Philippines · Corporate services

Your Philippines company, run end to end.

SEC incorporation, BIR registration, LGU permits, corporate secretary, registered office, banking, audited financials, and BIR-registered books. One Arbitrail engagement, one accountable team. From SEC name reservation through annual ITR.

Scope my Philippines setup Browse services

4 to 12 weeks

Domestic corporation setup

25%

Corporate income tax

7 services

One accountable team

ACME PHILIPPINES INC.

Active

Entity type Domestic Corporation

SEC reg. no. CS202612345

BIR TIN 009-123-456-000

Corp. secretary Arbitrail PH

LGU permit Renewed Jan 2026

Audited FS Filed on time

CREATE incentives Under review

Why the Philippines

Asia’s English-language operations engine.

The Philippines is the back-office of the world for a reason: a 50 million strong English-fluent workforce, US time zone overlap on the night shift, and a clear regulatory framework that rewards compliance with material tax incentives.

Talent at scale

Around 1.4 million people work in the IT-BPM sector. English is a first or co-first language for the educated workforce. Customer service, finance, healthcare, and engineering pipelines are deep and getting deeper.

Tax that rewards investment

Under the CREATE Act (2021), corporate tax dropped from 30% to 25% (20% for SMEs). PEZA and BOI registered companies receive 4 to 7 year income-tax holidays followed by 5% gross income tax in lieu of all taxes. Proper structuring matters.

Time zone overlap

PHT is 12 to 13 hours ahead of US Eastern, which means a Manila day shift covers US graveyard. Day-and-night handoff is a feature, not a bug. The reason CX, RCM, claims, and engineering operations have been built here for two decades.

01 / Opening a company

The Domestic Corporation, the OPC, and the foreign ownership question. Where to start.

Setting up in the Philippines is more involved than Singapore, but the framework is well-trodden. The decision tree starts with foreign ownership and entity type, which together determine your minimum capitalization, your registration path, and which tax incentives you can later qualify for.

Entity types

Five entities cover most foreign investor cases. Domestic Corporation, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), is the standard choice for foreign investors who want full operational presence. Allows up to 100% foreign ownership in most industries. One Person Corporation (OPC), introduced under the Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232) in 2019, is a single-shareholder corporation suitable for solo founders. Branch Office registers a foreign parent in the Philippines but treats Philippine activities as the foreign parent’s, with Philippine tax on Philippine-sourced income. Representative Office is limited to information dissemination and liaison; cannot earn revenue. Regional Operating Headquarters (ROHQ) is a specialized regional entity with specific tax treatment, narrower than it used to be after CREATE Act.

The Foreign Investment Negative List

The Philippines limits foreign equity in certain industries through the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), updated periodically by the National Economic and Development Authority. List A contains sectors restricted by the Constitution and specific laws (e.g., mass media: 0% foreign equity, advertising: 30% foreign, public utilities: 40% foreign). List B contains sectors restricted for security or public health reasons. Most service businesses, IT-BPM, manufacturing, and trading allow 100% foreign equity. The first job in any incorporation is mapping the proposed business activities to the FINL to confirm the foreign-ownership ceiling.

Minimum capitalization

For a fully foreign-owned domestic corporation, the standard minimum paid-up capital is USD 200,000. This drops to USD 100,000 if the business directly employs at least 50 Filipinos or uses advanced technology as determined by the Department of Science and Technology. Domestic corporations with at least 60% Filipino equity have no minimum paid-up capital under the FIA. PEZA-registered export enterprises have separate capitalization rules.

The actual registration process

The sequence is well-known and time-bound. SEC name verification through the SEC’s online platform (typically same-day). Drafting of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, including specifying capital structure, principal office, and primary purpose. SEC submission (online via eSPARC or in person), followed by SEC review and issuance of the Certificate of Incorporation. BIR registration for Tax Identification Number (TIN), books of account stamping, and Authority to Print receipts/invoices. LGU registration: Mayor’s Permit (renewed annually), Barangay clearance, Sanitary and Fire permits. Statutory bodies: SSS (Social Security System), PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG (HDMF), and DOLE registration for hiring.

Timeline and cost

End-to-end timeline is typically 4 to 12 weeks for a domestic corporation, depending on SEC processing speed and the complexity of the LGU/BIR steps. Government fees alone run roughly PHP 10,000 to 50,000 depending on capitalization (SEC filing fees scale with authorized capital stock). Professional fees from a corporate services provider typically add PHP 50,000 to 300,000 for end-to-end support including the post-SEC steps.

