How to Register a Company in Singapore: Complete ACRA Guide 2026
Singapore is widely recognised as one of the easiest countries in the world to start a business. With its world-class infrastructure, pro-business policies, and efficient regulatory framework, the city-state offers an ideal launchpad for foreign entrepreneurs and international companies aiming to expand into Asia.
Unsurprisingly, Singapore continues to attract a growing number of foreign investors and business owners eager to establish their presence in one of the world’s most business-friendly environments. Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign founder, understanding the ACRA company registration process, BizFile+ requirements, and the step-by-step incorporation of a company in Singapore is essential before you begin.
This guide will help you understand how to start a business, register a company in Singapore, and provide insights on company registration in Singapore for foreigners.
You can consider 3E Accounting for your Singapore company incorporation services, which includes a company secretary, who must be appointed within 6 months.
| Offer: | S$109 with GST |
| Contact Number: | +65 6690 9262 |
| Email: | info@3ecpa.com.sg |
What You Need To Know Before Registering the Company in Singapore?
Before proceeding with company registration in Singapore or registering a business in Singapore, it’s essential to understand the core statutory, structural, and tax requirements. Below is a clear, compliance-focused breakdown of the key information you must prepare.
1. Company Name Approval
Your company name must be approved by ACRA before incorporation. The name should be unique, not identical or too similar to existing businesses, and must not infringe on trademarks or contain prohibited terms. Company registration cannot proceed until name approval is secured.
2. Directors’ Requirements
Every Singapore company must appoint at least one Resident Director.
- A Resident Director can be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or a holder of a valid Employment Pass, EntrePass, or Dependant Pass.
- You may appoint additional local or foreign directors without restriction.
- All directors must be at least 18 years old, not bankrupt, and have a clean criminal record.
- Directors are not required to be shareholders.
3. Shareholders and Ownership Structure
A Singapore Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) can have 1 to 50 shareholders, who may be individuals or corporate entities, local or foreign.
- 100% foreign ownership is permitted.
- A minimum of one shareholder is required at incorporation.
- Shares can be issued or transferred after incorporation.
If the company has no more than 20 individual shareholders and no corporate shareholder holds a beneficial interest, it qualifies as an Exempt Private Company (EPC). EPCs may enjoy audit exemption, provided they meet the “small company” criteria under Singapore law.
4. Company Secretary Appointment
Under Section 171 of the Singapore Companies Act, a qualified company secretary must be appointed within six months of incorporation.
- The secretary must be a natural person ordinarily resident in Singapore.
- A sole director or sole shareholder cannot act as the company secretary.
- This role is critical for ensuring ongoing statutory and regulatory compliance.
5. Paid-Up Capital
The minimum paid-up capital required to register a Pte Ltd company in Singapore is S$1.
- Capital can be increased at any time after incorporation.
- Singapore does not recognise authorised capital.
- Shares may be issued as ordinary, preference, or other classes of shares.
6. Registered Business Address
You must provide a local Singapore address as your registered office.
- The address can be residential or commercial, but cannot be a P.O. Box.
- Under the Home Office Scheme, eligible HDB or private residential properties may be used for small-scale business activities.
- Approval from HDB or URA can be obtained before or after incorporation with ACRA.
Understanding these requirements upfront ensures a smooth, compliant, and efficient company incorporation process in Singapore, whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor planning regional or global expansion.
Types of Companies You Can Register in Singapore
Singapore’s three most common business entities are sole proprietorships, limited liability partnerships, and private limited companies. Singapore incorporation services can assist with setting up any of these entities.
Learn more about the types of companies in Singapore to choose the correct business entity for sole proprietors, LLPs vs. companies in Singapore.
Considerations for Foreigners on How to Register a Company in Singapore
If you are a foreigner and want to incorporate a company in Singapore, consider the following points regarding registering a company in Singapore.
- The director and shareholder records are publicly accessible (for $5.50).
- Do not attempt to register your company. Foreigners are forbidden from doing this in Singapore.
- You won’t need a Singapore visa if you want to run your Singapore company but do not live in Singapore. You can operate the company from anywhere in the world and visit on a short-term basis using a visitor visa. But you’ll need to have a local director living in Singapore.
