Can a newly established foreign company register a Representative Office in Singapore?

No, a foreign company must have been established for at least three years to be eligible to register a Representative Office in Singapore.

Can I open a corporate bank account for the Representative Office?

Yes, once a Representative Office is registered, you can open a corporate bank account with a local or international bank in Singapore, but only to manage RO expenses.

How long does it take to set up a Representative Office in Singapore?

The approval process for a Representative Office is approximately 3-5 weeks after submission of the completed form.

Is a Representative Office liable to pay corporate tax in Singapore?

No. A Representative Office is not liable to pay corporate tax in Singapore since it cannot engage in revenue-generating activities and can therefore not have any profit-generating income.

Can a Representative Office hire local and foreign staff?

A Representative Office can hire both local and foreign staff. The Chief Representative is typically a person relocated to Singapore on an Employment Pass, while clerical and secretarial roles must be filled by local employees. The maximum headcount for an RO is limited to five staff members.

Are there any periodic government filing requirements for a Representative Office?

No, a Representative Office is not required to provide any periodic government filings since it is not regarded as a permanent establishment and has no legal status. However, a RO must renew its status each year.

Setting Up a Representative Office in Singapore

Last Updated: Sep 2025

One of the three main entry options for foreign businesses in Singapore is the Representative Office (commonly abbreviated as "Rep Office" or "RO"). It is appropriate for companies that want to explore the Singapore or wider ASEAN market without committing to full operations. A Representative Office allows you to conduct market research, liaise with local contacts, and assess opportunities, but it cannot engage in revenue-generating activities.

This guide explains what a Representative Office is, its key features, eligibility requirements, the steps to set up one in Singapore, and how to transition to a subsidiary or branch office in due course.

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Key Takeaways about Representative Office in Singapore

Non-Commercial Activities Only: A Representative Office cannot engage in profit-generating or commercial activities. Its permitted scope is limited to market research, feasibility studies, and liaison work.

Approval of a Representative Office: A Representative Office application in Singapore is subject to eligibility conditions and not automatic.

Temporary Presence: A Representative Office in Singapore is a temporary setup that allows foreign companies to test the market for up to three years. It must be renewed annually and generally, cannot operate beyond the three-year limit.

No Separate Legal Status: A Representative Office is just an extension of the foreign company, with approval to operate in Singapore for non-commercial purposes only.

Chief Representative: The foreign parent company must appoint a Chief Representative to head the Singapore RO (often relocated from the Head Office).

No Filing or Tax Obligations: Since an RO cannot generate revenue, it does not file annual financial statements with ACRA or corporate tax returns with IRAS.

What Is a Representative Office?

A Representative Office is a stepping stone for foreign businesses exploring Singapore, offering presence without incorporating a legal entity and full operational responsibilities. To set up an RO, a foreign company must apply to Enterprise Singapore, the government agency that reviews and approves Representative Office registrations. The approval must be renewed annually, and continued approval depends on meeting the eligibility conditions.

A Representative Office:

Is intended for market research, networking, and feasibility studies, not for revenue-generating activities.
Cannot conduct sales or enter into contracts on behalf of the parent company.
Is allowed to employ only a small number of staff.
May operate for a maximum of three years, after which it must either close down or be converted into a subsidiary or branch office.

See our comparison to learn when a company should choose a subsidiary or branch office over a representative office in Singapore.

Why Foreign Companies Establish a Representative Office in Singapore?

Foreign companies sometimes choose to first establish a Representative Office in Singapore because it provides:

how to set up a representative office in singapore

Low-risk

A RO in Singapore offers a low-risk way to enter the market, allowing foreign companies to test business opportunities in Singapore and ASEAN before committing significant capital.

Flexibility

An RO also offers flexibility, giving the parent company time to gather market insights and prepare for transitioning into a more permanent structure such as a subsidiary or branch.

Credible Presence

Establishing an RO provides a credible presence in Singapore, giving your company a formal base to interact with local partners, government agencies, and potential customers.

Simplified Setup Process

The Representative Office setup process is simplified, with no paid-up capital required and only minimal compliance obligations compared to a subsidiary or branch.

Key Requirements to Set Up a Representative Office in Singapore

To be eligible to set up a Representative Office, the foreign parent company must meet certain baseline criteria set by Enterprise Singapore (the government agency overseeing ROs):

Established Company

The foreign company must have been operational for at least 3 years and have an annual sales turnover exceeding US$250,000.

Chief
Representative

The company must designate a Chief Representative for the RO who will be responsible for its activities in Singapore. This person is often a senior employee from the head office. The Chief Representative should be stationed in Singapore to manage the RO and serve as a contact point for Enterprise Singapore.