What Arbitrail does

End-to-end Philippine incorporation. SEC name verification, drafting Articles and Bylaws, SEC filing, BIR registration including books of account stamping and Authority to Print, LGU permit applications, and SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG enrollment. We map your activities to the Foreign Investment Negative List before filing so the foreign ownership question is settled, not surprise.

02 / Active site management

Substance under SEC, BIR, and LGU eyes. Why your Mayor’s Permit matters.

Active site management in the Philippines is partly a banking question, like Singapore, but it is also a regulatory one. The SEC, BIR, and your local government unit (LGU) all expect to see evidence that the company actually operates at the registered address. The annual Mayor’s Permit renewal is the clearest test of this.

Why substance matters in the Philippines

Three pressures. SEC scrutiny: the SEC has stepped up its monitoring of dormant or non-operating corporations, with strike-off proceedings under the Revised Corporation Code if a company fails to operate or files no annual reports for 5 consecutive years. BIR audit risk: the Bureau of Internal Revenue treats inconsistencies between registered books, declared activities, and observed operations as a high-risk audit signal. LGU annual renewal: the Mayor’s Permit is renewed every January, and renewal requires proof the business operated during the prior year, including BIR-stamped books and tax returns.

What active site management actually looks like

The components are concrete and observable. A registered office address at a real building, with the company’s name on the directory. Mail handling, particularly important because BIR and LGU correspondence arrives in physical mail and missing it leads to penalties. Staffed phone line if customer-facing, or at minimum an answering service with the company name. Books of account physically maintained at the registered office, BIR-stamped (manual, loose-leaf, or computerized). Local employees on payroll, contributing to SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. Annual general meetings held in the country with documented minutes.

The CREATE / PEZA / BOI substance test

Companies pursuing tax incentives under the CREATE Act, PEZA registration, or BOI registration face the strictest substance tests. PEZA in particular requires physical presence within a registered economic zone, real employment, and ongoing operation. BOI requires demonstrated investment in pioneer industries with real activity. A company that registers for the incentive without genuine operational substance risks not just denial of the incentive but disqualification.

The annual LGU dance

Every January, every Philippine business renews its Mayor’s Permit (Business Permit) at the LGU where it operates. The renewal package includes BIR-registered books, Audited Financial Statements (or unaudited interim statements depending on timing), prior-year Mayor’s Permit, fire safety inspection certificate, and local business tax computation. Missing the deadline (usually 20 January, varies by LGU) triggers surcharges and potentially business closure. This is the single most predictable annual compliance event for any Philippine company.

What Arbitrail does

Registered office at our Philippine address, mail handling, scheduled board meetings, and full annual LGU renewal coordination. We track the LGU calendar so the January renewal is filed on time. We maintain BIR-registered books at the registered office and store records in line with the 10-year BIR retention requirement.

03 / Nominee director

The 60/40 rule, the 2-director floor, and when a Filipino director is actually required. The Revised Corporation Code in practice.

The Philippines simplified director rules in 2019 with the Revised Corporation Code (RA 11232). For most foreign-owned domestic corporations, all directors can now be foreign. The exceptions are narrow but important: industries restricted by the Foreign Investment Negative List, where Filipino directors are still required in proportion to the foreign-equity ceiling.

The minimum director count

The Revised Corporation Code reduced the minimum number of directors from five to two for most corporations, and to one for the One Person Corporation (OPC). For a standard Domestic Corporation: at least 2 directors, at most 15. Each director must own at least one share of the corporation’s stock. Directors serve one-year terms unless the bylaws specify otherwise.

Foreign vs Filipino directors

The general rule today: in a 100% foreign-owned domestic corporation, all directors can be foreign nationals. The exceptions are industries on the Foreign Investment Negative List where foreign equity is capped (e.g., advertising at 30%, public utilities at 40%). In those cases, the board composition must reflect the equity ratio: a 30% foreign-equity company cannot have more than 30% foreign directors. The corporate secretary requirement is separate (see below) and unchanged.

Why a Filipino director is often still useful

Even when not legally required, having a Filipino director or two on the board has practical advantages. Banking: BPI, BDO, Metrobank, and others find it easier to onboard companies where a Filipino director can attend in-person. Regulatory navigation: a Filipino director with familiarity in the SEC, BIR, and LGU process accelerates approvals and resolves issues faster. Local relationships: government, suppliers, and large enterprise customers often prefer dealing with a Filipino board member.

