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WHOLLY FOREIGN OWNED ENTERPRISE

The Ultimate Guide on Foreign Company Registration in China

How to expand your business globally by setting up your own company in China (WFOE-Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise)

Registering Online
No Hidden Costs.
No Registered Capital.
No Need to Visit China
Fast China Company Registration within 30 Days

Find out more about Foreign Company Registration

The procedure to set up a company in China

Company name Registration

5 Working Days

The company name pre-approval application form requires five Chinese company name options. At the same time, the Passport /Business Certificate’s photocopies of the Legal representative and the shareholders are required, which must be notarized by the lawyer then attested by the Chinese Embassy.

Application for Business License 3 in 1

10 Working Days

After obtaining the name approval, we draft an article of association for your company. We need an Incorporation application report, Certificate of incorporation of overseas investors certified by the Chinese Embassy, Standards forms, etc.

Company Stamps

3 Working Days

After filing by the Public Security Bureau, we proceed to prepare the company’s stamps, including the Company stamp, the Financial stamp, the Fapiao stamp, and the Legal representative’s stamp.

Basic RMB Bank account opening

5-20 Working Days

Enterprises with foreign capital shall open an account with the Bank of China. We need to arrange a appointment with the local Bank.

Tax account verification

3 Working Days

The enterprise needs let its accountant visit the local tax bureau to verify the taxation account and declare the VAT tax type ; Blank or electronic fapiao voucher will be purchased in the taxation system.

How To Start A Business In China

Foreign Company Registration in China

 

  • No registered Capital Required –There is no paid-up capital required in China.
  • No registered Address Needed – We provide competitive cost and government-authorized legal registered address in the Development Zone in China (except permission certificates).
  • 100% Online Company Registration process –You ONLY submit documents online, and we are responsible for the whole progress of the application.
  • New Business License 5 in 1 – Combines the business license, the organization code certificate, the tax certificate, the social insurance registration certificate, and the statistics registration certificate into one Business License.
  • Set up a WFOE within 30 Working Days – The registration process takes about 30 working days at the earliest. We can apply for expedited service.
  • Comprehensive Management Service – A comprehensive range of additional business services, including Accounting & Tax, HR outsourcing, and legal services
foreign company registration in china

New China Business License

China Corporate Structure

THE ADVANTAGES OF 4 TYPICAL FOREIGN INVESTED CORPORATIONS

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Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE)

  • Open Autonomy rights
  • Employment of own staff
  • Simple submission process
  • Asset construction in China
  • No listed investment required
  • Long-term residence (15 to 30 years)
  • The most popular corporation structure
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Representative Office

  • Less tax payment
  • An own office in China
  • Easy and quick to set up
  • No registered capital required
  • Easily accessible and affordable
  • Facilitate communication with customers
  • Recruitment of both local and foreign employees
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Foreign Partnership Enterprise

  • Effective tax incentive
  • Flexible profit mechanism
  • Maximum benefit for the creditors
  • Reveal new business opportunities
  • Investment in a favourable structure
  • More attractable for potential investors
  • The separation between Management power and Investment right
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Joint Venture Company

  • Reimbursement policies
  • Simple management of trials
  • Avoid Negative lists of WFOE
  • Divide out risks and payments
  • Increase government relations
  • Toughen industry’s value in the souk
  • Strengthen local labour and asset access

Basic documents required

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO SET UP A COMPANY IN CHINA

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Passport

The legal representative, supervisor, and shareholders’ passport or identification certificate must be provided if they are foreign citizens. Furthermore, the Lawyer and Chinese Embassy should notarize and attest all passports and then authenticate the documents by the local, state, or national registration office.
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Registration Proof

 The Certificate of Registration/Business Certificates for the company investor should be notarized by a local, state, or national registration office or authentication department, then authenticated and attested by the Lawyers and Chinese Embassy. Similarly, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan companies should be notarized by the local registration office or authentication department only.
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Office Address

Normally, the Government requires office address lease agreements for one year as a requirement set out in Chinese Company Law. That means you need to provide the Office Lease Contract and the Property Certificate. We can certainly assist you in locating the company registration address in the Development Zone if you do not have a Chinese company office.

