Philippines · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Setting up from abroad
- Usual entity for foreign founders
- Inc
- Non-resident can be sole director
- Yes
Official registry: sec.gov.ph
Directors need only hold one share — no residency or citizenship test. The constraint is on officers: the corporate secretary must be a Filipino citizen AND resident, and the treasurer must be a resident.
A corporation registers with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a sole proprietorship registers its business name with the Department of Trade and Industry — but neither is trading-ready at that point. Barangay clearance, a city or municipal mayor's permit and BIR registration follow before operations can lawfully start. For foreign owners the decisive question comes earlier: how much equity a foreigner may hold depends on the activity under the Foreign Investment Negative List, and enterprises serving the domestic market face a higher minimum paid-in capital, reduced in defined cases such as employing a set number of local staff.
- Foreign equity limits depend on the activity under the Foreign Investment Negative List.
- Foreign-owned enterprises serving the domestic market face a higher minimum paid-in capital.
- Registration is not permission to trade — local permits and BIR registration come after it.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Corporate registration.
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Business name registration and investment guidance.
Government portals
- Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) — TIN registration, income tax and VAT filing, and official receipts.
- Bureau of Immigration — Visa extensions, the ACR I-Card, work visas and exit clearance.
- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) — Sole-proprietorship business-name registration and trade regulation.