🇸🇬 Singapore Company Registration
Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s leading financial and holding centres, with a transparent regulatory regime and a well-developed banking system. A Singapore Pte Ltd is commonly used as a regional headquarters, trading entity or holding company for cross-border business.
Singapore company registration is administered by ACRA, the usual entity type is Pte Ltd, and the standard timeline is 5-7 business days. Please confirm requirements with our advisors before proceeding.
Singapore at a glance
Key requirements
- Directors: at least one, and at least one must be a Singapore-resident director (citizen, PR or eligible pass holder). Nominee director service can be arranged.
- Shareholders: 1-50, individuals or corporate entities; 100% foreign shareholding is permitted in most industries.
- Share capital: minimum S$1; no mandatory paid-up requirement beyond that.
- Registered address: a valid local address in Singapore is required.
- Company secretary: must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation.
Registration process
- Name check and reservation via ACRA BizFile+ (1 business day)
- Preparation and signing of incorporation documents (1 business day)
- Filing with ACRA (1-2 business days) — UEN and BizFile issued
- Certificate of incorporation issued (1 business day)
- Corporate kit: common seal, constitution and statutory registers (1 business day)
- Corporate bank account application (runs in parallel; DBS / OCBC / UOB)
Tax and ongoing obligations
Singapore applies a 17% corporate income tax rate, with start-up tax exemption (SUTE) available for qualifying new companies on their first tranches of chargeable income. There is no capital gains tax.
- Annual return filing with ACRA and corporate tax filing (Form C-S / ECI) each year
- Appointment and maintenance of a local company secretary and registered address
- Even dormant companies must file — late filing attracts penalties
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Most industries allow 100% foreign shareholding with no local shareholder required. A small number of regulated sectors carry foreign ownership limits. A Singapore-resident director is required regardless of shareholding.
No. Incorporation is handled remotely, and most banks open corporate accounts via video verification. Corporate secretarial work is performed by the appointed firm in Singapore.
The standard timeline is 5-7 business days for the company itself. Bank account opening typically takes longer (commonly 4-8 weeks) and depends on the bank’s compliance review.