Setup Representative Office

Introduction

Welcome to Singapore’s Representative Office Management System.  This system enables you to apply for or renew your Representative Office registration online.

 Why Register a Representative Office?

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

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).  An RO has the benefit of allowing 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 be on a case-by-case basis and 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:

• Banking, finance, financial exchanges and insurance sectors may approach the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS): http://www.mas.gov.sg.
• Foreign law practice may approach the Ministry of Law (MinLaw): https://www.mlaw.gov.sg/.

All other foreign entities looking to register and incorporate a local branch office, you may approach the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA): http://www.acra.gov.sg.

Application Procedures

Foreign entities can submit their applications or renew their Representative Office registrations at https://roms.enterprisesg.gov.sg via a secured online application form.

All new applications of foreign commercial entities 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 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.

All ROs must comply with the Terms and Conditions. Please [click here] for details.

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 by any of the following modes:

• Credit/debit cards (either Corporate or Personal Visa or Master Card)
• Corporate PayNow:

• Electronic Bank Transfer:

After effecting the payment via Corporate PayNow or Electronic Bank Transfer, details of the payment should be sent to AR_enquiry@enterprisesg.gov.sg.

Channel Management 3 (Representative Office)
Enterprise Services Division
Enterprise Singapore
230 Victoria Street #14-00
Bugis Junction Office Tower
Singapore 188024

For more details, please refer to FAQs. If you require additional information or clarification, please email to go.gov.sg/askenterprisesg.