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Shenzhen Foreign Company Registration

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Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) Sino-Foreign Joint Venture Sino-Foreign Cooperative Enterprise Foreign-Invested Partnership Enterprise

Dual-certified by Finance Bureau & tax bureau, standard 15-20 business days complete, fastest 7 business days. Full-process one-stop service from name approval to bank account opening.

Services overview

What Is Foreign Company Registration?

Foreign Company Registration refers to the legal process by which overseas investors (including foreign companies, Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan enterprises and individuals) establish a foreign-invested enterprise in Shenzhen based on China's "Foreign Investment Law." CNBS provides a full-process one-stop agency service from name approval to bank account opening, helping foreign enterprises legally and efficiently complete market access in China.

>> Processing Process

What steps are required for Shenzhen foreign company registration?

From name approval to bank account opening, a dedicated consultant guides the full process. Four steps to complete foreign enterprise establishment.

STEP 01 —— 3-5 business days

Name Pre-Approval

Submit the enterprise Name Pre-Approval application to the Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation, ensuring the name complies with standards and does not conflict with an existing enterprise. CNBS completes name duplicate checking and compliance review in advance, increasing the approval rate.

STEP 02 —— 5-10 business days

Commerce Approval and registration

Submit the foreign investment enterprise establishment application to the commerce authority (for industries not on the Negative List, prior approval has been abolished and replaced with a filing system). Simultaneously prepare the complete set of business registration documents.

STEP 03 —— 5-7 business days

Business Registration License Issuance

Submit the establishment registration documents to the Administration for Market Regulation. After review and approval, obtain the Business License (original and duplicate). CNBS assists with drafting and reviewing the complete set of legal documents, including the Articles of Association and appointment documents.

STEP 04 —— 3-5 business days

Filing and Bank Account Opening

Complete tax registration and tax category determination, open a basic corporate bank account, complete foreign exchange registration, customs filing (if any import/export business is involved), and other follow-up procedures. The enterprise can then officially commence operations.

Enterprise Types

What types of foreign enterprises can be registered?

Based on the "Foreign Investment Law," overseas investors can establish the following four main types of foreign-invested enterprises in Shenzhen:

Most Popular

Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE)

All capital is invested by foreign investors, who retain full operational autonomy. Suitable for foreign enterprises wishing to operate independently and protect core technologies. This is the most common type of foreign company registration in Shenzhen.

complementary strengths

Sino-Foreign Joint Venture

Jointly established and invested in by a foreign company and a Chinese company, with both parties sharing profits and bearing risks according to their capital contribution ratio. Suitable for projects that need to leverage Chinese resources or are subject to Negative List restrictions.

flexible cooperation

Sino-Foreign Cooperative Enterprise

The Sino-foreign parties agree on their respective rights and obligations, profit distribution, and risk-bearing through a contract. Suitable for specific project-based cooperation, with assets centralized to one party upon expiry of the cooperation term. More flexible than a joint venture.

professional service

Foreign-Invested Partnership Enterprise

Established in China by two or more foreign nationals, enterprises, or individuals. General partners assume unlimited joint and several liability for enterprise debts. Suitable for professional service firms or small investment projects.

Required Documents

What documents are needed for foreign company registration?

Below is the standard core document checklist for foreign company registration. Specific requirements depend on the enterprise type and industry involved. CNBS assists in preparing the complete set of legal documents.

Investor entity qualification certificate (overseas company registration certificate / business registration certificate) and its notarization and authentication documents, or Apostille
Identification documents of the investor's legal representative / directors (passport or ID card copy; must match notarized documents)
Proposed Articles of Association for the enterprise (CNBS assists in drafting, covering business scope, registered capital, organizational structure, and other core provisions)
Appointment documents and identity documents for the proposed enterprise's legal representative, directors, supervisors, and manager
Proof of enterprise domicile (lease contract, property ownership certificate copy, or site use certificate)
Feasibility study report or project proposal (required only for certain restricted industries; CNBS can assist in drafting)
Enterprise Name Pre-Approval notification letter (obtained by CNBS during the first step of the process)
Legal document service authorization letter (applicable to overseas shareholders; requires the explicit designation of a domestic agent in China for the service of legal documents)

Reminder: Overseas entity qualification certificates must be notarized by a notary public in the country of origin and authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country. CNBS provides full-process guidance on document preparation to ensure compliance and efficiency.

FAQ

Foreign Company Registration FAQ

Registration Basics

Which types of enterprises are considered foreign enterprises?

Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises (WFOE), Sino-Foreign Joint Ventures, Sino-Foreign Cooperative Enterprises, and Foreign-Invested Partnership Enterprises all fall within the scope of foreign enterprises and are uniformly governed by the "Foreign Investment Law" and its implementing regulations.

Are there minimum capital requirements for foreign company registration?

Except for specific industries such as finance and insurance, the minimum registered capital requirement for general foreign-invested enterprises has been abolished (following the 2014 subscription-based registration system reform). Enterprises can freely agree on the capital contribution amount, contribution form, and term based on actual operational needs, with no mandatory capital verification requirement.

What conditions must be met for foreign enterprise registration in Shenzhen?

