Singapore Company Formation for Foreign Companies
Singapore Representative Office & Employment Pass Package
This package is suitable for foreign companies who wish to register a subsidiary company in Singapore and relocate one of their key executives to Singapore on an Employment Pass to operate their new business. Under this package, we will first incorporate your subsidiary and then apply for Employment Pass for the key executive.
- Package Details
- Process
- Documents
- FAQs
This package includes the following services:
Singapore Representative Office Registration
- Representative office registration
- Government and our professional fee
Company Registered Address (RA) for 1 year
Employment Pass application filing for 1 applicant
Scroll to topThe process and the steps for this package are as follows:
Step 1: Submit your request
Let us know that you wish to proceed forward with this package by clicking the “Set Up Now” button above and completing the online form. Upon receipt of your request, one of our client services consultants will follow-up with you to clarify any questions you might have and to advice you of the next steps.
Step 2: Provide representative office details
We will send you the relevant forms for you to furnish the required details. Supporting documents will be required to facilitate the due diligence work and preparation of the incorporation documents accordingly.
Step 3: Make payment
Upon receipt of the completed registration details form and due diligence clearance, we will send you an invoice for our services. In order for us to commence our services, you will need to make payment as per the invoice sent to you. We accept bank transfer, local cheque, or credit card.
Step 4: File representative office application
Upon receipt of the completed form and supporting documents from you, we will file the representative office registration application with authorities. The application is subject to review and approval by the authorities. We will liaise between you and authorities if any clarification are sought by the authorities.
Step 5: Prepare and file Employment Pass application
Once the representative office application is approved, we will work with you to prepare the Employment Pass application and supporting documents. Once ready, we will then file the Employment Pass application along with supporting documents and wait for the outcome.
Step 6: File an appeal, if necessary
In case your EP application is rejected initially, we will explore the reasons with authorities and then prepare and file an appeal (at no extra cost) accordingly.
Step 7: Arrange for Employment Pass collection
Upon receipt of the Employment Pass approval letter, you will be required to visit Singapore to collect your pass. We will assist you in scheduling an appointment with authorities for issuance of the pass.
Step 8: You are done. Congratulations!
After you have collected your Employment Pass, you are ready to relocate to Singapore and start work for the representative office.
Scroll to topDocuments required for this package:
Document required for Representative Office registration:
- Completed application
- Copy of the parent Company’s Certificate of Incorporation
- Copy of the parent company’s latest annual report and audited accounts. All documents must be in English otherwise an official English translation of the documents must be submitted
- Duly endorsed undertaking to abide by the terms and conditions governing the representative offices in Singapore
- Completed due diligence form along with passport and residential address proof
Documents required for Employment Pass application filing:
- Completed EP application
- Copy of passport
- 1 passport size recent photo
- Copies of educational certificates (above high school)
- Copy of resume
- Copies of past employment testimonials, appointment letters, etc., if available
- Tenancy agreement for business operations address in Singapore
- 1-2 page document that outlines a) detailed description of the duties to be performed by the applicant; and b) detailed description of activities and/or products of the company
- If you have a similar existing business overseas, it would be helpful to provide details such as audited accounts, brochures, client contracts, website details, etc.
Documents required for Dependant Pass for spouse:
- Completed DP application
- Copy of passport
- 1 passport size recent photo
- Copy of marriage certificate
- Educational details
- Salary details for the most recent employment held, if any
Documents required for Dependant Pass for child:
- Completed DP application
- Copy of passport
- 1 passport size recent photo
- Copy of birth certificate showing the names of both parents
- School enrollment details in an educational institute in Singapore
Please note the following:
- All documents must be in English or officially translated in English
- All copies of documents must be certified true copies by a notary public or you must bring the originals to our office for sighting
- If you are overseas, you can email us the scanned copies of documents so we can proceed with preparing the necessary incorporation documents. However we must receive the original certified true copies (or sight the originals at our office) before we can incorporate the company
- Our compliance department may ask for additional information if necessary
Package specific questions and answers:
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The purpose of a Representative Office is to conduct market research activities. It cannot engage in trading activities or business activities that generate profits. The staff strength should be reasonable and kept to the essential minimum. A Chief Representative Office must be appointed from the head office who is expected to relocate to Singapore.
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Once the application has been filed, it normally takes about 1 week to get approval from authorities. Sometime however, the authorities may ask for additional clarifications which may delay the process by another 1-2 weeks.
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Yes, the application is subject to approval by authorities. Assuming that your overseas company is an established company and your intended activities fall within the scope of activities allowed for a Representative Office, there shouldn't be any problems with the approval process.
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The chances of an Employment Pass application depend on the credentials of the company and the credentials of the individual applicant. We will be able to advice you further once we are in touch with you.
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To fulfill the requirements of establishing a Representative Office in Singapore, the foreign parent company must have been established for three years or more. In addition, the foreign parent company must have a sales turnover in excess of US$250,000 and it must also adhere to the maximum headcount of five employees.
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No, you are not required to visit Singapore to register a Representative office. We can work with you via emails and document couriering in order to get the necessary work done. However if you wish to open a bank account, a visit to Singapore might be a good idea. Almost all banks require an interview with the stakeholders and the process can go a lot smoother if there is a face-to-face meeting between you and the bank officer. For most banks, we are able to arrange the meeting at our own office. If however you are not able to visit Singapore, the bank will conduct a phone interview and the due-diligence process can take longer.
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When the Employment Pass application is filed online, it takes within 3 weeks for most cases to receive the outcome notification from authorities. It may take longer during peak periods or when additional information is required from the various economic agencies.
When thinking about the timeline, keep in mind the following:
- The company must be incorporated first before Employment Pass can be applied for. This can take anywhere from couple of days to couple of weeks depending on whether you are present in Singapore or overseas.
- If you intend to submit the application online, and if the company is newly incorporated, the MOM will need to be prompted of the company’s particulars in order to activate the EP-Online system. This process can take up to 14 days from the day of notification to the MOM.
- It may take certain amount of time for you to provide us with the completed application and supporting documents before we can file the application.
- After the pass is approved, there are still certain formalities that will need to be taken care of such as the medical examination, the appointment for fingerprinting registration, collection of the pass, etc, which may take few more days.
Important information about this package:
- The representative office must be registered before Employment Pass application can be filed. The EP application is subject to review and approval by authorities.
- Upon In-Principal-Approval notification of the Employment Pass/Dependent Pass, the disbursements for issuance of each pass will apply, as well as visa stamping fee, where applicable.
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