- You’ll need an Employment Pass or Entrepreneur Pass to operate the company locally. With this pass, you can be the company’s resident director.
- 3E Accounting can handle all aspects of your company’s incorporation and work permit acquisition without you setting foot in Singapore. You may need to be present to open a bank account, it depends on the particular bank.
Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership, with no local partner or shareholder required. The only requirement is at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore.
Foreign founders without Singapore residency have two options: appoint a nominee director, a Singapore-resident professional who fulfils the local director requirement while you retain full ownership and control or apply for an Employment Pass or EntrePass to relocate and act as resident director yourself. The entire process is completed online. No need to be physically present in Singapore.
Required Information and Documents for Singapore Company Incorporation
The Company Registrar will need the following information and documents for Singapore Company Formation:
- Company Name
- Brief Description of Business Activities
- Shareholders Particulars
- Directors Particulars
- Registered Address
- Company Secretary Particulars
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MAA). The Singapore Company Registrar provides a standard MAA document suitable for most instances.
Generally, there are no restrictions except for financial services-related or other politically sensitive businesses.
3E Accounting will collect the following documents to help you register your company at a reasonable Singapore company registration cost:
| Non-Residents (Foreigners) | Copy of passport, overseas residential address proof, and other Know-Your-Client (KYC) information such as a bank reference letter, personal and business profile, etc. Please refer to Singapore Company Incorporation for more information. |
| Singapore Residents | Copy of Singapore identity card |
| Corporate Entity Shareholder | Copy of registration documents such as Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum & Articles of Association. |
Singapore Company Registration Checklist
Before you file with ACRA, confirm you have the following in place:
- The company name chosen should be unique and verified as available via BizFile+ or 3E’s free name checker
- At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore (citizen, PR, EP, or EntrePass holder)
- At least one shareholder, individual or corporate, local or foreign
- Company secretary to be appointed within 6 months of incorporation
- Registered Singapore office address, not a P.O. box
- Paid-up capital minimum S$1
- Company constitution standard or customised
- Identification documents like NRIC for Singapore residents, passport and overseas address proof for foreigners
- ACRA government fee of S$315 (S$15 name reservation plus S$300 incorporation fee)
Having all items on this company registration checklist ready before you submit ensures a smooth, delay-free ACRA filing and same-day UEN issuance in most cases.
What Is the Registration Procedure and Timeline for Starting a Business in Singapore?
Starting a business in Singapore is relatively fast and efficient due to its fully digital company registration system managed by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Step 1: Reserve Your Company Name
The Singapore Government must approve your company name before you can register it. The Company Registrar will oversee the process.
The Company Registrar should notify you of their decision instantly. Certain words, including law, media, bank, and finance, will slow the process. If you use these words, another Government Authority will intervene, potentially delaying the process by days or weeks.
To expedite the process, pick a name that:
- is different from any existing local company names
- does not infringe on any trademarks
- is not dirty, obscene or rude
- is not already reserved
You can sit on your name for 60 days and extend it by another 60 days. For more information, refer to the Guide to Selecting Your Singapore Company Names.
Step 2: Register the Company
After the Registrar of Companies approves your company name, they will process your incorporation application and documents within a few hours, provided:
- All incorporation documents are complete
- Directors and shareholders have signed the required forms
- Compliance checks are cleared successfully
In some cases, applications involving individuals from certain jurisdictions may undergo additional government screening, which can slightly delay approval.
You must pay the company registration cost to the Registrar of Companies, which is S$300 for their services upfront. 3E Accounting provides the Singapore Company Incorporation Package.
Step 3: Post-Registration Formalities for Companies in Singapore
Once your company is successfully incorporated in Singapore, the Company Registrar will issue the official company registration documents electronically.
1. Certificate of Incorporation
After company incorporation is completed, you will receive an email confirmation from the Company Registrar containing:
- Confirmation of successful incorporation
- Your Company Registration Number (UEN)
This is an official certificate of incorporation, so don’t lose it. please keep it safe Singapore no longer uses paper certificates. However, for a S$50 fee, the Company Registrar will provide one, although, for a S$50 fee, the Company Registrar will give it to you. The processing time is usually 3 to 5 days.