You must have a legally recognized overseas investment entity, comply with industry access policy requirements (i.e., the industry must not be categorized as prohibited or restricted under the Negative List), have compliant Articles of Association, maintain a fixed business premises, and meet the quorum requirements for directors, supervisors, and managers in the organizational structure.

Process & Timeline

How long does the full foreign company registration process take?

The standard full process takes 15–20 business days, including name approval (3–5 days), commerce approval/filing (5–10 days), business registration (5–7 days), and tax filing and bank account opening (3–5 days). The expedited channel can shorten this to 7 business days. Actual duration may vary depending on the approval authority's efficiency and document completeness.

What is the Negative List? How can I check whether my industry is restricted?

The Negative List, officially titled the "Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List)," is jointly issued by the NDRC and MOFCOM and specifies industries in which foreign investment is prohibited or restricted. The latest 2024 version has reduced restricted items to 29 terms. CNBS conducts a free industry access assessment for clients before registration to confirm whether any restrictions apply.

Do overseas documents require notarization and authentication?

Yes. Overseas company entity qualification certificates must be notarized by a notary public in the country of origin and then authenticated by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country; alternatively, an Apostille may be processed (applicable to Hague Convention contracting states). CNBS provides full-process guidance on notarization and authentication to ensure document compliance and validity.

Operations & After-Setup

What procedures are required after foreign company registration?

After obtaining the Business License, you must complete: tax registration and tax category determination, basic corporate bank account opening, foreign exchange registration (if cross-border capital flows are involved), customs filing (if any import/export business exists), and social insurance and housing fund account opening. CNBS provides a complete suite of follow-up agency services.

What business activities can foreign enterprises engage in within Shenzhen?

Except for industries explicitly prohibited or restricted by the Negative List, foreign enterprises can freely engage in a wide range of business activities in Shenzhen. As a Pilot Demonstration Zone, Shenzhen maintains an open attitude toward foreign investment in cutting-edge fields such as fintech, artificial intelligence, and biomedicine. The Qianhai Free Trade Zone offers additional preferential policies.

How much does CNBS charge for foreign company registration services?

Pricing is based on enterprise type (WFOE / joint venture / cooperative / partnership) and registration complexity, with transparent tiered pricing covering name approval, document preparation, business agency, tax filing, and all stages. A detailed quotation is provided before contract signing with no hidden fees. All team members have over 10 years of senior experience, ensuring steady and reliable service.

Why Choose Us

Why choose CNBS for foreign company registration?

With 20 years of focus on foreign-related services, professional credentials, and extensive experience, CNBS provides efficient and compliant registration solutions for foreign enterprises.

20 Years Industry Specialization

20 Years of Industry Specialization

Focused on foreign company registration since 2003, CNBS has navigated multiple major adjustments to Shenzhen's foreign investment policies and is well-versed in regulatory changes and practical key points at every stage. Over 1,068 foreign enterprises have completed registration with us.

icon-dual-authority certification

Dual-Authority Certification

CNBS holds both a Finance Bureau Bookkeeping License and tax bureau professional service institution registration, and is recognized by the Administration for Market Regulation as a professional agency. 100% of our staff hold professional credentials — we are not a fly-by-night operator.

icon-full-process dedicated consultant

Full-Process Dedicated Consultant

From name approval to bank account opening, a one-to-one dedicated consultant follows the entire process with real-time progress updates. The client only needs to provide the entity qualification certificate; all other documents are prepared with CNBS's assistance, significantly saving time.

icon-expedited channel 7 days complete

Expedited Channel — 7 Days to Completion

The standard full process takes 15–20 business days; our expedited channel can shorten it to 7 business days. Ideal for enterprises with urgent business needs, maximizing efficiency while ensuring full compliance.

icon-transparent tiered pricing

Transparent Tiered Pricing

Publicly quoted transparent tiered pricing based on enterprise type and registration complexity, covering name approval, document preparation, business agency, and tax filing — all stages. Fees are clearly communicated before contract signing, with no hidden charges.

icon-registration full lifecycle Services

Registration & Full Lifecycle Services

After registration is complete, CNBS provides bookkeeping & accounting, tax filing, corporate secretary, company changes, profit repatriation, and other full-cycle enterprise services, helping foreign enterprises maintain ongoing compliance in Shenzhen. Client retention rate exceeds 90%.

Formal Registration · Industry Endorsement · Authoritative Certification

registration certificate
Business License number 914403007466415099
Bookkeeping License certificate
Bookkeeping License DLJ44030320220010
industry Practice Quality Quantitative Assessment A+ rating
Practice Quality Quantitative Assessment — A+ Rating Finance Bureau · SZ Finance Letter [2009] No. 73
tax-related institutional credit
Shenzhen Tax Bureau · Tax-Related Institutional Credit Luohu District No. 1 · Shenzhen Top 11
Guangdong Province Integrity Model enterprise
Guangdong Province · Integrity Demonstration Enterprise number GD2015020233
Integrity Convention Enterprise
Bookkeeping & Accounting Industry · Integrity Convention Enterprise number SZCXX240167
Bookkeeping & Accounting industry association will staff
Bookkeeping & Accounting Industry Association — Staff Member number 440300DX102576
Accounting Firm Practice License Certificate
intellectual property number 46041261, 6046440

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