Representative Office

Find out how you can register a representative office in Singapore here.

Overview

Foreign entities that are keen to explore opportunities in the region may wish to set up a Representative Office (RO) in Singapore.

Singapore has established itself as a reputable financial and regional trading centre. It is the world’s busiest transshipment port and a top location for investments in the Asia Pacific region. Factors such as its strategic location, competitive workforce, pro-business environment and forward-looking economic policies positions Singapore as a natural gateway to Asia and the region.

An RO allows you to evaluate the viability of doing business in Singapore and the region before deciding to set up a permanent establishment.

What is the Representative Office (RO) scheme?

Foreign entities from the manufacturing, international trading, wholesale, trade and trade-related business sectors that are keen on exploring the viability of doing business in Singapore, or are interested in using Singapore as a launch pad into the Asia Pacific, may wish to set-up a Representative Office (RO). By setting up an RO, it allows a foreign entity to assess the business environment in Singapore before deciding to set up a permanent establishment.

An approved RO of a foreign commercial entity may operate in Singapore for a validity period of one year only from its commencement date. An extension of RO will only be granted on a case-by-case basis, and is subjected to approval for up to a maximum of three years. ROs which decide to continue their presence in Singapore thereafter should register their operations with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) of Singapore.

Foreign entities from the following sectors may approach the respective bodies for more information on RO setup in Singapore:

All other foreign entities looking to register and incorporate a local branch office may approach the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Click here for more information on setting up Representative Offices in Singapore.

Criteria

All new applications of foreign commercial entitles must fulfil the following criteria:
  • Sales Turnover of the foreign entity must be > US$250,000
  • No. of years of establishment of the foreign entity must be >= 3 years
  • Proposed No. of staff for RO should be < 5 people
  • All foreign entities should have a Corppass Account prior to RO application. The nominated Corppass Admin staff should have a valid NRIC/FIN number.
  • For foreign entities without any staff holding a NRIC/FIN number, please engage a local third party proxy to make the RO application on your behalf.
  • Compulsory supporting documents required
    All new applications must be accompanied by the following documents:
    • Softcopy attachment (in English or an official English translation) of the foreign entity’s Certificate of Incorporation or Registration Certificate (as applicable).
    • Softcopy attachments of the foreign entity’s latest Audited Accounts.

Fees

A processing fee of S$200 per year is applicable. The processing fee is non-refundable for unsuccessful or withdrawn applications.

Payment can be made via credit/debit cards (either corporate or personal Visa/MasterCard/AMEX).

Apply here

Submit your application form here.

Representative Office