Singapore Company Registration in 2025: The Complete Guide

1 Choose the type of company that suits you

When setting up your company, you need to choose the type of company structure that best suits your needs. There are many different types, each with its own benefits. But you must consider it carefully, as it will dictate how your business is governed.

The ACRA will also need this information before you can register your company.

2 Review and understand Singapore's company registration requirements

Before registering a business, we'd recommend taking some time to plan thoroughly.

Every limited company that opens in Singapore must register with The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). They are the national regulator of Singapore's Companies Act. You risk a fine or even prison time if you don't register with them (and it's kinda hard to run a business from a prison cell).

Your application must also adhere to ACRA's processes. Broadly speaking, the Singapore companies' incorporation follows these steps:

4 Ensure your desired company name is available

Your new business needs a name! Get creative or be literal.

The usual restrictions apply: it can't be identical to an existing private limited company or too similar to an established trademark (like Coca-Cola, for example). You can check your name's availability with our tool.

The final thing to be aware of is that your business' name cannot be ‘undesirable'. For example, avoid religious connotations or inappropriate language.

Pay particular attention to this if you are from a Western background. Singaporean society is more conservative than what you may be used to. What's an acceptable company name in London may be unacceptable in Singapore.

Your company's name must be approved before you apply to ACRA. So, any confusion over the name will delay the process until it's resolved.

This vibrant city-state offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs. To kickstart your venture, it's essential to understand what's needed for Singapore companies' formation. This guide will walk you through the key requirements. By the end, you'll clearly understand the steps involved, helping you embark on your business journey confidently.

Shareholders

If you're eager to open a Singapore company, it's important to understand the role of shareholders in the registration process. You'll need a minimum of one shareholder, while private companies can have up to 50.

ACRA mandates the inclusion of a constitution in Singapore companies, which outlines crucial details such as share capital amounts and equity distribution.

Following a specific structure for this document is highly recommended to prevent complications later. ACRA even provides a model structure on their website, which you can use as a template to streamline and expedite the registration process.

Director

Singaporean law requires your company to have at least one director to reside there. That person can be a foreign national or a Singaporean citizen. As long as the business director legally resides in Singapore, they can help you fulfil this requirement.

Of course, if you are planning to relocate to Singapore full-time legally, you can do it all yourself. Otherwise, if you don't have a resident director, you can use what's known as a nominee director.

Company Secretary

Every business must appoint a company secretary residing in Singapore. The company secretary keeps your business compliant with regulations and tax filings. It's an essential aspect of successfully doing business in Singapore.

A corporate secretary is responsible for all necessary documents required by law. For example:

• Issuing company resolutions
• Managing regulatory filings
• Maintaining company books

The appointment is a legal requirement; the role is critical to your business, and Singapore companies cannot operate without one. It requires various certifications and involves many responsibilities.

A common route for many businesses to take is to use a company secretarial service. Your secretary will track deadlines, keep documents in order, and ensure you stay compliant so that you don't have to worry about this aspect of your business.

These services are particularly useful for foreign entrepreneurs. A secretarial service will flatten the learning curve of running Singapore companies. The corporate service providers will keep you compliant without running the admin yourself.

Local address

To operate a business in Singapore, you need a local address. That makes sense, right? ACRA has set requirements on what sort of company address is needed.

Your company must have a registered address in Singapore. It cannot be a P.O. box. The purpose of this address is to receive official communications, notices from the authorities, and legal papers.

If you don't want an office space or aren't resident in Singapore, your nominee director's address can be submitted. You can keep all your relevant documents at this address, too. This is perfectly acceptable to ACRA; you don't need a premise if you don't want one.

Congrats on incorporating your Singapore company! Here's what happens next:

• You'll get a Certificate of Incorporation by email from ACRA, the official stamp of your company's registration and recognition from the Singapore government. It includes your unique business registration number. Want a hard copy? Simply request one online from ACRA for only S$50.
• ACRA will also send your Business Profile (or "Bizfile"). Think of it as your company's ID card.
• Next, it's time to open your corporate bank account. We've got a handy guide on how to do this in Singapore.
• Depending on what your business does, you might need to apply for certain licenses. Get this done post-registration and pre-business kick-off.

If you expect your annual turnover to exceed S$1 million, you must register for Goods & Services Tax (GST). If you're expecting less than that, you can skip this step. Remember, GST is the same as VAT in many other countries.

If you're a foreigner looking to incorporate a company in Singapore, there are three approaches to take:

Apply for an Employment Pass

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) allows entrepreneurs to get an Employment Pass (EP) after incorporating a company. No EP yet? No worries! Visa agents like Osome can help with the application. Once approved, you're good to start working in your new Singaporean company. Remember, your business needs to be a private limited one and incorporated before the EP application.

Apply for an Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass)

MOM also offers an EntrePass for foreign entrepreneurs with venture-backed or tech-innovative businesses, open to all nationalities. If the company is registered, it should be under six months old when applying for EntrePass. If not, you can register after getting EntrePass approval. You also need to meet MOM's innovative criteria.

Register a company without relocating to Singapore

One key requirement is to have a Singapore resident as a company director or authorised representative. This person can manage your business.

The cost of registering a company in Singapore can vary depending on several factors. Here are some key cost considerations:

1. Business structure: The type of business entity you choose to register, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership (LLP), or private limited company, will impact the registration fees.
2. Government fees: Singapore imposes registration fees for different business structures. For instance, registering a private limited company could cost around S$315, including a business name reservation. Additional fees might apply for other services.
3. Professional services: If you engage the services of a corporate service provider or a professional firm to assist with the registration process, there will be associated service fees.
4. Office space: While not a direct registration cost, you may need to consider the expenses of securing office space, which can vary widely based on location and type.
5. Miscellaneous costs: These could include fees for necessary licenses and permits, compliance requirements, and ongoing business expenses like accounting and auditing.

It's crucial to review the latest fee schedules and regulations with the relevant authorities or consult a professional service provider to get an accurate estimate of the total cost of company registration in Singapore. Costs can change over time, so staying updated on the latest requirements and fees is essential for accurate financial planning.