According to relevant laws and regulations, foreign enterprises approved by the State Council or administrative authorities authorized by the State Council and engaged in production and business within the territory of China shall register with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce or the local administrations for industry and commerce authorized by it.
Foreign enterprises may start production and business only when their applications for registration have been examined and approved by the administrative departments of registration and they are given Business Licenses of the People's Republic of China.
Foreign enterprises that are not approved by the examination and approval authorities, or whose applications for registration fail to be examined and approved by the administrative departments of registration, may not engage in production and business within the territory of China.
When a Foreign Enterprise Branch Registration Is Required
Foreign enterprises shall apply for registration if they are engaged in the following production and business:
- Exploration and exploitation of onshore and offshore oil and other mineral resources.
- Contract projects for the construction and decoration of houses and civil engineering, or the installation of circuit pipelines and equipment.
- Operation and management of foreign-invested enterprises by contract or authorization.
- Branches established in China by foreign banks.
- Other production and business permitted by the State.
Documents Required for Registration
When the foreign enterprise applies for registration, it shall submit the following documents or certificates:
- Application signed by the chairperson of the board of directors or the general manager.
- Documents and certificates approved by the examination and approval authorities.
- Contract for the production and business in which the foreign enterprise is engaged (branches established in China by foreign banks are not subject to this item).
- Legitimate certificate of operation issued by the government of the country (or region) where the foreign enterprise is registered. The certification and legalisation requirements are described in Business Licenses & Permits; apostille is accepted from Hague Convention countries.
- Certificate of capital creditability of the foreign enterprise.
- Authorisation letter issued by the China project person in charge designated by the chairperson of the board of directors or the general manager, together with his/her resume and ID card.
- Other relevant documents.
Where the branch will lease office space, the accepted address types are set out in Registered Address Solutions. For Foshan specifically, the address must be pre-recorded in the Standard Address Database — see the Foshan Address Compliance Guide.
How Finerise Consultants Can Help You in Guangdong (Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen)
- ☑ Foreign Enterprise Branch registration – Full process management from document preparation to license collection.
- ☑ Accounting & Tax consulting service – Ongoing compliance support for your branch in China. See Bookkeeping & Tax Filing for the monthly scope.
- ☑ Company Annual Return and alteration service – Timely filing and change registration. See Annual Return Filing and Company Amendment Services.
- ☑ Apply work & residence permit for chief representative or representatives – See Work Permit & Z Visa and Residence Permit for Foreigners.
- ☑ Help to rent an office – See Registered Address Solutions.
- ☑ Register a Representative Office, Joint Venture or WFOE – Explore other entity types when the branch structure no longer fits. See Representative Office, Joint Venture LLC Formation and WFOE Setup in China.
About Finerise Consultants
Founded in 2005, Finerise Consultants has been committed to company registration management, offshore company registration, overseas investment services, foreign investment services, financial and tax agency consulting, intellectual property agency and other fields. We provide relevant professional, fast, intimate, thoughtful, safe and cost-effective services, and are your trustworthy partner. Welcome to consult!
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