The Xiaoshan District Government Service Center in Hangzhou has issued the city's first fully online business license for a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) established by an individual foreign investor.
Previously, foreign individual investors faced several challenges when registering companies in Hangzhou. Due to the inability to verify their identity through the system, they were required to submit original certified documents of their legal status along with translations. The notarization and certification process typically took 1 to 3 months. Without notarized documents, investors had to present their original passports in person for verification, causing frequent multiple trips or reliance on cross-border courier services.
In April 2025, Zhejiang Province further expanded the scope, registration types, and detailed procedures for fully online registration of enterprises invested in by foreign (and regional) individuals. Through technological upgrades, the province restructured the foreign investment registration process. After completing advanced identity verification on the "Zheli Ban" mobile app, foreign investors can now digitally sign electronic documents on their smartphones just like Chinese citizens. This covers the entire business lifecycle, including establishment, changes, and deregistration.
How Foreign Individuals Can Complete the Entire Investment Process Online in Zhejiang
1.Scope of Application: Foreign-invested limited liability companies or joint-stock companies with registered addresses in Zhejiang. Investors must be either entirely foreign individuals or a combination of foreign and mainland investors.
2.Types of Registration: Services include company establishment, changes, deregistration, and record filing.
3.Registration Process:
(1)Application: Applicants log into the Zhejiang Government Service Network and access the province's fully electronic enterprise registration system. They fill out the company registration or filing application and submit relevant materials. If the company involves foreign investment, related information reports are also completed simultaneously before submission.
(2)Electronic Signature: Once the registration authority approves the application, shareholders, directors, supervisors, and managers digitally sign the documents through their advanced verified accounts on the "Zheli Ban" app. Foreign individuals can register accounts and complete advanced verification using various valid documents such as overseas Chinese passports, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan residents, residence permits, permanent residence cards, or foreign passports.
(3)Advanced Verification Process: Foreign investors may authorize agents to visit the third floor "Open Section" of Xiaoshan District Government Service Center with original ID documents and residential registration proofs issued by public security authorities to complete the advanced verification.
(4)Approval and License Issuance: After all required signatures are completed, the registration authority approves the company registration and issues both a paper business license and an electronic business license. The company's legal representative can download, save, and use the electronic license via a dedicated mini-program.
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