100% ownership in most sectors
Many business activities allow full foreign ownership, so you don't need a Chinese partner. Before we recommend a structure, we check your business scope against China's market-access rules.
CHINA COMPANY FORMATION FOR US BUSINESSES
Your own company.
In the world's factory.
Thinking about forming a company in China? We help American founders and US corporations register a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), open a corporate bank account and handle everything that comes after. Fixed packages, written timelines, plain English.
Compare packages ↗Shenzhen · Shanghai · Beijing · Wuhan · Hainan · Changsha
Scope and availability confirmed for your city and business activity.
01 / WHY US COMPANIES OPEN IN CHINA
Get closer to your suppliers and customers.
Source and manage suppliers directly
A local entity can sign contracts, pay suppliers in RMB, inspect production and issue official invoices (fapiao). Shenzhen sits at the center of China's electronics and manufacturing supply chain.
Sell to Chinese customers
A Chinese company lets you invoice local customers, hire staff and build relationships face to face, instead of working only through distributors or agents.
A path to living in China
A qualifying company can sponsor an eligible founder's work permit. Our company-and-visa package brings both processes into one plan; the visa is still assessed separately.
Sources: Foreign investment access rules · Shenzhen foreign investment and industry policy
02 / FOR US OWNERS
Own it personally, or through your US company?
Your China WFOE can be owned by you as an individual or by an existing US entity, such as a Delaware C-corp or an LLC. Both are common. The choice affects your paperwork in China and your tax reporting in the US, so it's worth deciding early with your US advisers.
Owned by you personally
- Simplest document set: mainly your passport copy, signed forms and address evidence.
- Dividends paid to you are subject to China's individual dividend rules, with US–China treaty relief where it applies.
- As a US person, you may need IRS Form 5471 and, for bank accounts, FBAR and Form 8938.
Owned by your US company
- Requires corporate documents such as a Certificate of Incorporation or Formation and a Certificate of Good Standing, apostilled by the issuing state.
- China generally withholds 10% on dividends paid to a non-resident company, in line with the US–China tax treaty rate.
- The US parent's own reporting and tax treatment should be reviewed by your CPA.
Check US outbound investment rules first.
US Treasury rules in force since January 2, 2025 prohibit or require notification of certain investments by US persons in Chinese businesses working on semiconductors, quantum technology and some AI systems. Most trading, sourcing, consulting and service companies fall outside these rules, but if yours might be covered, speak to US counsel before forming the company.
General information, not US legal or tax advice. US Treasury: outbound investment program · IRS: US income tax treaties
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
China, or somewhere else?
Download our comparison guides to see how a China company stacks up against other locations you may be considering.
China vs the United States
PDF coming soonChina vs Germany
PDF coming soonChina vs Thailand
PDF coming soonChina vs Australia
PDF coming soonChina vs Dubai
PDF coming soonChina vs France
PDF coming soonChina vs Vietnam
PDF coming soonEvery business is different, so compare the rules, costs and practical requirements for your own activity. A guide is a starting point; current requirements need a case-by-case review.
03 / PICK YOUR PACKAGE
Two packages. Everything listed.
Form your company and open a bank account, or add work visa support for one person. We confirm your business activity, ownership, premises and requirements before accepting your case.
FORM YOUR COMPANY · NO VISA
Company Formation & Bank Account
For US founders and companies that need a Chinese entity and a corporate bank account, without a work visa.
$2,600approx. · one-time fee, billed as RMB18,478
Includes a 1-year virtual office
What's included
- Company name check and reservation
- Articles of Association drafted for you
- Virtual office for 1 year
- Formal lease agreement
- Registration filing and government fees
- Company chop (公章) and finance chop (财务章)
- Bank account paperwork prepared
- VIP bank account opening service
Budget separately: accounting and tax filing from about $210/month (RMB1,500). No work visa service is included. Address suitability depends on your city and business activity; renewal terms are confirmed in your quote.
Choose formation & bank account ↗MOVE TO CHINA
Company Formation, Bank Account & Work Visa
For eligible founders who want to form their company and live and work in China.
$2,660approx. · one-time fee, billed as RMB18,869
Includes work visa support for 1 person
What's included
- Company name check and reservation
- Articles of Association drafted for you
- Registration filing and government fees
- Company chop (公章) and finance chop (财务章)
- Bank account paperwork prepared
- VIP bank account opening service
- Work visa application support for 1 person, aiming for 1-year permission (subject to approval)
Required separately: a serviced office with a formal lease and property ownership certificate, from about $420/month (RMB3,000) depending on city and room. Accounting and tax filing from about $210/month. Both can be paid monthly. Medical exam not included.
