Singapore Company Registration: Setting Up A Representative Office

By Author: Robert Sparks
Total Articles: 68
Comment this article

Singapore Representative Office is a business entity for foreign entrepreneurs and companies that provides avenue to assess business opportunities in Singapore market prior to making any long term or large-scale commitment. However, it should be noted that a Representative Office is prohibited from engaging in commercial revenue-generating activities.

There are three simple steps that you need to follow if you wish to setup a Singapore Representative Office:
• Submit an application to register the Representative Office. Rikvin can assist you in the registration of your Representative Office.
• You can apply for an Employment Pass only after you have succeeded in registering the Representative Office. The Employment Pass application is for the Chief Representative who is the appointed staff member from the foreign company. The Employment Pass will allow the Chief Representative to relocate to Singapore to run the Representative Office.
• You will require a local registered office address. Rikvin can provide you with the use of our corporate registered address on a temporary or long-term basis, if ...
... needed.
As mentioned earlier, A Representative Office cannot engage in commercial revenue-generating activities, and therefore need not file for annual tax returns. However, income paid to the staff of the Representative Office including the Chief Representative is subject to Singapore personal income tax.

Registration Requirements:
1. Name: The Representative Office name must be the same as the parent company.
2. Shareholders: The parent company must own 100% of the Representative Office.
3. Chief Representative: Singapore Representative Office must have at least one representative who can be Singapore resident or foreigner staff member. Rikvin can assist you in the application of Employment Pass for the foreign staff member relocating to Singapore to run the Representative Office operations.
4. Registered Address: Every business registered in Singapore is required to have a registered office address. The registered address must be a physical address and cannot be a PO Box. Use of residential address is allowed for certain types of business.
Documents Needed:
1. Completed application
2. Copy of the parent Company's Certificate of Incorporation
3. Copy of the parent Company's latest annual report and audited accounts
4. Duly endorsed undertaking to abide by the Terms and Conditions governing Representative Offices in Singapore

Rikvin provides a full spectrum of corporate services under one roof for singapore company registration, assistance to form a singapore company, accounting, tax, work pass and related compliance services for individuals and companies worldwide.