Can a foreigner register a .hk domain?

The rules below come from HKIRC's Domain Name Registration Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, version 1.4, effective October 2026, and from the registration agreement of HKDNR, one of the accredited registrars (version 6.5). Both are cited by clause so you can check them.

Who can hold .hk and .com.hk

Hong Kong splits cleanly in two. The registry opens the top level to everyone and restricts the second levels by category. Eligibility is tested on the registrant, whichever registrar you use.

Plain .hk

Clause 3.4 says all interested individuals and entities are eligible to register a second level domain name, and that the registrar may ask for documents to verify your identity. HKIRC's own eligibility page describes it as open to any local or overseas entity, with documents requested on a sample-check basis. Registrars still collect an identity number from individuals or a company number from organisations, but none of that is a local presence test.

.com.hk

Clause 3.6 limits .com.hk and its Chinese equivalent to commercial entities registered in Hong Kong, and requires one of two documents: a Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department, or a Certificate of Registration of Overseas Company or Non-Hong Kong Company from the Companies Registry. HKIRC adds that the certificate must not be a branch's, and that the application needs a signed letter on the company chop stating why .com.hk was chosen. Where a branch or representative office does hold a name, clause 3.1 asks for its head office's undertaking to answer for any claim.

The other second levels

• .idv.hk (clause 3.5): residents of Hong Kong only, shown by an identity card or similar proof.
• .org.hk (clause 3.7): approved not-for-profit organisations. Version 1.4 tightened this from October 2026, though existing names are unaffected.
• .net.hk (clause 3.8): holders of a licence from the Office of the Communications Authority.
• .edu.hk and .gov.hk (clauses 3.10 and 3.9): registered schools and institutions, and government bureaux and departments.

What the policy says about trustees

Nothing, by name. The Registration Policies never use the words trustee, nominee or proxy. The only intermediary they recognise is the registrar and its reseller, called an Agent in HKDNR's agreement, and clause 8.1 of that agreement says a registrant who applies through an Agent is still bound as principal.

The clauses that bear on a trustee-held .com.hk are these:

• Clause 3.6 tests the registrant. The qualifying entity must be the registrant, so a provider that merely lends a Hong Kong contact cannot satisfy it. In practice the trustee's company is the registrant, and your rights are contractual.
• Clause 3.14(g) has the registrant warrant that it meets, and continues to meet, the eligibility criteria.
• Clause 15.2(k) lets HKIRC or the registrar cancel a name when a company registrant is dissolved or struck off. Your domain is tied to the trustee's survival.
• Clause 10.2 says registration is not evidence of ownership, a point we return to in the guide on trustee ownership.

Exit and transfer

Moving between registrars needs the authorisation code (clauses 12.2 and 21.4). Changing the registrant is a separate act, and it is the one that matters when a trustee holds the name. Clause 20.1 allows it where:

1. both sides consent and sign the registrar's transfer form, or a court or dispute panel orders it;
2. the incoming registrant meets the eligibility rules for that category, so you need your own Hong Kong registration first;
3. no dispute is pending, and fees owed to HKIRC are paid.

Clause 20.6 bars any other assignment. See leaving a trustee service for the practical order of steps.

How registration works

You apply through an HKIRC-accredited registrar, and names are first come first served (clause 8.1). You must list at least two working name servers (clause 11.1), and a name can be cancelled if they are not operating within 30 days of activation (clause 11.2). If the registrar asks for documents and does not receive them in time, it may cancel the registration (clauses 3.11 and 15.2(b)).

Renewal is the registrar's business. An unpaid name is cancelled and enters a black-out period in which you may reinstate it by paying the renewal and a late charge (clause 19.5). Disputes go to HKIRC's dispute resolution policy, with arbitration or the Hong Kong courts (clause 23). Our expiry guide compares this with other registries.

Chinese names under .香港

New Chinese domain names are allocated under the Chinese top level .香港, not under .hk (clause 5.1). The eligibility rules follow the English equivalents: .香港 is open to anyone, and .公司.香港 mirrors .com.hk. A .com.hk holder may register the matching Chinese name free of charge (clauses 6.1 and 6.2), and the bundled pair must share one registrant (clause 6.6).

A Chinese name is deemed to include every variant of its characters (clause 5.3), so a dispute over one spelling reaches all of them. Such a name is limited to 15 characters in total (clause 4.4).

Name format rules

English labels may use letters, digits and hyphens, must begin and end with a letter or digit, and may not carry hyphens in the third and fourth positions (clauses 4.2 and 4.3). Single-character labels may be refused (clause 7.2). Names containing "bank" need the Monetary Authority's consent (clause 7.5), and names with "insurance" or "assurance" need the Insurance Authority's (clause 7.6).

What the public lookup shows

By applying, you consent to HKIRC and the registrar publishing your name, the administrative contact's details and the registration dates (clause 10.5). HKIRC's WHOIS terms add that it reserves the right to withhold some data under data-protection law. Registrars we checked, such as 101domain, say private registration is not available for .hk. On a trustee-held .com.hk the provider appears as owner. See WHOIS privacy on restricted domains.

If you do not qualify: two routes

The first suits a company that is trading in Hong Kong anyway; see trustee or local company. For everyone else, the question to ask first is whether plain .hk would do. Compare the .com.hk services.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated October 2026. Registry policies change, and version 1.4 took effect this month. If you spot something out of date, email info@trusteeindex.com.