
Chinese Mainland WFOE vs LLC
Legal Entity Comparison
Time of Update: 2026-03-31
WFOE is the abbreviation for wholly foreign-owned enterprise. It refers to an enterprise established solely by foreign investors or in partnership with Chinese mainland partners. WFOE belongs to the mixed ownership system, which means it is solely invested by foreign investors or in partnership and enjoys ownership and management rights. WFOE is a limited liability legal entity, and the responsibilities of shareholders and directors are limited to their capital contribution. WFOE does not participate publicly in the market, and its business scope is limited to the range covered by its registered capital. WFOE requires at least one shareholder and at least one director, but there is no need to appoint a legal representative. Foreigners can serve as directors of WFOE, and a company secretary is not required. The minimum registered capital of WFOE starts from 1 RMB, but the minimum registered capital varies for different industries, such as 30,000 RMB for industrial companies and 30,000 RMB for commercial companies mainly engaged in wholesale or retail business. During registration, WFOE needs to undergo capital verification, which includes providing proof of the source of funds to demonstrate the legitimacy of its registered capital.
Chinese Mainland Legal Entity Comparison
Chinese Mainland Legal Entity Comparison
Basic Information
WFOE
LLC
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Ownership:
Consolidated Ownership
Limited Liability:
Positive
Limited Liability:
Positive
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Publicly Participates In Capital Market:
Negative
Shareholder / Director / Secretary Requirements
WFOE
LLC
Requirements For Shareholders:
At least one person
Requirements For Shareholders:
Cannot exceed fifty
Requirements For Directors ::
At least one person
Requirements For Directors ::
The board of directors is composed of three to thirteen members. For limited liability companies with a small number of shareholders or a small scale, they can appoint an executive director without establishing a board of directors. The executive director can also serve as the company's manager.
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Negative
Legal Representative Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Directors Not Mandatory:
Negative
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Local Secretaries Not Mandatory:
Positive
Registered Capital Requirement
WFOE
LLC
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
1. Starting from 1 RMB;
2. The registered capital of a production-oriented company shall not be less than 30,000 yuan, the registered capital of a commercially-oriented company mainly engaged in wholesale business shall not be less than 30,000 yuan, and the registered capital of a commercially-oriented company mainly engaged in retail business shall not be less than 30,000 yuan.
2. The registered capital of a production-oriented company shall not be less than 30,000 yuan, the registered capital of a commercially-oriented company mainly engaged in wholesale business shall not be less than 30,000 yuan, and the registered capital of a commercially-oriented company mainly engaged in retail business shall not be less than 30,000 yuan.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirement:
If there is only one shareholder, the minimum requirement is 100,000 RMB. If the number of shareholders is between 2-50 people, the minimum is 30,000 RMB.
Capital Injection Not Required:
See Memo
Capital Injection Not Required:
Negative
Capital Injection Requirement:
Need to be paid in 3 years.
Capital Injection Requirement:
1. The minimum registered capital for a single-person limited company is 100,000 yuan, which must be fully contributed at one time;
2. For a limited company with two or more shareholders, the minimum registered capital is 30,000 yuan, which can be contributed in installments. The initial contribution should not be less than 20%, and the remaining registered capital can be in place within 2 years. For investment companies, the capital can be in place within 5 years.
2. For a limited company with two or more shareholders, the minimum registered capital is 30,000 yuan, which can be contributed in installments. The initial contribution should not be less than 20%, and the remaining registered capital can be in place within 2 years. For investment companies, the capital can be in place within 5 years.
Memo
WFOE
LLC
Memo:
"null"
Memo:


CN
Chinese Mainland
CI - Company Incorporation
China WFOE Incorporation in Nanjing
From CNY 3,000.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
CN - Chinese Mainland
Learn More
Nanjing
Nanjing, Chinese Mainland
N 32.0603, E 118.7969


CN
Chinese Mainland
CI - Company Incorporation
China WFOE Incorporation in Shanghai
From CNY 7,250.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
CN - Chinese Mainland
Learn More


CN
Chinese Mainland
CI - Company Incorporation
China WFOE Incorporation in Wuhan
From CNY 2,750.00 / Company
Product Valid: Positive
Applicant Must Be Present: no
Applicable country/region
CN - Chinese Mainland
Learn More
Wuhan
Wuhan, Chinese Mainland
N 30.5928, E 114.3055
