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Representative Office

For market research and liaison only

Liability

Parent company liable

Owners

Foreign parent company

Setup Time

2–4 weeks

ACRA Fee

S$0 (free registration)

A Representative Office is a temporary setup for foreign companies to conduct market research, feasibility studies, and liaison work. It cannot conduct commercial activities or generate revenue. Valid for up to 3 years, after which it must convert to a branch or subsidiary.

Best for

Foreign companies conducting market research before committing to Singapore

Advantages

Simplest way to test the market
No revenue-generating restrictions on research
Low cost
Can hire up to 5 staff

Considerations

Cannot conduct business or generate revenue
Temporary — max 3 years
Must convert to branch or subsidiary after
Limited scope of activities

This is an independent guide — not a government website and not legal or tax advice. Official registration is done on ACRA Bizfile. Always verify current requirements on the relevant .gov.sg portal.