Published by ChinaMNC · Qi

Registering a company in China: documents, steps and timeline

A practical guide for founders setting up a company in Qi County, Henan, covering required documents, registration steps, and expected timelines under China's company law.

Why Qi County, Henan?

Qi County (Qi Xian) is located in Hebi City, Henan Province. While not a first-tier city, it offers lower operating costs and local government support for certain industries. However, company registration follows the same national legal framework as elsewhere in China. This guide outlines the process for foreign and domestic founders establishing a limited liability company (LLC) in Qi County, including documents, steps, and timelines.

Legal Framework and Company Type

Company registration in China is governed by the Company Law of the People's Republic of China (revised 2023, effective July 1, 2024) and the Foreign Investment Law for foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). The most common vehicle for founders is the limited liability company (LLC), known as youxian zeren gongsi.

For foreign founders, an FIE LLC requires at least one shareholder (individual or corporate) and a legal representative. Domestic founders follow similar rules but without foreign investment filing. The registered capital system now generally uses a subscription system with a 5-year paid-in deadline, per the 2023 Company Law.

Required Documents

The exact document list can vary by local authority, but the following are typically required for an LLC in Qi County:

For All Companies

• Company name (3-5 alternatives for pre-approval)
• Registered address proof (lease contract and property certificate; virtual addresses may be available via local incubators)
• Articles of Association (signed by all shareholders)
• Shareholder identification: ID cards for Chinese nationals; passports for foreign individuals
• Legal representative, supervisor, and executive director appointment documents
• Business scope (standardized wording; some activities require pre-approval)
• Capital contribution plan (amounts, timing, and method)

Additional for Foreign-Invested Enterprises

• Notarized and apostilled/legalized passport copies of foreign shareholders (or corporate documents)
• Foreign investment information report (filed through the Ministry of Commerce system)
• Proof of foreign shareholder's existence (for corporate shareholders, notarized certificate of incorporation)

Note: All foreign-language documents must be translated into Chinese and notarized. Requirements may change, so confirm with the Qi County Market Supervision Administration (MSA) or a local professional firm.

Registration Steps

Step 1: Name Pre-Approval

Submit 3-5 proposed company names to the Qi County MSA via the online system. Names must follow format: Qi County + [Brand] + [Industry] + Company Type. Approval typically takes 1-3 working days. Avoid restricted words or misleading terms.

Step 2: Prepare Registered Address

Secure a commercial address in Qi County. If you don't have physical premises, some local business incubators or industrial parks offer virtual registration addresses. The lease contract must be notarized if the landlord is not the property owner.

Step 3: File Establishment Registration

Submit the application package to the Qi County MSA. This includes the Articles of Association, shareholder documents, address proof, and legal representative information. For FIEs, this step also involves filing with the local Commerce Bureau (foreign investment information report).

Step 4: Obtain Business License

Upon approval, the MSA issues the Business License (yingye zhizhao), which includes the unified social credit code. This is the legal birth of the company. The license is typically issued within 3-5 working days after submission.

Step 5: Carve Seals

Order the official company seals: company seal, financial seal, legal representative seal, invoice seal, and contract seal. Seals must be registered with the Public Security Bureau. This takes 1-2 working days.

Step 6: Bank Account Opening

Open a basic corporate bank account. Banks require the business license, seals, legal representative ID, and sometimes proof of address. For FIEs, additional foreign exchange registration may be needed. Account opening can take 3-10 working days depending on bank due diligence.

Step 7: Tax Registration and Invoicing

Register with the tax authority (now often integrated with MSA). Choose taxpayer status (small-scale or general). Apply for invoice issuance. This step is usually completed within 3-5 working days.

Step 8: Social Security and Housing Fund Registration

If hiring employees, register with the local social security and housing fund centers. This is typically done after bank account opening and can take 2-3 working days.

Step 9: Foreign Investment Filing (FIEs only)

FIEs must complete the foreign investment information report through the Ministry of Commerce's online system. This is usually done concurrently with Step 3 but may require additional follow-up.

Timeline Overview

The entire process for a domestic LLC in Qi County typically takes 2-4 weeks if all documents are in order. For FIEs, add 1-2 weeks for notarization, translation, and foreign investment filing. Delays can occur due to address verification, name rejections, or bank compliance checks.

• Name pre-approval: 1-3 working days
• Business license: 3-5 working days after submission
• Seals and bank account: 1-2 weeks
• Tax and social security: 1 week

Note: These are typical estimates; actual timelines vary by application completeness and local authority workload.

Key Considerations for Founders

• Registered capital: Choose a realistic amount. The 5-year paid-in rule means you must contribute capital within that period. Too high can create liability; too low may affect credibility.
• Business scope: Use standardized wording from the MSA catalog. Some activities (e.g., education, healthcare) require pre-approval.
• Legal representative: This person bears legal responsibilities. Choose carefully, especially for FIEs.
• Local incentives: Qi County may offer support for certain industries, but verify details with the local investment promotion bureau. No guarantees are implied.
• Compliance: After registration, annual reporting, tax filings, and accounting are mandatory. Engage a local accounting firm early.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Company registration requirements and procedures in China can change. Founders should consult qualified local professionals and verify all details with the Qi County Market Supervision Administration and other relevant authorities before proceeding. The author and publisher assume no liability for actions taken based on this content.