What you recieve

WHAT DO YOU GET AFTER COMPANY REGISTRATION

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Stamps

Company stamp, Financial stamp, Invoice (Fapiao) seal and Legal Representative stamp
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Articles of association

Company’s articles of association (Basic Version in Chinese)

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Business License

Obtaining a Business License from Government
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Business Scope

Draft the approved business activity in the Business License

ADDITIONAL  SERVICES PACKAGE AFTER COMPANY REGISTRATION

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Social Security Account

Pension, Medical Insurance, Unemployment Insurance, Maternity Insurance, Work Injury Insurance and Housing Provident Fund for Chinese employees.
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TAX Bureau Disk

Golden Tax Bureau Disk (OfficialTax USB disk to issue invoices and the tax)/ Fapiao printing machine / Blank fapiao notes
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Visa & Working Permit

A working visa is required for entrepreneurs who set up a company in China. After obtaining a work permit and residence permit, a work visa will express to you.
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Bank Account

RMB Company Bank Account / Company Capital Account / Foreign Exchange Account

Applying for Licenses & Certificates

ASSISTING IN APPLYING FOR SPECIAL LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES

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Import Export Certificate

The following steps are necessary for Chinese trading companies: 1. Units for Foreign Trade put on record 2. Registration Form for Inspection and Quarantine.

 

Learn more
A Trading Company designed to expand your sourcing platform, direct control of logistics and quality control, and, finally, significantly, purchasing for reselling products overseas. Import goods to sell directly, either in wholesale or retail in China. Bringing your Brand to China and establishing Chinese Online and offline shops. 
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Medical device license

Business activities of the company may fall under the High-risk medical devices or Mid-risk medical devices categories. Medical Device Licenses and the National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) could be applied for by Corporation China.

 

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Medical Manufacturers must register their devices with the NMPA before selling or distributing them in China. In addition, the NMPA reviews all device applications and has strict requirements for submission documentation, testing, and clinical data.

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ICP License

An online business or e-commerce platform in China requires an ICP license. The standard ICP license must be applied for by non-profit websites, while the commercial license must be applied for by e-commerce websites.

 

Learn more

To host a website on a server web host in Mainland China, you must apply for an ICP License from MIIT. Once you have an ICP filing number, your website can be accessed in Mainland China. If your website is for commercial purposes, you must apply for an ICP filing.

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Food & Beverage License

The Food License is required for food trading companies, outlets, supermarkets, and restaurants, as well as companies engaged in manufacturing and packaging food. You need to present a license to operate a food business.

Learn more
A China Food and Beverage Company is a commonly used investment vehicle for mainland China-based businesses. It is designed for businesses dealing with wholesale and retail. The registration of a China Company takes about 30 working days to be done. 
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Travel agency license

For businesses involved in tourism, a travel agency license is required. A bank deposit of RMB 1,500,000 is required for international tourism. 

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Human Resource license

The HR license is needed when the company business includes hiring, payroll, and benefits administration of employees for other corporations. A requirement of a bank deposit of RMB 1,000,000 for registered Capital, as well as 5 talented employees.

 

Learn more

Foreign companies may face the issue of finding open-minded and strong English-speaking talent. We will help you find the suitable employee profiles that best match your company’s objectives.

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Alcohol Wholesale/Retail

For all alcohol businesses, regardless of wholesale or retail, in China, the WFOE needs to apply for an Alcohol (Wholesale/Retail) License and a Food License. To fulfil that requirement, the company must offer a real office or shop agreement, including a property certificate.

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NVOCC

The term NVOCOO refers to a common carrier that does not operate vessels. NOVCCs are valid for five years for the Company. This is required for a foreign NVOCC to send its own House Bill of Lading to mainland China. Corporation China can assist you in registering your company at the Ministry of Transport (MOT) in China.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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What is a WFOE?

A WFOE is short for Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise. A WFOE is a 100% foreign-owned (individual or corporate) limited liability company able to generate profit, invoice clients, and hire local/foreign employees in China.

Can a WFOE in China send funds overseas?

Any operating profit made in China can be converted to foreign currency for transfer to an overseas parent company.

Is there a minimum registered capital required to set up a WFOE in China?

Although there is no fixed minimum requirement (since changes in 2016), in practice, most WFOEs will still require capital injection. Local authorities review the planned amount during the application, making it business/tax sense to get the level right from the start. Foreign Company Registration in China has been made easier.

The amount will vary significantly for different types of business – naturally, a small consulting company requires much less than a complex manufacturer. As a guide, sufficient funding is needed to cover the WFOE’s financial obligations before the company is self-supporting (often set as one year). Note that there is much more flexibility than in the past regarding the period over which capital should be injected.