Limited Size
of RO Operations

The Representative Office can appoint a maximum of 5 staff members. This headcount includes the Chief Representative and all local or foreign staff of the RO.

CorpPass or
Local Agent

Foreign companies must engage a local corporate service provider to submit the RO application on its behalf. This ensures a local point of contact for the registration process.

Required Documents for Registering a Representative Office

When preparing to register the RO, the foreign company needs to submit several supporting documents along with the application. All documents must be in English (or officially translated into English) and in electronic format for online submission.

Certificate of Incorporation

A copy of the parent company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration Certificate, as proof of the company’s legal status.

Latest Financial Statements

Copies of the parent company’s most recent audited financial accounts or annual report. These demonstrate the company’s financial standing and must evidence the required revenue threshold.

Description of RO Activities

A short write-up explaining the purpose of establishing the Representative Office in Singapore and the activities it will undertake. This should be on the parent company’s official letterhead and signed by an authorized executive.

Other Information if Requested

Enterprise Singapore may ask for additional information or supporting documents on a case-by-case basis. For example, in certain sectors, approval from a specific industry regulator (such as MAS for financial institutions) might be needed.

Steps for Setting Up a Representative Office in Singapore

Once the required documents are prepared, filing an application with Enterprise Singapore to register a Representative Office is a straightforward online process. Overall, the steps are as follows:

Step 1

Confirm Eligibility

Ensure the parent company meets the eligibility requirements and engage a corporate service provider to assist with the registration process.

Step 2

Prepare the Required Documents

Gather the latest audited financial statements (or alternatives, if unavailable), the parent company’s certificate of incorporation, a letter explaining the need to establish the RO, and details of the proposed Chief Representative.

Step 3

Submit the RO Application

Once the documents are ready, your corporate service provider will file the application with Enterprise Singapore. The government fee is S$200.

Step 4

Await Approval

Applications are usually processed within a few weeks, but approval is discretionary. The authorities may request clarifications or additional documents. Upon approval, you will receive a Letter of Approval, which confirms the RO’s registration and must be renewed annually.

Step 5

Establish Local Operations

The Chief Representative may need to relocate to Singapore under an Employment Pass.

describing requirements for seeting up a representative office in singapore

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Permitted Activities of a Representative Office

Representative Office
Is Permitted to:

Study competitors and customers
Conduct market research on product demand, customer requirements and price expectations
Explore feasibility of setting up a permanent business entity (subsidiary or branch) in Singapore
Build trade contacts and answer product inquiries
Participate in trade shows and exhibitions

Representative Office
Is Not Allowed to:

Engage in trade or business activities
Enter into business contracts or negotiate sales
Issue invoices, collect payments, or open letters of credit
Provide after-sales service, customer support, or technical assistance for a fee. However, it can act as a liaison forwarding inquiries to the head office.

Financial Considerations for a Representative Office

Operating a Representative Office entails certain financial considerations, since the RO itself will not have any income. Here are key points to understand:

Parent Company Funding

An RO cannot generate its own revenue, so all expenses must be funded by the parent company. The RO is essentially a cost center.

No Corporate Taxes

Since an RO cannot engage in commercial activities or earn profits, it is not subject to corporate income tax in Singapore.

Compliance Cost Savings

The RO’s lack of legal status means it has no annual audit requirement and no need to file annual financial statements with ACRA or tax returns with IRAS.

Banking and Payments

Although an RO is not a company, it can still open a corporate bank account in Singapore to facilitate its operational needs (paying local expenses, salaries, etc.). In most cases, the parent company will inject funds into this account to cover the RO’s expenses on an ongoing basis.

Opening a Bank Account for a Representative Office

Opening a local bank account is an important step to enable your Representative Office to pay suppliers, employees, and other expenses in Singapore. Most major banks in Singapore offer business bank accounts for Representative Offices, but the process involves due diligence and can take some time. Here’s what to expect:

1. In-Person Requirements

For ROs, Singapore banks typically require an in-person meeting with the account signatories (e.g. the Chief Representative or other authorized officers of the parent company) as part of their Know-Your-Customer (KYC) due diligence. This means that while you do not need to visit Singapore to register the RO, you (or the appointed signatory) will likely need to travel to Singapore to meet the bank officials when opening the account. Each bank has its own procedures, but an interview and original document verification are standard steps.

