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Re-domiciliation of Cayman Companies to Hong Kong

Introduction

Hong Kong has introduced a new company re-domiciliation regime in 23 May 2025 enabling Cayman companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong, providing greater flexibility for international businesses seeking to establish a formal presence in Hong Kong. This initiative allows eligible overseas entities to transfer their registration to Hong Kong while maintaining their legal identity and operations. For detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and Hong Kong’s specific requirements for re-domiciliation, please refer to our guide on re-domiciling companies to Hong Kong.

Deregistration in the Cayman Islands

Upon successfully obtaining the certificate of re-domiciliation from Hong Kong, companies originally incorporated in the Cayman Islands must initiate deregistration in their home jurisdiction. This step is essential to finalise the re-domiciliation process or else the re-domiciliation registration in Hong Kong may be revoked.

Under the Cayman Companies Act (2023 Revision)(as amended), exempted companies may re-domicile (termed “transfer” or “be registered by way of continuation”) with approval from the Cayman Registrar of Companies. The process generally involves:

  • Securing approvals per the company’s memorandum and articles of association;
  • Obtaining all requisite consents and additional regulatory clearances;
  • Submitting the notice of proposed change in company name (where applicable);
  • Submitting the director’s undertaking on creditor notifications;
  • Submitting a declaration or affidavit of a director of the company affirming solvency-related confirmations,
  • that the deregistration application is made in good faith and compliance with all legal prerequisites;
  • Submitting the statement of assets and liabilities; and
  • Payment of relevant application fees.

If the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands is satisfied with the application, a certificate indicating the deregistration will be issued and the company will no longer be a company registered under Cayman law.

As part of the company re-domiciliation process to Hong Kong, Charltons will work with Cayman legal counsel and the registered agent of the company where necessary to prepare the documents for the de-registration and transfer in the Cayman Islands for a smooth exit out of the Cayman Islands. Refer to our guide here for more details on re-domiciling your Cayman company to Hong Kong.

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