Set up and run your China company with confidence

01 · ChinaMNC

Why mainland China for Turkish companies

Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and many Turkish companies already work with Chinese suppliers, manufacturers or customers. A local entity can make those relationships easier to manage directly, but it only makes sense when you have a clear commercial reason.

Typical reasons Turkish founders look at China include:

• Supplier and sourcing depth: being closer to factories and quality control processes.
• Customer proximity: serving Chinese buyers or partners with a local invoicing entity.
• Regional coordination: using China as a base for wider Asian operations.
• Brand protection and presence: registering trademarks and building a local corporate footprint.
• Talent and operations: hiring local staff and running day-to-day activities on the ground.

China is a large and diverse market, and rules vary by city, industry and business scope. Before committing, define your commercial goal, your expected volume of local activity and whether you need to invoice in China. That clarity will shape the structure you choose. Contact us to discuss your plan.

02 · ChinaMNC

WFOE, joint venture or representative office

The three structures Turkish companies most often consider are the wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), the joint venture (JV) and the representative office (RO). Each has different implications for control, capital, activity and compliance.

• WFOE: a foreign-owned limited liability company. It can carry out the business activities listed in its approved scope, invoice customers in China and hire staff. It usually suits companies that want to trade, provide services or manufacture locally.
• Joint venture: a company shared with a Chinese partner. It can be useful where local knowledge, licenses or distribution relationships matter, but it requires careful drafting of governance, profit sharing and exit terms.
• Representative office: a non-profit liaison office. It is generally limited to market research, coordination and liaison activities and cannot invoice local customers for profit-making services.

Your choice depends on what you actually need to do in China, not on what looks simplest on paper. Consider control, capital, tax, hiring and long-term flexibility. We can help you compare options for your situation.

03 · ChinaMNC

The five-step registration process

Registration in mainland China typically follows a sequence of approvals and registrations. The exact steps and timing depend on the city, industry and structure, so treat this as a planning framework rather than a fixed schedule.

• Step 1 — Scope and structure: define your business activities, choose WFOE, JV or RO, and confirm the city and registered address.
• Step 2 — Name and pre-approval: reserve a company name and prepare the core filing documents for the local market regulator.
• Step 3 — Business license: submit the registration file and obtain the business license once approvals are complete.
• Step 4 — Post-licence registrations: arrange company seals, tax registration, bank account opening and any sector-specific permits.
• Step 5 — Operational set-up: finalise accounting, invoicing, payroll, visa arrangements and ongoing compliance routines.

Each step depends on the previous one, and document quality matters. Plan for translation, notarisation and legalisation where required, and keep your local adviser involved early.

04 · ChinaMNC

Documents Turkish companies should prepare

Chinese authorities typically ask for a set of corporate and personal documents. Requirements vary by city and structure, so confirm the current list with your adviser before you start collecting papers.

Common items include:

• Parent company documents: certificate of incorporation, articles of association and shareholder records.
• Legal representative documents: passport copy and appointment details.
• Proof of address: a lease or ownership document for the registered office in China.
• Name and scope information: proposed company names and a clear description of business activities.
• Notarisation and legalisation: foreign documents often need notarisation and consular legalisation or an equivalent process, depending on the document and the authority.
• Translations: Chinese translations may be required for foreign-language documents.

Turkish documents can take time to prepare, especially where notarisation and legalisation are involved. Start early and keep copies consistent across all filings. Incomplete or inconsistent documents are a common cause of delay.

05 · ChinaMNC

Registered address and business scope

Two items deserve particular attention: the registered address and the business scope. Both affect what your company can legally do and how it is supervised.

Registered address. Your company needs a registered office in the city where it is established. Some companies use a serviced office or an incubator address; others lease commercial space. Check that the address is acceptable for registration and for any sector-specific requirements. The address should be real and usable for official correspondence.

Business scope. The scope describes your permitted activities. It should be specific enough to cover what you plan to do, but not so broad that it creates unnecessary regulatory attention. Certain activities require additional permits or approvals, and some are restricted or prohibited for foreign investment. The scope also affects invoicing and tax treatment.

Review both items with your adviser before filing. Changing them later is possible but adds time and cost. Align the scope with your actual contracts and revenue model from the start.

06 · ChinaMNC

Banking, tax and visa planning

Once the business license is issued, the operational work begins. Banking, tax and visas are connected, and each needs early planning.

Banking. Opening a corporate bank account usually requires the business license, company seals, legal representative identification and supporting documents. Banks apply their own due diligence, so be ready to explain your business model, counterparties and expected flows. Account opening can take time.

Tax. Register with the tax authority, understand your invoicing obligations and set up bookkeeping. China has national taxes and local levies, and treatment depends on your activities. Engage a qualified accountant early and keep records in order.

Visas. Foreign staff typically need a work permit and a residence permit. The process involves employer sponsorship and document checks. Plan visa timelines alongside your hiring plans, and make sure your local entity is ready to sponsor employees before they travel. Short-term business visas are not a substitute for long-term work authorisation.

Build these workstreams into your launch plan rather than treating them as afterthoughts.

07 · ChinaMNC

Common mistakes to avoid

Most problems we see are avoidable with preparation. Turkish founders often run into the same issues.

• Choosing a structure without a clear commercial purpose: the entity should match how you will earn revenue and hire staff.
• Underestimating document preparation: notarisation, legalisation and translation take time and need consistency.
• Writing a vague or overly broad business scope: this can complicate licensing, invoicing and tax treatment.
• Assuming a representative office can sell: an RO is generally limited to liaison activities.
• Leaving banking and tax to the last minute: these should be planned alongside registration.
• Ignoring visa timelines: work authorisation needs lead time and employer readiness.
• Overlooking ongoing compliance: annual reporting, bookkeeping and tax filings continue after launch.

Good preparation reduces friction. A short scoping conversation can help you avoid costly rework and keep your launch realistic.