How a nominee director works in the Philippines

Where used, a nominee director sits on the board, signs documents that require director signatures, and acts on properly authorized instructions from the founder or majority shareholder. The same structure that applies in Singapore applies here: clear scope, mutual indemnities, and no independent authority over funds or commercial decisions. Documentation matters more in the Philippines than in some other jurisdictions because SEC and BIR audits do look at board composition and decisions.

Common mistakes

The patterns. Default to a 2-director minimum when the business case justifies a fuller board for governance reasons (banking, M&A readiness). Mismatched FINL compliance, where the actual business activity expands into restricted territory and the board composition no longer matches. Cheap nominee arrangements with no service agreement, no indemnity, and no replacement clause. Unfilled board seats after a director resigns, which can stall SEC filings until replaced.

What Arbitrail does

We provide vetted Filipino directors where useful, with a documented service agreement, mutual indemnities, and clear scope limits. We help structure the board to balance founder control, banking needs, and FINL compliance. We monitor board composition against any change in business activity that might shift the FINL position.

04 / Company secretary

The one role where a Filipino is mandatory. The Corporate Secretary requirement.

Under the Revised Corporation Code, every Philippine corporation must have a Corporate Secretary who is a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines. Unlike the director rules, this requirement is not waivable and not negotiable. The Corporate Secretary is the SEC’s formal interface with the company.

Who can be Corporate Secretary

The Corporate Secretary must be a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines. The role does not require legal qualifications, although in practice many Corporate Secretaries are lawyers or CPAs because of the documentation work involved. The Corporate Secretary cannot also be the President of the corporation. A separate person must hold the secretary role.

What a Corporate Secretary does

Functions are statutory and ongoing. Maintains corporate records: the stock and transfer book, the minutes of board and stockholder meetings, the share certificates. Files SEC compliance documents: the General Information Sheet (GIS) annually within 30 days of the AGM, the Audited Financial Statements within 120 days of the fiscal year end (varies by SEC schedule), and any amendments to the Articles or Bylaws. Records minutes of all board and shareholder meetings, properly attested. Handles share transfers, certificates issuance, and the maintenance of the stock and transfer book. Coordinates the AGM annually, including notice to shareholders and proxy management.

The annual SEC cadence

The Corporate Secretary’s calendar revolves around three SEC deadlines. AGM within 6 months of FY end, with proper notice to shareholders. GIS filed within 30 days of the AGM, listing current officers, directors, and shareholders, plus the AGM resolutions. AFS filed within 120 days of FY end, on the SEC’s rolling schedule by company name. Late filings carry SEC penalties that scale with the lateness and the size of the company.

Why this matters more in the Philippines than elsewhere

The Corporate Secretary’s signature appears on almost every formal corporate document and is the SEC’s primary signal that filings are authentic. A Corporate Secretary who is uncontactable, or who is a name on paper but not actually engaged with the company, leads to a cascade of compliance failures: missed GIS, missed AFS, ungazetted share transfers, void board resolutions. The downstream cost is large because SEC penalties compound and BIR uses SEC filings as a cross-check.

Common mistakes

The patterns. Filipino Corporate Secretary in name only, often a friend or relative of the founder who never engages with the actual filings. Secretary who is also the President, which is statutorily prohibited. Late GIS filings from forgetting that the 30-day clock starts on the AGM date, not the FY end. Share transfers not properly recorded in the stock and transfer book, leading to challenges to ownership later.

What Arbitrail does

We provide a qualified Filipino Corporate Secretary on day one, with the legal and SEC-filing experience to make the role real rather than ceremonial. We file the GIS, coordinate the AGM, maintain the stock and transfer book, draft and file all SEC notifications, and handle share transfers. Proactive reminders 60 days before each statutory deadline.

05 / Opening a bank account

BPI, BDO, Metrobank, UnionBank. And the foreign-corporation friction layer.

Philippine corporate banking has its own rhythm. The dominant local banks (BPI, BDO, Metrobank) handle the bulk of corporate accounts. International banks (HSBC, Citi, Maybank PH) are common for foreign-owned corporations with regional needs. Account opening is more administrative than risk-averse, but the documentation list is long and the timeline is real.

