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Holding Companies and International Business Structuring
We help you build a business structure across several countries: where the holding company sits, where the operating companies are, how money moves and what it means for the owner's taxes. The main focus is expansion into Asia.
Setting up a holding company in Asia usually starts when a business already has companies in two or three countries and the questions change. Opening one more entity is no longer enough. You need to decide which company owns which, where to hold the rights to your product and trademark, which accounts payments go through, and how profit reaches the owner. Fixing a structure later costs more than getting it right from the start.
Asian jurisdictions, above all Singapore and Hong Kong, are a common choice for holding companies and regional hubs. But a holding works only if it respects the rules of the country where the owner lives. Many countries have controlled foreign company (CFC) rules that require owners to report foreign companies and, in some cases, pay tax on their profit. So we look at the whole structure, from the operating company to the owner's personal tax status.
Who it is for
- Business owners with companies in several countries
- Companies entering Asian markets and setting up a regional hub there
- Founders preparing to raise investment and putting their structure in order
- Entrepreneurs who want to separate product rights from operations
- Family businesses thinking about succession
Requirements
- A clear business goal for the structure: investment, market entry, asset protection or succession
- Real presence and activity in the companies where the rules require it
- Compliance with CFC rules in the owner's country
- Transparent information on ultimate beneficial owners for banks and regulators
- Intra-group agreements that reflect real transactions
What we do
- Review your current structure and goals
- Propose a design: holding, operating companies, product rights and money flows
- Compare jurisdictions for that design
- Register the companies and set up ownership between them
- Draft intra-group agreements
- Advise on the owner's reporting in the country of tax residence
Key documents
- Chart of current companies and shareholdings
- Incorporation documents of existing companies
- Description of the business, markets and money flows
- Tax residence details of the owners
- Plans for investment or a sale of the business, if any
How it works
- Diagnosticscurrent structure, goals and the owners' tax status
- Designa proposed structure and a comparison of jurisdictions
- Sign-offdiscussing the risks and the running costs of the structure
- Implementationregistering companies, transferring shares, intra-group agreements
- Ongoing supportreporting, changes and reviewing the structure as the business grows
Timeline
Registering individual companies takes weeks; a full restructuring takes longer. We give a timeline after the diagnostics.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A structure without real activity in its companies raises questions from banks and tax authorities
- Ignoring CFC rules creates tax liabilities for the owner
- Every new company adds maintenance and reporting costs
- Banks look closely at multi-layer structures, so opening accounts takes longer
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Why set up a holding company?
A holding company brings group companies together. It makes it easier to raise investment, sell part of the business, hold product rights and distribute profit. But not everyone needs one: for a small business with a single company, a holding may only add costs.
Why choose Singapore or Hong Kong for a holding company in Asia?
Both are financial centers with clear law, an international reputation and access to banks across the region. They work well if your business operates in Asia. Whether such a jurisdiction suits you depends on the tax rules of your home country.
How will a holding company affect my personal taxes?
It depends on your country of tax residence. Many countries have controlled foreign company rules: you have to report such companies, and in some cases their profit is taxed in your hands as the owner. We factor this in when designing the structure.
How long does it take to build a structure?
It depends on the number of companies and jurisdictions. Registering individual companies takes weeks, while a full restructuring with share transfers and intra-group agreements takes longer. We give you a timeline after the diagnostics.
Do you provide tax advice?
We design the structure with tax rules in mind and advise on the owner's reporting. Detailed tax opinions for a specific country are prepared separately when they are needed, for example before a large restructuring.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
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Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
