Company secretarial services ensure that a Hong Kong company maintains full statutory compliance throughout its lifecycle — from incorporation to dissolution. CityLinkers provides professional company secretarial services, helping clients manage registration, maintenance, administration, and corporate governance matters at every stage.
Is a Company Secretary Mandatory for a Hong Kong Company?
Yes. Under the
Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), every Hong Kong company must appoint a
company secretary. The secretary can be an individual ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, or a body corporate registered under the Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP) licensing regime. CityLinkers, as a
TCSP licensee, serves as the professional company secretary for numerous Hong Kong companies.
What company secretarial services does CityLinkers provide?
CityLinkers offers a full range of company secretarial services covering the entire company lifecycle:
Formation & Registration
- Hong Kong company incorporation
- Business Registration Certificate application
- Share allotment and share certificate preparation
- Statutory register setup (Register of Directors, Shareholders, Secretaries)
Annual Maintenance
- Annual Return filing with the Companies Registry
- Business Registration Certificate renewal
- Statutory register updates
- AGM documentation preparation
Corporate Changes
- Director appointment/resignation
- Shareholder transfer and allotment
- Change of registered office
- Company name change
- Increase in authorised/nominal capital
Dissolution & Restoration
What is the Annual Return filing requirement?
Every Hong Kong company must file an
Annual Return (Form NAR1) with the Companies Registry within 42 days after the anniversary of its incorporation date. The Annual Return must include updated information on:
- Directors and company secretary
- Shareholders and share capital
- Registered office address
- Company activities
Late filing incurs progressively higher registration fees (from HK$870 to HK$3,480 for private companies).
What is a TCSP license and Why is it required?
What is the difference between a Company secretary of listed and non-listed companies?
For
listed companies, the company secretary must meet additional qualification requirements under the
HKEX Listing Rules, including being a member of the
Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), The
Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI), or a
legal practitioner. The role involves complex corporate governance, board liaison, and continuous regulatory compliance.
For
non-listed companies, the statutory qualification requirements are less stringent, but the company secretary must still ensure compliance with the Companies Ordinance, maintain statutory records, and file timely returns with the Companies Registry.
Why engage CityLinkers as your company secretary
Expertise and experience
CityLinkers has specialised expertise in company secretarial services and considerable experience in handling compliance, filings, and administrative tasks for clients. This approach has the potential to save time and ensure that tasks are completed to the highest standard.
Compliance assistance
At CityLinkers, we are committed to ensuring that our company is fully compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements. They are committed to maintaining their knowledge of any changes to regulations and filings. This is an effective method of avoiding penalties for non-compliance.
CityLinkers holds a TCSP license,Ensure the corporate governance
As your company secretary, CityLinkers will assist in ensuring good corporate governance and adherence to procedures. This approach fosters transparency and accountability, which are crucial for effective governance.
Board support
As your company secretary, CityLinkers will provide assistance to your board of directors with meetings, minutes, advice and governance matters. This optimises board effectiveness.
What are company secretarial services in Hong Kong?
Company secretarial services include company incorporation, annual return filing, maintenance of statutory registers, directors and shareholders changes, company dissolution, and corporate governance advisory. Every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary under the Companies Ordinance.
Is a company secretary mandatory for a Hong Kong company?
Yes, under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622), every Hong Kong company must appoint a company secretary — either an individual resident in Hong Kong or a TCSP-licensed body corporate. CityLinkers holds a TCSP licence and provides professional company secretary services.
What is the annual return filing requirement in Hong Kong?
Every Hong Kong company must file an Annual Return with the Companies Registry within 42 days after the incorporation anniversary. Late filing incurs higher registration fees from HK$870 to HK$3,480.
What is a TCSP licence and why is it required?
A TCSP licence is a mandatory licence under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance for businesses providing trust or company services in Hong Kong. CityLinkers holds a TCSP licence ensuring AML/CFT compliance.