Set up your China entity the right way — the first time
Forming a company in China is procedural, but the decisions you make at incorporation — business scope, registered capital, shareholding structure, location of registration — follow you for years. We help foreign investors establish Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises (WFOEs), joint ventures and representative offices across Shenzhen, Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area.
What we handle
- Entity strategy — WFOE vs. JV vs. rep office, holding structures (HK/SG), and free-trade-zone options
- Business scope drafting — the registered scope controls what you may legally invoice; we draft it to cover today's business and tomorrow's plans
- Registration & licensing — SAMR registration, business licence, company chops, foreign exchange (SAFE) registration
- Bank account opening — RMB basic account and foreign capital account support
- Post-setup compliance — tax registration, social insurance, annual reporting calendar
Why location matters
Registering in the wrong district can mean higher effective tax burdens and slower processing. We advise on district incentives in Shenzhen (Qianhai, Futian, Nanshan) and Guangzhou (Tianhe, Nansha) including qualifying tax preferences for modern service industries.
Typical timeline
A standard service-industry WFOE in Shenzhen or Guangzhou takes 4–8 weeks from name pre-approval to an operating bank account, assuming documents are properly legalised. Manufacturing or licensed industries (food, medical, education) take longer due to additional permits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum registered capital for a WFOE?
China abolished statutory minimum capital for most industries — capital is subscribed, not paid up front. However, banks and landlords expect a credible figure, and the capital must realistically fund operations until revenue covers costs. We typically recommend RMB 100,000–1,000,000 depending on the business model.
Can I own 100% of a Chinese company as a foreigner?
Yes — in most industries a WFOE gives you 100% foreign ownership. A small Negative List still restricts or prohibits foreign investment in certain sectors (some media, education and telecom services). We confirm your activities against the current Negative List before filing.
Do I need a physical office to register?
A registered address is mandatory, but several districts in Shenzhen and Guangzhou accept qualified virtual/cluster addresses for service businesses. We advise which districts accept them and arrange compliant address solutions.
China Company Formation (WFOE) by city
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