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Singapore Foreign Company Registration:
Registering a Singapore Representative Office

Overview
Foreign companies 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 register a Representative Office (RO) in Singapore.

A representative office in Singapore has no legal status, but is merely an administrative arrangement. Generally, the purpose of the representative office is to perform liaison services and establish business contacts, often as a precursor to the commencement of full-scale business activities in Singapore.

Related Topic: Branch Office vs. Singapore Subsidiary vs. Representative Office

Key Features

• A representative office cannot enter into any business transactions either in its own capacity or on behalf of the parent company.
• A representative office in Singapore  cannot conclude contracts, provide consultancy for a fee, undertake transshipment of goods, open or negotiate any letters of credit.
• A representative office does not have to maintain accounts or file tax returns in Singapore.
• A Singapore representative office has the benefit of allowing a foreign company to test out the business environment in Singapore before committing to any investment decisions.
• A representative cannot engage in any other business activities but promotional activities.
• Foreign companies wanting to maintain long term operations in Singapore will be required to incorporate as legal entities in due course.

Procedure
In order to apply for the Singapore Representative Office approval, an application has to be completed. In addition, the following documents are required:

• A copy of the parent company's Certificate of Incorporation (in English or an official translation)
• The parent company's latest annual report and audited accounts
• If the applicant is unable to provide the above requested documents, the applicant must be written to seek waiver and provide a set of the company brochures and self-declare the needed information.

Approval can take 2-3 weeks and will usually be valid for one year. A representative office in Singapore must re-apply for a continuation of its status after the expiry of the initial period of approval.

After the registration of representative office, the foreign company can apply for employment pass for their overseas personnel that will be relocating to Singapore. The foreign company can also hire local staff to handle Rep Office employees.

AsiaBiz will be pleased to assist you with registration of a Singapore Representative Office and related matters  for your company.

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