Company Incorporation Services in the Philippines

Our Company Incorporation Services

We offer a complete suite of company incorporation services suitable for all business structures and sizes. Our expert team can provide you with the following: 

Company Incorporation Consultation

With our in-house team of corporate legal experts and business consultants, we can provide you with a consultation and expert guidance on various aspects of company incorporation, from choosing the right business structure to identifying special licenses for your tax incentives and other benefits.  

Nominee Directors, Corporate Secretarial, and Resident Agent Services

We can offer your company privacy and compliance support through the appointment of nominee directors and a corporate secretary. Equally, we can designate a resident agent to receive legal documents on behalf of your foreign company and facilitate communication with regulatory agencies. Read more >>> 

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Registration

After preparing all necessary documentation, we can already check the availability of your preferred company name and reserve it with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while securing your company’s Certificate of Incorporation. Read more >>> 

Business Permits and Other Registrations

After the SEC registration, we can already proceed with obtaining all other licenses, permits, and tax registrations. These include business permits (barangay and mayor’s permits) from the local government units (LGUs), Certificate of Registration (COR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and employer registrations with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund. We can also handle any special licenses and accreditations as needed. Read more >>>    

Corporate Bank Account Opening

Next, we assist you in setting up a corporate bank account in your company’s name. We help you evaluate factors, such as internet banking options, deposit requirements, transaction ease, monthly fees, currency types, banks’ reputation, and other added services for tax filings, social security remittances, and payroll management. Read more >>>  

Virtual Office Services

We understand that it may take some time for you to establish your company’s physical presence in the Philippines. While a principal business address is highly required throughout the registration process, we also offer virtual office services, where you can benefit from a professional address, mail handling, and administrative support. Read more >>>

Trademark Registration

To safeguard your company’s brand assets — names, logos, and slogans — it is wise to register them before launching your business operations. At FilePino, we also offer a comprehensive trademark registration service, guiding you through consultation, documentation, responding to registrability reports, and maintenance of your registration. Read more >>> 

Other Post-Incorporation Services

As a one-stop business consulting firm, we can also provide your company with ongoing support and services during the startup phase. Our service offerings include bookkeeping and accounting, payroll management, HR consulting, background checks, global employment of records (EOR), compliance monitoring, and legal assistance. With these services, we are sure that you can focus on your company’s core activities.     

Company Incorporation FAQs

For your additional information, check out these frequently asked questions and their answers:

What Is Company Incorporation?

Company incorporation is the legal process of establishing a company or a corporation, resulting in a juridical entity with income, assets, and liabilities independent or separate from its owners and investors. 

What Business Structures Can Be Incorporated in the Philippines?

Corporations that can be formed or organized under the Revised Corporation Code (RCC) can be stock or non-stock:

[a] Domestic Corporations. These are corporations registered with the SEC, which can be 100% Filipino-owned, 60% Filipino-owned with 40% foreign ownership, or 40.01% to 100% foreign-owned (subject to certain provisions under the Foreign Investments Act).

[b] Foreign Corporations. These corporations are formed under laws outside of the Philippines and are granted licenses and rights to conduct business in the country. They are allowed to operate branch offices, representative offices, regional area headquarters (RHQs), and regional operating headquarters (ROHQs).

[c] Non-Stock Non-Profit Corporations. These corporations do not generate profits or issue shares of stocks to members. They operate for special purposes, such as charity, religion, education, culture, and civil service, among others.

[d] One Person Corporations (OPCs). These are corporations with a single stockholder who also acts as the sole incorporator, director, and president. 

How Much Is the Required Minimum Capitalization?

For domestic corporations — whether 100% Filipino-owned or 60% Filipino-owned with 40% foreign ownership — the minimum paid up capital is typically 25% of the subscribed capital stock, with a minimum of PHP 5,000. 

For domestic corporations with over 40% foreign equity and for foreign corporations (including branch offices and headquarters), the usual minimum paid-up capital is US$ 200,000. 

If engaged in exporting at least sixty percent (60%) of output, however, corporations can have a minimum capital requirement of PHP 5,000 regardless of ownership. Similarly, corporations utilizing advanced technology and employing at least 50 people can qualify for a lower capital requirement of US$ 100,000. 

Certain sectors, such as financial, investment, and insurance-related industries, have specific paid-up capital requirements mandated by law. Additionally, the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL) outlines economic sectors or investment areas where foreign ownership and participation are regulated.

What Documents Are Required for Company Incorporation?

Common documents needed for company incorporation with SEC include Application Summary Form, Cover Sheet, Articles of Incorporation (AOI), Treasurer’s Affidavit, Certificate of Authentication, By-Laws, and Application to Do Business Under the Foreign Investments Acts of 1991 (if applicable), among others. Subsequent registrations with LGUs and other agencies require further documentation. 

Where Are Companies Incorporated or Registered?

In the Philippines, companies are incorporated primarily through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). They must also register with local government units (LGUs), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and statutory agencies for the business permits, licenses, and other compliance requirements. 

Can Company Incorporation Be Processed Online?

Most government agencies in the Philippines, including the SEC, have already introduced and implemented online systems for company registration and related services. However, there are still cases where in-person submission of documentary requirements and other transactions may be necessary.

Does My Company Need a Resident Agent?

Under the Revised Corporation Code (RCC), foreign corporations looking to expand business operations in the Philippines through branch offices, representative offices, and headquarters are mandated to appoint a resident agent (i.e., an individual resident of the Philippines or a domestic corporation) to receive summons and other legal proceedings. 

What Are the Costs Involved in Company Incorporation?

The costs of company incorporation in the Philippines can vary significantly based on the business structure, documentary requirements, and professional fees for legal or consultancy services. Fees paid to the government regulatory bodies and agencies may include registration fees, documentary stamp tax, notarial fees, and other related expenses, which can range from a few thousand to tens of thousand pesos. 

How Long Does It Take to Incorporate a Company?

The SEC registration process usually takes about two (2) to four (4) weeks. With the additional business registrations, however, the entire company incorporation process — from registration with the SEC to statutory agencies — can take approximately three (3) to four (4) months.

What Are the Compliance Requirements After Company Incorporation?

After company incorporation, corporations must comply with regular reportorial requirements with the SEC, other government regulatory bodies, and LGUs. These normally include submitting General Information Sheets (GIS), Audited Financial Statements (AFS), tax return filings and payments, statutory remittances, and renewing business permits, among other obligations. 

Why Do You Need Expert Assistance in Company Incorporation?

Foreign nationals and entities, in particular, can benefit greatly from expert assistance in company incorporation to navigate complex regulations and ensure accurate document preparation. Professional service providers, like FilePino, can streamline processes, save time, and minimize risks that could lead to delays or penalties.