It is important to keep the incorporation confirmation and certificate safely for banking, licensing, and compliance purposes.
2. Company Business Profile
After completing the company registration process, the Company Registrar will create a business profile for your Singapore-registered company. The downloadable PDF file contains key information, including:
– Company name and registration number
– Previous names for the company, if any
– Incorporation date
– Principal activities
– Paid-up capital
– Registered address
– Shareholders details
– Directors details
– Company Secretary details
Once you have received the email notification and business profile, you can proceed with all necessary legal and contractual tasks in Singapore. You might need to open a corporate bank account, lease office space or set up your phone and Internet accounts.
Ask 3E Accounting for assistance in all your setup tasks.
We will also help you get ready for the following necessary items:
– Share certificates for each of the shareholders
– Share register indicating shares allotted to each of the shareholders
– Company seal for the company
– A rubber stamp for the company
Step 4: Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Singapore
Singapore has many fine banks, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citibank, DBS, OCBC, and UOB.
You might be willing to choose a bank that does not require your physical presence. Please remember that you’ll have a wider choice of banks if you appear in Singapore.
If you come here, you can tour each bank, evaluate its facilities, and see if the people working there meet your approval requirements.
For further details, refer to Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Singapore.
Step 5. Applying for Business Licences for starting a business in Singapore
If you are involved in certain businesses within your company, you may need a special license to establish a company in Singapore.
– Restaurants
– Educational institutes
– Travel agencies
– Financial services
– Import/export of goods
– Employment agency
For more information, refer to the Singapore Business Licenses guide.
Step 6. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration
GST registration is mandatory for companies whose taxable turnover in a calendar year exceeds S$ 1 million.
Once you receive your GST registration, you charge your customers an additional 7 per cent for the goods and services you provide. You cannot keep this money. Instead, it would be best to turn it over to the Singapore authorities. You don’t have to obtain GST registration if your annual revenue is below S$1 million. For further details on GST, refer to the Singapore GST Guide.
Step 7. Annual Filing Requirements
An annual return must be submitted to ACRA, including essential information such as the company’s financial statements, details of directors and shareholders, and any changes to share capital.
For more details on this, see Annual Filing Requirements for Singapore Companies.
Key Annual Compliance Requirements
1. Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Most Singapore companies must hold an Annual General Meeting to present financial statements to shareholders. Generally, the AGM must be conducted within 6 months after the company’s financial year end, although certain private companies may qualify for exemptions under Singapore regulations.
2. Filing Annual Returns With ACRA
After the AGM, companies must file their Annual Returns with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). The filing includes important company information such as financial statements, company officers, shareholders, and registered office details. Annual Returns are typically required to be submitted within 7 months after the financial year end to avoid penalties and compliance issues.
3. Corporate Income Tax Filing
All Singapore companies must fulfil annual corporate tax filing obligations with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). This includes filing the Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) and submitting the Corporate Income Tax Return (Form C-S or Form C). Companies are also required to maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documents for tax compliance purposes.
4. Maintaining Statutory Registers and Records
Singapore companies are required to maintain updated statutory registers and company records, including registers of shareholders, directors, company secretaries, meeting resolutions, and accounting records.
Companies must prepare and submit financial statements in accordance with the Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS) and file their annual Corporate Income Tax Return with the Singapore tax authority.
These are spelt out in the Singapore Income Tax Act. For more details, see Annual Income Tax Filing Requirements for Singapore Companies.
If you need to find the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code corresponding to your business activity, please use our SSIC Search.
Conclusion
Setting up a company in Singapore is a significant step toward regional and global business expansion, thanks to the country’s efficient regulatory framework and supportive business environment. However, navigating incorporation procedures, compliance requirements, and post-registration formalities can be challenging without local expertise.
That’s where 3E Accounting steps in, a trusted leader in Singapore company registration services. From securing a company name and appointing a local director to filing annual returns and handling compliance, 3E Accounting ensures a hassle-free, end-to-end incorporation experience.
