In 2026, China continues to optimize the business environment for foreign investment, introducing a number of policies to simplify the process for foreigners to register companies in China, expand opening up in fields such as the service industry, and fully integrate online and offline handling channels, making it more convenient and efficient for foreign investors to register companies. Many foreign travelers come to China to do business, and after clarifying their business entity, their biggest confusions are “what steps do I need to take to register a company”, “what is the difference between online and offline handling”, and “which links are easy to step on pitfalls”. Combined with the 2026 latest policies, this article uses plain language to break down the complete process from name verification to license collection, details the two online and offline handling methods, and supplements high-frequency pitfall avoidance tips, with a word count exceeding 700, helping foreign travelers easily complete company registration, avoid detours and compliance risks.
First, clarify the core premise: In 2026, for foreigners to register a company in China, it is mainly divided into two categories: “domestic-funded enterprises” and “foreign-funded enterprises” (refer to the previous entity selection guide for specific applicable scenarios). Those with a Chinese Green Card can register domestic-funded enterprises, while those without a Green Card can only register foreign-funded enterprises (including wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Sino-foreign joint ventures). The registration processes for the two types of enterprises are basically the same, with only slight differences in material requirements. The following processes are all applicable to the 2026 latest regulations, covering all online and offline channels, without complex professional terms, easy to understand at a glance.
The core of the full process is divided into 4 key steps: Name Verification (Enterprise Name Approval) → Submission of Registration Materials → Review and Publicity → Collection of Business License. Each step supports online and offline handling. Foreign travelers can flexibly choose according to their own situation. The two methods have the same legal effect, the same review standards and handling results, with only slight differences in handling convenience and time consumption.
Step 1: Name Verification (Enterprise Name Approval) – The “first threshold” for registering a company, and also the most basic link. Only after name verification is passed can we enter the subsequent processes. In 2026, the name verification process is further simplified, and the review efficiency is greatly improved. The core of name verification is to “determine the enterprise name”, which must comply with the Administrative Regulations on Enterprise Name Registration, without illegal words, and not duplicate with the names of registered or to-be-registered enterprises in the same industry.
Online Handling (Recommended, Time-saving and Efficient): Open the “National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System” (nationwide, supporting Chinese and English interfaces), find the entry of “Pre-approval of Enterprise Name”, select the location of the proposed company registration (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.), fill in the proposed enterprise name, enterprise type (domestic-funded/foreign-funded), registered capital, business scope, and shareholder information (foreign shareholders need to fill in passport number and nationality), and submit the name verification application. According to the 2026 new policy, the name verification review time limit is shortened to 1 working day. After submitting the application, you can check the review result on the same day; if the name verification is rejected, the system will clearly mark the reason for rejection (such as duplicate name, containing illegal words), which can be modified and re-submitted without going to offline windows. The whole process is operated online, supporting real-name authentication with foreign passports.
Offline Handling (Suitable for Travelers Unfamiliar with Online Operation): Carry the original and copy of your passport (need to be notarized by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad; in 2026, some cities can handle notarization verification on site without advance notarization), a list of alternative names for the proposed enterprise (it is recommended to prepare 3-5 to avoid duplicate names), and a description of the business scope. Go to the “Foreign Investment Registration Window” of the government service center in the place of proposed registration, fill in the Application Form for Pre-approval of Enterprise Name, and submit it to the staff for review. The offline review time limit is 1-2 working days. After passing the review, the staff will issue the Notice of Pre-approval of Enterprise Name (paper version); if rejected, you can consult and modify it on site and re-submit the application on the spot.
Key Requirements for Name Verification (2026 Latest): The enterprise name must consist of administrative division, font size, industry, and organizational form. The font size must be composed of more than two standard Chinese characters, and cannot use the name of an administrative division above the county level or industry characteristics as the font size (except for other meanings); it is prohibited to use words that harm national interests, contain discrimination, or violate public order and good customs, nor can it use the names of foreign countries, international organizations and their general abbreviations; wholly foreign-owned or holding enterprises using the font size of foreign investors can contain the words “(China)” in their names without additional approval. After the name verification is passed, the Notice of Pre-approval of Enterprise Name is valid for 6 months. If the subsequent registration process is not completed within 6 months, the name verification will automatically become invalid and needs to be re-applied.
Step 2: Submission of Registration Materials – After the name verification is passed, enter the core handling link. The 2026 new policy further simplifies the list of materials, cancels many redundant certificates, and supports the submission of materials both online and offline. Foreign-funded enterprises do not need to submit additional “foreign investment approval documents” (except for industries in the negative list), implementing a “recordation system” with a more convenient process.
