Published · Slovakia

China Company Registration: Documents, Steps and Timeline for Slovak Founders

A practical guide for Slovak founders on registering a company in China: the documents you need, the registration steps, realistic timelines, and common pitfalls to plan for. General information only, not legal or tax advice.

So you are a founder in Bratislava or Košice and you have decided to set up a business presence in China. That is a big step, and the paperwork can look intimidating from a distance. This guide walks you through what the registration process generally involves, which documents Slovak founders typically need to prepare, and how long the different stages tend to take. It is general information only — not legal, tax or investment advice — and Chinese rules change, so always confirm details with a licensed local adviser before you commit money or sign anything.

First, decide what kind of entity you are registering

Most foreign founders entering China choose one of two structures. A wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) is a limited liability company owned entirely by foreign investors. It is the most common vehicle for a foreign company that wants to trade, provide services, manufacture or hire staff locally. A joint venture involves a Chinese partner and may make sense where local licenses, land or distribution relationships are easier to obtain with a domestic shareholder.

There is also the representative office, which is not a separate legal entity and cannot generate revenue directly — it is mainly a liaison presence. Many Slovak exporters start by selling through a Chinese distributor or an e-commerce platform and only register a WFOE once volumes justify it. Be honest with yourself about what the entity must actually do: invoice in RMB, import goods, employ people, hold a lease, or qualify for a particular licence.

Documents Slovak founders typically need to prepare

Chinese authorities require foreign documents to be notarised and legalised. Because Slovakia is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, Slovak public documents are generally apostilled rather than consular-legalised, but always check the current requirement with your Chinese adviser, as procedures and acceptance vary by city.

Corporate documents (if the shareholder is a Slovak company)

• Certificate of incorporation / extract from the Slovak Commercial Register (Obchodný register), apostilled.
• Articles of association or founding deed.
• Board or shareholder resolution approving the China investment and appointing an authorised signatory.
• Passport copies of directors and the legal representative.
• Proof of the company's registered address in Slovakia.
• A bank reference letter or proof of funds, sometimes requested.

Documents if the shareholder is an individual

• Passport copy, notarised and apostilled where required.
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement).
• Curriculum vitae and, in some cities, a police clearance certificate.

China-side documents

• Proposed company name (three to five alternatives in Chinese, with an English version).
• Registered address in China — a real lease or a serviced-office agreement acceptable to the local administration.
• Articles of association drafted for the Chinese entity.
• Business scope wording that matches the local catalogue of permitted activities.
• Appointment documents for the legal representative, supervisor and, where relevant, the board.
• Capital contribution plan (amount, currency and schedule).

Translations must usually be done by a recognised translation agency and stamped. Budget time for this: a missing apostille or an untranslated page can send you back to the start.

The registration steps, in order

1. Name pre-approval

You submit proposed names to the local market regulation administration (formerly the AIC). Names must be unique in the jurisdiction and follow Chinese naming rules. This is usually quick, but common words get rejected, so prepare alternatives.

2. Registered address and lease

You need a physical address that the local authority accepts for your business scope. Serviced offices and virtual address providers are widely used, but confirm in writing that the address can be used for company registration and for the licences you need.

3. Business licence application

The core filing goes to the market regulation administration, often through an online portal. You submit the articles, shareholder documents, legal representative details and address proof. If accepted, you receive the business licence — the moment the company legally exists.

4. Company seals

In China the company chop matters more than a signature in many contexts. You will need the official company seal, the legal representative seal, the finance seal and the contract seal, usually engraved at an authorised shop after the licence is issued.

5. Bank account opening

Open a basic RMB account and, if you plan cross-border payments, a foreign currency account. Banks apply their own due diligence, including on the ultimate beneficial owners, so expect questions and prepare a clear explanation of your business model.

6. Tax and customs registration

Register with the tax authority, choose your accounting method, and — if you import or export — complete customs and foreign trade operator registrations. You will also need to arrange invoicing systems (fapiao) and a bookkeeping solution.

7. Capital contribution

Contribute registered capital according to the schedule in your articles. Under current company law, capital contribution rules have been tightened, so agree a realistic amount and timeline with your adviser rather than choosing the highest number you can justify.

8. Sector-specific licences

If your business touches food, education, logistics, medical devices, online content or financial services, additional approvals apply. These can dominate the timeline, so map them before you sign a lease.

Realistic timeline

For a straightforward WFOE in a tier-one or tier-two city, with all documents ready and a compliant address, founders commonly see the business licence issued within roughly two to six weeks of filing. However, the full setup — seals, bank account, tax registration, invoicing capability and any licences — often takes two to three months in total. Add several weeks upfront for apostilles, translations and bank due diligence in Slovakia. Sectors requiring special approvals can take considerably longer.

The biggest delays are rarely the government filing itself. They are missing apostilles, an address that fails inspection, a business scope that does not fit the local catalogue, or a bank that wants more documentation on the foreign shareholder.

Practical tips for Slovak founders

• Start document legalisation early — it is the slowest part you control.
• Choose the city based on your customers and staff, not just on incentives; local practice varies.
• Keep the initial business scope narrow and accurate; you can expand it later.
• Appoint a China-based legal representative and bookkeeper you trust, and clarify who holds the seals.
• Budget for annual compliance: bookkeeping, tax filings, statutory reports and audit where required.
• Consider whether a Hong Kong or Singapore holding structure fits your long-term plan, but take advice on the tax implications in Slovakia and China before doing so.

A final word

Registering a company in China is a well-trodden path, but it rewards preparation. Treat the documents as a project with a checklist, allow more time than you think you need, and work with a licensed local adviser who can confirm current rules in your chosen city. This article is general information for Slovak founders and is not legal, tax or investment advice; specific decisions about structure, capital and compliance should be made with qualified professionals.