Looking to start a business in the Philippines? Our Company Incorporation and Business Registration Services make the process simple and fast!
Here are some frequently asked questions to guide you through the process of company incorporation and business registration in the Philippines:
The Philippines is an attractive business and foreign investment destination for a number of compelling reasons, including its robust economic growth, strategic location, highly skilled workforce, cost-effective operations, and favorable foreign investment climate.
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The Philippines offers numerous high-potential industries. Popular sectors include IT and BPO services, real estate and construction, manufacturing, retail and e-commerce, renewable energy, tourism and hospitality, and financial services, among others.
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The best city for you to start a business in the Philippines depends on your industry and target market. In Metro Manila, cities like Taguig, Makati, Quezon City, and Pasig are popular destinations due to progressive business hubs, such as the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Makati Central Business District (CBD), Ortigas Center, and Araneta Center (Cubao). Outside the National Capital Region (NCR), cities like Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo are emerging as viable alternatives with growing economies and less competition.
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You can choose from various business structures, including domestic corporations, one person corporations (OPCs), partnerships, sole proprietorships, and cooperatives (the latter is not allowed for foreigners). If you’re a foreigner, you can expand your business to the Philippines by registering your foreign corporation and operating a branch office, representative office, or headquarters.
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A domestic corporation is a company that is duly incorporated, registered, and operating under Philippine laws. In contrast, a foreign corporation (resident), is incorporated outside of the Philippines but registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to operate in the country.
A branch office in the Philippines is an extension of your foreign company, allowing you to conduct profit-making activities under local laws. A representative office, however, cannot generate income and serves solely as a liaison, focusing on market research and promotion.
If you set up a regional headquarters (RHQ), it can oversee your branch offices and subsidiaries, but it cannot generate income. In contrast, a regional operating headquarters (ROHQ) can generate income while managing operations such as logistics and business development.
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Among the available options, a domestic corporation is best suited for foreign entrepreneurs or investors, like you. This structure offers limited liability, simplified documentation, ease of registration, and various government incentives.
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The 60-40 rule on business ownership in the Philippines applies to most (but not all) of the investment sectors. Under this rule, a foreign investor can own up to 40% of a business, while the majority 60% must remain under Filipino control.
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Yes, foreigners can own and operate a business in the Philippines with up to one hundred percent (100%) foreign ownership, provided that the industry or sector is not restricted under the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL).
Learn more about how to form a business in the Philippines as a foreigner here here >>>
The Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), or simply the Negative List, is a list of economic sectors or investment areas where foreign ownership and participation in the Philippines are regulated based on the set percentages. It contains two component lists: List A and List B.
List A contains areas of investment where the level of foreign ownership is restricted by the mandate of the Philippine Constitution or by specific laws. List B contains areas of investment where foreign ownership is limited for reasons of national security, defense, risk to health and morals, and protection of local small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs).
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The capital requirements for your business depend on the chosen business structure and foreign ownership. For a sole proprietorship, there is no minimum requirement. For a partnership, the capital is based on your agreement with your partners. For a corporation, the minimum capital can be as low as PHP 5,000 but may go up to US$ 200,000.
If you’re a foreigner and your business has more than 40% foreign ownership, the minimum paid-up capital is US$ 200,000. However, this can reduce to US$ 100,000 if your business involves advanced technology or employs at least 50 Filipinos.
Additionally, if your business qualifies as an exporter – meaning it exports at least 60% of its output– you may be eligible for 100% foreign ownership. This exception allows foreign investors to have full control over their business operations in the Philippines, as long as they meet the export criteria.
Yes, you are required to have a business address in the Philippines in order to register your company. This address must be supported by a lease contract (or its equivalent) to comply with local regulations.
However, if you do not have a physical office, you can lease a virtual office temporarily for registration purposes. This can serve as a valid business address during the registration process.
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Under the Revised Corporation Code (RCC) of the Philippines, domestic corporations can operate with a minimum of just two (2) and a maximum of fifteen (15) directors. In the case of a One Person Corporation (OPC), the single stockholder acts as both the incorporator and director.
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The residency requirement for corporate directors was removed under Section 22 of the RCC. However, if necessary, you can specify in your bylaws that a majority of the directors must be residents of the Philippines.
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For a domestic corporation, aside from the directors, you must appoint the following officers:
President, who must also be a director;
Treasurer, who must be a resident;
Secretary, who must be both a citizen and resident of the Philippines; and,
Other officers as determined by your company’s bylaws.
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For a One Person Corporation (OPC), you are also the company president and must appoint other officers, including a corporate secretary, who must be a Filipino citizen; a treasurer, who must be a local resident; a nominee; an alternate nominee, and any other officers as needed. You can also appoint yourself as the treasurer, provided that you deposit a surety bond based on your declared capital stock.
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A resident agent is only required if you are registering a foreign corporation. While the registration of extension offices (e.g., branch or representative office) of foreign corporations does not require directors and officers distinct from the head office, it is mandatory to appoint a resident agent.
Under the RCC, appointing a resident agent is a condition for a foreign corporation to obtain a license to transact business in the Philippines. The resident agent is responsible for receiving notices on behalf of the foreign corporation. The agent may be an individual residing in the Philippines or a domestic corporation conducting business in the country.
The documentary requirements depend on your chosen business structure. For a domestic corporation, you will typically need to submit your Articles of Incorporation (AOI), Bylaws, Treasurer’s Affidavit, bank certificate for paid-up capital, proof of business address, and other clearances to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Additionally, requirements will also be needed for business permits and other registrations.
