How to Register a Philippine Representative Office

A representative office in the Philippines is foreign-owned corporation, organized and existing under foreign laws.

A representative office is a liaison office for head offices abroad. It is an extension office where the parent company finances the operating costs. Key objectives of a representative office include information dissemination, marketing activities, and customer service and support for the parent company. 

Do’s and Don’ts for a Representative Office in the Philippines

Do’s:

Don’ts:

Disseminate information about the products/services of its parent company. Should not generate revenue for the company locally. 
Market products/services of its parent company.
Assist clients/customers of its parent company Should not provide services to third-party agents.
Perform quality control of products. Should not apply for tax incentives from the government. 
Undertake accounting chores.
Execute data entry tasks. 
Conduct market research. 
Embark on other administrative tasks, such as designating a Resident Agent to receive the summons and legal proceedings

Requirements for Starting a Representative Office in the Philippines:

  • Notarized SEC Application Form F-104
  • Authenticated or apostilled copy of the Board Resolution of the parent company for setting up the Representative Office and delegating a Resident Agent residing in the Philippines to receive the summons and legal proceedings
  •  Financial statements classified accordingly:
    • For those whose home country requires audited financial statements, the applicant shall submit the financial statement:
      • For the immediately preceding year at the time of filing of the application; 
      • Audited by an independent certified public accountant of the home country;
      • Authenticated before the Philippine Consulate/Embassy or apostilled as the case may be.
    • If the date of the authenticated financial statement exceeds the 1-year requirement, the applicant shall submit:
      • Authenticated audited financial statements that are available as of the date of filing of the application and;
      • Authenticated unaudited financial statements as of the date not exceeding 1 year immediately prior to the filing of the application signed by an officer of the foreign corporation.
    •  For those whose home country does not require audited financial statements, the applicant shall submit:
      • Authenticated unaudited financial statements as of a date not exceeding one year immediately before the filing of the application and;
      • Authenticated certification signed under oath by an officer of a responsible regulatory institution or by the applicant’s legal counsel that the applicant is not required to prepare and submit an audited financial statement with citation of the law or regulation on which it is based. Please attach a print-out of the law for verification purposes.
  • Authenticated or apostilled Articles of Incorporation 
  • Proof of Inward Remittance amounting to US$30,000.00 
  • Resident Agent’s acceptance of appointment if the resident agent is not present to sign the application form.
  • Clearances from government offices, if applicable

Procedure for Starting a Representative Office in the Philippines:

  • Register your company name at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
  • Submit all requirements to SEC for evaluation and processing.
  • Confirm meeting minimum capital requirements for a non-resident account from a local bank. 
  • Accomplish SEC Form F-104 application form and pay the required fees. 
  • Obtain a Certificate of Registration from SEC and register with the Records Division.
  • Secure business or mayor’s permits from the local municipal hall.
  • File for registration application with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). 
  • For employers, file for registration with government agencies BIR, Pag-Ibig, Philhealth, and SSS.
  • File for registration with other government agencies, where applicable.

Triple i Consulting’s Help for Starting a Representative Office in the Philippines:

Are you considering starting a representative office in the Philippines? We can certainly help.

Triple i Consulting offers services dedicated to the establishment of a representative office in the country, which include:

Triple i Consulting is an ISO-Certified company dedicated in helping clients incorporate, register, and legalize their business in the Philippines. As the first ISO 9001:2008 company in the country to offer business registration services to its clients, Triple i Consulting is armed with a team of Philippine business strategy experts who can provide expertise in establishing a representative office in the Philippines. 

Get the representative office set-up assistance you need by contacting us here, filling out the form below, calling us at +63 (02) 8540-9623, or emailing us at info@tripleiconsulting.com to book an initial consultation with one of our business registration experts.

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