Scaling into China and the Asia-Pacific region means navigating complex regulatory frameworks, multi-layered compliance requirements, and administrative processes that vary dramatically across jurisdictions.
Foreign companies face challenges ranging from entity formation and tax registration to ongoing accounting obligations and workforce compliance. The right incorporation partner doesn’t just register your business; they help you become operational and stay compliant as you grow. We’ve shortlisted the top 5 business incorporation services that make expanding into these markets significantly easier.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
MSA Asia stands out by combining entity formation with the operational services foreign businesses actually need after incorporation. Rather than stopping at company registration, they support you through tax setup, bank account preparation, accounting implementation, payroll administration, and ongoing compliance management. This integrated approach means you work with one partner from market entry planning through active operations, supported by a dedicated account manager and a team that includes lawyers and CPAs.
Their model is built for businesses that need more than just a registered entity. They help you become genuinely operational in China and across Asian markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and India.
MSA Asia offers transparent, fixed pricing that eliminates the uncertainty many providers create through custom-only engagement models. This makes budgeting straightforward for businesses entering new markets. Beyond incorporation, they provide profit distribution planning, company liquidation support, and immigration advisory for foreign employees, creating a complete lifecycle partner for your Asian operations.
Remote People positions incorporation as part of a broader platform for recruiting, employing, and managing international teams. The company operates across 150+ countries and combines entity formation with Employer of Record services, global payroll, contractor management, and in-house international recruitment. This makes it particularly useful for businesses that need to establish a legal presence while simultaneously building a distributed workforce.
Their model integrates company registration with the employment infrastructure needed immediately after setup, allowing you to hire employees through their owned local entities while your incorporation processes or use their platform to manage your workforce once your entity is operational.
Considerations before going with Remote People: Service availability varies by offering, with incorporation and EOR covering 150+ countries but payroll limited to 100+ countries and visa support to 80+ countries. Some benefits and screening options are country-dependent based on local regulations.
China Company Incorporation is a specialist firm focused exclusively on helping foreign businesses enter and operate in mainland China. Founded in Shanghai in 2009, the firm has completed over 1,200 entity formations across all major Chinese cities and serves clients from more than 40 countries. Their model pairs a bilingual English and Mandarin team with fixed-fee pricing, so foreign businesses always know who to call and what the engagement will cost before any filing begins.
Rather than offering a generic global incorporation platform, China Company Incorporation is purpose-built for the specific complexities of the Chinese regulatory environment. A dedicated incorporation manager handles every stage of the process, from entity selection and name approval through to bank account opening and operational handover. Post-setup services including bookkeeping, tax filing, HR, and visa support mean the relationship continues well beyond license issuance.
| Entity Type | Ownership | Can Issue Invoices | Typical Timeline |
| WFOE | 100% foreign | Yes | 30 to 45 days |
| Joint Venture | Mixed | Yes | 60 to 90 days |
| Representative Office | 100% foreign | No | 20 to 30 days |
| China EOR | No entity needed | No | 5 days |
Beyond formation, China Company Incorporation provides introductions to bookkeeping, HR, and audit providers, and handles foreign exchange registration with SAFE and RMB plus foreign currency bank account opening. For businesses entering regulated sectors or those whose industry requires a Chinese partner, the firm advises on partner selection, structures the JV agreement, and manages due diligence on prospective Chinese counterparties. Their Representative Office service suits early-stage market exploration and supplier coordination, with a straightforward upgrade path to a WFOE when revenue activities begin.
China Company Incorporation provides fixed-fee proposals based on entity type, city, and shareholder structure. Pricing is confirmed before any filing begins. A free 30-minute consultation is available to receive a same-day fee proposal.
PwC supports organizations establishing legal entities as part of international expansion and corporate structuring initiatives. Their services help companies determine appropriate legal structures, navigate regulatory requirements, and coordinate entity setup across different markets. PwC teams assist with corporate structuring, regulatory filings, governance frameworks, and tax-efficient entity design when expanding into new regions.
The firm provides support across multiple jurisdictions through its global network of member firms, allowing organizations to access local expertise while coordinating expansion strategies across global markets.
Considerations before going with PwC: Services are delivered through consulting engagements tailored to specific client needs, meaning implementation timelines and service structures vary based on engagement complexity. PwC operates through a network of independent member firms, so service delivery may involve coordination across multiple entities depending on jurisdiction.
Custom Pricing
PwC determines pricing based on engagement scope, service complexity, and resources required. Fees vary depending on the type of advisory, consulting, or entity setup services requested and the scale of the engagement. Services are structured through formal agreements that define deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities, typically targeting large enterprises and multinational corporations with complex structuring needs.
EY provides professional services supporting organizations in establishing legal entities and operating structures within new jurisdictions. Through multidisciplinary teams that include legal, tax, and advisory professionals, EY assists organizations in addressing the legal and regulatory considerations required for entity formation and business establishment.
Their services help organizations navigate regulatory requirements associated with forming and operating legal entities across different markets, with particular strength in coordinating multi-country entity formation through their globally connected network.
Considerations before going with EY: EY primarily delivers services through advisory and consulting engagements rather than standardized solutions. Service delivery may involve collaboration across multiple member firms depending on jurisdiction, and many services require coordination across consulting, tax, assurance, and advisory disciplines.
Custom Pricing
EY delivers services through engagement models tailored to specific client needs and objectives. Pricing is determined based on scope, complexity, and requirements of each engagement, with structures varying depending on services provided and the scale of operational or strategic objectives. Services are typically delivered through phased approaches that may include strategy development, operational design, and ongoing advisory support.
Deloitte provides advisory services to support organizations through business expansion and transformation initiatives. These services help organizations navigate complex regulatory and business environments while implementing strategies that support growth and operational transformation. Deloitte Legal professionals combine legal expertise and business knowledge to help organizations address complex legal and corporate matters.
Through collaboration across member firms, Deloitte provides global expertise combined with local regulatory knowledge to help organizations operate across multiple jurisdictions and navigate complex cross-border business challenges.
Considerations before going with Deloitte: Deloitte operates as a network of independent member firms, meaning service availability and scope may vary depending on jurisdiction and the specific member firm providing services. Service delivery may require coordination between multiple firms across regions when supporting cross-border engagements.
Custom Pricing
Deloitte determines pricing based on engagement scope, complexity, and duration. Fees vary depending on service type, expertise required, and resources involved in delivering the engagement. Pricing structures are defined through formal service agreements tailored to specific client needs, primarily serving large enterprises, multinational corporations, and complex organizations.
Choosing the right incorporation partner depends on your company size, operational needs, and budget. Here are our top three recommendations based on different business profiles.
MSA Asia is the clear choice for foreign SMEs that need transparent pricing, operational support beyond registration, and a partner who helps you become genuinely functional in China and Asia-Pacific markets.
Remote People works well if you’re building a distributed team simultaneously with entity formation and need integrated hiring infrastructure across 150+ countries alongside your incorporation process.
PwC suits large enterprises requiring strategic entity structuring with tax optimization, especially when entity formation connects to broader transformation initiatives and you have the budget for custom-priced advisory engagements.
