Start a Business in China with One Integrated Setup Process

Kerui helps foreign investors start a business in Mainland China through an integrated process for company setup, bank account opening, work visa planning, and ongoing compliance.

  • For Foreign Businesses & First-Time Founders
  • Registration, Banking, Visa & Compliance in One Integrated Process
  • China Entry Planning Built Around Your Situation
  • From First Inquiry to a Clear Setup Plan
Start Your China Journey
Foreign investors planning how to start a business in Mainland China with setup banking visa and compliance support

From Initial Idea to an Operating Business

1

Company Registration

Choose the entity, ownership, and city before filing so the wrong structure does not become costly later.

2

Bank Account Opening

Prepare KYC and choose a bank that matches real activity; a mismatch can stall operations after setup.

3

Work Visa and Legal Work Status

Founders and foreign staff who will stay need the correct work visa; informal arrangements create immigration risk.

4

Ongoing Accounting and Tax Compliance

Keep bookkeeping, tax filing, and annual maintenance current; gaps can affect later banking, visas, and operations.

Typical Entry Modes for Foreign Investors

Middle Eastern restaurant owner reviewing a WFOE registration proposal at a table with a chef uniform hanging in the background

Restaurant & Hospitality

Middle East Restaurant Setup with Foreign Chef Hiring

Coordinating company establishment, restaurant licensing, location requirements, and work authorization for foreign chefs before operations begin.

  • Company Setup
  • Licensing
  • Work Visa
Trading company owner at a desk reviewing an export invoice alongside a work permit notification letter for a foreign employee

Trading Operations

Trade Company Setup with Work Visa and Tax Planning

Structuring a China trading operation may involve company establishment, work authorization for foreign staff, tax planning, and export-related operational preparation.

  • Company Setup
  • Work Visa
  • Tax Planning
Cross-border trader reviewing a Hong Kong bank account KYC checklist at a laptop with shipping trade documents beside the screen

Cross-Border Trade

Hong Kong Structure and Banking Plan for Cross-Border Trade

For businesses operating across markets, a Hong Kong company and banking structure may form part of a broader China-facing trading setup, depending on the intended operating model.

  • Hong Kong Setup
  • Banking Planning
  • Cross-Border Structure

End-to-End Services Across Every Stage of Setup

China Company Registration

For businesses that need a Mainland entity for lawful operation, invoicing, hiring, or local execution.

Bank Account Opening

For companies ready to prepare KYC documents and choose the right banking path after structure is confirmed.

China Work Visa and Residence Permit

For founders or foreign employees who need to stay and work in China legally over a longer period.

Accounting and Tax Compliance

For companies that need structured bookkeeping, tax filing, and ongoing compliance after registration.

Hong Kong Company Registration

For businesses where a Hong Kong structure may better serve payments, trade, or cross-border ownership planning.

Cross-Border Investment Advisory

For clients who still need to assess market entry options or ownership structure before formal registration begins.

Common Misunderstandings When Starting a Business

Foreign investor reviewing legitimate office lease and business premises documents in a modern China office

Business Use and Office Use Must Be Legitimate

A company should use a legitimate office for real operations rather than treating registration as a paperwork exercise; lack of genuine business substance can create regulatory and compliance problems later.

China foreigner residence permit for work shown in a passport

Long-Term Stay Requires the Correct Work Authorization

Foreign founders and employees planning to stay in China long term should apply for the correct work visa and permit; operating without lawful status creates immigration risk and can affect the business’s standing.

China company registration certificate with banking visa and tax compliance documents on a planning table

Registration Alone Does Not Mean the Business Is Ready

A company certificate does not complete the market-entry process. Banking, legal work status, relevant licensing, and ongoing compliance still need to be handled in sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a China company or a Hong Kong company first?

The answer depends on the operating model, where the business activity happens, whether local hiring or invoicing is needed, and how payments and ownership should be structured.

Can I stay in China long term just because I opened a company?

No. Long-term stay and lawful work require the correct work visa and permit process, not just a company registration.

Is registration enough to begin normal operation?

Not usually. A workable operating plan also depends on banking, compliance, and where relevant, permits or visa-related arrangements.

What is the safest first step before spending money on setup?

Review the business model, city, ownership structure, banking needs, and founder stay plan before committing to the setup path.

Build the Right Entry Plan Before a Wrong Setup Costs More

Match the setup plan to the real model first — restaurant, trading company, placing foreign staff, or a Hong Kong–Mainland structure — then execute in the right order.

  • 18+ Years of Local Expertise
  • 5,000+ Clients Served Worldwide
  • One-on-One Consultant Support
  • Full Compliance Coverage — Registration, Tax, Visa