The Philippines has become a credible launchpad for foreign-founded startups and small businesses, particularly in tech, services, and export-oriented industries. Getting the structure right from day one avoids costly restarts.
Choosing your entity
For most foreign founders, the choice is between:
- One Person Corporation (OPC): A single-shareholder corporation introduced under the Revised Corporation Code. Full liability protection, no board required, simpler annual reporting. Best for solo founders or a single foreign owner.
- Domestic corporation (2–15 shareholders): The standard structure for co-founders, early employees with equity, or businesses that may raise investment. Requires a Board of Directors; at least one director must be a resident of the Philippines (not necessarily a Filipino citizen, as of recent rules — verify current requirements).
Both pass through the SEC’s eSPARC/OneSEC online registration system. See business registration for a full comparison of entity types.
Capital requirements
Minimum paid-in capital depends on foreign equity and what your business does:
- Export enterprises (at least 60% of output exported): generally no USD minimum under the Foreign Investments Act.
- Domestic market enterprises with majority foreign ownership: typically require USD 200,000 paid-in capital, reducible to USD 100,000 if the business keeps a majority-Filipino workforce with at least 15 direct Filipino employees or uses advanced technology.
- Retail and certain sectors have their own rules.
Get your activity confirmed against the 13th Regular FINL (EO 113, effective 2 May 2026) before committing. See minimum paid-in capital for detail.
What registration involves
- Name reservation with the SEC
- Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
- SEC registration via eSPARC / OneSEC
- BIR registration (TIN, books of accounts, official receipts / e-invoicing)
- LGU business permit from your local government unit
- Barangay clearance
Post-incorporation: a General Information Sheet (GIS) is filed annually with the SEC, and your business permit renews every January with the LGU.
What Chamberlain handles
We take the whole process on a fixed fee — no billable-hour surprises. From name reservation to your first BIR receipt and business permit, we hand you a ready-to-operate company.
See transparent pricing or book a consultation to get a fixed quote for your specific structure.
Frequently asked questions
What company structure suits a foreign-founded startup in the Philippines?
Most startups choose a domestic corporation (OPC or multi-shareholder) for the liability protection and bankability. A One Person Corporation (OPC) works well for solo founders; a standard domestic corporation suits co-founders or investor rounds.
What is the minimum capital for a foreign-owned startup?
Export-oriented or not selling into the Philippine market: generally USD 100,000 is not required. For businesses selling domestically, a USD 200,000 paid-in capital is typically required for majority-foreign-owned companies, though certain conditions can reduce this. Confirm your specific situation with an advisor.
How long does it take to register a startup in the Philippines?
From name reservation to BIR registration and your first business permit: typically 2–4 weeks for a standard domestic corporation. Add time if you need a special license or investor visa.