Do you need a registered address in Hong Kong? (Expert answer)

A registered office address is a legal requirement for every company incorporated in Hong Kong.  It’s the official location where government correspondence and legal notices are sent.

This concept is essential to understand when starting or maintaining a business in Hong Kong. Your registered address isn't just a formality. It plays a key role in compliance,  communication, and your business success.

Choosing the right address helps you stay legally protected and professionally represented.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What a registered office address is;
• Why it matters for your company;
• When you need to provide it;
• Options for choosing a suitable address.

1. What is a registered office address in Hong Kong?

According to the Hong Kong Company Ordinance Cap 622, section 658, every company in Hong Kong is legally required to have a registered office address. But what exactly does that mean?

A registered office address is the official location recorded with the Companies Registry. It’s where you receive:

• Government letters and legal notices;
• Tax documents from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD);
• Official business correspondence from banks, partners or customers.

It doesn’t have to be where you run your day-to-day operations, but it must be a physical address in Hong Kong (not a P.O. box).

Let’s break it down further:

Legal requirement: Without it, your company cannot be incorporated.

1. Official communication: All government documents will be sent to this address;
2. Record keeping: You must keep all official documents and company documents at this address;
3. Public record: This address is publicly accessible via the Companies Registry
4. Visibility: This address must be a physical address, serve during business hours, and have a company sign to show the authenticity.

It’s normal to feel confused about how this differs from other addresses you might use, such as a business address or a correspondence address. 

Here is a quick way to think about it:

Example 1: A Local Retail Business

If you run a fashion store in Central, your shop’s address may also serve as your registered office, since it's staffed and can receive mail.

Example 2: An Overseas Founder

If you live outside of Hong Kong, you will work with a company secretary or an agent. They often provide a professional registered office address as part of their service package.

While every Hong Kong company needs a registered office, you have options on how to meet this requirement, whether you’re local or managing the business remotely.

2. What is the difference between a registered address, a business address, and a correspondence address?

When setting up a company in Hong Kong (or managing one), you’ll likely come across three types of addresses, or use them all at once without knowing the difference.

1. Registered address: The official address on record with the Companies Registry
2. Business address: The location where you physically run your business
3. Correspondence address: The place you prefer to receive mail

Each serves a distinct purpose, and understanding the distinction is key to staying compliant and organized.

Let’s break them down one by one.

For example, Mr Ryan, a client of Global Link Asia Consulting, runs a digital marketing agency to offer services to major game studios. 

While his registered address—used for receiving government correspondence and official documents—is located in Central, Hong Kong, his actual business activities happen elsewhere. 

His team is based in an office in Tsim Sha Tsui, where they handle client meetings, manage projects, and develop strategic campaigns on a daily basis.

3. When do you need a physical Hong Kong office address? (And when you don’t?)

A registered address is a must, and it can be in different formats, such as a rented office or a virtual business address with mail forwarding.

However, not every company doing business with a company in Hong Kong needs a physical office address/physical space here.

In many cases, a virtual address or registered office service is sufficient.

So before you sign a lease or pay for a premium address package, let’s get honest about when it truly matters—and when it doesn’t.

If you’re registering a local company, then yes, you must have a registered office address in Hong Kong. It’s a legal requirement.

But here’s the nuance:

You need a physical office address when:

• Opening a business bank account in person

Some banks in Hong Kong require proof of actual business operations, such as a lease or utility bill associated with your company.

• Hiring full-time employees locally

If your staff are based in Hong Kong, you’ll need a workspace, even if it's just a small office or co-working seat.

• Meeting clients or investors face-to-face

Physical presence builds trust, especially in Your money-Your-life industries (Medical,  finance, healthcare, legal services)

• Applying for certain licenses or permits

Some regulated businesses (education, import/export, finance) require a real, inspectable address.

 You don’t need one when:

• Running an offshore or online-only business

Dropshipping, consulting, or holding companies often operate without any physical footprint in Hong Kong.

• Handling everything remotely

Many founders in the IT, Marketing, and Design fields manage their Hong Kong companies from overseas, using cloud tools and outsourcing admin tasks. 

4. 4 popular options for a Hong Kong registered address

There are many options for you to choose from to get your registered address for your Hong Kong company.

