Intro
Expanding into China means navigating one of the world's most complex regulatory environments. Foreign businesses face layered approval processes, strict compliance requirements, and ongoing administrative obligations that extend far beyond initial registration. The right incorporation partner doesn't just file paperwork; they help you structure your entry correctly, maintain compliance, and transition smoothly into operations. We've shortlisted the top 5 incorporation services that help foreign companies establish a legal presence in China while managing the regulatory complexity that follows. Let's dive in.
Incorporation Services at a Glance
| Company | Best For | Key Advantage | Starting Price |
| MSA Asia | Foreign SMEs entering China with ongoing operational needs | Transparent and affordable fixed pricing | $2,999 (one-time) |
| Remote People | Companies needing global incorporation across 150+ countries | Platform-based incorporation with workforce services | $6,900 (one-time) |
| PwC | Large enterprises requiring tax-efficient entity structuring | Global network with local regulatory expertise | Custom pricing |
| EY | Multinational corporations with complex cross-border structures | Multidisciplinary advisory across jurisdictions | Custom pricing |
| Deloitte | Organizations needing integrated transformation support | Advisory-led approach with operational services | Custom pricing |
1) MSA Asia - Incorporation Partner with Full Operational Support
MSA Asia stands out because it doesn't stop at company registration. While many providers hand you a business license and walk away, MSA Asia supports foreign companies through the entire lifecycle from market entry planning to post-incorporation operations. This matters in China, where getting registered is just the beginning. You still need tax registration, bank accounts, VAT invoicing capability, employer registration, and sector-specific licenses before you can actually operate.
The company has registered over 500 WFOEs for international investors and supported more than 1,500 businesses navigating China's regulatory environment. With offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore, MSA Asia provides localized support across every major Chinese city and province while maintaining consistent service delivery across Asian markets.
Key Features:
- Complete post-registration setup: Handles tax registration, bank account opening, VAT invoice setup, employer registration, and sector-specific licensing so your entity becomes fully operational, not just legally registered.
- Dedicated account manager model: Every client gets one primary point of contact across all services and markets, supported by a multidisciplinary team including lawyers and CPAs who address regulatory and tax requirements.
- Integrated accounting and compliance: Combines incorporation with the accounting, payroll, tax compliance, and ongoing administration that foreign businesses need immediately after setup, eliminating the need for multiple vendors.
- Scalable service expansion: Services grow with your business from initial market entry through active operations, allowing you to add accounting, payroll, or tax support as needs change without switching providers.
Pricing starts at $2,999
| Service Plan | Price | Billing Cycle | Features Included |
| Incorporation | $2,999 | One-time | Business license, company documentation, registration guidance, company chops |
| Accounting | $199 | Monthly | Bookkeeping, compliance maintenance, free setup |
| Payroll | $19 per employee | Monthly | Salary calculations, tax filing, social security contributions |
| Employer of Record | $199 per employee | Monthly | Employment contracts, payroll, tax filings, benefits administration |
What else can you do with MSA Asia?
Beyond incorporation, MSA Asia provides the operational infrastructure foreign companies need to run their China business. This includes monthly accounting, tax filing, payroll administration, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance management. Unlike the Big 4 firms that typically serve large enterprises through custom-priced engagements, MSA Asia offers transparent, fixed pricing designed for small and medium-sized foreign businesses entering China. You get clear costs upfront with no hidden fees, bundled pricing for multi-service engagements, and no minimum contract period.
2) Remote People - Global Incorporation Platform with Workforce Infrastructure
Remote People approaches incorporation as part of a broader global hiring infrastructure. The platform lets companies establish legal entities across 150+ countries while integrating those entities with employment, payroll, and compliance services. This makes sense if you're expanding into multiple markets simultaneously and need one system to manage both entity setup and workforce operations.
The company operates through owned local entities and provides dedicated account managers with no chatbots or ticket queues. Founded in 2018, Remote People positions itself as a full-lifecycle platform that combines recruitment, employment, and incorporation services so businesses can source talent and establish legal presence through the same provider.
Key Features:
- Multi-country incorporation support: Registers companies across 150+ countries with local director services, registered addresses where required, and guidance for opening local bank accounts in each jurisdiction.
- Integrated workforce services: Connects incorporation directly to EOR services, global payroll, contractor management, and benefits administration so you can hire employees immediately after entity formation without additional vendors.
- Compliance infrastructure built-in: Monitors law changes, tax updates, and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions, applying updates automatically to employment contracts, payroll processing, and workforce administration workflows.
- Platform-based entity management: Centralizes company documents, contracts, tax forms, regulatory filings, and compliance records in one system with digital signatures and employee self-service access.
Considerations before going with Remote People:
Service coverage varies by offering, with incorporation available in 150+ countries but payroll limited to 100+ countries and visa support to 80+ countries. Some benefits and mobility services depend on local market availability.
Pricing starts at $6,900
| Service Plan | Price | Billing Cycle | Features Included |
| Company Incorporation | $6,900 | One-time | Company registration, local director, bank guidance |
| Setup Fee | From $2,500 | One-time | Initial entity configuration |
| Ongoing Compliance | From $199 | Monthly | Corporate compliance and regulatory filings |
Custom Pricing:
Incorporation pricing varies by jurisdiction and includes setup fees plus ongoing compliance costs. The model targets companies expanding globally who need entity formation integrated with workforce services across multiple countries rather than China-specific incorporation support.