Choose formation, bank & visa ↗USD amounts are approximate at RMB7.1 = US$1; we quote and invoice in RMB. Registered capital is money you commit to fund your company, not part of our fee. Sector licenses, apostilles, translations, international courier costs and any applicable service taxes are confirmed in your quote. Banks and immigration authorities make their own decisions.
Know your ongoing costs.
Budget for your address or office, monthly accounting and tax filings on top of the setup fee. Depending on your business, you may also need sector permits or payroll. We flag these when we review your activity.
See accounting plans ↗04 / FROM IDEA TO REGISTERED COMPANY
How to start a company in China, step by step.
- Share your plan. Tell us your citizenship, business activity, preferred city, shareholders and whether you plan to work in China. We review eligibility and confirm the package before taking your case.
- Agree the company details. Settle the company name, business scope, ownership, registered capital, officers and registered address.
- Sign and apostille. We prepare the registration forms and Articles of Association. You sign them and get your US documents apostilled, then courier them to us.
- File for registration. We file the application and handle any questions or requests for more documents from the authorities.
- License, chops and bank account. Once approved, we collect your business license, have the company chops made, support your bank account opening and set up tax and accounting registration.
- Start operating. Get any activity-specific licenses before trading. If your package includes a visa, the work permit, Z visa and residence permit follow.
Plan on roughly 10–20 business days for registration after complete, acceptable documents and address confirmation. This is an estimate, not a government deadline. Apostilles, international courier, banking, special licenses and immigration can add time.
How the China work visa works ↗YOUR DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
What we need from you.
We tailor the final checklist to your ownership structure, city and business activity. Most US applicants start with the following.
Your company plan
- A few preferred company names and a clear description of what the company will do.
- Shareholder names, ownership percentages and how much capital you plan to commit.
- Details and ID for the legal representative and other officers (director, supervisor).
- The proposed registered address and lease or premises evidence.
Your supporting documents
- Clear US passport copies for individual shareholders and officers.
- For a US company shareholder: Certificate of Incorporation or Formation, Certificate of Good Standing, and evidence of who can sign for it, all apostilled.
- Signed application forms, Articles of Association and authorizations.
- Any required prior approvals, licenses and certified Chinese translations.
How apostilles work for US documents
Since November 2023, China accepts apostilles from Apostille Convention members, including the United States. State-issued documents, like a Certificate of Good Standing or a notarized passport copy, are apostilled by that state's Secretary of State. Federal documents go to the US Department of State. Check the exact document list with us before ordering apostilles.
Pick realistic registered capital
There's no general minimum, but whatever you commit generally has to be paid in within five years of incorporation, subject to some exceptions. Pick an amount that matches your business plan and what you can actually fund.
Banking and visas need extra documents. Banks may ask for identity verification, beneficial ownership details, evidence of your business and an in-person visit. Getting a business license does not guarantee a bank account or permission to work.
Official references: Shenzhen company registration checklist · China document authentication · US Department of State: authentications · Registered capital rules
50%MONEY BACK
OUR MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
We stand behind every case we accept.
If the Chinese government rejects your company registration for any reason after we have reviewed and accepted your case, we will refund 50% of the total fee you paid us.
This guarantee covers rejection of the company registration application. It's our refund commitment, not a promise of government approval.
Ask us to review your case ↗CLIENT STORIES
Every company starts with a first step.
We're gathering verified experiences from our company formation clients for this section.
Approved client stories will appear here. In the meantime, talk to our team about the support available for your business.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Let's plan your China company.
Tell us what you want to do, where you want to operate, who will own it, and whether you need a work visa.
AFTER INCORPORATION
Everything else you'll need.
01
Visas & Work Permits
Plan your Z visa and visas for your family.
Explore visa services ↗02Accounting & Tax
Keep your China books and filings in order.
See monthly plans ↗03Virtual & Serviced Offices
Find an address that fits your activity and setup route.
Find an office ↗04Marketing in China
Reach Chinese customers on local platforms.
Explore marketing ↗More questions? Read our company formation FAQs ↗
Regulatory information reviewed October 29, 2026. Requirements depend on your activity, structure and location.