 In this article, we showcase the 4 types of registered office address services available on the market, and which setup might suit your business best.

4.1. Virtual Registered Address (via Company Secretary)

Most popular for: Remote founders & international businesses

This is the go-to option for most startups and offshore companies. Many corporate service firms in Hong Kong offer a basic registered address (with mail forwarding, scanning support) as part of their company incorporation or annual secretary packages.

• Pros: Low-cost, legally compliant, easy setup. 
• Cons: Not suitable for in-person meetings 
• Typical use case: Foreign individuals or overseas companies seeking to manage their Hong Kong businesses remotely at an affordable cost.

4.2. Virtual office + Mail Forwarding

Most popular for: Businesses needing professional presence without full office space

This setup provides a physical address in a business district, plus services like mail handling, call answering, and sometimes meeting rooms as an hourly/daily renting option.

• Pros: Adds credibility, good for banking and client-facing industries
• Cons: Still not a workspace—you can’t physically operate from here daily
• Typical use case: Freelancers, agencies, and remote-first teams

4.3. Co-working space address

Most popular for: Early-stage startups and solopreneurs

Some co-working spaces offer their address for use as your company’s registered office—often bundled with flexible desks or private rooms.

• Pros: You get a real working environment + address
• Cons: Higher monthly cost; less privacy
• Typical use case: Founders building a team or seeking networking opportunities

4.4. Traditional office lease

Most popular for: Local teams, regulated industries, or businesses scaling operations

This is a full commercial lease in a business building. It satisfies all requirements for banking, compliance, and inspections.

• Pros: Full control, credibility, and in-person presence
• Cons: Long-term commitment, really high overhead, and really small room area
• Typical use case: Finance, trading, legal, logistics, or companies applying for special licenses

5. What to consider when choosing a registered adress for your Hong Kong company?

Now that you know your company needs a registered address in Hong Kong, you might be wondering:

“How do I pick the right one?”

We’ve helped hundreds of founders make this decision, and after seeing what works (and what causes issues later), we’ve identified four key factors to evaluate before you lock in an address.

6. The top 4 registered address service providers you must know

 Not all providers are built the same. 

Some just give you a mailing address and call it a day. Others—like Global Link Asia Consulting—go beyond by offering personalized, affordable, and fully compliant solutions tailored to how your business runs.

Below is a curated list of the top service providers you can consider, based on more than 200 customer interviews Global Link Asia Consulting conducted.

6.1. Global Link Asia Consulting

Pricing: Transparent, competitive rates with all-in-one packages like Sleek, Osome

Unlike many providers who only sell rigid packages, Global Link Asia Consulting takes the time to understand your business model before recommending a suitable address and setup.

Whether you're an offshore founder or a Hong Kong-based startup, we offer flexible plans that can scale with you.

You also get access to consulting support, not just a mailbox—perfect for companies who care about long-term compliance and credibility.

1. Tailored solutions based on your industry
2.  Bundled services: secretary, bank support, website design, phone number, and more
3. High responsiveness and localized expertise

6.2. Banyan Workspace

Pricing: Premium boutique coworking space; pricing available upon request

Banyan Workspace stands out from the typical coworking crowd. Located just 5 minutes from Quarry Bay MTR, it blends high-end interior design with a strong commitment to sustainability and community values. If your brand identity is tied to ethics, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility, this is your vibe.

1.  Boutique feel with luxury finishings
2. Certified green workspace & eco-conscious operations
3. Professional, private environment for client meetings
4. Premium price point, not ideal for early-stage bootstrapped startups

6.3. VOffice HK

Pricing: One of the lowest in the market; starting from around HK$300/month

VOffice HK offers basic registered office and mail-forwarding services, with the option to add call answering and meeting room access. It’s ideal for solo founders or businesses just testing the waters in Hong Kong.

VOffice HK offers basic registered office and mail-forwarding services, with the option to add call answering and meeting room access. It’s ideal for solo founders or businesses just testing the waters in Hong Kong.

• Cost-effective, ideal for startups and sole proprietors who want a professional image and privacy protection
• Central location address
• Add-ons available (calls, meeting rooms)

6.4. Regus Virtual Office

Pricing: Higher-end; varies by location and service tier

Regus is a global brand offering prestigious addresses in key Hong Kong districts like Central, Admiralty, and Causeway Bay. Beyond the registered address, you can rent desks, meeting rooms, and even private offices.