The bank landscape

Three categories. The Tier 1 universal banks (BPI, BDO Unibank, Metrobank, UnionBank, RCBC, Security Bank) cover the universal banking spectrum and serve most Philippine corporates. The international banks with local presence (HSBC PH, Citi PH, Maybank PH, MUFG, JPMorgan PH) are the natural choice for foreign-owned corps with USD-denominated operations or regional treasury needs. The digital-first players (UnionDigital, Maya Bank, Tonik) are growing but currently more retail-focused than corporate.

Documentation required

The Philippine banking documentation packet is more extensive than Singapore or other Asian peers. SEC Certificate of Incorporation with original or certified true copy. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. BIR Certificate of Registration (Form 2303). Mayor’s Permit for the current year. Board Resolution authorizing the account opening, signatories, and authority limits, notarized and signed. KYC for every director and beneficial owner: passport, government-issued ID, address proof, source of funds. SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG registration as proof of operating status. Latest General Information Sheet (GIS) if the company has filed one. Tax returns from prior periods if available.

The Filipino-director question, again

While not legally required by banking regulation, having a Filipino director who can present in person dramatically simplifies account opening. The bank’s relationship manager wants a face they can recognize, and a Filipino director with a TIN, a local address, and a PhilSys ID clears more KYC boxes than a foreign director presenting only a passport. This is a soft factor, but a real one. Foreign-only boards can and do open accounts, but the timeline is longer and the questions are more pointed.

Timeline

For a standard foreign-owned domestic corporation with full documentation, the timeline is 4 to 8 weeks from application to a fully operational account. International banks similar or slightly longer. UnionBank tends to be faster than BPI/BDO/Metrobank for digitally-savvy applications. Complex structures (multi-jurisdiction shareholders, US persons triggering FATCA, sanctioned-country exposure) extend materially.

Common rejection or delay reasons

The patterns. Incomplete documentation packet, particularly missing the LGU permit or BIR certificate. FATCA / CRS exposure with US persons in the structure that the bank does not want to take on. Mismatch between the SEC business activity and the actual planned operations, which the bank flags as a risk. No Filipino director attending, leading to elongated questions on substance and intent. Source of funds questions for first-time founders without an obvious wealth history.

What Arbitrail does

We do pre-application due diligence to flag issues before the bank sees them. We prepare the document packet to each bank’s exact format (the formats differ in small but important ways). We make introductions to relationship managers we work with at BPI, BDO, Metrobank, UnionBank, HSBC PH, and the international banks. We send a Filipino director to the in-person interview where useful. If the first bank rejects, we re-package and try the next.

06 / Annual financials

PFRS, BIR, AFS, ITR. The Philippine annual cycle, in plain English.

Every Philippine corporation must prepare audited annual Financial Statements regardless of size, file the AFS with the SEC, and submit corporate income tax returns to the BIR. The Philippines is unusual among Asian jurisdictions in requiring an external audit for all corporations, which makes annual financial discipline non-optional.

The reporting framework

Philippine companies report under one of two frameworks. PFRS (Philippine Financial Reporting Standards) is the full framework, fully converged with IFRS. PFRS for SMEs is a simplified version available to small entities (defined by total assets under PHP 100M and total liabilities under PHP 100M). PFRS for Small Entities (an even simpler version) is available to micro-businesses below specific thresholds. The SEC and BIR both accept whichever framework correctly applies to the entity.

The audit requirement

Unlike Singapore, every Philippine corporation must have its annual Financial Statements audited by an external auditor regardless of size. The auditor must be a Philippine CPA accredited by the BOA (Board of Accountancy) and the BIR. The Audited Financial Statements (AFS) include the audit report, the FS proper (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, equity changes, notes), and the auditor’s management letter. Selecting and engaging the auditor is part of the annual cycle.

The annual cycle

The cadence. FY end, typically 31 December but can be any date. Books closed and trial balance prepared within 60 days. External audit conducted: typically 60 to 120 days, depending on size and complexity. Audited Financial Statements (AFS) filed with SEC within 120 days of FY end (varies by SEC schedule based on company name first letter). BIR Annual Income Tax Return (BIR Form 1702-RT or 1702-MX) filed within the 15th day of the 4th month after FY end (so 15 April for calendar-year companies). BIR Audited FS (with the audit report) filed with the BIR within 30 days of the AFS filing with SEC. General Information Sheet (GIS) filed with SEC within 30 days of the AGM. Mayor’s Permit renewal in January every year.