Online Handling: Log in to the foreign investment registration area of the “Government Service Network” in the place of proposed registration (supporting Chinese and English operations), and upload electronic versions of all registration materials. The core materials include: screenshot of the Notice of Pre-approval of Enterprise Name, shareholder identification (scanned copy of the original passport of foreign shareholders, which needs to complete notarization verification; in 2026, notarization documents can be uploaded online without on-site submission), articles of association (foreign-funded enterprises need to include clauses related to foreign investment access; the system provides a standard template that can be modified and adapted), commitment letter for subscribed registered capital (in 2026, the subscribed capital system is still implemented; there is no minimum registered capital limit for foreign-funded enterprises, no capital verification report needs to be submitted, and the subscribed period can be agreed by oneself), proof of registered address (scanned copy of the real estate certificate or lease contract of the commercial address; residential addresses cannot be used for enterprise registration; some parks can provide virtual registered addresses, which need to confirm the park’s qualifications in advance), identification and appointment documents of the legal representative, and confirmation of business scope (must comply with the Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List); for those beyond the scope of the negative list, approval procedures need to be completed first). After all materials are uploaded, submit them to the system for review. The system will automatically verify the completeness of the materials. If materials are missing, it will clearly prompt, which can be supplemented and modified online without going offline.
Offline Handling: Carry the original and copies of all materials (all in A4 size; copies of foreign shareholders’ passports need to be notarized) and submit them to the foreign investment registration window of the government service center in the place of proposed registration. The materials include: original Notice of Pre-approval of Enterprise Name, original and copies of shareholder identification, articles of association (need to be signed and confirmed by shareholders; the signature of foreign shareholders must be consistent with that on the passport), commitment letter for subscribed registered capital, original and copies of registered address proof, appointment documents and identification of the legal representative, and confirmation of business scope. The staff will verify the materials on site. If the materials are complete and meet the requirements, they will be accepted on the spot and an Acceptance Notice will be issued; if the materials are missing or do not meet the requirements, the required supplementary content will be informed at one time, which can be modified and re-submitted on the spot to avoid multiple trips.
Key Reminder: In 2026, there are two major simplifications for foreign-funded enterprise registration materials: first, the “no criminal record certificate for foreign shareholders” is cancelled (except for special industries); second, the “bank credit certificate” is cancelled, and only the shareholder’s subscribed commitment letter needs to be submitted; however, industries in the negative list (such as finance, education, medical care, etc.) still need to submit additional approval documents as required. Those who have not obtained approval cannot submit registration materials.
Step 3: Review and Publicity – In 2026, the review efficiency is greatly improved. The online and offline review standards are unified, the whole process is open and transparent, and no additional appointment follow-up is needed. After submitting materials online, the review time limit is 2-3 working days; after offline acceptance, the review time limit is 1-2 working days. The review is divided into “formal review” and “substantive review”. The formal review focuses on verifying the completeness of materials and the authenticity of signatures, while the substantive review focuses on verifying whether the business scope, registered address and shareholder qualifications comply with the regulations.
After passing the review, it will be publicized on the “National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System” and the government service network of the place of proposed registration. The publicity period is 1 working day (in 2026, the publicity period is shortened from 3 working days to 1 working day). If there is no objection to the publicity, enter the license collection link; if there is an objection to the publicity, the system will feedback the objection content, and the applicant needs to submit an explanation within 3 working days. If verified to be correct, the handling will continue; if verified to be non-compliant, the review will be rejected, and it needs to be modified and re-submitted.
If the review is rejected, there is no need to worry. The system will clearly mark the reason for rejection. Common rejection situations include: the registered address does not meet the requirements (such as residential address), the business scope includes unapproved projects in the negative list, the foreign shareholder’s identification has not completed notarization, and the clauses of the articles of association are not standardized. After targeted modification and re-submission, the review can usually be passed within 1-2 working days.
Step 4: Collection of Business License – After there is no objection to the review and publicity, you can collect the business license. In 2026, you can collect the electronic business license online and the paper business license offline. Both have the same legal effect and can be used separately without collecting them at the same time.
Online Collection: Log in to the “National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System” or the government service network, find the entry for collecting the “Electronic Business License”, complete the real-name authentication, and then download the electronic business license (PDF format), which can be directly used for all business activities such as bidding and tendering, bank account opening, and tax registration, without printing the paper version, which is convenient and efficient.
Offline Collection: Carry the Acceptance Notice and the original passport of the legal representative (or the original ID card and power of attorney of the entrusted agent), and go to the foreign investment registration window of the government service center to collect the paper business license (one original and one copy). The staff will issue the Enterprise Registration Notification on the spot, clarifying the subsequent matters to be handled (such as tax registration, bank account opening), without additional fees (enterprise registration is free of charge in 2026, without any registration fees).
