1. What is a Representative Office?
How to set up a Representative Office in China? Representative Office (RO) is also called Foreign Enterprise Resident Representative Office. A Representative Office in China mainland can only engage in indirect business activities within the territory of China, on behalf of the foreign enterprise engage business contact, product promotion, market research, technical communication, and other business activities.
 
A Representative Office(RO) does not have legal person status, and thus, it cannot make invoices, or engage in for-profit business activities directly. However, if the government of China and the government of the country where the foreign enterprise is in have signed a bilateral treaty, and the bilateral treaty stipulates clearly that the Representative Offices(RO) of foreign enterprise can engaged in direct business activities in China, such Representative Offices(RO) can engaged in direct business activities in China in accordance with the bilateral treaty.
 
Since Shanghai is the economic center of China and the biggest port of cargo handling capacity, which makes Shanghai always the first option for foreign investors to set up their Representative Offices(RO) . And this article just introduces how to set up a Representative Office in the city of Shanghai.
 
2. Does a Representative Office have Registered Capital?
There is no registered capital required for Shanghai Representative Office(RO) registration, but a representative office can open bank account to receive expenditure from overseas headquarters(foreign enterprise).
 
3. The Registered Address of Shanghai Representative Office:(Ref: What is and how to change representative office’s registered address?)
A Representative Office must have a registered address, otherwise it can't be registered. The registered address of a Representative Office CAN NOT be a virtual address, but should be in a commercial building office.
 
Ref:
How to set up a Representative Office in China?
How to set up a Financial Representative Office in China?
How to set up a Bank Representative Office in China?

4. Documents required for Shanghai Representative Office(RO) Registration:
(1). The Domicile Certificate of foreign enterprise and legitimate business certificate (Certificate of Incorporation) of foreign enterprise, more than 2 years since registration;
Domicile certificate should include the specific registered address of the foreign enterprise. If the specific registered address of the foreign enterprise was included in the Articles of Incorporation/Association, it would be unnecessary to provide Domicile certificate.
Legitimate business Certificate, generally refers to the "Certificate of Incorporation/Association " in foreign countries, it could be called different names in different Countries(Regions), it should include the company's registered name, registered number, date of registration/Incorporation and other basic information.
(2). The “Articles of Incorporation/Association of foreign enterprise or organization;
The Articles of Incorporation/Association in foreign countries could be called different names in different Countries(Regions), it should include the company's registered name, registered number, registered address, date of registration/Incorporation and other basic information.
(3). Bank Credit/Reference Letter of the foreign enterprise;
Issued by the bank where a foreign enterprise keeps account, commonly referred to as " Bank Credit/Reference Letter ".
(4). The authorized signatory’s Passport/ID card and Power of Attorney Letter of the foreign enterprise;
(5). Chief Representative and Common Representative’s Passport/ID card, Letter of Appointment, CVs and 2 2-inch photos of the foreign enterprise;
Chief Representative and Common Representative can be foreigners or Chinese. If foreigners, provide passport; if Chinese, ID card;
(6). Leasing Contract and Property Ownership Certificate of the Shanghai Representative Office’s registered address;
(7). A set of documents prepared by WOFEChina.com(signed/stamped);;
(8). Other related documents, such as some explanation letter.
*The files listed above, items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 must be Notarized and Certified, and provide the corresponding Chinese translation version. They can be either translated before Notarization and Certification, then notarize & certify together, or let a Chinese translation company do the job after Notarization and Certification, and bear the official seal of the translation company, with a copy of the translation company’s business license. The translation company’s business scope should include translation services, our company can provide translation services, and charge a certain amount of translation service charge.
 
5. Flow path and Duration for Shanghai Representative Office(RO) Registration:
Term of Residence: According to the Regulations on Administration of Registration of Resident Offices of Foreign Enterprises and our many years of practical experience of Shanghai Representative Office(RO) Registration experience, Shanghai Representative Office has no limit for term of residence, for example: October 01, 2016 to permanent term.(Ref: What is and How to change Representative Office‘s Term of Residence? )
Shanghai Representative Office’s Name: "Country(Region) + Foreign Company Name + Shanghai Representative Office (in Chinese)(Ref: What is and How to change Representative Office‘s name?)
Registered capital: not registered;
Business Scope: Engaged in related non-profit business activities of belonging foreign Country(Region) enterprise.
Duration: 10 workdays, delay as a result of material error should not be counted in.
The registration process:
(1). The online application, 5 workdays;
(2). Apply for Registration Certificate, 3 working days;
(3). Engrave the stamps, 2 working days(Representative Office registration services ends here, if you entrust us to open bank account there will be extra service fees charged);
(4). Open bank account, Open a bank account for Shanghai Representative Office, 7 working days;
(5). Check and ratify taxes, 23 working days.
 
WOFEChina.com has successfully helped investors from more than 50 countries (regions) all over the world registered Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprises (WOFE), Joint Ventures (JV), Shanghai Representative Offices(RO), and provide one-stop business solution, including Trademark Registration, Bookkeeping, etc. We have a very skilled consultant team, a set of efficient operation system. We provide high-quality customized services with reasonable price and accurate information, that’s what makes us different.
 
Ref: What has to be done after Shanghai Representative Office Registration?
What has to be done to a WOFE monthly/annually?

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