Company registration and corporate services in the Philippines
Emerhub helps foreign investors set up and run companies in the Philippines, from incorporation through licenses, tax, payroll, and compliance.
- Up to 100% foreign ownership in allowed sectors
- SEC, BIR, and the Mayor’s permit all handled
- One team for registration, FDA, tax, and visas
Full range of corporate services in the Philippines
From the company and the licenses to tax, importing, and the people you bring in, we handle the parts of setting up and running a Philippine business that foreign owners cannot do alone.
Company registration
SEC registration of your corporation or One Person Corporation, from name reservation to your Certificate of Incorporation.
Learn moreTax & accounting
Monthly and annual tax, BIR filings, and payroll, kept accurate and on time.
Learn moreProduct registration
The License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration from the Philippine FDA.
Learn moreTrademark registration
Register your brand name, logo, and marks with the IPOPHL and protect your identity.
Learn moreImporter of record
Import into the Philippines through Emerhub, without your own entity or import license.
Learn moreBusiness license & permits
The BIR registration and the business and Mayor’s permit your activity needs.
Learn moreVirtual office
A registered business address in Metro Manila for SEC registration and compliance.
Learn moreVisas & work permits
Visas and work permits for you and your team to relocate to the Philippines.
Learn moreThe right structure for your business
Most foreign founders set up a domestic corporation or a One Person Corporation. A branch suits a foreign company extending its operations.
| Feature | Corporation | One Person Corporation | Branch office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most foreign-owned businesses | A single foreign owner | A foreign company extending operations |
| Owners | Two or more shareholders | One shareholder | Wholly owned by the parent |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% in allowed sectors | Up to 100% in allowed sectors | Parent owned |
| Minimum capital | USD 200,000 if foreign-owned for the local market | USD 200,000 if 40% or more foreign | USD 200,000 for the local market |
| Local roles | Corporate secretary and treasurer | Corporate secretary, treasurer, and nominee | Resident agent |
| Registered with | SEC | SEC | SEC license |
One place to track your projects and run every entity.
From the first incorporation to every filing after it. Follow active work step by step, send documents, start new requests, add your team, and keep every company compliant, all in one dashboard.
Every project, entity, and deadline in a single view.
From an incorporation in progress to the filings years later, kept current by the team that does the work.
Book a demoTrack every project live
Follow each incorporation, licence, or filing through every step, in real time.
Documents in one place
Send what we ask for, and keep every paper, licence, and register stored and versioned.
Request new services
Open a new entity, file annual reports, or add a licence, all from the dashboard.
Deadlines handled for you
Every filing, audit, and renewal date by market, with a reminder before each one.
Bring your whole team
Add colleagues, choose what each can see, and keep everyone up to date.
One source of truth. Every filing, document, and deadline updated by the team that handles it.
The setup process.
A clear path from your first call to a company that is registered and ready to operate.
Initial consultation
Tell us your planned activities and we advise on the structure, the ownership and capital rules, and the right SEC registration based on your industry classification.
SEC incorporation
We gather the documents, reserve the company name, draft the Articles of Incorporation, and register the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Licenses and permits
We obtain the Tax Identification Number from the BIR and secure the business and Mayor’s permit from the local government unit so you can operate.
Ongoing compliance
With the Emerhub platform you track the deadlines that matter, monthly and annual tax returns, permit renewals, and filings, so the business stays compliant.
Tax and the filings that follow
What a Philippine company pays, and what it has to file.
Corporate income tax is 25% on net taxable income, dropping to 20% for small domestic corporations with net income up to PHP 5 million and assets up to PHP 100 million. VAT is 12% on local sales, and a branch pays a 15% tax on profits it sends to its head office. Export-oriented and PEZA-registered companies can access incentives and zero-rated VAT.
Every company registers with the BIR, files monthly and quarterly returns, and submits annual financial statements. We handle the bookkeeping, payroll, BIR filings, and the permit renewals so nothing is missed.
What clients say
Rated 4.7 across 50 Google reviews.
“Easy to approach and communicate with. They explain things clearly and professionally and are always willing to help resolve any concern.”
“I would rate the payroll service a 10 out of 10. No delays and no discrepancies, thank you very much.”
“Smooth, well-organized onboarding. The tax filing requirements were explained clearly, with timely updates so we never missed a deadline.”
Company formation in the Philippines
What foreign founders ask before they set up.
What are the different types of business entities available in the Philippines?
Foreign investors usually set up a domestic corporation, which can be fully foreign-owned in allowed sectors, or a One Person Corporation with a single shareholder. A foreign company can also register a branch or a representative office. For most operating businesses, a corporation or a One Person Corporation is the right fit.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in the Philippines?
Yes, in most sectors. The Foreign Investment Negative List sets the exceptions, such as mass media, some professions, and limits on land ownership. A fully foreign-owned company serving the local market generally needs USD 200,000 in paid-up capital. We confirm the position for your activity before you commit.
How much capital is required to start a business in the Philippines?
A Filipino-majority domestic corporation can register with a nominal amount. A foreign-owned company serving the local market generally needs USD 200,000 in paid-up capital, which drops to USD 100,000 if you hire at least 50 staff or bring in advanced technology. Export-oriented companies are exempt from that threshold.
What are the key steps to register a business in the Philippines?
Reserve the company name and confirm the structure, prepare the Articles of Incorporation and the documents for each shareholder and officer, and register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). After incorporation you register with the BIR for tax and secure the business and Mayor’s permit from the local government unit.
Do I need a resident agent in the Philippines?
A foreign corporation that registers a branch or a representative office must appoint a resident agent in the Philippines to receive official notices and legal summons on its behalf. A domestic corporation or One Person Corporation does not need one. Emerhub can act as your resident agent.
What industries are restricted for foreign ownership in the Philippines?
The Foreign Investment Negative List limits foreign ownership in areas such as mass media, certain professions, small-scale mining, and some utilities, and foreigners cannot own land directly. Most trading, services, manufacturing, BPO, and technology activities allow full foreign ownership.
What are the main taxes businesses need to pay in the Philippines?
Corporate income tax is 25% on net taxable income, or 20% for small domestic corporations within the income and asset limits. VAT is 12% on local sales, and a branch pays a 15% tax on profits sent to its head office. Companies file monthly, quarterly, and annual returns with the BIR.
What permits and licenses are needed for my business?
Beyond SEC registration you need a BIR registration and Tax Identification Number, a barangay clearance, and a business and Mayor’s permit from the local government unit. Regulated activities need sector licenses, such as an FDA License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration. We secure what your activity requires.
What services does Emerhub offer in the Philippines beyond business registration?
Alongside company registration we handle tax and accounting, payroll, FDA registration, trademark registration, importer of record, business licensing, virtual office, and visas and work permits, plus resident agent services for foreign branches. One team manages the setup and the ongoing compliance.
Talk to the Emerhub team
Tell us what you are planning. Emerhub will confirm the right structure and capital, register the company with the SEC, secure the BIR and Mayor’s permits, and handle the tax, payroll, and visas, so you can focus on the business.
2 26th St, Taguig
1634 Metro Manila, Philippines
