Hong Kong SAR — governance guide

A practitioner reference for Hong Kong SAR, generated from the GovernOS rules engine. Always current with the jurisdiction packs.

At a glance

Legal systemCommon law
Filing languagezh-HK / en · bilingual filings
AGM notice period21 clear days
Coverage tierT2 ruled

Regulators & portals

Companies Registry (CR)

Company registry · API filing

Filing portal →

Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)

Securities regulator

Entity types

Private Company Limited by Shares

min 1 director(s) · secretary required

How to — common actions & what each requires

Add director
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Director; Consent to Act as Director

Filings

ND2A (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.645

File annual return
Approvals

Documents

Filings

NAR1 (due T+42d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.662

File beneficial ownership
Approvals

Documents

Significant Controllers Register

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 12 Div 2A (kept at registered office, not filed)

Remove director
Approvals

shareholders (50%)

Documents

Shareholder Resolution — Removal of Director

Filings

ND2A (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.645

Appoint officer
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Appointment of Officer; Consent to Act as Company Secretary

Filings

ND2B (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.474 (company secretary mandatory), s.652

Issue shares
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Allotment of Shares; Share Certificate

Filings

NSC1 (due T+30d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.142 (return of allotment)

Transfer shares
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Instrument of Transfer; Share Certificate (transferee)

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.150 (instrument of transfer); stamped under Stamp Duty Ordinance (not a CR filing)

Create ESOP
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Employee Share Option Plan; Board Resolution — Adoption of ESOP

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 4 (shares)

Grant options
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Option Grant Agreement

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 4 (shares)

Approve financing
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Financing Round; Special Resolution — New Share Class & Allotment; Subscription Agreement

Filings

NSC1 (due T+30d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.142 (return of allotment), Part 4

Approve dividend
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Declaration of Dividend

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 6 (distributions)

Create subsidiary
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Incorporation of Subsidiary

Filings

NNC1 (due T+0d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 2 (incorporation)

Amend constitution
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Amendment of Articles

Filings

NAA1 (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.88 (alteration of articles), s.622 (filing of resolution)

Change company name
Approvals

shareholders special (75%)

Documents

Special Resolution — Change of Name

Filings

NNC2 (due T+15d)

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), s.107 (change of name)

Prepare AGM
Approvals

board (50%)

Documents

Notice of Annual General Meeting; AGM Minutes

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 12 (general meetings), s.610

Approve audit / accounts
Approvals

board (50%), shareholders (50%)

Documents

Board Resolution — Approval of Accounts; Resolution — Appointment of Auditor

Filings

none

Authority

Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), Part 9 (accounts & audit), s.394

Reference only — not legal advice. Rule packs are directionally accurate and being legally validated per jurisdiction.