Tax in practice

Under the CREATE Act (RA 11534, 2021), the Philippine corporate income tax rate is 25% on net taxable income, reduced to 20% for SMEs with net taxable income not exceeding PHP 5M and total assets not exceeding PHP 100M. Minimum Corporate Income Tax (MCIT) of 2% of gross income kicks in from the 4th taxable year for companies in tax-loss positions. VAT is 12% if registered (threshold PHP 3M annual gross sales); below the threshold, the company pays Percentage Tax of 3% of gross sales instead. PEZA-registered enterprises can qualify for an Income Tax Holiday (ITH) of 4 to 7 years, followed by a 5% tax on Gross Income Earned in lieu of all taxes. BOI registration offers similar but slightly different incentives.

Common mistakes

The pattern. Late filings with both SEC and BIR, where penalties compound quickly. Wrong VAT/Percentage Tax registration, where the company should have registered for VAT but did not, leading to retroactive registration and surcharges. BIR audit triggers from inconsistencies between the AFS, the books, the VAT returns, and the income tax return. Missed PEZA/BOI annual reporting, which can lead to revocation of incentives. MCIT surprise: companies in cumulative loss positions that hit year 4 and discover MCIT applies.

What Arbitrail does

Monthly bookkeeping, year-end close, audit coordination with our panel of BIR-accredited Philippine CPAs, AFS preparation under PFRS or PFRS for SMEs, BIR annual ITR filing, and SEC AFS and GIS filings. Tax computation optimized against CREATE Act rates and any PEZA/BOI incentives you qualify for. We track the SEC and BIR filing calendar so deadlines do not move past you.

07 / Bookkeeping & accounting

BIR-stamped books, monthly returns, the rhythm of compliance. What separates a clean Philippine ledger from a problem one.

Bookkeeping in the Philippines is unusually rule-bound compared to most other jurisdictions. The BIR requires registered books of account, monthly and quarterly tax filings on a strict schedule, and a level of documentation that catches founders by surprise. Done well, it produces clean financials and predictable taxes. Done casually, it produces audit findings.

The statutory requirement

Every BIR-registered taxpayer must maintain books of account, registered with and stamped by the BIR. Three formats are permitted. Manual books: physical bound books, hand-written, registered with BIR upon issuance. Loose-leaf books: pre-printed pages assembled in a folder, registered with BIR annually. Computerized Accounting System (CAS): an accounting software approved by the BIR, with the company holding a Permit to Use (PTU) the system. The choice depends on transaction volume; CAS becomes effectively mandatory above modest scale. Books must be retained for at least 10 years.

Software choices

The most common cloud accounting software in the Philippines today. Xero is gaining strong adoption among SMEs and is BIR-friendly with proper configuration. QuickBooks Online has share, especially in foreign-owned subsidiaries already on QuickBooks at parent. SAP Business One serves mid-market and larger. NetSuite at the larger end. Bukku and other PH-local cloud tools are growing for very small businesses. CAS-PTU registration is a separate step from picking the software.

The monthly compliance rhythm

The BIR calendar is dense and unforgiving. Each month has multiple filing deadlines. Withholding tax on compensation (BIR 1601-C): filed within 10 days of the following month for manual filers, electronic filers have a slightly later deadline. Expanded withholding tax (BIR 1601-EQ for quarterly, 0619-E for monthly). VAT (if registered, BIR 2550M monthly, 2550Q quarterly) or Percentage Tax (BIR 2551Q quarterly). Income tax quarterly (BIR 1702Q). Late filings carry surcharges (25%) and interest (12% per annum), and the BIR is not flexible on missed deadlines. Most corporations spend significant effort just on the monthly compliance dance.

The Authority to Print receipts and invoices

Every BIR-registered company that issues sales receipts or invoices must obtain an Authority to Print (ATP) before printing them, and the receipts/invoices themselves must conform to BIR specifications. ATP is renewed periodically (typically every 5 years or when the company runs out of stock). For e-invoicing, the BIR has been rolling out the EIS (Electronic Invoicing System) program; participants in EIS have separate requirements but avoid the physical printing dance.

Common mistakes

The pattern. Books not BIR-stamped for the current year, which is a finding on every BIR audit. Late monthly filings, where a single missed deadline cascades into compounding surcharges. Wrong VAT/Percentage Tax classification, leading to retroactive registration. Receipts and invoices not BIR-compliant (missing ATP number, wrong format, expired ATP). Mixing personal and business expenses, which is a problem everywhere but in the Philippines specifically attracts BIR attention. Treating bookkeeping as a year-end task, which makes the monthly BIR filings impossible.

