BCGF assists startups and established companies in navigating their business registration requirements in the Philippines effortlessly. Our dedicated team of business registration experts is here to support you at every stage of the process, ensuring a smooth experience.
Are you planning to start a business in the Philippines? The first step is to establish a legal identity by creating a unique business name, which secures your ownership rights over all activities and assets related to your business.
Business registration involves several key government bodies and agencies:
Business registration is crucial for legal compliance in the Philippines. It opens the door to various incentives, such as reduced tax rates, income tax holidays, long-term land leases, and streamlined customs procedures.
Depending on your industry, you can access fiscal and non-fiscal benefits from agencies like the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Board of Investments (BOI).
Conversely, running an unregistered business can lead to significant fines and penalties, all of which can be avoided by properly following the business registration process and submitting the necessary documentation.
BCGF is here to guide you through the entire process from start to finish.
Registering a sole proprietorship is the easiest and quickest way to establish your business. The sole owner manages all assets and profits, allowing for the combination of business and personal assets.
Register as a One Person Corporation (OPC) to enjoy the benefits of a traditional corporation without needing multiple stockholders. An OPC has a single owner and provides limited liability protection.
Registering as a domestic corporation is a common choice for businesses with foreign investors. Corporation equity can be 100% Filipino, 60% Filipino with 40% foreign, or 40% to 100% foreign.
Registering a general or limited partnership with two or more individuals is ideal for both local and foreign companies in the Philippines.
Registering a foreign company in the Philippines can be done through a domestic corporation or as a resident foreign corporation.
Register with PEZA or BOI to take advantage of economic incentives in the Philippines. Find out if your business is eligible for these perks.
Whether with local or foreign investors, a company duly registered under Philippine law must comply with several business registration requirements. Each government agency has varying procedures. Below is an overview of what to expect.
Sole proprietorships must be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The basic requirements include:
One Person Corporations (OPC), domestic corporations, and partnerships must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The basic requirements include:
All types of businesses must secure a barangay clearance, as the barangay is the smallest Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines. The basic requirements include:
All businesses must register with the city where they plan to operate. The terms “Mayor’s Permit,” “Business Permit,” and “Municipal License” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to the same documentation.
While specific requirements may vary by city, basic documentation usually includes:
All businesses must register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for tax purposes. Once approved, BIR will issue a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and an authority to print receipts and invoices. Basic requirements include:
All businesses with employees must adhere to Philippine labor standards and regulations. Employers benefiting from an individual’s services must register with the Social Security System (SSS).
Additionally, businesses with five or more employees are encouraged to register with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), while those with 50 or more employees are mandated to register.
Foreign corporations can operate in the Philippines by establishing locally registered branches of their head offices. Alongside the standard permits and clearances required for all businesses, international companies must select from the following registration options.
A branch office allows a foreign company to generate revenue in the Philippines without establishing a separate legal entity. The parent company remains fully accountable for all actions, activities, and liabilities associated with the branch office.
A representative office in the Philippines focuses on non-commercial activities for its parent company and does not have a separate legal identity. It is prohibited from engaging in revenue-generating activities and cannot directly offer products or services in the country. Permitted functions for representative offices include:
A Regional Headquarters (RHQ) is a business entity that cannot engage in income generation and is ideal for foreign companies with a network of subsidiaries, branches, and affiliates. It lacks a separate legal identity from its parent company. Permitted activities for RHQs in the Philippines include:
A Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ) is an income-generating entity that expands its parent company’s business activities in the Philippines. It is commonly established by foreign corporations with a network of subsidiaries, branches, and affiliates. However, the ROHQ is prohibited from engaging in the following activities:
BCGF works with businesses of all sizes, from small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) to multinational corporations. We provide end-to-end business registration assistance, which includes:
We can also help you evaluate the following:
BCGF has an in-house team of seasoned business registration experts and bookkeeping professionals. Additionally, we have a corporate lawyer who provides sound legal guidance on company formation and business registration in the Philippines.
The timeframe for registration varies based on the specific business entity you choose and the timely submission of requirements. Contact us via email or phone to learn more about the duration for registering a particular business entity.
If you purchased a virtual office package from BCGF along with business registration support, you can enjoy the amenities in our spaces.
However, if you only opted for the business registration package, you’ll need to make a paid booking each time you want to use our facilities at BCGF.