Hong Kong · Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Hong Kong is one of the world's freest economies for foreign investment, promoted by InvestHK. There is no foreign-investment screening, no exchange controls, near-total foreign ownership, and a simple low-tax system. Capital and profits move completely freely, making it a leading base for regional holding and trading companies.
Inward investment is supported by InvestHK; Hong Kong offers a free-market economy, free capital flows, and a simple low-tax regime.
- InvestHK provides free support to companies setting up or expanding in Hong Kong.
- There are no restrictions on foreign ownership in most sectors and no capital controls.
- Strengths include finance, trade, logistics and professional services.
- 1
Understand the open regime
Hong Kong has no foreign-investment screening and no exchange controls; InvestHK offers free setup support.
- 2
Choose your vehicle and register
Incorporate a private limited company with the Companies Registry and obtain a Business Registration certificate; foreigners can own 100%.
- 3
Understand the tax system
Hong Kong uses a simple territorial, low-rate profits tax; there is no VAT, capital-gains tax or dividend withholding tax.
- 4
Handle capital and repatriation
There are no exchange controls at all, so capital, dividends and profits move in and out entirely freely.
- 5
Use it as a regional base
Consider Hong Kong as a holding, treasury or trading base for the region, benefiting from its treaty network and free capital flows.
- 6
Meet reporting and protections
Keep annual returns and profits-tax filings; Hong Kong’s common-law system and investment treaties protect investors.
- No screening / no exchange controls + InvestHK
- Companies Registry + Business Registration (100% ownership)
- Simple territorial low profits tax (no VAT/CGT)
- Completely free capital + profit flows
- Regional holding/treasury/trading base
- Annual returns + profits-tax filings
- Common-law / treaty protection
- CTA to .com/.ai for AI-assisted planning
- InvestHK
Investment-promotion department.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hong Kong screen foreign investment?
No — there is no foreign-investment screening and no exchange controls; foreigners can own 100% of a company in almost all sectors.
Why use Hong Kong as a base?
Its free capital flows, simple low territorial tax, common-law system and treaty network make it a leading regional holding and trading hub.
Can I repatriate profits from Hong Kong?
Yes — there are no exchange controls at all and no dividend withholding tax, so profits and capital move entirely freely.
Government portals
- GovHK — Hong Kong Government Portal — Single entry point to residency, tax, employment and public services.
- Inland Revenue Department — Salaries tax, profits tax, the tax return cycle and eTAX filing.
- Immigration Department — Visas and entry permits, the Top Talent Pass, right of abode and HKID cards.
- Companies Registry — Company incorporation, annual returns and the public company search.