Business and Company Registration in the Philippines
We assist foreign investors and enterprises in choosing the appropriate type of business structure to register in the Philippines. Our business consultants and corporate and tax lawyers will help you assess your market-entry plans as well as your company formation procedure, planning, and registration processes with relevant government agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), etc.
Foreign investors and enterprises start and do business in the Philippines by incorporating a new company under Philippine laws or by licensing a foreign corporation already established and existing under foreign laws.
Organized under Philippine Laws
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnership
- Corporation (Domestic/Subsidiary;Stock/Non-Stock)
Organized under Foreign Laws
We provide the following services for business registration in the Philippines:
- Determination of investment vehicle
- Determination of paid-up capital
- Opening of local bank account
- Registration of business name with SEC or DTI
- Drafting of Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
- Act as corporate secretary, resident agent, and nominee
- Processing of documents with government agencies (SEC, BOI, PEZA, BIR, SSS, etc.)
- Processing of Mayor’s Permit and Business Permits with Local Government Units (LGUs)
- Other business requirements for the specific business structure you plan to register
Foreign Investment Restrictions in the Philippines
Philippine laws generally allow foreign investors or companies to set up their business in the country. However, the Constitution and some specific laws prescribe the implementation of the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL) to restrict foreign equity and participation in regulated industry sectors and areas of business activity that are exclusive to Filipino citizens. Industry sectors that are not included in the FINL are 100% open to foreign investment.
Registration for Tax Incentive Programs
Both local and foreign investors can avail of tax incentives from the Philippine government under any of the country’s inbound investment laws, especially if they register their business location in any of the country’s special economic zones and free ports.
Eligibility requirements from the specific government agencies that administer fiscal and non-fiscal incentives vary depending on a company’s proposed nature of activities, industry sector, and business location. These government agencies are attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and cater to specific industry sectors commonly engaged in by foreign investors and enterprises.
The most notable of these agencies are as follows:
- Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)
- Board of Investments (BOI)
- Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA)
- Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)
- Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA)
- Clark Development Corporation (CDC)
- Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
Philippine Industries Commonly Participated In by Foreign Corporations
- IT-BPO, KPO or Outsourcing Company
- Back Office Company
- Offshore or Offshoring Company
- Shared Services Company
- Call Center Company
- IT, Software, or Web Development Company
- Animation Development or Design Company
- Internet / E-commerce Company
- Medical Transcription Company
- Legal Transcription Company
- Import, Export, or Trading Company
- Local Manpower Recruitment Company
- Mining Company
- Power or Energy Company
- Shelf Corporation
- Non-Profit, Non-Stock Company
- Manufacturing Company
- Global In-house Centers
Need Help in Registering Your Business in the Philippines?
InCorp Philippines has registered hundreds of local and foreign companies in the Philippines. Our full spectrum of corporate services is guaranteed to help you enjoy a seamless business registration process.