It is essential to set the capital level appropriately during formation. Any additional funding must be taxed as income (further capital injection is possible, but there is a very time-consuming approval process). Set it too high, and funds may be tied up that could be used elsewhere (and these will be hard to release).

What are the advantages of registering a WFOE in China?
Foreign Company Registration in China

A WFOE registration is the most complete and flexible option for opening a company in China. It has many advantages over a Representative Office or a Joint Venture operation. Here are some of the key advantages we see in WFOE formation.

Can be formed without a Chinese partner

A WFOE is independent, able to manage its own operations, funding, and business development. Without a parent, it does not need to share profits, strategies, or Intellectual Property.

Can make profits in China

A WFOE can fully carry out business in China, in line with its agreed business scope. It can issue local currency invoices to domestic customers and make profits from its activities.

Able to send funds overseas

Any operating profit made in China can be converted to foreign currency for transfer to an overseas parent company.

Able to hire staff directly

A WFOE can manage its own human resources (without using an agency), and hire staff both locally and from overseas.

The best option to protect IPR in China

The WFOE structure provides some level of protection under Chinese law.

Do I need to do tax and accounting if I register a representative office in China?

Yes, even though representative offices are not permitted to generate profit, they are required to submit monthly tax and accounting reports with salaries and expenses.

What is the procedure of setting up a WFOE in China?
  1. Apply for name approval and registration

The first step in registering a WFOE in China is to choose a company name and get it approved.

The name choice must follow rules set up in Chinese company registration laws. The company name must include the company industry or brand, operating region of the business, and a suffix of “Company Limited.”

The following will be checked during name approval:

  • Availability of the requested name. Corporation China has the ability to check out for you.
  • Inclusion of restricted words, such as “China”, “State” or “National”
  • Inclusion of foreign characters or symbols
  • Whether the name is confusing or misleading

Don’t forget the importance of naming strategy and branding. Just as overseas, your company’s name is the first impression of your company. It should clearly reflect the company’s role and image. Consideration should also be made of the characteristics of the Chinese characters. Many words or characters have similar meanings or sounds which can strongly influence the impact of the chosen name (both positively and negatively!)

Note that the name registration can be done early whilst you prepare further, and to aid trademark registration. It is not necessary to immediately submit company filing to MOFCOM after the name is approved. Note also that it is common to submit more than one name for consideration.

  1. Registered Address as necessary

Before submission for WFOE incorporation, it is necessary to have a lease for company space in the city of registration. The contract for this needs to be valid for a year from the registration date. It is advisable to include a condition in the leasing contract to cancel the lease in case of registration refusal or difficulties. As with any contract in China, steps should be taken to minimize future problems – such as checking the owner’s details and land rights certificate for the property being leased. Corporation China offers Virtual Addresses that could be used for Company Registration in China.

  1. Carry out environmental impact assessment – Only for a manufacturing WFOE

If registering a manufacturing WFOE, an environmental impact assessment will need to be carried out by a registered agency. This is done in order to obtain an approval certificate from the local environmental protection authority.

The procedure and required approval varies with the scale of the manufacturing operation and its potential impact and will include consideration of material used, produced, and disposed of, machinery to be used, as well as any existing plans for environmental protection.

  1. Online registration via MOFCOM

The registration process has been significantly simplified in recent years, and now makes use of an online filing submission. This is much faster than the previous methods, but still requires a lot of documentation! It should be noted that there is a somewhat greater burden with online submissions to have all details correct and finalized. The process of “blind submission” does not allow for discussion with authorities during submission.  If rejected, the application will need to be revised and resubmitted.

  1. Apply for a “5 in 1” business license from local AIC

Following approval from MOFCOM, the application for a business license with the local Administration of Industry and Commerce (AIC) needs to be made. This is another process that has been greatly simplified and quickened in the past couple of years. An application is now made for a so-called “5 in 1” business license, which covers all the major licenses required for a new company. Previously each of these required separate applications and naturally, this was much more time-consuming.

Again, this is now an electronic submission, accompanied by significant documentation (see the section on documents required). Once submitted the AIC will share documentation with other relevant authorities to issue licenses – a major time improvement!

The 5 licenses issued by the AIC are:

  • The business license
  • Tax registration certificate
  • Organization code certificate
  • Social security registration certificate
  • Statistical registration certificate

The company now exists and is licensed to do business in China, and the remaining set-up steps can be considered “post-licensing” tasks. We would expect to reach this point in 2-3 months.

