Company registration in China for foreign founders
If you are outside China and want to set up a business here, the questions are usually the same: what do I actually need, what will it cost, how long does it take, and do I have to show up in person? This page answers those questions in plain English. We handle the registration work for foreign founders: company setup, the paperwork around it, and the practical pieces like bank accounts, tax registration and visas. You do not need to speak Chinese or know the local rules in advance.
Talk to us on WhatsApp WFOE explainedWhat we handle for you: choosing and registering your company structure, preparing and filing the registration documents, company chops (official seals), tax registration, opening a corporate bank account, and guidance on work and business visas. You tell us what your business will do; we tell you what that requires in China and what it will cost before anything is filed.
Wholly foreign-owned enterprise setup: structure, scope, timeline and requirements for foreign founders in China.
Learn more →Equity and cooperative joint ventures with Chinese partners: structure, control, approvals and pitfalls.
Learn more →A non-revenue liaison office: what it can and cannot do, registration and compliance.
Learn more →Opening and operating a China corporate bank account: documents, due diligence, foreign exchange.
Learn more →VAT, corporate income tax, withholding, monthly filing and bookkeeping for foreign-owned companies.
Learn more →Work permits and residence permits for foreign founders and employees, and family visas.
Learn more →Annual reports, audits, renewals and regulatory filings to keep a China company in good standing.
Learn more →The process is usually four steps. First, a short call or email exchange to understand your business and pick a structure. Second, we prepare the documents and you sign them, mostly remotely. Third, we file with the authorities and follow up until the licence is issued. Fourth, we complete the follow-on items: chops, tax setup, bank account, and visa guidance. At each step you get a clear list of what is needed from you and what happens next.
Tell us your plan
Choose the right structure
Prepare documents
Register & open accounts
Comply and grow
China's company registration rules are set locally and change in practice. The forms, required documents and timelines differ by city, and many steps assume Chinese-language filing and a local representative. Doing it yourself from abroad usually means repeated rejections and lost weeks.
A local service does not remove every requirement, but it removes the guesswork: what documents you need, which structure limits your personal liability, and what has to happen in what order. You get a plan instead of a pile of forms.
We are direct about limits. Some requirements depend on your city, your business scope and your personal situation, and some steps cannot be fully remote. We tell you which are which before you commit, not after you have paid.
Typically: a passport copy, a proposed company name, a registered address in China, a defined business scope, and details of shareholders and the legal representative. Some structures and cities ask for more, such as proof of address or notarised documents. We give you the exact list for your case before filing.
Costs vary by city, company structure and what you need beyond registration, such as a bank account, tax setup or visa support. We quote a clear breakdown before any work starts, so you know what each item costs rather than a single vague number.
It depends on the city, the structure and how quickly documents are signed and returned. Registration alone often takes several weeks, and bank account opening and tax setup add more time. We give you an expected timeline for your case and update you when something changes.
Much of the work can be done remotely: document preparation, filing and follow-up. However, some steps may require your physical presence or a local representative, for example certain bank account procedures or visa steps. We tell you exactly which parts cannot be done remotely before you start.
A limited liability company (WFOE) is the common choice for foreign founders because it generally separates company liabilities from your personal assets. A representative office or a joint venture is different and may not fit your goals. We explain the trade-offs for your situation so you can choose.
After registration you will need tax registration and usually a corporate bank account. Visa options depend on your role and plans. We guide you through the sequence and what each step requires. We do not guarantee approvals; authorities decide, and we prepare you for what they ask.
Tell us what your business will do and where in China you want to set it up. We will reply with the structure that fits, the documents you will need, the expected cost and timeline, and which steps can be done remotely. No obligation and no sales pressure.
WhatsApp / WeChat: +86 153 1898 8535