Published · North Korea

China Company Registration: Documents, Steps and Timeline

A practical English-language guide for founders from North Korea on registering a company in China, covering the general document set, the main registration steps and a realistic timeline, with a note that this is general information and not legal or tax advice.

This article is general information for founders from North Korea who are considering setting up a business entity in China. It is not legal, tax or immigration advice, and it does not describe any special arrangement between the two countries. Rules, document requirements and processing times in China change, and they can differ by city, by industry and by the type of entity you choose. Before you commit money or sign anything, confirm the current requirements with a qualified Chinese lawyer or a licensed local agency, and check the rules that apply to you personally.

Start with the entity question, not the paperwork

Most foreign founders register a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), usually structured as a limited liability company. Some sectors restrict or prohibit foreign ownership, and some require a local partner or a special licence. Your first practical task is to confirm that your planned business scope is open to foreign investment and to identify any sector-specific approvals. The business scope you write into the registration documents will shape what you are allowed to do, so draft it carefully rather than copying a template.

You will also need a registered address in China. In many cities this can be a serviced office or an incubator address that is approved for registration. A virtual address that is not approved for company registration will cause the application to fail, so verify this before you sign a lease.

The document set you will generally need

The exact list depends on the city and on your personal situation, but the following are commonly requested. Treat this as a checklist to discuss with your adviser, not as a definitive list.

• Passport copies of the foreign shareholder or shareholders, and of the proposed legal representative, directors and supervisor. Copies usually need to be clear, complete and sometimes notarised or legalised depending on the city and your nationality.
• Proof of address for the foreign shareholder, often a utility bill or bank statement, sometimes requiring notarisation and translation.
• Company name choices, in Chinese, usually two to four options in order of preference. Names are checked against existing registrations, so avoid names that are too generic.
• Articles of association for the Chinese company, setting out shareholding, governance and decision-making rules.
• Capital and contribution details, including the registered capital amount and the contribution schedule. Registered capital is a commitment, so choose an amount you can realistically fund.
• Lease or address documents for the registered office, plus the landlord's property certificate where required.
• Appointment documents for the legal representative, directors and supervisor, and the shareholder resolution or decision appointing them.
• Business scope wording, drafted to match the standard categories used by the local registration authority.
• Translations of foreign-language documents into Chinese, and notarisation or legalisation where the local authority requires it.

Notarisation and legalisation are often the slowest part of the process. Consular legalisation or an apostille may be needed depending on the document and the current practice in the city where you file. Ask your adviser early which documents need this treatment, because the requirement is applied inconsistently across cities.

Step-by-step: how registration usually runs

1. Name pre-approval

Submit your proposed Chinese company name to the local market regulation authority for a check. This is often done online and is usually quick, but popular names can be rejected, so keep alternatives ready.

2. Prepare and notarise documents

Assemble the document set above, arrange translations and complete any notarisation or legalisation. This stage is document-heavy and is where founders most often lose time.

3. Submit the establishment application

File the application for the business licence with the local market regulation authority. In many cities this is now handled through an online system, with original documents submitted or checked afterwards. If your business scope requires a pre-approval, obtain that before or alongside this step.

4. Receive the business licence

Once approved, you receive the business licence, which is the company's basic legal identity. Check every detail on it, especially the company name, legal representative and business scope, because corrections afterwards take time.

5. Make the company seal set

Order the official seals, typically including the company seal, the legal representative seal, the finance seal and the contract seal. Seals carry legal weight in China, so keep them secure and record who holds them.

6. Open a bank account

Open the basic corporate bank account. Banks apply their own onboarding checks, and the process can take longer for foreign-invested companies. Bring the business licence, seals, identification documents and address evidence. Confirm the bank's requirements in advance.

7. Register with the tax authority

Complete tax registration and confirm your invoicing setup. Tax obligations depend on your business activities and location, so take advice on this step rather than relying on general information.

8. Handle employment and social insurance if you hire

If you will employ staff, register for employment and social insurance as required locally. Your own right to work in China depends on your visa and residence status, which is a separate process from company registration.

9. Post-registration items

Depending on your industry, you may need additional licences, customs registration for import or export, or foreign exchange registration. Set up bookkeeping from the first month, because Chinese companies have ongoing filing obligations.

A realistic timeline

There is no universal timeline, and no one can guarantee an approval date. As a rough planning guide, name pre-approval is usually fast, often within days. Document preparation and notarisation or legalisation can take several weeks if documents must be sent abroad. The establishment application itself may take days to a few weeks once the file is complete and correct. Seal making and bank account opening add further time, and bank onboarding can be the longest single step for foreign-invested companies. Additional licences for regulated industries can add weeks or months.

In practice, a straightforward WFOE with complete documents might be planned over roughly one to three months from first preparation to an operating bank account, but delays are common and the range can be wider. Build buffer into your plan, especially for document legalisation and bank checks.

Practical points for founders coming from North Korea

Your personal immigration position and your company's registration are separate matters. Before travelling or committing funds, confirm with a qualified adviser what visa or residence permission you need and whether your circumstances allow the travel and banking steps involved. Banking onboarding, document legalisation and identity checks may require additional evidence, and requirements can vary by bank and city. Do not assume that a company registration alone gives you the right to live or work in China.

Keep originals and copies of every document, keep a simple file of what was submitted where, and use a licensed local agency or lawyer for the filing if you do not read Chinese. The cost of professional help is usually smaller than the cost of a rejected application or a misstated business scope.

This article is general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Confirm all requirements with the relevant Chinese authorities and a qualified professional before acting.