Philippines Company Registration - Access to the Growing Services Market in Southeast Asia.

Yes. SEC incorporation, BIR registration, and local permits can be handled under a power of attorney, while OPC documents can be notarised abroad through consular legalisation or apostille. Banks generally prefer to meet a signatory once, while applying for a 9(g) visa requires personal presence. We plan the visit for the stage where it is actually needed.

Turnkey registration starts from $2,900, including SEC, BIR, and local permits; with banking support, from $4,900. PEZA or BOI registration is available from an additional $2,500. Renewals and accounting support start from $1,800 per year. Paid-in capital is calculated separately and depends on the chosen business model, so this amount should be determined in advance.

Only under one route. A majority-foreign corporation selling into the domestic market requires $200,000 in paid-in capital; this amount can be reduced to $100,000 when advanced technology is used or at least 50 Filipino employees are hired. Export enterprises receiving 70% or more of their revenue from abroad are subject to significantly lower requirements. The same country offers two entry models, so we determine the appropriate one for you first.

Under the standard regime, the corporate tax rate is 25% (20% for small companies), with 12% VAT and local business taxes. Registered enterprises may qualify for special conditions: tax holidays for 4-7 years, followed by a 5% tax on gross income in lieu of national and local taxes, while qualifying exports may benefit from zero-rated VAT. Dividends are subject to a 25% rate, which may be reduced to 15% or lower under applicable tax treaties. Choosing PEZA can have a greater impact than individual tax rates.

A qualifying export activity - such as BPO, software development, or manufacturing - is registered and established in an accredited economic-zone building. The regime provides tax holidays followed by 5% SCIT or enhanced deductions, import-duty exemptions, and zero-rated VAT for qualifying transactions. Work-from-home arrangements are also expressly permitted for certain enterprises. Applications undergo substantive review, so documentation is prepared in accordance with PEZA requirements.

English has official-language status, the country has a strong service culture, produces around one million graduates each year, and can operate across all time zones. The industry’s scale - around $35 billion - has created an established infrastructure for service companies, from talent and processes to specialised facilities and support.

No. The Constitution reserves land ownership for Filipino citizens and corporations with at least 60% Filipino ownership. Lawful alternatives include long-term leases of 25+25 years, condominium ownership within the 40% foreign ownership quota for a building, and ownership of the operating company while leasing the land.

The process involves several levels: SEC, followed by BIR registration with registered accounting books and official receipts, and then city and barangay permits. Each stage has its own timelines and renewal schedules. BIR requirements call for documented transactions, so accounting is organised around these rules from the start of operations.

The BSP regulates licensing for EMIs, payment services, and virtual-asset activities. These areas require separate licences, specific capital requirements, and dedicated timelines. Corporate registration provides the underlying structure on which the relevant licences are then built.

SEC - 1-2 weeks. The full process, including BIR, permits, and banking, takes 3-6 weeks. PEZA registration takes an additional 4-10 weeks and can run in parallel. A fully operational company with a bank account and economic-zone registration can therefore be launched within one quarter.