Frequently asked questions

Answers to common business questions.

Practical information about merchant accounts, company registration, annual reviews, trademarks and international business support.

FAQ

Questions we hear from growing businesses.

The answers below are provided for general information. Requirements and timelines may vary according to your company and jurisdiction.

01 / MERCHANT ACCOUNT

I do not have a Hong Kong company. Can I still apply for a merchant account?

Currently, we only support merchant account applications from Hong Kong companies.

02 / HONG KONG COMPANY

What KYB documents are required when applying for a Hong Kong company?

1. Shareholders and directors: only one shareholder or director aged 18 or above is required, with no nationality restriction.

2. Company secretary: a statutory secretary must be appointed and may be a Hong Kong limited company or a Hong Kong permanent resident.

3. Registered address: a local Hong Kong address is required. PO boxes and directors' addresses are not accepted.

4. Company name: an available, unregistered name may be used, but it must end with “Limited” or “& Limited” and avoid sensitive words.

5. Business scope: unlike mainland China, there are no strict restrictions on the company's business scope. It is commonly stated as “trading” during registration.

6. Registered capital: the minimum capital for a limited company is HKD 10,000, with no capital verification required. If the registered capital exceeds the standard, capital duty of 2/1000 applies.

03 / SINGAPORE COMPANY

What are the rules for the ending of an English name when registering a Singapore company?

A private limited company ends with “PTE. LTD.”

A public company ends with “LIMITED”. Please note that although a public company may use this ending, not every company ending with “LIMITED” is a public company.

04 / HONG KONG COMPANY

How long does it take to restore a Hong Kong company after deregistration?

It usually takes several weeks.

05 / BVI COMPANY

Which procedures are optional during the BVI annual review process?

Selecting an audit firm, preparing non-statutory financial statements, and submitting non-statutory supplementary documents.

06 / UNITED STATES

How long is a US trademark registration valid after registration?

Under US trademark law, a trademark registration is valid for ten years after registration.

07 / ODI FILING

Does a domestic company need to complete an ODI filing when it controls an overseas company?

ODI filing is a compliance route for domestic enterprises “going global”. In what circumstances is an ODI filing required? Does a domestic company need to complete an ODI filing when it controls an overseas company?

08 / SINGAPORE COMPANY

How long is a Singapore company certificate of incorporation valid?

Once a company is successfully registered in Singapore, it receives a certificate of incorporation proving that it has been legally established there. This certificate is valid permanently and does not need to be regularly updated or renewed.

09 / UNITED STATES

What is the difference in tax filing deadlines between US C Corporations and S Corporations?

The deadline for a US company's tax filing depends on the company type and the tax year selected. A C Corporation generally needs to file its federal income tax return, Form 1120, by the 15th day of the third month after the end of the tax year. An S Corporation generally also needs to file by the 15th day of the third month after the end of the tax year, using Form 1120S.

10 / UNITED KINGDOM

How long does a UK company annual confirmation review take?

The time required varies depending on factors including the complexity of the company, the chosen submission method and the efficiency of the Companies House registry. Generally, if all necessary documents are prepared in advance and submitted online, the process may take only a few days to a few weeks. If more preparation is required or documents are submitted by post, it may take longer.

11 / UNITED KINGDOM

What is the specific process for a UK company annual confirmation review?

1. Prepare the relevant documents.

2. Complete the annual confirmation statement.

3. Pay the annual review fee.

4. Submit the annual review application.

12 / HONG KONG TRADEMARK

What is the process for a Hong Kong trademark opposition and review?

Hong Kong trademark opposition process
1. Submit the opposition application.
2. Preliminary examination by the Trademark Registry.
3. Both parties present their reasons.
4. Substantive examination by the Trademark Registry.
5. Appeal by either party.

Hong Kong trademark review process
1. Submit the review application.
2. Preliminary examination by the Review Board.
3. Both parties present their reasons and exchange evidence.
4. Substantive examination and hearing by the Review Board.
5. Judicial remedies.