If you are a foreign company that wants to establish your corporate presence in Singapore, you have come to the right place. As a foreign company, you have the choice of setting up a Subsidiary Company, Branch Office or a Representative Office in Singapore.
You have the option to choose to set up a company and relocate to Singapore or run your company operation without having to relocate to Singapore.
To learn which setup is best suited for you please see Comparison chart of Subsidiary Company vs Branch Office vs Representative Office
Work Visas for Relocation of Foreign Management Staff
If your Branch Office, Representative Office or Singapore Subsidiary Company business intends to relocate management staff from your home country to manage the company’s operations in Singapore, you will need to apply for an Employment Pass. The Employment Pass application can be only filed after registration of the company.
Option 1: Setting Up a Singapore Subsidiary Company
A Subsidiary Company in Singapore is an incorporated private limited company, which the majority of shares are held by a corporation, foreign or local. A Subsidiary Company in Singapore is considered a resident company. A newly incorporated Subsidiary Company , with at least one individual shareholder that has a minimum of 10% shareholding, is entitled to the local tax exemption of zero tax for the first S$100,000 of its chargeable income.
Option 1a: Subsidiary Setup with Relocation to Singapore
If you wish to incorporate a Subsidiary Company and relocate foreign staff to Singapore, you will need to accomplish two main tasks: incorporate the Subsidiary Company and obtain an Employment Pass. The Employment Pass application can be filed only after the Subsidiary Company has been incorporated.
Comprehensive guide to Singapore Subsidiary Office Setup with Relocation | Our Fees
Option 1b: Subsidiary Setup without Relocation to Singapore
If you wish to set up a company without having to relocate, Singapore allows the set up of your company in Singapore provided you appoint a Singapore resident director when incorporating the company. You can engage Rikvin’s Nominee Director Service to satisfy the statutory requirement of at least one local resident director.
Comprehensive guide to Singapore Subsidiary Office Setup without Relocation | Our Fees
Option 2: Setting Up a Singapore Branch Office
A Branch Office in Singapore is an extension of a foreign parent company registered outside of Singapore. The purpose of a Branch Office is to facilitate operation and revenue generation in Singapore for the foreign parent company. It is considered a non-resident for tax purposes, and therefore not eligible for tax incentives and exemptions available to Singapore private limited companies.
If you wish to register a Branch Office, you will need to appoint two local agents for the branch office, who must be Singapore residents. You are allowed to relocate foreign staff to act as the local agents once they have secured their Employment Pass. The Employment Pass application can be filed only after registration of the company. Alternatively, you can engage Rikvin’s Nominee Agent Service to act as your local agent service.
Comprehensive guide to Singapore Branch Office Setup | Our Fees
Option 3: Setting Up a Singapore Representative Office
A Representative Office provides a foreign company interested in establishing operation in Singapore an avenue to assess business opportunities in Singapore market prior to making any long term or large scale commitment. It is ideal for market research or to establish relationship with local agents representing the company. A Representative Office cannot engage in commercial revenue-generating activities. However, foreign companies that want to maintain long term operations in Singapore will be required to incorporate a company.
If you wish to set up a Singapore Representative Office, you will first need to register the Representative Office. Upon approval, apply for Employment Pass application for the key person who will be relocating to Singapore to lead the Representative Office activities.
Comprehensive guide to Singapore Representative Office Setup | Our Fees
A few considerations:
To incorporate a company in Singapore, foreign companies must:
- Singapore Companies Act does not allow foreign individuals or entities to self-register a company. You can engage Rikvin, Singapore’s leading incorporation specialist, to set up your company.
- Appoint a Singapore resident to be the director of the company. A Singapore resident can be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or holder of an EP or EntrePass. In the event that you are unable to appoint a Singapore resident director,Rikvin can provide you with one through our Nominee Director service. The service can be temporary or long term depending on your needs.
- Provide a Singapore address as the registered address for the company. Alternatively, you can also engage a Registered Address service through Rikvin.