BBCIncorp, we provide hands-on guidance for obtaining both the certificate of incorporation and business registration. Don’t hesitate to talk with our team for timely assistance on any questions you may have on doing business in Hong Kong.

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