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UnionSPACE

Private advisory service — not a Chinese government website. UnionSPACE is a private business consultancy and commercial services provider. We are not part of, affiliated with, or endorsed by any Chinese market-regulation authority, Ministry of Commerce authority, tax authority, foreign-exchange authority or bank. Government registrations, licences, tax status and bank accounts are issued or controlled by the relevant authorities and institutions.

Mainland China Market Entry · Private Business Advisory

Planning a China WFOE? Confirm the Business Scope Before You Register.

A Mainland China company setup should begin with the activity—not the filing form. Foreign-investment eligibility, the registered business scope, capital, address, governance, tax onboarding and banking expectations need to fit together before registration decisions are finalized.

Start with a China WFOE Fit Review: tell us what the company will actually do, who will own it, where you plan to operate and how you expect to invoice, hire and bank. We will help identify the main structuring and compliance questions before you proceed.

Foreign-investment & scope review Shenzhen / Guangzhou address planning Tax, accounting & banking roadmap
Download Mainland China Company Setup Brochure (PDF)

Page reviewed: 14 September 2026

PRIVATE CONSULTATION

Request a China WFOE Fit Review

Share the essentials. The form opens WhatsApp with your answers so our team can continue the discussion there.

Submitting this form does not submit an application to any Chinese authority and does not guarantee company registration, tax status, licensing, banking or foreign-exchange approval.

Private Advisor

Commercial advisory and coordination. We do not issue government registrations or bank accounts.

Scope First

Foreign-investment eligibility and business scope are reviewed before recommending the setup path.

No Approval Claims

Authorities, tax bureaus and banks make their own independent decisions.

WHY REVIEW FIRST

A China WFOE Is More Than a Business Licence

The company must be structured around the activity it will actually conduct. Registration, tax, invoices, banking and operating substance all depend on that foundation.

1. Foreign-Investment Screening

Review the proposed activity against the Foreign Investment Negative List and any sector-specific ownership or approval conditions.

2. Business Scope

Define the registered scope around the real revenue model, contracts and operating activities instead of relying on a broad marketing description.

3. Capital & Governance

Plan credible registered capital and the legal representative, director, manager, supervisor or audit-committee structure required for the company.

4. Address & Operations

Confirm that the proposed Shenzhen, Guangzhou or other address is accepted for registration and compatible with the planned activity.

CLEAR RESPONSIBILITIES

What Chinese Authorities and Banks Do — and What UnionSPACE Does

UnionSPACE provides private professional support. Government authorities and financial institutions remain responsible for official registration, tax administration and approvals.

Relevant Authorities / Financial Institutions
UnionSPACE Private Advisory
  • Set foreign-investment, company-registration and sector rules.
  • Accept, review or reject company-registration and licensing submissions.
  • Control tax registration, taxpayer status, invoice systems and tax administration.
  • Control foreign-exchange procedures and other regulated approvals where applicable.
  • Banks independently decide KYC, attendance and account approval.
  • Review the proposed activity, ownership and business scope before filing.
  • Coordinate registration documents, eligible address arrangements and company seals within the agreed scope.
  • Prepare a tax, accounting and operational-readiness roadmap.
  • Coordinate local professional support in Shenzhen or Guangzhou where applicable.
  • Prepare bank application files and introductions without guaranteeing approval.

Prefer to consult official sources directly?

Businesses may consult Chinese government information and channels directly. UnionSPACE charges for private advisory and commercial support, not for issuing government documents.

The attached source page references the official Foreign Investment Negative List, State Council registered-capital implementation rules, market-regulation guidance on foreign-invested company registration, and State Taxation Administration enterprise-income-tax guidance.

HOW WE WORK

From Business-Scope Review to Operational Readiness

The business-licence stage is only one part of becoming operational in Mainland China.

Scope, Structure & Address Review

Confirm foreign-investment eligibility, business scope, ownership, registered capital, governance and address suitability.

Company Registration & Seals

Prepare the Articles and registration dossier, coordinate the authority filing, unified business licence and required company seals.

Tax & Invoice Onboarding

Coordinate tax registration, taxpayer classification, electronic tax access, invoice-related setup and the recurring filing calendar.

Corporate Bank Application

Prepare the application file and coordinate introductions. The bank independently reviews KYC, ownership, address, source of funds, business model and expected transactions.

Approx. 10–20 daysSource-page estimate for a straightforward business-licence stage
100%Foreign-owned where the activity permits
Separate stagesTax, invoice capability and bank onboarding follow registration

INVESTOR FIT

When a Mainland China WFOE Deserves Serious Consideration

Often Relevant When You Need To

  • Conduct a permitted commercial activity in Mainland China.
  • Enter local contracts, hire employees, invoice customers and pay tax locally.
  • Maintain a credible local address and ongoing accounting/tax compliance.
  • Fund the company with registered capital appropriate to the operating plan.

Review the Structure Carefully When

  • The activity appears on the Foreign Investment Negative List.
  • Manufacturing, import/export, education, telecom, finance or another regulated sector is involved.
  • The project depends on an address-only arrangement without real operating substance.
  • The launch plan assumes a guaranteed bank account or unrealistically short operational timeline.

