1. Check the current company name with the Hong Kong Companies Registry for availability
The name cannot coincide with the name of any existing Hong Kong company and if it does, it must be changed (if the company name needs to be changed during redomiciliation, a special resolution by shareholders is required).
2. Prepare the BVI company’s financials
When redomiciling to Hong Kong, a company must submit accounts for a period ending not more than 12 months before the redomiciliation date. If a company is not required to prepare audited accounts (under the laws of its country of incorporation), then unaudited accounts (i.e. management accounts) can be submitted to the Hong Kong Registry.
3. Draft new Articles of Association for a Hong Kong company
The easiest way is to adopt the standard Articles of Association for Hong Kong companies, offered by the Hong Kong Registry and used by the overwhelming majority of local companies. The new Articles are also adopted by resolution of shareholders.
4. Prepare in the BVI a set of company documents required for the change of jurisdiction to Hong Kong (dated within 35 days before the redomiciliation application made with the Hong Kong Registry).
In the British Virgin Islands, the company is preparing*:
Alongside the preparation of documents, it will also be necessary to obtain a legal opinion issued by BVI legal practitioners that a company can be redomiciled. Hong Kong law clearly states the questions that must be answered in the legal opinion.
*The list of documents is not exhaustive: the Hong Kong Registry and BVI lawyers (while working on their opinion) may request further documents.
5. Sign the company’s redomiciliation forms and file them with the Hong Kong Registry accompanied by the previously prepared documents.
6. Obtain a new registration number and a Business Registration Certificate which confirm that the company has been registered in Hong Kong.
7. Obtain from the BVI Registrar of Corporate Affairs a Certificate of Discontinuance which confirms the striking off of the company from the register in the original country of incorporation. The BVI Registrar also publishes the striking off of the company in the Gazette (local official newspaper) to notify third parties that the company has ceased to exist in the BVI.
8. To finalize the redomiciliation, submit a document evidencing the company’s deregistration in the BVI – a Certificate of Discontinuance – to the Hong Kong Registry within 120 days (if this deadline is missed, the redomiciliation may be revoked by the Registry).
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Services
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Fees (USD)
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Supporting the company’s redomiciliation from the BVI, including preparation of a set of documents to change the jurisdiction to Hong Kong (outgoing part)
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from 2 500
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BVI government fees for redomiciliation (including the obtaining of a Certificate of Discontinuance in the BVI)
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3 025
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Preparing a legal opinion in the BVI
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from 3 500
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Preparing the company’s accounts (unaudited):
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- nil annual return
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550
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- return for non-dormant companies
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100 – 150 / hour, but at least 700
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Apostille of a Certificate of Discontinuance in the BVI (if necessary)
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650
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Filing the change of the company’s status with BVI BOSS System
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205
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Publication in a BVI local newspaper
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510
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Supporting the company’s redomiciliation to Hong Kong (incoming part), not including a registered office
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4 800
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Administration of a Hong Kong company for 1 year, including secretary services and provision of a registered office
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2 015
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Compliance fee
Payable in the cases of: - incorporation of a company, - renewal of a company, - liquidation of a company, - transfer out of a company, - issue of a power of attorney to a new attorney, - change of director / shareholder / beneficial owner, except the change to a nominee director/shareholder, - signing of documents. |
385 (standard rate, includes the check of 1 individual)
+ 165 for each additional individual (director, shareholder, or beneficial owner) or legal entity (director or shareholder) if such legal entity is administered by GSL + 220 for each additional legal entity (director or shareholder) if such legal entity is not administered by GSL 495 (rate for high-risk companies, includes the check of 1 individual) 110 (review of documents before signing) |
*The fees are valid as of December 2025.