Hong Kong has officially introduced a company re-domiciliation regime under the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2025, offering a straightforward and cost-efficient way for non-Hong Kong incorporated companies to transfer their place of registration to Hong Kong while maintaining their legal identity and operational continuity.
Key highlights of the regime:
- A simplified and cost-effective process designed exclusively for inbound re-domiciliation.
- Applies to entities comparable to the four company types under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622):
- Public companies limited by shares;
- Private companies limited by shares;
- Public unlimited companies with share capital;
- Private unlimited companies with share capital.
- No new legal entity is created: all rights, obligations, and contracts remain unaffected.
- No economic substance test is required for applicants.
- Tax credits are available to avoid double taxation where profits are also taxed in Hong Kong.
Following the issuance of a Certificate of Re-domiciliation, companies must secure deregistration in their original jurisdiction within 120 days and submit proof to the Hong Kong Registrar. Failure to comply may result in revocation of the company’s Hong Kong registration, although extensions may be granted at the Registrar’s discretion.