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The process begins with company name verification and registration with the appropriate agency:
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for partnerships and corporations,
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for sole proprietorships, or
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for cooperatives
Once registered, you can obtain business permits from local government units (LGUs) and a tax registration certificate from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). If your business operates in a regulated sector, then you must secure secondary licenses (e.g., BSP license for banking operations, FDA registration for pharmaceuticals, etc.). Finally, you will need to register as an employer with statutory agencies like the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund.
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No, each business must be registered separately with the relevant government agencies. However, a single corporation can engage in different business activities, as long as these activities are outlined in its Articles of Incorporation under primary and secondary purposes.
While parts of the registration process can now be done online, many steps still require in-person processing and the submission of hard copies of documentary requirements.
Yes, with our service, we can process your company incorporation and business registration even if you are not physically present in the Philippines. We collaborate with our sister companies, Duran & Duran Schulze Law and FileDocsPhil, to assist you with legal document preparation and apostille processing.
The basic cost for registering a domestic corporation in the Philippines typically ranges from PHP 10,000 to PHP 30,000. This cost does not include transportation expenses and other incidental costs. Also, if you are a foreigner, there may be extra considerations and requirements that could affect the total cost.
If you have sufficient capital, it is highly recommended to hire a professional company registration service provider, like FilePino, Inc., to handle the paperwork and other administrative tasks.
Set up a consultation today to know more about our fees, scopes of work, and other service details. Call us at (02) 8478-5826 (landline) and 0917 892 2337 (mobile) or send an email to info@filepino.com.
With all the required documentary submissions and certificates to be obtained, the processing of your company incorporation and registration typically takes three (3) to four (4) months (most realistic timeline). However, unforeseen delays and additional requirements may affect this estimated timeline.
Yes, you can apply for changes to your incorporation details even after your company is fully registered. You will need to amend your Articles of Incorporation (AOI) and Bylaws and file them with the SEC and other relevant agencies.
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Yes, you need to open a corporate or business bank account for legal compliance and effective management of your company’s finances. If you are a foreigner, you will also need a local bank account to remit the required paid-up capital and to obtain a bank certificate.
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Corporations, whether domestic or resident foreign, are generally taxed at a rate of 25% (reduced from the previous 30%). Domestic micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with a net taxable income of less than PHP 5 million and total assets of less than PHP 100 million can benefit from a preferential rate of 20%.
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You can also take advantage of our accounting services or schedule a consultation with our qualified accountants to gain a deeper understanding of corporate taxation and tax compliance in the Philippines. Learn more about our accounting services here >>>
Yes, businesses engaged in export, pioneering industries, utilities, facilities, and tourism may qualify for tax incentives. By registering with the Board of Investments (BOI) and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), your business may benefit from fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including tax holidays, exemptions, and credits.
After successfully registering your company, you must adhere to various business laws and regulations to avoid penalties and legal issues. Post-registration compliance requirements include SEC reportorial requirements (i.e., audited financial statements (AFS) and general information sheet (GIS) for corporations), tax filings with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), business permit renewals, labor law compliance, employee benefits, social security remittances, and other industry-specific compliance.
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If you’re a foreigner setting up or managing your business in the Philippines, you will need to apply for and maintain an appropriate visa or a working permit. Several visa options are available, depending on your circumstances, such as a Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV), 9D Treaty Trader’s Visa, PEZA Visa, and 9G Pre-Arranged Work Visa, among others.
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FilePino is a trusted and leading business consulting firm in the Philippines. With years of experience and a commitment to excellence, we offer a wide range of services to help your business succeed. Whether you are starting a new venture or expanding your operations, FilePino is here to support you every step of the way.
At FilePino, we provide a comprehensive suite of corporate services designed to meet the needs of businesses at every stage of their growth. The key services we offer are Company Formation and Business Registration, Minuting Corporate Secretarial Recording and Compliance, Accounting and Tax Compliance, Payroll Management, Human Resource Consulting and Outsourcing, Background Checks, Transfer of Shares of Stock Processing, Trademark Registration, Government Compliances and Reportorial Requirements, Special Accreditations, Visa Processing, Immigration Services, Private Employer Organization (PEO), Virtual Office in BGC Taguig, and more.
Simply click on the Services tab on this website to learn more about these services.
Yes, we offer our services in both packages and à la carte options at competitive rates.
For example, our company incorporation and business registration service covers essential processes such as SEC registration, business permit processing, BIR registration, and employer registrations with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund. This service is available in the following packages: Premium Package, Corporate Package, and Enterprise Package. Each package offers different features tailored to the needs of your business.
Book a consultation to discuss the package inclusions and professional fees with our specialists on this link.
Yes, we can! Although we are headquartered in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, Metro Manila—one of the major business districts in the Philippines—we can leverage our technological tools and strong partnerships with agencies across the country to provide you with our services. In fact, our top-tier services have reached clients in Visayas and Mindanao, demonstrating our ability to serve businesses nationwide.
We are located at 1212 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634. You may call us at (02) 8478-5826 (landline) and 0917 892 2337 (mobile) or send an email to info@filepino.com.
Our team is ready to assist you with all your business needs!
We offer flexible consultation options: you can choose to book either an onsite consultation or virtual consultation with our business consultants and specialists, depending on your preference. Take advantage of our limited-time offer of a free 30-minute consultation!
Company incorporation and business registration are terms often used interchangeably, but they refer to different stages in the process of legally establishing a business. Company incorporation creates a legal entity such as a corporation, while business registration ensures that your business complies with local regulations, including operational, tax, and other legal requirements.
At FilePino, we specialize in both company formation and business registration in the Philippines. Our team has successfully helped thousands of clients, including foreign nationals, foreign business entities, and expatriates, turn their international visions into thriving local ventures.
Let FilePino guide you through your company incorporation and business registration.
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