After collecting the business license, the enterprise is officially established and can carry out legal business activities. However, it should be noted that within 30 days from the date of collecting the business license, it is necessary to complete tax registration and bank account opening. Foreign-funded enterprises also need to complete the foreign investment recordation (which can be handled online without submitting materials offline). Failure to handle it on time may result in fines and affect the normal operation of the enterprise.
III. High-Frequency Pitfall Avoidance Tips for Foreigners to Register Companies in China in 2026 (Must Read)
Pitfall 1: Confusing the registration requirements of “domestic-funded enterprises” and “foreign-funded enterprises”, and arbitrarily registering domestic-funded enterprises without a Chinese Green Card. The 2026 regulations clearly state that foreign investors without a Chinese Green Card can only register foreign-funded enterprises (wholly foreign-owned, Sino-foreign joint ventures). If they illegally register domestic-funded enterprises, once verified, the enterprise will be included in the list of abnormal operations, face fines, or even have its business license revoked. It is necessary to confirm your own qualifications in advance to avoid violations.
Pitfall 2: Illegal registered address, using residential address or false address for registration. In 2026, the inspection of registered addresses will be strengthened. Residential addresses, temporary addresses, and false addresses cannot be used for enterprise registration. Some foreign investors use false addresses to save costs, which will be inspected by tax and market supervision departments later, leading to the enterprise’s inability to file taxes normally, issue invoices, or even have its license revoked. It is recommended to choose a compliant commercial address or a virtual registered address in the park (need to confirm that the park can provide address hosting services).
Pitfall 3: Ignoring the connection between business scope and the negative list, and filling in the business scope blindly. In 2026, the negative list for foreign investment access is further reduced, but industries such as finance, education, medical care, and press and publication still need approval. If the business scope filled in by foreign investors includes projects in the negative list and no advance approval procedures are completed, the registration materials will be rejected, and even the validity of the subsequent name verification will be affected. It is recommended to check the negative list in advance and confirm the business scope before submitting the application.
Pitfall 4: Misunderstanding the “subscribed capital system”, promising excessively high registered capital or excessively long subscribed period. In 2026, foreign-funded enterprises implement the subscribed capital system with no minimum limit, but the subscribed amount must match their own operating strength. If an excessively high registered capital is promised (such as tens of millions or hundreds of millions), and it cannot be subscribed on time later, it will affect the enterprise’s credit; an excessively long subscribed period (such as 30 years or 50 years) may also be inspected by the regulatory authorities. It is recommended to reasonably agree on the subscribed amount and period (usually 5-10 years is appropriate) according to the actual business needs.
Pitfall 5: Failure to complete passport real-name authentication during online handling, leading to the rejection of material review. In 2026, online registration requires real-name authentication of foreign shareholders’ passports. Some foreign investors fail to pass the real-name authentication due to unclear passport scanned copies or inconsistent signatures, delaying the review progress. It is recommended to upload a clear scanned copy of the original passport to ensure that the signature is consistent with the passport.
Pitfall 6: Failure to submit registration materials within the time limit after passing the name verification, leading to the invalidation of the name verification. The Notice of Pre-approval of Enterprise Name is valid for 6 months. Some foreign investors fail to complete the registration within the time limit due to untimely preparation of materials, resulting in the automatic invalidation of the name verification and the need for re-name verification, which wastes time. It is recommended to prepare and submit the registration materials as soon as possible after the name verification is passed, and reasonably plan the handling time.
IV. Supplementary Instructions (2026 Latest)
1. Handling Time Limit: The whole online handling takes about 3-5 working days, and the offline handling takes about 4-7 working days. Industries in the negative list need additional approval time (about 7-10 working days); 2. Entrusted Handling: Foreign investors can entrust natural persons, enterprises or intermediary institutions in China to handle the registration process, which requires submitting a formal power of attorney and the agent’s identification. In 2026, online entrustment is supported without on-site signature; 3. Language Support: Online handling platforms all support Chinese and English interfaces, offline government service centers can provide English consulting services, and some cities also set up special foreign investment service windows to assist in handling the whole process.
Summary: In 2026, the process for foreigners to register companies in China has been greatly simplified, with online and offline handling, streamlined materials and efficient review. The core is to grasp the four steps of “name verification – submission of materials – review and publicity – license collection”, avoid the above high-frequency pitfalls, confirm your own qualifications and business scope in advance, and you can complete the registration efficiently. If you are not familiar with the process, you can entrust a professional intermediary institution to assist you, save time and energy, and smoothly start your business journey in China.
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