What Arbitrail does

Monthly bookkeeping in Xero or your preferred CAS, BIR-stamped books maintenance, monthly and quarterly BIR filings (1601-C, 0619-E, 2550M, 2551Q, 1702Q), Authority to Print management, and VAT/Percentage Tax computation. We coordinate with the auditor at year-end so the books tie out without a remediation project. Predictable monthly fees rather than per-filing surprise charges.

Get started

All seven services. One Arbitrail PH engagement.

Bring the entity type you want, the directors and shareholders, and the rough business activity. We map the Foreign Investment Negative List, scope the engagement, and ship the proposal in 30 minutes. Standard packages or fully bespoke.

SEC + BIR + LGU registration
Filipino Corporate Secretary
Filipino director (where useful)
Registered office + active site mgmt
Bank introduction package
Bookkeeping + BIR + audit + AFS

SERVICES · ONE TEAM

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Common questions

Before you book a call

What founders and operators ask before bringing Arbitrail in for a Philippines setup. Anything else, just email and we will answer the same day.

Can a foreign investor own 100% of a Philippine company?

In most industries, yes. The Foreign Investment Negative List specifies the sectors where foreign equity is capped (mass media at 0%, advertising at 30%, public utilities at 40%, etc.). Most service businesses, IT-BPM, manufacturing, and trading allow 100% foreign equity. Mapping your specific business activities to the FINL is the first step we do before incorporation.

What is the minimum capital for a fully foreign-owned company?

USD 200,000 paid-up capital is the standard minimum for a fully foreign-owned domestic corporation. This drops to USD 100,000 if the business will directly employ at least 50 Filipinos or use advanced technology certified by the Department of Science and Technology. Companies with at least 60% Filipino equity have no FIA minimum capital. PEZA-registered enterprises have separate rules.

How long does the full setup take, end to end?

Four to twelve weeks for a standard domestic corporation. SEC processing alone is two to four weeks, BIR another two to three weeks, LGU permits another one to two weeks, and statutory body registrations one to two weeks. Bank account opening adds a further four to eight weeks. Most foreign founders go live operationally with a partial bank arrangement in week 8 and complete the full banking relationship over the following two months.

Do I need a Filipino director or Corporate Secretary?

Corporate Secretary, yes, mandatory. The Corporate Secretary must be a Filipino citizen and resident of the Philippines (Revised Corporation Code). Directors, depending on industry. In a 100% foreign-owned domestic corp in a non-restricted sector, all directors can be foreign. In sectors with foreign-equity caps, the board composition must reflect the equity ratio.

What about PEZA or BOI tax incentives?

PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) and BOI (Board of Investments) registrations offer material tax incentives for qualifying businesses, principally an Income Tax Holiday (ITH) of 4 to 7 years and a special 5% Gross Income Tax in lieu of all taxes thereafter. Eligibility depends on industry, location (PEZA requires operating in a registered economic zone), and committed investment levels. We assess eligibility during scoping and run the application as a separate workstream.

Can you handle the LGU and BIR steps too?

Yes. The post-SEC steps (BIR registration, books stamping, Authority to Print, Mayor’s Permit, Barangay clearance, fire and sanitary permits, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, DOLE) are where many providers stop and where founders hit walls. We handle all of it as a single engagement.

How much does the full first year cost?

For a standard foreign-owned domestic corporation with full incorporation, secretary, registered office, and basic monthly bookkeeping plus year-end audit, total first-year cost typically falls in the range of PHP 600,000 to PHP 1,500,000 depending on transaction volume, capitalization, and PEZA/BOI applications. We quote against your specific scope after a 30-minute working session. Government fees alone for a standard incorporation run PHP 10,000 to 50,000 plus the capitalization tax.

What if I want to relocate to the Philippines later?

The Philippines offers several long-term visa options for foreign entrepreneurs and investors. The Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) is available to investors employing at least 10 Filipinos. The Special Investor Resident Visa (SIRV) is available with USD 75K minimum investment. The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is the most flexible for non-employed retirees. Visa selection is a separate workstream we can coordinate.

Your Philippines setup, end to end.

One engagement, one accountable team, seven services done correctly the first time. Bring the rough plan and we will scope the proposal in 30 minutes.

Scope my Philippines setup Email us first

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