“What are the features of e-Registration and Business Registration? How does it differ from paper applications?

Electronic registration is a global trend. As Hong Kong is an international business and financial centre, the Companies Registry also offers electronic applications for company and business registration. In this article, you will learn more about the features of e-Registration and how it differs from paper applications.

What is Ease of Incorporation?
In January 2011, the Hong Kong Government launched e-Registration, a 24-hour portal that facilitates the electronic delivery of company incorporation and business registration applications, which is a major milestone for companies wishing to register in Hong Kong.

“Ease2Park is a one-stop online service platform that provides free, convenient and easy-to-use e-subsidiary registration services for business customers, whether they are incorporating a company or an individual.

What are the features of using e-Registration?
“e-Registrar covers the forms and related documents of the Companies Ordinance and the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, facilitating the delivery of documents and providing other related e-services.

Online incorporation with simultaneous application for business registration (an application for incorporation is deemed to be a simultaneous application for business registration)
A sample Memorandum and Articles of Association is available for adoption.
A certificate of incorporation and a business registration certificate will be issued electronically upon acceptance of the application.
The company will be able to commence business immediately after incorporation and business registration.
The e-Cert has the same legal effect as a hard copy certificate.
The application process can be completed in less than a day in a single step.
Information about the new company will be sent to the Business Registration Office of the Inland Revenue Department to update the business register.
A service support team is available 24 hours a day to assist applicants.
What is the difference between electronic incorporation and traditional incorporation?
Under section 5A of the Business Registration Ordinance, an application for incorporation of a local company under the Companies Ordinance is deemed to be accompanied by an application for business registration. The applicant must deliver the application documents to the Companies Registry, together with the IRBR1 and the required business registration fee and levy.

For the same application documents delivered electronically or in hard copy form, the following documents and fees are required to be delivered.

Incorporation Form –
Company limited by shares – Form NNC1.
Other than a company limited by shares – Form NNC1G.
A copy of the Articles of Association of the company.
Notice to Business Registration Office (IRBR1).
A comparison of the fees between the two. Starting from October 2020, companies incorporated electronically through Ease of Registration will enjoy a 10% deduction on their fees (excluding business registration fees and levies).

The above information is for reference only. If you have any questions about taxation or accounting, the best thing to do is to seek advice from a professional accountant and we welcome your enquiries.