Corporate Establishment and Governance

Legal requirements vary across jurisdictions, but company setup in Asia typically includes several key elements: choosing an appropriate structure, securing a registered address, preparing incorporation documents, registering with the relevant authority, and fulfilling post-registration obligations like tax, labor, and social insurance registration. Industry-specific licenses may also apply.

We work with clients to help interpret and fulfil these local obligations efficiently, reducing delays and minimizing compliance risk.

While steps vary by country and entity type, most corporate setups in Asia follow a similar core process:

• Pre-investment assessment: Choose the right entity and jurisdiction
• Document preparation: Draft and legalize incorporation documents
• Registration: Submit applications to local registration bodies
• Bank account opening: Meet banking and KYC requirements
• Post-registration: Complete tax registration, employment compliance, and statutory filings
• Licensing (if applicable): Apply for industry permits or sector-specific approvals

We tailor this roadmap to the jurisdiction and sector, supporting each step with local expertise.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal structure depends on how much control you need, what kind of activities you plan to undertake, how long you intend to operate, and what regulations apply in your sector.

Our role is to help evaluate those factors and recommend the most suitable structure—whether it’s a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), joint venture, branch office, or representative office—based on the strategic intent and regulatory fit.

Joint ventures are typically used when foreign ownership is restricted or when entering a market where a local partner can help navigate regulations or business culture. While JVs offer market access and local know-how, they also come with shared decision-making and governance complexity.

We help companies structure JVs that reflect clear commercial terms, roles, and safeguards—especially in jurisdictions where enforceability and long-term alignment matter.

Advantages:

• Full foreign ownership and operational control
• Greater brand independence and IP protection
• Direct invoicing and hiring authority

Disadvantages:

• May not be permitted in all sectors
• More extensive setup requirements
• Greater responsibility for compliance

We work with clients to assess whether the control and flexibility of a WFOE outweigh its obligations in the markets they’re entering.

We offer advisory and execution support for:

• Entity type and jurisdiction selection
• Holding company design for Asia expansion
• Internal governance documentation (e.g., articles, resolutions)
• Nominee roles and corporate secretarial services
• Business restructuring or wind-down

We adapt these services to fit the scope and complexity of your entry strategy—whether you’re launching one entity or coordinating a regional structure.

Businesses often complete the initial registration correctly but run into problems post-setup—missing filings, failing to renew licenses, or operating outside of their approved business scope.

Our teams monitor local compliance requirements and help clients meet obligations such as annual return filing, shareholder changes, tax audits, and ongoing regulatory updates.

Setup costs depend on several factors:

• The jurisdiction (regulatory complexity, government fees)
• Entity type (e.g., WFOE vs. JV)
• Industry-specific licenses or capital requirements
• Additional services (e.g., nominee director, virtual office, translations)

We provide clients with transparent, itemized cost estimates before proceeding—so they can budget accurately and avoid surprises.

It starts with a conversation. We’ll ask about your intended activities, target markets, and expectations for control and flexibility. From there, we present tailored structuring options, timelines, and fee proposals—and assign local teams to support each filing step once you’re ready to move forward.