Qualifications of directors and shareholders of Hong Kong companies

Qualifications for directors of the company

Company directors are the central people responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic decisions of the company. The director may be the founder himself or a third party appointed by the founder.

✅ Basic requirements for directors:

• Age limit: Must be at least 18 years old.
• Proof of Identity:
  • Hong Kong Residents: Must hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card.
  • Non-Hong Kong residents: A valid passport is required.
• Proof of address: Proof of address within the last 3 months (e.g. utility bill, bank letter, etc.) is required.
• Nationality or place of residence: No restrictions, anyone from all over the world can act as a director.
• Corporate Director: A corporate legal person can also become a director, and there is no restriction on the place of registration.

🚫 Ineligible Circumstances:

• A natural person who has been bankrupt and has not been discharged from bankruptcy is not allowed to serve as a director of any company.

📋 Appointment Procedure:

• A private company limited by shares must have at least one director.
• Directors are elected by mutual election at a general meeting of shareholders.

📌 Shareholder Qualifications and Conditions

Shareholders are the owners of the company and enjoy the company’s profits and decision-making power by holding shares.

✅ Basic requirements for shareholders:

• Age :
  • Any nationality over the age of 18 can become a shareholder.
  • Persons under the age of 18 can also become shareholders, but they must provide a letter of consent from their legal representatives.
• Nationality and place of residence: Unlimited.
• Proof of Identity: A valid identification document is required.

📌 Responsibilities of Shareholders:

• The legal liability of shareholders is generally limited to the amount of capital contributed to the shares they hold.
• If a shareholder also holds a director’s or other corporate position, he or she will be subject to the additional responsibilities of that position.