  1. Carving chops for the new company

To Chinese business newcomers, the importance of chops is often a surprise! Every company requires a set of chops, or seals, to be used as a representation for signing official documents.  These hold the final say, above individual signatures.

Chops can be applied for through the Public Security Bureau (PSB) following company set up. Several additional chops are needed for different business areas (e.g. financial, invoice sealing, and customs if appropriate). Each will have the company name in Chinese and English if required.

  1. Opening bank accounts

Once chops are obtained, they can be used to open the WFOE’s Chinese bank accounts. A WFOE should have at least two accounts, preferably with the same institution (Chinese or foreign banking institutions are equally acceptable depending on company preference).

  • A local currency RMB standard company account. This can be used for payments and receipts in RMB, as well as for company tax payments and day-to-day operating costs.
  • A separate capital contribution account, designated in foreign currency. This is the official account through which capital can be injected from overseas.
  1. VAT registration

WFOEs must be registered for VAT payments with the local tax bureau. There are two different categories for VAT registration for all companies – “general” and “small scale” (with low sales volume).  A new WFOE which qualifies for small scale may choose to register under either category.

In general, a lower VAT rate is paid for companies that qualify as small scale, but there are some potential advantages in registration for general status (such as the ability to deduct input VAT). Discussion of the individual situations with a tax expert is advisable here.

  1. Customs and import-exit registration – for trading WFOEs only

For trading WFOEs involved in import-export, there are several additional registrations required, which are not automatic under the AIC business license application. These must be made separately following company incorporation and the exact requirements depend on the company operation area, but will likely include the following:

  • Import-export license
  • Customs registration certificate
  • Registration with Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (for quality inspection)
  1. Issue contracts and complete necessary registration for employees

Whilst this is not formally necessary before the company starts trading, it is best at this stage to ensure everything is set up correctly. Formal contracts need to be issued from the new WFOE for all local employees. Also, registration will need to be made for employee tax and social benefits accounts.

Companies may well already have local employees working for them, often through a previous representative office structure or employed on their behalf by a Chinese agency. The new WFOE can now employ them directly.

Can a WFOE hire staff directly in China?

A WFOE can manage its own human resources (without using an agency), and hire staff both locally and from overseas.

Which party is legally responsible for employees when using payroll services?

Corporation China can either administer the payroll and taxes on behalf of a Chinese registered company (but the company remains the employer and is legally responsible for employees) or we can combine with our employer of record services and fully manage the recruitment and employment of staff as well as their payroll and tax.

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Can a WFOE generate profit in China?

Yes, a WFOE can fully carry out business in China in line with its agreed business scope. It can issue local currency invoices to domestic customers and make profits from its activities.

How many work visas can a WFOE issue?

The government will take into account a few factors for work visa issuance such as: how long has the company been registered, how much tax history does the company have and how many local employees does the company have. This does not apply to shareholders of a new company, as these individuals (local or foreign) will always receive a work visa. 

How much does it cost to set up a foreign-owned company in China?

The Company registration cost depends on the company type, the business scale, and the business industries. Therefore, if you want to set up a company in China, justcontact us directly. We’ll analyze your company situation and then provide the most cost-saving proposal.

Can I file corporate taxes in China by myself?

No! Only an accredited Chinese accountant is eligible to file corporate tax and accounting reports in China.

Do I need to do tax and accouuntinng if my company (WFOE) is not generating any profit?

Yes, even if the company is new and has no transactions, the tax and accounting report must be submitted to the government.

Is a WFOE protected against copyright infringement & IPR in China?

A WFOE is the best option to protect your IP rights in China. There is no need to share business information with a partner, and the WFOE structure provides some level of protection under Chinese law.

Can a WFOE be registered without a Chinese partner?

A WFOE is independent, able to manage its own operations, funding, and business development. Without a parent, it does not need to share profits, strategies, or Intellectual Property.

What the advantages of outsourcing payroll and tax?

There are many advantages to using Corporation China’s payroll and tax solutions:

  • We will manage all payroll and employee tax on your behalf, leaving you free to focus on other businesses.
  • Save yourself the cost and complexity of establishing an internal HR payroll team.
  • We are fully up to date with the latest laws and regulations. The fiscal and taxation environment in China changes often and it is vital to stay current.
  • Corporation China has strong relations with local tax authorities and can assist with inquiries where necessary.
  • Flexibility to tailor services to any size of business and payroll, and to include employer of record services.
  • We can help you plan and structure salary packages for both locals and overseas.
  • Corporation China has a mature system to proceed and protect your payroll data.