

Types of Companies in China
Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) Fully owned by foreign investors, ideal for independent operations.
Sino-Foreign Joint Venture (JV) Established with a Chinese partner, suitable for businesses needing local resources or market access.
Representative Office (RO) Limited to market research or liaison activities, not allowed to conduct direct business.
Step-by-Step Setup Procedure
Pre-Approval of Company Name - General: Choose a compliant name (e.g., “City + Company Name + Industry + Co., Ltd.”) and submit it to the local Administration for Market Regulation (AMR). Provide 3-5 options to avoid duplicates.
- Foshan: Submit via the Guangdong AMR online platform. Example: “Foshan XYZ Trading Co., Ltd.”
Duration : 3-5 working days.
Filing for Establishment General : Submit the setup application, including scope of business (e.g., “technology development, import/export”) and registered capital, to the AMR. - Foshan: visit the AMR of Chancheng, Foshan (EN address: 1F, Building 3, Zhihuixincheng, 28 Jihuayi Road, Chancheng, Foshan; CN address: 广东省佛山市禅城区季华一路28号三座1层; Tel: 0757-82346391). Read more at: 外商投资有限责任公司设立登记-广东政务服务网.
Duration : 1-2 working days.
Obtaining a Business License General : Receive the license post-approval. Foshan : Collect from the Foshan AMR. Duration : 1-2 working days after approval.
Company Seal Registration General : Register and engrave seals (company, financial, legal representative) at a Public Security Bureau-approved vendor. Foshan : Use authorized shops around the AMR. Duration : 1-2 working days.
Opening Bank Accounts General : Open a basic account and a foreign exchange account for capital injection and operations. The representative must be present. Foshan : Choose banks like Bank of China (Foshan Branch) or ICBC (Foshan Branch). Duration : 1-2 working days.
Tax Registration General : Register with the local tax bureau and determine VAT taxpayer status if needed. Foshan : Visit district tax offices, e.g., Chancheng Tax Bureau at Huabao South Road. Duration : 1-2 working days.
Additional Permits (if applicable) General : Obtain industry-specific licenses (e.g., for food, medical devices, or manufacturing). Foshan : same. Duration : Weeks to months, depending on the industry.
Required Documents
Request form Proof of Foreign Investor Identity Individual: Copy of passport (notarized + consular authenticated, or apostilled; unless the person enters China on a legal visa). Company: Business license or certificate of incorporation (notarized and authenticated, or apostille).
Pre-Approval Notice of Company Name Issued by the AMR (Foshan AMR for local applications).
Articles of Association Outlines company name, registered capital, scope of business, and governance structure.
Lease Agreement Proof of a registered office with property ownership documents. Foshan : Suggested areas include Chancheng, Nanhai, Shunde, or Foshan High-Tech Zone.
Appointment Letter of Representative Designation of the responsible person (representative, director, supervisor, and manager) with ID proof.
Note: In Foshan, documents are submitted to the Foshan AMR, with possible additional filings to the commerce department. For more details, please visit Foshan AMR’s official guidline.
Cost Breakdown
Government Fees Name approval: Free. Business license: Free (~50 RMB printing fee). Seal engraving: 100-300 RMB.
Registered Address Costs General : Tier-1 cities charge 5,000-20,000 RMB/month; smaller cities are cheaper. Foshan : Chancheng (2,000-5,000 RMB/month) depending on the size. Virtual addresses (if allowed): 3,000-8,000 RMB/year.
Service Fees Professional agents (lawyers, consultants): 5,000-20,000 RMB.
Registered Capital Minimum recommended: 30,000-500,000 million RMB (subscription system, no upfront payment). Foshan : Align with business scale to ensure credibility.
Bank Account Fees Free, varying by bank.
Miscellaneous Fees Notarization+authentication (or apostille), translation: 1,000-5,000 RMB. Tax registration/compliance: 1,000-3,000 RMB.
Key Considerations for Success
Registered Capital Planning : Set a realistic amount to balance credibility and tax obligations. Language Barrier : Most documentation is in Chinese; translators or agents are essential. Professional Help : Engage local lawyers or consultancies to navigate Chinese-language procedures. Compliance : Post-setup, file annual reports and adhere to tax/labor laws. Regional Variations : While Foshan’s process aligns with national standards, cities like Shanghai may have higher costs but more mature ecosystems. Free Trade Zones (not applicable in Foshan) offer additional incentives elsewhere. Industry Permits : Manufacturing or regulated sectors require extra approvals, so plan timelines accordingly.