Can a company from Bosnia and Herzegovina own 100% of a Chinese company?

In many sectors, yes, a foreign investor can own a wholly foreign-owned enterprise. However, China maintains restrictions and prohibitions for certain industries, and local rules can add requirements. Check the current negative list for foreign investment and confirm your specific activity with the local registration authority before you apply.

How long does company registration take?

Timelines vary considerably by city, entity type, industry and the completeness of your documents. Some steps may move quickly, while notarisation, legalisation, bank account opening and sector approvals can add time. We do not quote guaranteed timelines; plan for several weeks to a few months and confirm expectations with your local adviser.

Do I need a physical office in China?

You need a registered address acceptable to the local authority. Some cities allow approved virtual or shared addresses for certain activities, while others expect commercial premises. If you hire staff or conduct regulated activities, real office space is usually necessary. Confirm what your city accepts before signing a lease.

What is the difference between a WFOE and a representative office?

A WFOE is a limited liability company that can carry out permitted business activities, invoice customers and earn revenue. A representative office is a liaison presence that generally cannot sign contracts or generate revenue directly. The right choice depends on whether you need to trade or simply research and coordinate in China.

How do foreign staff get work visas?

Foreign employees typically need a work permit and a residence permit, usually starting with a PU invitation letter, a Z visa and post-arrival registration. Requirements and processing vary by city and nationality. Start early, keep documents consistent, and confirm the current procedure with the local exit-entry administration or a qualified adviser.

Register and Run a Company in Mainland China | Bosnia and Herzegovina

01 · ChinaMNC

Why mainland China for Bosnia and Herzegovina companies

China is one of the world's largest markets, and for companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina it can be relevant for several practical reasons. If you already source goods, components or equipment from Chinese suppliers, having a local entity can support quality control, supplier management and after-sales work in the same market. If you sell products or services, a local presence can help you work more closely with distributors, agents and industrial customers.

China's manufacturing and technology ecosystems are broad, and many foreign companies use a Chinese entity to coordinate sourcing, testing, and partnerships with local firms. The market is also highly competitive and differs by region, so success usually depends on a clear product, realistic pricing and a reliable local partner or team.

At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina and China maintain diplomatic and economic relations, and bilateral trade frameworks exist. That does not remove the need for careful preparation. Treat China as a long-term commitment: budget for local staff, compliance and market development, and plan for language and cultural differences before you register anything.

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WFOE, joint venture or representative office: choosing your structure

The three structures most often considered by foreign founders are the wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), the joint venture (JV) and the representative office (RO). Each fits a different purpose.

WFOE: A limited liability company owned entirely by the foreign investor. It can carry out permitted business activities, invoice customers, hire staff and repatriate profits. It is the usual choice for companies that want to trade, provide services or manage operations directly.
Joint venture: A company shared with one or more Chinese partners. A JV can open doors to local relationships, licenses or distribution, but it requires careful negotiation of governance, capital contributions and exit terms. Choose it when a local partner genuinely adds value.
Representative office: A non-profit liaison office. An RO can support market research,联络 and coordination but generally cannot sign contracts or generate revenue directly. It suits companies testing the market before committing to a full entity.

Your choice affects capital, tax, staffing and compliance obligations. Confirm the current rules for your sector and city with local authorities and qualified advisers.

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A five-step registration process

Registration procedures differ by city and industry, but the following five steps give a realistic overview of what to expect.

Step 1: Validate the concept. Define your products or services, target customers and location. Check whether your sector has restrictions or requires special approvals for foreign investment.
Step 2: Choose the entity and name. Decide between WFOE, JV or RO, prepare several candidate company names, and confirm the registered capital and shareholder structure.
Step 3: Prepare and legalise documents. Draft the articles of association and related filings, then have foreign documents notarised and legalised as required, including translation into Chinese.
Step 4: File for the business licence. Submit the application through the local market regulation authority, then arrange the company seal, tax registration and other post-licence steps.
Step 5: Open accounts and start operating. Complete bank account opening, tax onboarding, and any sector-specific permits, then hire staff and begin trading.

Each step can involve back-and-forth with authorities. Build in time for document corrections and local requirements.

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Documents you will typically need

The exact document list depends on your entity type, city and industry, but most foreign investors should prepare the following.

Corporate documents: Certificate of registration, articles of association and shareholder records for the foreign parent company, where applicable.
Identity documents: Passports for individual shareholders and legal representatives, plus proof of address.
Notarisation and legalisation: Foreign documents usually need notarisation and legalisation, or an apostille where applicable, before use in China. Requirements can change, so confirm with the receiving authority.
Translations: Chinese translations of foreign-language documents, often prepared by an approved translation provider.
Business plan and filings: A description of intended activities, the articles of association, capital contribution details and lease documentation for the registered address.
Sector-specific approvals: Additional licences or permits if your activity is regulated.

Keep originals and copies organised, and check validity dates. Small errors in names, addresses or translations are a common cause of delay.

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Registered address and business scope

Every mainland Chinese company needs a registered address, which is the legal location recorded with the authorities. In many cities you can use a commercial office, a co-working space that supports registration, or an approved virtual address offered by a service provider. The address must be suitable for your business scope and acceptable to the local registration authority. If you plan to hire staff, you will usually need real office space as well.

Business scope defines what your company is permitted to do. It should describe your intended activities accurately, including trading, consulting, technical services or manufacturing where relevant. Some activities require pre-approval or appear on restricted lists for foreign investment, so check before you finalise the wording. A scope that is too narrow can limit invoicing and contracts; one that is too broad may trigger extra scrutiny.

Address and scope are linked: the authority may ask whether your premises suit the declared activities. Review both as your business develops, and amend the registration when your activities change significantly.

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Banking, tax and visas

After registration, you will need a corporate bank account for capital contributions, payments and payroll. Banks apply their own due diligence, and opening an account can take time. Prepare clear explanations of your business, ownership structure and expected transactions, and expect questions about the source of funds. Keep your registration documents and seals accessible.

On tax, Chinese companies are generally subject to corporate income tax, value-added tax and other levies depending on activity. Bookkeeping and periodic filings are required, and many foreign investors engage a local accounting firm. Cross-border payments, transfer pricing and treaty questions deserve professional advice, particularly where Bosnia and Herzegovina and China tax rules interact.

For visas, foreign staff usually need a work permit and a residence permit, and the process typically involves a PU invitation letter, a Z visa and post-arrival registration. Requirements vary by city and nationality. Plan recruitment and visa timelines early, and keep personal and company documents consistent.

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Common mistakes to avoid

Many problems are avoidable with preparation. Watch for these recurring issues.

Choosing the wrong entity: Registering a WFOE when an RO would suffice, or entering a JV without clear governance and exit terms.
Ignoring sector restrictions: Assuming any business can be 100% foreign-owned without checking the negative list and local rules.
Weak document preparation: Inconsistent names, missing legalisation or poor translations that cause repeated rejections.
Underestimating running costs: Forgetting accounting, payroll, office and compliance costs after registration.
Treating China as a side project: Launching without a local team, partner or realistic market plan.
Banking surprises: Assuming account opening is automatic, or failing to explain transactions clearly.

Use local professional support where it adds value, but stay involved in decisions. A clear plan and patient, accurate paperwork will serve you better than rushing the process.

Set up and operate your company in mainland China