Bestar Reply Registering a Branch - Singapore Inquiry

Roger Pay
Aug 20, 2025
4 min read

Singapore Branch Registration Inquiry

Bestar Reply Registering a Branch - Singapore Inquiry

Dear Client,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the registration of a branch office in Singapore. Registering a branch office for a foreign company in Singapore is a well-established process with specific requirements set by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Here is a general overview of the key steps and requirements:

1. Engage a Corporate Service Provider: Foreign companies are not permitted to self-register a branch office. You must engage a registered filing agent or corporate service provider in Singapore to handle the registration on your behalf.

2. Name Application and Approval: The branch office must operate under the exact same name as the parent company. The corporate service provider will submit a name application to ACRA for approval. This process typically takes a short time, often within an hour, unless the name requires referral to another government agency for specific industry approval.

3. Appoint a Local Representative: A branch office in Singapore must have at least one authorized representative who is a Singapore resident. This can be a Singapore citizen, a permanent resident, or an Employment Pass holder.

4. Registered Office Address: You must provide a physical registered office address in Singapore. A P.O. Box is not allowed.

5. Required Documents: The corporate service provider will need a number of documents from your parent company, which may include:

A certified true copy of the parent company's Certificate of Incorporation.
A certified true copy of the parent company's Constitution (or similar founding documents).
A list of the parent company's directors.
The parent company's latest audited financial statements.
A statement of consent from the appointed local representative.

6. Registration and Post-Registration: Once all documents are in order, the corporate service provider will submit the registration application to ACRA via the BizFile+ portal. The process is generally quick, often taking 1-3 business days.

After registration, you will need to handle other compliance matters, such as:

Applying for any necessary business licenses.
Registering for corporate tax with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). A branch office is automatically registered for corporate tax but may need to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) if its annual turnover exceeds S$1 million.
Opening a corporate bank account.

Important Note: A key difference between a branch office and a subsidiary is that a branch is not a separate legal entity; it is an extension of the parent company. This means the parent company remains fully liable for all debts and liabilities of the Singapore branch. Additionally, for tax purposes, a branch office is considered a non-resident and may not be eligible for certain tax incentives and exemptions available to local companies.

Bestar Corporate Service Provider Fees

Our package for a foreign company will include:

Professional service fee for handling the registration: This covers the preparation of all documents, name application, filing with ACRA, and the government fee for registration. The cost for this is S$650.
Registered Office Address: A registered office address is mandatory. This service provides you with a physical address to use for official correspondence. Fee for this is S$180 per year.
Appointment of a Local Representative: A local representative is a mandatory requirement. If you do not have a resident in Singapore to fulfill this role, Bestar can offer this service. The cost for a nominee local representative is S$2,500 per year, and requires a S$2,500 refundable security deposit.
Other ad-hoc services: Additional costs may be incurred for services such as:
- Certified translation of documents (if not in English).
- Notarization or legalization of corporate documents.
- Courier charges for documents.
- Application for an Employment Pass for a foreign employee (if applicable). This can cost S$1,300 per application.
- Assistance with opening a corporate bank account.

Summary of Costs

Fee Type	Cost (One-Time)	Cost (Annual)
Bestar Fee (Registration) + ACRA Government Fees	S$650	-
Registered Office Address	S$180	S$180
Nominee Local Representative	S$2,500 + S$2,500 refundable deposit	S$2,500
Total Initial Cost	S$3,330 + S$2,500 refundable deposit	S$2,680 (for ongoing services)

How to Get Started with Our Services

Here are the steps:

Consultation & Proposal:
- Receive a proposal/quote: We will discuss your business needs to tailor our services and provide a comprehensive proposal, including a detailed quotation for our fees and government charges.
Payment:
- Upon your confirmation of engagement, we will issue an invoice with our wiring instructions. Full payment of our service fee is required in advance due to the nature of the service. Please note that once the service commences, our service fee is non-refundable.
Provide Required Information & Documents:
- Complete forms: We will send you forms like a "Company Incorporation Form", "KYC (Know Your Client) Form", and a "PDPA Consent Form" to gather necessary details about your proposed branch, directors, and shareholders.
- Submit identification: You'll need to provide scanned copies of passports/NRICs and proof of residential address for all directors and shareholders. For foreign documents, these may need to be notarized.
Registation Process:
- Bestar will then proceed with the branch name reservation and submission of the registration application to ACRA.
- We will keep you updated on the progress. Typically, registration can be completed within 1 to 3 business days once all documents are in order and submitted to ACRA.
Post-Incorporation:
- Upon successful registration, you'll receive the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Profile.
- Bestar will then assist with opening a bank account and setting up any ongoing services (accounting, etc.) you've engaged us for.