Foreign companies wanting to settle in Singapore can register branch offices. Our local consultants have the necessary experience to guide those who want to start a company in Singapore, including foreign companies interested in opening a branch office in Singapore.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Applicable legislation | Foreign legislation for the parent company, Singapore legislation for the local branch |
Best used for | Specific activities which require strict regulations (financial/insurance activities) |
Minimum share capital | No |
| Time frame for the incorporation (approx.) | Approx. 8 weeks |
| Management (Local/Foreign) | The branch must have at least one local resident director |
| Legal representative required | Yes |
| Local bank account | Yes |
| Independence from the parent company | Totally dependent on the parent company |
| Liability of the parent company | The parent company incurs full liability for the branch office's debts and obligations |
| Corporate tax rate | 17% on the profits arised in Singapore |
| Possibility of hiring local staff | Yes |
| Documents to be filed by the parent company | The following papers must be filed: – information about the parent company; -details of the Singapore officers appointed; – proof of legal address, etc. |
Annual accounts filing requirements | Singapore branch offices must file annual accounts of the parent company with ACRA |
Travel requirements for incorporating a branch (YES/NO) | No, there is no need to travel to Singapore to incorporate a branch office |
| Double tax treaty access (YES/NO) | YES, branch offices have access to double tax treaties provided the parent company is registered in a country that has such an agreement with Singapore |
| Special licenses required (YES/NO) | YES, branch offices may require special permits based on the industry they will operate in |
| Singapore legal address required (YES/NO) | YES, such an entity must have a local legal address |
| Activities permitted | There are no restrictions with respect to the activities to be completed, however, branches usually operate in well-regulated sectors, such as the financial one |
| Best used for | Financial and banking operations |
| Employee transfer possibility (YES/NO) | YES, it is possible to transfer employees from the parent company to the Singapore branch |
| Advantages of a Singapore branch office | – Easy and quick registration; – low corporate tax; – access to multiple double treaties; – can benefit from tax incentives. |
| Incorporation services availability (YES/NO) | YES, we can help investors open branches and set up new companies in Singapore |
Table of Contents
What are the steps to open a branch office in Singapore in 2026?
Here is a summary of the branch office registration process and the order of the operations:
- name reservation;
- local representative appointment;
- documents drafting and filing with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA);
- bank account opening;
- tax and GST registration;
- licensing.
We also invite you to watch our video on how to open a branch in Singapore:
What are some important features of a Singapore branch office from a legal perspective?
Here is what you need to know about this business form:
- it has no stand-alone personality, meaning it depends on the parent company in terms of decision-making procedures and liability;
- it is bound to carry out the same activities as the parent enterprise.
What are the requirements for opening a branch office in Singapore?
The branch is mainly an extension of a foreign company in Singapore, which is why it must carry the same name as the parent company. According to the Company Law in Singapore, a branch office requires two resident agents who must deal with the registration process and other activities on its behalf. Branch offices are also required to have a registered office in Singapore. The Singapore branch office may carry out any undertaking as the parent company does and has the right to repatriate the earnings and the capital. A Singapore branch will only be taxed on the income made in the country.
In case you are interested in setting up a branch in another jurisdiction, for example, in a European country, such as Romania, you can get in touch with our partners who can help you in this matter and in other legal areas too – Rolegal.com.
How is a branch registered in Singapore in 2026?
The first step when opening a branch office in Singapore is to submit the company’s name for approval with the Trade Register. The name will be approved unless it is identical to another company’s name. The second step will be the submission of the registration file to the Trade Register. The process should not take longer than 2 days. Once the registration is completed, the Companies Registrar will send an email notification with the confirmation of the new Singapore branch office. The notification will usually serve for opening the bank account in Singapore, or the registration for taxation purposes, but an incorporation certificate can be issued at the company’s request.
Branches can also opt for EORI registration in Singapore in order to trade on behalf of the parent company. If you are interested in opening up a company in Singapore, our team of experts is at your disposal.
The time frame for incorporating a branch in Singapore is around 8 weeks, while in other countries, such as Macedonia, it may take 3 months.
You can also see below a scheme presenting the steps for opening a Singapore branch office:
What is the information a foreign company must supply to ACRA when registering a branch office?
Foreign entities must disclose the following details:
- their countries of origin;
- their address abroad;
- the registration number assigned by the Commercial Register in their home countries;
- the date of incorporation;
- the legal form they operate under abroad;
- whether the foreign entity is registered with or without a share capital.
IMPORTANT! Please note that all foreign-issued documents must be translated into English, if they were released in other languages, and authenticated before submission toACRA.
What are the documents required for opening a branch office in Singapore?
The following documents must be submitted for the registration of a branch office in Singapore:
- notarized copies of the Certificate of Incorporation of the foreign company,
- notarized copies after the Articles of Association of the parent company,
- details about the parent company’s directors,
- a resolution appointing the two agents acting on behalf of the branch office in Singapore,
- documents proving the registered address of the branch,
- a statement issued by the foreign company regarding the powers of the two local agents.
What is the information to be filed with ACRA for the local branch?
The parent company must also inform ACRA about:
- the Singapore address of the branch office for official notices and communication purposes;
- the office hours of the branch;
- a valid email address.
Please note that you cannot use a P.O. box as a registered address. Instead, our Singapore company formation agents advise on a virtual office, an advantageous address you can find with us.
Also, the branch must be open for public access at least 3 hours per working day, of the office hours advertised with ACRA.
Are there any licensing requirements applicable to branches in Singapore?
The branch office will be limited to completing the same activities as the parent company, which means it will have to obtain the licenses and permits for those activities only. These licenses, however, must be obtained with the relevant Singapore authorities which could imply requesting legal assistance.
The documents required to apply for the necessary licenses in order to operate a branch in Singapore are the same as for any other local business.
How long does it take to register a branch in Singapore?
Provided all documents are in order, their verification and the release of the Registration Certificate take about 2 working days. Paperwork preparation can also take a few days if you work with us.
How much does it cost to register a branch in Singapore?
When referring to the fees applied by ACRA, you can expect:
- SGD 15 for the name reservation;
- SGD 300 as a registration fee.
Apart from these, you will need to consider the registered agent, licensed incorporation services, and documents drafting. Our specialists can make you a personalized offer, based on the services you need.
Do I need to come to Singapore to open a branch office?
No, there is no need for a personal visit to Singapore if you decide to set up a branch office here.
How are branch offices taxed in Singapore?
From a taxation point of view, the branch office will be considered a non-resident business entity. This means that the corporate tax will be levied only on the income generated in Singapore. It can benefit from the provisions of Singapore’s double taxation agreements, which imply the avoidance of imposing the same taxes on the income of branch offices in this country and in the parent company’s country of origin.
Please feel free to contact our company incorporation agents, who can provide you with more details about the process of opening a branch in Singapore.
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