3) PwC - Tax-Efficient Entity Structuring for Large Enterprises
PwC supports organizations establishing legal entities as part of international expansion and corporate structuring initiatives. The firm helps 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 All-in-One Platform for Effective SEO
Behind every successful business is a strong SEO campaign. But with countless optimization tools and techniques out there to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Well, fear no more, cause I've got just the thing to help. Presenting the Ranktracker all-in-one platform for effective SEO
We have finally opened registration to Ranktracker absolutely free!
Create a free accountOr Sign in using your credentials
Through its global network of member firms, PwC provides support across multiple jurisdictions, allowing organizations to access local expertise while coordinating expansion strategies across global markets. The firm combines tax and legal services with advisory capabilities to help organizations manage the regulatory, operational, and strategic considerations involved in entering new markets like China.
Key Features:
- Tax-efficient structuring: Designs entity structures that align tax obligations with business strategy, helping organizations manage international tax regulations and economic risk while maintaining compliance across jurisdictions.
- Cross-border coordination: Leverages a global network of member firms to provide coordinated support when establishing entities in multiple countries, ensuring consistent approach while addressing local regulatory requirements.
- Integrated legal and tax advisory: Combines corporate structuring with tax planning, regulatory filings, and governance frameworks so entity formation aligns with broader business objectives and compliance obligations.
- Deal and transaction support: Provides entity structuring guidance during mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, helping businesses evaluate opportunities and execute transactions that support long-term growth.
Considerations before going with PwC:
Services are delivered through consulting engagements tailored to each client's needs, meaning implementation timelines and deliverables vary based on engagement scope. PwC operates through independent member firms, so service delivery may involve coordination between multiple entities depending on jurisdiction.
Custom Pricing:
PwC determines pricing based on engagement scope, service complexity, and resources required. Fees vary by the type of advisory, consulting, or tax services requested and the scale of the engagement. This model targets large enterprises and multinational corporations requiring comprehensive advisory support rather than straightforward incorporation services.
4) EY - Multidisciplinary Entity Formation for Complex Structures
EY provides professional services that support 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.
The firm operates through a globally connected network of professionals who support organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions. This network enables coordinated services for companies that require entity formation and operational support in multiple countries, with cross-border teams working together to provide integrated advisory services.
Key Features:
- Jurisdiction selection advisory: Helps organizations assess market conditions, regulatory frameworks, and operational requirements across jurisdictions to make informed decisions about where to establish legal entities and how to structure operations.
- Multidisciplinary approach: Combines legal advisory, tax expertise, and operational insights to develop entity structures designed to improve efficiency and reduce complexity across international operations.
- Ongoing entity maintenance: Provides continued support for organizations operating across multiple jurisdictions by helping maintain legal entities in accordance with regulatory, legal, and operational requirements in each location.
- Corporate governance management: Establishes governance frameworks that guide corporate oversight, decision-making, and accountability across business operations while aligning internal policies with regulatory expectations.
Considerations before going with EY:
EY delivers services through advisory and consulting engagements structured around professional services models rather than standardized solutions. Services are customized to each client's requirements, so scope, timeline, and delivery models vary based on organizational objectives and regulatory environment.
Custom Pricing:
EY determines pricing based on engagement scope, complexity, and requirements. Services are delivered through customized professional service engagements with pricing structures that vary depending on services provided and the scale of operational or strategic objectives. This approach targets large organizations with complex entity structures across multiple jurisdictions.
5) Deloitte - Advisory-Led Entity Setup with Transformation Support
Deloitte provides advisory services that support organizations during 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. The firm's global network allows organizations to access cross-border advisory support when expanding into new markets or managing international operations.
Key Features:
- Integrated transformation support: Combines entity formation with broader business transformation initiatives, operational optimization, and technology implementation so expansion supports strategic objectives beyond just legal establishment.
- Regulatory and risk advisory: Helps organizations interpret regulatory requirements, strengthen governance frameworks, and implement processes that align business operations with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
- Global delivery infrastructure: Leverages global delivery centers and shared capabilities across regions to provide specialized expertise, operational scalability, and consistent service delivery when establishing entities in multiple markets.
- Industry-specific expertise: Provides sector-focused advisory services rooted in research and business insights to help organizations address industry-specific challenges during entity formation and market entry.
Considerations before going with Deloitte:
Deloitte operates as a network of independent member firms, meaning service delivery may involve coordination between multiple firms across regions. Service availability and scope can vary depending on jurisdiction, regulatory requirements, and the capabilities of the specific member firm providing the service.
Custom Pricing:
Deloitte determines pricing based on engagement scope, complexity, and duration. Fees vary depending on the type of service provided, expertise required, and resources involved. Pricing structures are defined through individual client agreements, targeting large enterprises and complex organizations requiring professional advisory support across multiple business functions.
The Verdict: Which Service Should You Choose? (Our Top 3 Picks)
For most foreign businesses entering China, the right incorporation partner depends on your size, budget, and operational complexity.
MSA Asia is the clear choice for small and medium-sized foreign businesses that need both incorporation and ongoing operational support at transparent, fixed pricing. You get complete setup through active operations without vendor switching.
Remote People works best if you're expanding into multiple countries simultaneously and need entity formation integrated with global workforce services across 150+ countries through one platform.
PwC makes sense for large enterprises requiring tax-efficient entity structuring across multiple jurisdictions with comprehensive advisory support. The Big 4 firms target multinational corporations through custom-priced engagements, which typically means higher costs than specialized providers like MSA Asia.

