Nature of representative offices

What is a Representative Office (RO)?


According to ACRA,

Foreign companies interested in exploring potential business opportunities in Singapore may set up a Representative Office (RO) before committing to a business venture. It allows a foreign entity to assess the business environment in Singapore before deciding to set up a permanent establishment.

A RO is a temporary set-up with no legal status so it cannot engage in any trading or business activities which yield a profit.

An application to register a RO must be submitted to Enterprise Singapore. For more information on Representative Office, click here.

According to Enterprise Singapore,

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:

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.


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