Representative Office + EP Package

A Representative Office provides a foreign company interested in establishing operation in Singapore an avenue to assess business opportunities in Singapore market prior to making any long term or large scale commitment. A Representative Office cannot engage in commercial revenue-generating activities.

If you choose to set up a Singapore Representative Office, you must take the following steps:

1. Submit an application to register the Representative Office. Asiabiz Services can assist you in the registration of your Representative Office.
2. You can apply for an Employment Pass only after you have succeeded in registering the Representative Office. The Employment Pass application is for the Chief Representative who is the appointed staff member from the foreign company. The Employment Pass will allow the Chief Representative to relocate to Singapore to run the Representative Office.
3. You will require a local registered office address. Asiabiz Services can provide you with the use of our corporate registered address on a temporary or long term basis, if needed.

Note: Representative Office registration and Employment Pass application can be processed without you having to be in Singapore.

Taxation of Singapore Representative Office

A Representative Office cannot engage in commercial revenue-generating activities, and therefore need not file for annual tax returns. However, income paid to the staff of the Representative Office including the Chief Representative is subject to Singapore personal income tax.

Setting Up a Singapore Representative Office

A foreign company interested in establishing operations in Singapore may explore business potential in Singapore by incorporating a Representative Office. It is an ideal way to assess opportunities before making any long term or large-scale business commitment. A Representative Office cannot engage in commercial revenue-generating activities.

Most Representative Offices are registered with International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore) - the corresponding office registration authority.

A registration of a Singapore Representative Office is valid for a period of one year and can be renewed annually for a maximum of two years. After the two-year period, the Representative Office must convert into either a Subsidiary or Branch Office.

Features At-a-Glance

• An extension of the foreign parent company
• Not a separate legal identity
• Foreign parent company is liable for all acts, debts and liabilities of its Representative Office
• Cannot engage in commercial revenue-generating activities
• No filing requirements
• Curtailed from negotiating any trading instruments or leasing of warehouses
• Must appoint and relocate a chief representative staff member from head office to the Singapore Representative Office to supervise its activities
• Allowed to appoint limited number of staff, both local and foreign, to support the limited activities of the Representative Office
• Must notify authorities in advance of any changes in representatives, address or registered activities
• If parent company has a name change, the notification must be accompanied by a copy of the parent company's Certificate of Change in Name
• Must clearly state that it is a Representative Office on all communication materials
• All staff of the Representative Office, including Chief Representative is subject to personal income tax
• Representative Office can obtain a Central Registration (CR) Number from Singapore Customs to import and export product samples
• CR Number not allowed to be used for any trading activities
• Representative Office must be deregistered if parent company becomes dormant

Documents Required for Representative Office Registration

• A certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, or registration of foreign company
• A copy of the parent company’s latest annual report
• A copy of audited financial statements

How AsiaBiz can help you: All foreign companies are required to engage a professional service agent to assist in the registration and incorporation of their Representative Offices. IE Singapore takes approximately five working days to process the registration. This process can be delayed if IE Singapore requires more information from the company. AsiaBiz offers a seamless and innovative package that facilitates a hassle-free incorporation of your Representative Office.

What is a Singapore Employment Pass (EP)?

The Ministry of Manpower grants each EP with a validity of 1 or 2 years, and is renewable as long as the pass holder remains employed in the company. With an EP, you can travel in and out of Singapore with minimum hassle at the immigration. As an EP holder, you are also eligible to apply for permanent residency in Singapore.

Do I need an EP?

You’ll need an EP if you’re an entrepreneur who’s just incorporated a Singapore company and wishes to move here. Or if you’re a corporation looking to relocate your staff such as managing directors, management staff and shareholders of the company.

Employment Pass Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for an EP, you must have a minimum fixed monthly salary of S$2,500 and possess one or more of the following:

• Recognised educational diploma/degree
• Professional qualifications
• Specialist skills

Your application is evaluated by the Ministry of Manpower based on your merits. There are also other factors may affect your application, such as:

• Salary
• Age
• Roles & responsibility
• Related work experience
• Company’s background
• Company’s paid up capital
• Current citizenship

A recognised educational qualification does not guarantee a successful EP application. You’ll also need to satisfy other criteria such as relevant work experience and/or professional skills. Similarly, an applicant without a recognised educational qualification may not necessarily be rejected for EP if he has other compensating factors.

