Timor-Leste
Market Entry & Business Establishment
Business formation and corporate setup in Timor-Leste
Wong Alliance Timor-Leste is your trusted partner in establishing a successful business in Timor-Leste. We specialise in advising clients on the legal structures required for company formation, licensing, and compliance across various sectors. Whether you are a local entrepreneur or an international corporation, we will help you navigate the regulatory framework and local languages with ease.
As a pioneer, we were the selected law firm to submit the first business registration under SERVE (Service for the Registration and Verification of Entrepreneurs) when it was inaugurated in 2013. Our comprehensive business setup services include handling incorporation processes, sectorial licensing applications, obtaining working visas, opening bank accounts, reviewing tenancies for office or business premises, and ongoing support for operational compliance.
Key services
- 01
One-stop incorporation services
We assist clients with the full process of setting up a company in Timor-Leste, including advising on licensing requirements for relevant business sectors and preparing proper documentation for registration with SERVE (Service for the Registration and Verification of Entrepreneurs).
- 02
Structuring business ownership
We advise on structuring of business ownership and shareholder issues, draft and negotiate shareholder agreements and bespoke articles of association that are both enduring for business ventures and aligned with clients' strategic objectives.
- 03
Working visas and employment permits
We handle all legal requirements for hiring foreign employees, including processing work visas (including visas for family reunification) and ensuring compliance with labour and immigration laws.
- 04
Opening bank accounts
We assist clients in navigating corporate banking formalities, and advise on safeguards for account management.
- 05
Corporate secretarial and regulatory compliance
We assist clients in establishing and maintaining effective corporate governance frameworks. Our support includes drafting governance instruments, advising boards on roles and responsibilities, ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations, and enhancing decision-making protocols. We also help prepare for shareholder meetings, develop internal policies, and provide guidance on directors' duties to ensure accountability and sound corporate conduct. For subsidiaries of foreign companies or firms with listing aspirations in other jurisdictions, we act as company secretary to ensure compliance with corporate governance and reporting requirements.
- 06
Jurisdictional surveys
We provide comparative jurisdictional surveys for foreign clients, private or government, to evaluate the legal environment, market entry strategies, organisational and transaction structuring, compliance planning, risk analysis and operational feasibility.
Contact and consult with us
Company formation, sectorial licensing, work visas and corporate secretarial support.