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:

• Cheque drawn on a bank located in Singapore (must be crossed and made payable to Enterprise Singapore).
• Bank Draft in Singapore Dollars payable by a bank located in Singapore (made payable to Enterprise Singapore).
• Credit Card (either Master or Visa Card) when submitting application online.

Please mail your cheque or bank draft to Enterprise Singapore’s office at the following address after submitting your application online:

Outreach & Market Connectivity Unit (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 enquiry@enterprisesg.gov.sg.