How to Register a Company in Singapore: A 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Why register a company in Singapore?

Singapore is known for fast, transparent incorporation, a strong legal system, a competitive corporate tax rate of 17% with partial exemptions for smaller profits, and wide tax treaties. It is a common base for businesses serving Southeast Asia. ACRA reported more than 630,000 active entities on its register in 2026.

Why it matters: the setup itself is quick, but ongoing compliance, such as annual returns, tax filings and keeping proper records, is where many founders slip. Plan for both before you start.

Choose the right business structure

Structure	Liability	Best for
Private limited company (Pte. Ltd.)	Limited to shareholders' investment	Most businesses, especially those raising investment or hiring
Sole proprietorship	Unlimited personal liability	Local individuals with very small, low-risk businesses
Partnership or LLP	Varies; LLP partners have limited liability	Professional firms with several partners
Branch or subsidiary of a foreign company	Parent may be liable (branch)	Existing overseas companies expanding

This guide focuses on the private limited company, the structure most founders and foreign investors use.

Requirements to register a company in Singapore

• Company name: must not be identical to an existing name or be undesirable; it is checked when you apply.
• At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore: aged 18 or over, not bankrupt or disqualified. Foreign founders often relocate on an Employment Pass, use EntrePass, or appoint a nominee resident director through a service provider.
• At least one shareholder: an individual or a company, local or foreign; one person can be both director and shareholder.
• Company secretary: must be resident in Singapore and appointed within six months of incorporation. A sole director cannot also be the secretary.
• Registered office address: a physical address in Singapore, not a PO box.
• Paid-up capital: minimum S$1.
• Constitution: the company's rulebook; ACRA offers a model constitution.

Step 1: Choose and check your company name

Search existing names on BizFile. Names ending in "Pte. Ltd." are standard. Some words, such as "bank", "finance" or "university", need approval from other authorities. Once the name is approved, it is reserved for 120 days.

Step 2: Decide your business activities

You will choose up to two business activities using Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes. Pick codes that match what you actually do; they affect licensing requirements and statistics.

Step 3: Prepare documents and officer details

• Identity documents and residential addresses of directors and shareholders (passports for foreigners).
• Share structure: number of shares, classes and who holds them.
• The constitution.
• Consent to act as director forms.
• The registered office address.
• Details for the register of registrable controllers (people with significant control).

Step 4: File with ACRA through BizFile

Local residents with Singpass can file themselves. Foreigners without Singpass must use a registered filing agent, usually a corporate services firm, who submits on their behalf. Pay the S$315 government fee. Most applications are approved within one working day; some are referred to other agencies and take longer.

Step 5: After incorporation

1. Receive your Unique Entity Number (UEN) and business profile.
2. Appoint a company secretary within six months, if not already done.
3. Open a corporate bank account; banks and digital business accounts will run their own checks.
4. Set up registers: members, directors, controllers and nominee directors.
5. Register for GST if taxable turnover exceeds or is expected to exceed S$1 million a year; voluntary registration is possible.
6. Apply for any business licenses your activity needs.
7. Register with the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board if you hire local employees.

Costs to budget

Item	Typical cost
ACRA name and registration fee	S$315 (government)
Corporate secretary	Service provider fee, usually annual
Registered address	Service fee if you do not have an office
Nominee resident director (if needed)	Annual fee plus a security deposit at many providers
Accounting and tax filing	Varies with transaction volume

Service provider fees vary widely, so compare several and read what is included.

Ongoing compliance

• Annual General Meeting: private companies may be exempt if they send financial statements to members, depending on their constitution and status.
• Annual return: filed with ACRA each year.
• Corporate tax: file the Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) where required and the annual Form C or C-S with IRAS.
• Accounting records: keep them for at least five years.
• Updates: report changes in officers, address or shares to ACRA within the deadlines.

Good bookkeeping from day one makes this simple; our guide to cash flow management helps you stay on top of money, and our guide to invoicing international clients covers cross-border billing.

Singapore vs other options for foreign founders

Founders serving the US market often consider a US LLC instead; see our guide to forming an LLC as a non-resident. Singapore suits businesses targeting Asia, those needing a reputable Asian holding company, or founders planning to live and hire in Singapore. Before choosing, consider where your customers, team and investors are, and take tax advice in your home country, because tax residence depends on where the company is managed and controlled.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a name without checking trademarks.
• Forgetting to appoint a secretary within six months.
• Assuming a Singapore company automatically pays only Singapore tax.
• Mixing personal and company money.
• Missing annual filing deadlines, which leads to penalties.

Visas and work passes for foreign founders

Owning a Singapore company does not give you the right to live or work there. Founders who want to relocate usually apply for an Employment Pass, which has salary and qualifying criteria, or an EntrePass for innovative entrepreneurs meeting specific conditions. The Ministry of Manpower sets and regularly updates these criteria, so check the current requirements before planning a move. Until a pass is approved, many founders use a nominee resident director to satisfy the local director requirement.

Opening a business bank account

Banks in Singapore run thorough checks on new companies, especially those with foreign directors or shareholders. Expect to provide incorporation documents, identity documents for directors and shareholders, proof of address, a description of your business and expected transactions, and sometimes evidence of business contracts or a website. Some traditional banks prefer directors to attend in person; several digital business account providers offer fully online onboarding. Compare fees, multi-currency support and minimum balances.

A first-year compliance calendar

When	Task
Within 6 months of incorporation	Appoint a company secretary (if not done at registration)
Within 30 days of setting up	Set up registers of members, directors and controllers
Within 3 months of financial year-end	File Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) with IRAS, unless exempt
Within 7 months of financial year-end	File the annual return with ACRA (and hold an AGM if required)
By 30 November of the following year	File corporate income tax return (Form C or C-S)

Deadlines can change, so confirm the dates for your financial year with ACRA, IRAS or your corporate secretary.

The bottom line: It is fast and affordable to register a company in Singapore: S$315 in government fees and often one working day. The real commitments are a resident director, a company secretary, a local address and yearly compliance, so line those up before you file.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner register a company in Singapore?

Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of the shares, but need at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore and must file through a registered filing agent if they do not have Singpass.

How long does it take?

Many applications are approved within one working day once documents are ready. Opening a bank account can take longer.

Do I need to live in Singapore?

No, but the company needs a locally resident director. Many foreign founders use a nominee director service or relocate on a work pass.

What is the corporate tax rate?

The headline rate is 17%, with partial exemptions that reduce the effective rate on smaller profits. Check IRAS for current rules and any rebates.

Can I register a company in Singapore without visiting?

Yes. The whole incorporation process is online, and foreigners can complete it through a registered filing agent without travelling. Opening a bank account may still require a video call or, at some banks, an in-person visit.

Do I need a physical office?

You need a registered address in Singapore where official letters can be delivered and records kept. Many small companies use their corporate secretary's address for a fee, and some residents can use their home address with the relevant approvals.

Can one person be both director and shareholder?

Yes. A single person can be the sole director and sole shareholder, provided they are ordinarily resident in Singapore. However, the sole director cannot also act as the company secretary.