1. Strong brand and professional reputation
2. Meeting rooms and a receptionist are included
3. Multiple locations to choose from
4. More expensive than most local providers
5. Less flexible on custom administrative needs

7. How to change your company’s registered address?

If you wish to use our registered address services, we will take care of everything for you.

If you want to change your company address on your own or to another service provider, here’s a clear guide to help you change your registered office address the right way.

7.1. Notify the Business Registration Office

If your business address changes, you must notify the Business Registration Office in writing within one month of the change.

Your written notice must include:

• Your company’s business registration number
• The business name
• The old and new addresses
• The effective date of the change

Also, you have to fill out Form IRC3111A and prepare proof of address, such as a tenancy agreement or a recent utility bill.

7.2. File with the Companies Registry

You’re also required to inform the Companies Registry within 14 days by submitting Form NR1 – Notice of Change of Address of Registered Office.

7.3. Prepare supporting documents

Here are the documents you  need to complete the process:

1. Director’s Resolution: Approves the change internally
2. Form NR1: For the Companies Registry
3. Form IRC3111A: For the Inland Revenue Department
4. Bank Forms: If your bank requires address updates
5. POS 800 Form: For redirecting mail via Hong Kong Post

Tip: Use the e-Registry or CR eFiling mobile app to submit the form online.
This triggers the one-stop notification service, where the Companies Registry automatically informs the Inland Revenue Department of the address change.

7.4. Don’t forget to notify others

Beyond the authorities, you should also update:

• Banks and insurance providers
• Customers and suppliers
• Government agencies and vendors

Also, you should update your stationery and branding materials, including:

• Company letterhead and envelopes
• Name cards
• Company website

Keeping a consistent company image is key to professional branding.

8. How can we help you get a trusted Hong Kong registered address for your business?

Now that you understand the importance of a compliant, professional registered office address in Hong Kong, it’s time to set yours up with confidence.

At Global Link Asia Consulting,  we provide reliable registered address services that meet all legal requirements—no P.O. Boxes, no guesswork, just peace of mind.

Focus on growing your business while we handle the compliance.

Ready to get started?

Let us help you secure your Hong Kong registered address today.

In addition, we offer an all-in-one package service you can trust:

• Open a company in Hong Kong legally, fast with our one-stop support;
• Get a reliable, experienced company secretary with our corporate secretarial service;
• Support in opening your business bank accounts;
• Get an affordable, professional registered office address for your business;
• Support to open, authenticate, and manage Stripe and PayPal Business in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S;
• Handle all your tax accounting needs, timely annual filings, auditing, and more.

Whether you’re a solopreneur, startup, or scaling business, we’ll make sure your Hong Kong setup is fully compliant, optimized, and affordable.

Want a real, trusted expert to guide you?
Let’s talk. No fluff, no hard sell — just real advice from someone who knows how to help and 1000 clients from all over the world who trust us to help them thrive globally.

9. FAQs about company secretaries in Hong Kong

With over a decade of experience serving as a trusted partner to more than 750 business owners seeking professional development and breakthroughs in the international market, we are an  expert strategic corporate service provider helping you incorporate and operate successfully in 10 different countries

Our areas of expertise include:

• Strategic Consulting and Company formation in over 10 different countries worldwide such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.S., Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and offshore destinations like BVI, Belize, Seychelles, and more.
• Account opening for personal and corporate bank accounts, as well as setting up PayPal and Stripe gateqays in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S..
• Tax Consulting and Preparation for SFRS IFRS financial reports, corporate income tax returns, VAT/GST (Value Added Tax/Goods and Services Tax), and more.
• Opreation support:
• Registered adress;
• Foreign consular legalization;
• Trademark and patent protection registration in Singapore and the US;
• Employment Pass application in Singapore and Hong Kong;
• Website design, international SIM number provision;
• DUNS registration.

With over 10 years of experience and a team of experts with 5 to 25 years of experience (international standard certifications) as well as direct partnerships with institutions such as OCBC, UOB, DBS, PayPal, and Stripe, we are proud to offer professional, legal, transparent, sustainable services with no hidden costs.

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