Representative Office

Foreign entities that are keen to explore opportunities in the region may wish to set up a Representative Office (RO) in Singapore.

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

An RO allows you to evaluate the viability of doing business in Singapore and the region before deciding to set up a permanent establishment.

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). By setting up an RO, it allows 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 only be granted on a case-by-case basis, and is 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).
• Foreign law practices may approach the Ministry of Law (MinLaw).

All other foreign entities looking to register and incorporate a local branch office may approach the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Click here for more information on setting up Representative Offices in Singapore.

All new applications of foreign commercial entitles must fulfill 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

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 via any of the following modes:

• Credit/Debit Cards (either Corporate or Personal Visa/MasterCard)
• Corporate PayNow
  
  

  PayNow UEN:	T18GB0001KESG
  Participating banks of PayNow:	Citibank, DBS/POSB, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, SCB, UOB, BOC and ICBC
  Important Note:	Please ensure you enter: The correct quantum The details of your payment (e.g. Application of RO (New), Application of RO (Renewal), etc.) under ‘Remarks’

• Electronic Bank Transfer
  
  

  Bank Account:	032-001110-1
  Account Name:	Enterprise Singapore
  Bank Code:	7171
  Branch Code:	032
  Bank Name:	The Development Bank of Singapore (DBS)
  Branch:	12 Marina Boulevard DBS Asia Central Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3 Singapore 018982
  Swift Code:	DBSSSGSG
  Important Note:	If you are paying from overseas using cross-border transfer service, do note that bank charges and miscellaneous fees chargeable by the bank (including intermediary or corresponding bank) are to be borne by customer. For transfer via SWIFT network, please select the charge code "OUR". After effecting the payment via bank transfer, details of the payment should be sent to ar_enquiry@enterprisesg.gov.sg and roms@enterprisesg.gov.sg.