Documents Required for Employment Pass (EP)

We will need the following documents for submission of Employment Pass visa application in Singapore:

• Resume or CV stating your educational and employment history
• Copies of educational certificates and past employment testimonials
• A copy of your passport details

Any documents that are not in English must be translated into English by an official translation service.

Pass Types

There are three categories of Employment Pass: P1, P2 and Q1 Pass. The P Pass is for foreigners seeking managerial, executive or specialist jobs. The EP does not fall under any quota system nor is there a monthly levy charge for EP.

• P1 Pass
  For applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$7,000.
• P2 Pass
  For applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$3,500 and up to S$7,000, and he/she possesses recognised qualifications.
• Q1 Pass
  For applicants earning a fixed monthly salary of more than S$2,500 and he/she possesses recognised qualifications.

Employment Pass Eligibility Summary Table

Procedure and Timeline

We can apply for your EP in 3 Simple Steps. We submit all Employment Pass applications electronically to Ministry of Manpower as the application process is shorter. This means you’ll also learn of your application outcome sooner.

STEP 1

We’ll apply for authorisation code required to submit EP applications online for newly incorporated company. It takes 7-14 days for Ministry of Manpower to send the authorisation code.

STEP 2

Once we obtained the authorisation code, your EP application will be submitted online. The Ministry of Manpower takes between 1-15 days to issue an approval.

STEP 3

Once the application is approved, the Ministry of Manpower will issue an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via email. The IPA letter must be produced upon collection of the EP at the Work Pass Division at Ministry of Manpower. An IPA letter is valid for Six months from the date of notification of approval.

To collect your EP you’ll need to bring:

• A copy of the IPA letter
• Recently taken passport size photograph
• Original passport with the entry embarkation cards
• Medical exam report* (if the In-Principle Approval states that you require one)
• Any other documents that are requested in the approval letter

* You can get a medical examination done in your own country through an established clinic/hospital or in Singapore. Most clinics in Singapore can provide medical examination and report within a day.

Employment Pass Validity

• Validity period for first-time applicants is up to two years
• Validity for EP renewals is up to three years

Entry Visa into Singapore

If you are overseas and require an entry visa to Singapore, your IPA letter will include a single journey entry visa. Upon your arrival in Singapore, we will make an appointment with Ministry of Manpower on your behalf for finger printing. Your pass will be ready in 4 days after you complete the procedures.

You may collect the pass at Ministry of Manpower personally or authorise AsiaBiz to collect it on your behalf.

Rejection of Employment Pass Application

In the event that your Employment Pass application is rejected, AsiaBiz lodge an inquiry with the Ministry of Manpower. Based on the reasons provided by the Ministry, we will submit an appeal that will address the issues outlined by the government body and also include all additional documents, if any, that they request for. The Ministry of Manpower will take a minimum of three weeks or more to review your appeal.

Change of Employer

You must apply for a new pass whenever if you change employers. There is no need to cancel the existing pass before applying for a new pass. The Ministry of Manpower evaluates each application for a new pass based the applicant's qualifications, work experience, and employer credentials. A new pass will be issued to you once the old pass is cancelled.

Renewal of Employment Pass

The Ministry of Manpower will send an Employment Pass Renewal Form to your employer two months before your EP expires. You should submit the renewal application at least 4 weeks prior to the expiration of your EP. Upon approval, your employer will receive a letter of notification and your new pass is ready for pick up at the Ministry of Manpower.

Permanent Residence Eligibility

EP holders of P1, P2 and Q status are eligible to apply to become a Permanent Residence through the Professional, Technical & Skilled Workers scheme. There is no designated waiting period but one of the documents required is 6 months of salary record, therefore you should plan your application at least 6 months ahead. However, it is advisable for Q1 pass holders to wait at least 2 years before applying for permanent residency.

Passes for Family Members

All Employment Pass holders can apply for Dependant Pass and/or Long-Term Visit Pass for their family members.