PRIVATE CASE REVIEW & PLANNING

Start With a Written Mainland China Setup Recommendation Before You Commit to Implementation

Before committing to a WFOE registration, address, registered capital, tax setup or banking, we first review the proposed business scope and map the most suitable way forward for the specific China project.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

What a Mainland China Foreign-Invested LLC Needs

Final requirements depend on the proposed activity, city, shareholder type, sector approvals and governance structure.

Shareholder

At least one eligible shareholder. A foreign individual or corporate entity may hold the company where the activity permits.

Legal Representative

A natural person authorized under the Articles to represent the company externally. The role carries significant authority and responsibility.

Registered Capital

No single general minimum applies to every ordinary LLC. Capital should credibly support the approved activity and operating plan.

Business Scope & Licences

The registered scope must match the intended operations. Restricted or regulated activities can require additional approvals before operation.

ONGOING COMPLIANCE

Accounting, Tax Filing & Annual Compliance

Filing frequency and tax obligations depend on taxpayer classification, transactions, employees, invoice activity and local tax-bureau requirements.

Periodic Accounting & Tax Filing

Maintain Chinese accounting records and submit the VAT, surcharges, withholding, payroll and enterprise-income-tax filings applicable to the company. The source page notes that some returns may be monthly or quarterly, including zero filings where required.

Source-page service starting point: THB 6,500/month for companies with monthly revenue below RMB 450,000.

Corporate Income Tax

The attached source page states a standard corporate income tax rate of 25%. It also notes that qualified enterprises, such as certain high-tech or encouraged-industry companies, may enjoy reduced rates or incentives subject to approval and compliance conditions.

Tax treatment should be reviewed against the company’s facts before relying on a headline rate.

FAQ

China Company Setup Advisory FAQs

Practical questions foreign investors often ask before establishing a Mainland China WFOE.

No. UnionSPACE is a private business advisory and commercial services provider. We are not a Chinese government registration authority, tax authority, foreign-exchange authority or bank.

The attached source page states that many activities permit a wholly foreign-owned limited liability company, commonly called a WFOE. The permitted ownership and approval route depend on the current Foreign Investment Negative List and sector-specific rules.

According to the source page, a Chinese shareholder is not generally required for activities open to full foreign ownership. Restricted activities can impose ownership caps, joint-venture requirements or prohibitions.

The source page states that companies may only operate within their approved business scope as registered with the authorities. The scope should therefore reflect the actual operating and revenue model.

The source page estimates a straightforward business-licence stage at approximately 10–20 business days after the activity, name, address and shareholder documents are accepted. Seals, tax onboarding, invoice capability, foreign-exchange procedures and bank onboarding follow separately.

The source page states that there is no single general minimum for every ordinary limited liability company. Registered capital must be credible for the activities and costs, and subscribed contributions for a newly formed LLC are generally due within five years after establishment, subject to sector-specific rules.

No Hong Kong-style corporate secretary is described as a general statutory requirement in the source page. The company instead needs the governance roles required by its structure, including a legal representative and the applicable director, manager, supervisor or audit-committee arrangements.

The source page states that much of the preparation and registration can often be coordinated remotely, subject to notarization, legalization and authority requirements. Bank onboarding is separate and may require personal attendance.

The attached source page states that the standard Corporate Income Tax rate is 25%. It also notes that some qualified enterprises or encouraged industries may enjoy reduced rates or tax incentives subject to approval and compliance requirements.

No. Banks conduct their own KYC, ownership, source-of-funds, address and business-model review. UnionSPACE can help prepare documents and coordinate introductions, but the bank controls approval, interview requirements and timing.

Official Mainland China Information Sources

The attached source page points readers to the official Foreign Investment Negative List, State Council registered-capital implementation rules, market-regulation guidance on foreign-invested company registration, and State Taxation Administration enterprise-income-tax guidance.

Information on this page is general and is intended to explain UnionSPACE's private advisory service. It does not constitute legal, tax, investment, foreign-exchange or banking advice. Requirements and authority practices can change. Obtain case-specific advice before acting.

NEXT STEP

Describe the Business. We’ll Help You Frame the Right China WFOE Structure.

Start with your actual activities, customers, target city, capital plan and banking needs—not with a generic filing offer.

WhatsAppFit Review

Contact Our Multilingual Team in Thailand

Our team speaks English, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, Kazakh, Burmese, Thai, and Indonesian — Monday to Friday, 9AM–6PM Bangkok time.

Get in Touch

Leave us a message and a UnionSPACE representative will contact you within 12 hours.

Location

Suite 201 - Level 2, 29 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Phrom Phong, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Open Hours

Local Team. Regional Reach. One Accountable Partner

Free Initial Consultation Available

Tell us what the business will do, who will own it and how you plan to operate in Thailand. Our Bangkok advisory team will identify the lawful structures available and explain the practical cost and consequences of each.

  • A written structural recommendation
  • Consultation fee confirmed before booking
  • Advice available in seven languages
Arrange a consultation Email the advisory team

Prefer to speak directly? Call (+66) 02 1188 988
Monday–Friday, 9:00–18:00 Bangkok time.