2. Documentation Needed

When applying for a bank account, you will need to provide several documents to the bank. Common requirements include the RO’s Letter of Approval from Enterprise Singapore, a board resolution from the parent company authorizing the account opening, a copy of the parent company’s certificate of incorporation, and identification documents (passports, etc.) of the parent company’s directors and the account signatories. The bank will review these and perform background checks on the parent company as part of the account opening process.

3. Timeline

The time frame to open a corporate bank account for an RO can vary. On average it might take 3-5 weeks from application to account setup, depending on the bank’s internal review and how quickly you can complete the compliance steps.

Once your RO’s bank account is active, you can fund it from the head office and smoothly carry out your Singapore research operations without financial hurdles.

Compliance Requirements for a Representative Office

In order to remain compliant, a representative office must adhere to the following regulations:

1. Name Usage

The name of the Representative Office must be the same as the parent company’s name, with “Representative Office” added. If the parent company undergoes a name change, the RO must notify Enterprise Singapore and provide the official Certificate of Change of Name within one month of the change.

2. Disclosure of Status

On all communication materials (letters, emails, name cards, brochures, etc.), the RO should clearly state “Representative Office Registered in Singapore”.

3. Notification of Changes

The RO is required to inform Enterprise Singapore of certain changes in a timely manner. Any change in the RO’s office address, telephone number, or email contact must be reported within 1 month of the change.

4. Cessation of RO

A representative office must notify Enterprise Singapore within 1 month of closing operations or after converting to a branch office or subsidiary company.

As noted, an RO has no obligation to file annual financial statements or tax returns with Singapore authorities. However, the RO should maintain its own internal records of activities and expenses, and ensure it operates within the permitted scope at all times. Enterprise Singapore reserves the right to request information on the RO’s activities if needed, to verify compliance with the terms of registration.

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Renewal Procedure for a Singapore Representative Office

A representative office is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually to continue operations. Typically, Enterprise Singapore will send a renewal notice 2 months prior to the renewal deadline of a representative office. The representative office must be renewed within 7 days of the renewal deadline.

Similar to the initial registration, the RO must renew by submitting an application to Entreprise Singapore. Typically, audited financial statements are not required for renewals. However, Enterprise Singapore may still require the parent company to submit the latest financial statements in order to renew a representative office.

A representative office can operate in Singapore for a maximum of 3 years. To continue operations after the 3 year period, the representative office must be converted into a branch office or a subsidiary company.

Converting a Representative Office into a Subsidiary or Branch

Since a Representative Office can operate in Singapore for a maximum of three years, foreign companies must either exit the market or convert to a permanent entity if they wish to continue operations.

Key points to consider when converting an RO:

Business Structure: Companies can convert to a subsidiary (private limited company), which offers limited liability and tax benefits, or a branch office, which is an extension of the foreign parent company.
New registration required: Conversion is not automatic; you must register a new entity with ACRA (subsidiary or branch). The RO’s registration with Enterprise Singapore will lapse once the new entity is incorporated.
Transfer of operations: Existing staff, office leases, and bank accounts may need to be transferred or restructured under the new entity.
Regulatory compliance: A subsidiary or branch is subject to statutory filing, accounting, tax, and corporate secretarial requirements under Singapore law.

Converting an RO gives you a permanent and revenue-generating presence in Singapore, allowing your business to sign contracts, hire freely, and scale operations.

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Author

Jacqueline Low

Jacqueline has been in the corporate services industry for over 25 years. She has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and business clients understand and navigate the various statutory and regulatory requirements, avoiding expensive mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions
About a Representative Office in Singapore

A Representative Office is a temporary liaison office with no legal personality, meant solely for non-commercial activities (market research, networking, etc.) and can only operate for up to 3 years. It cannot engage in any profit-making business. In contrast, a Subsidiary in Singapore is a locally incorporated company (usually a private limited company) that is a separate legal entity from the foreign parent. A subsidiary can conduct all forms of business activities like any Singapore company and has no time limit on its existence. In short, an RO is for exploration and has tight restrictions, whereas a subsidiary is a full-fledged company for long-term operations.

No. The Representative Office must use the exact name of the parent company, with the addition of “Representative Office” for clarity. You cannot register an RO under a completely different name or brand. If the parent company changes its name back home, the RO must also apply to Enterprise Singapore to update its name accordingly (within one month of the change, providing the official documentation of the new name).

No, you are not required to visit Singapore to register a Representative Office. All required documents and the application form can be submitted online. However, if you wish to open a corporate bank account for the RO, a visit to Singapore is generally inevitable since most banks will insist on an in-person meeting with the signatories of the Rep Office in order to perform their KYC due diligence.