Can a nominee director manage my company or sign documents?

No, the nominee director cannot manage or involve in the operation of your company. The nominee director will neither be a bank signatory to the corporate bank account nor play an active role in your business. The nominee director will merely be the named director of the company in order to fulfill local statutory requirements (e.g., appointment of a local resident director). You will be solely responsible for daily business activities and corporate bank account activity. 3E Accounting’s nominee director will not sign any invoice , contract or legal documents on behalf of you.

Who will be liable if I do not comply with statutory compliance?

Directors of the company are legally responsible and accountable for complying with the requirements of the Singapore Companies Act. Failure to comply with the statutory compliance requirements is an offense and may result in fines or prosecution.

If I don't have anybody in Singapore who can act as the local resident director for our company? What role will he or she play in our company?

Yes, we do provide our Nominee Director Service in Singapore. However, please note that our nominee director will not have any financial, management or operational interest in the company. The nominee directors main role is limited to satisfying the statutory requirement of a local resident director for your Singapore company.

Are the service fee and security deposit the same?

The security deposit should not be confused with our service fee or any other fee. It‘s your money that is temporarily in our custody for the duration of our Nominee Director Service. We will refund the security deposit back to you immediately upon termination of our Nominee Director Service.

Why do we require a security deposit when others don’t?

While some competitors may not require a security deposit, it’s important to note that they often outsource their Nominee Director services, which can lead to potential risks, such as the director becoming uncontactable or abruptly stopping service. At 3E, we provide our own in-house Nominee Directors to ensure reliability and safety for our clients. Additionally, competitors often charge higher fees for Nominee Director services and related costs, which can add up to more than our security deposit. The security deposit protects our Nominee Directors, who bear significant responsibilities, including covering company liquidation charges if a client becomes unreachable. This deposit remains with us for the duration of our Nominee Director Service to safeguard their interests.

Will there be any other extra security deposit required?

No, we will not require any extra security deposit unless for certain reasons acceptable by our Management, certain clients while engaging our nominee director services, are not able to engage our full services and they are GST registered or have hired staff. This is because, the risk on the nominee director will be higher as GST-registered businesses are required to pay GST one month after the end of the accounting period covered by the return. If GST is not paid or is paid late, penalties will be imposed by the Authorities.

Am I allowed to terminate the Nominee Director Service anytime?

Yes, you can terminate our Nominee Director Service anytime by providing us with the details regarding an alternate local resident director. We will do the necessary paperwork, file the change with authorities and promptly refund the security deposit back to you.

Can I obtain a power of attorney from the nominee director?

A power of attorney (POA) allows an appointed person to act on the company’s behalf. Generally, this can be issued by the executive director. If a POA from the nominee director is requested, we need to understand the reason, as nominee directors typically don’t participate in company operations, and POAs are not usually provided. If necessary, a limited POA may be issued, subject to the nominee director’s checks. Required information for the attorney includes: Passport, address proof, ID (if available) Contact details Recent bank reference or statement (under 2 months) Employer reference Purpose and reason for needing the POA from the nominee director An additional fee starting from $8,000 (with GST $8,720) applies for legal review and due diligence. We reserve the right to decline if requirements are not met.

Can the nominee director assist in license applications?

Our policy is that nominee directors do not participate in business operations. Therefore, if your business requires a license, the nominee director will need to step down before you proceed with the application. For many licenses—such as money changer, employment agency, food stall, or IDA licenses—the company must have a local executive director (Singaporean or Singapore PR) registered with ACRA before applying. License applications typically require a local key executive (Singapore Citizen, PR, or employment pass holder) to sign and submit documents. While most businesses don’t require licenses, regulated industries, including food services, employment agencies, and financial services, may need them. For more information, refer to Business License Application.

Can the nominee director assist in opening a corporate or merchant bank account?

Corporate Bank Account: The nominee director can help with initial account setup after incorporation but will not be a bank signatory. Multiple Directors: Banks typically require two directors to be present for account setup. If only one can attend, an overseas signature verification may be possible but has a lower approval rate. Merchant Account: The nominee director cannot assist in opening merchant accounts due to required guarantees. Independent setup with options like PayPal is recommended, with possible limited assistance under specific conditions.

Singapore Nominee Director Service

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Nominee Director Services in Singapore

Singapore Nominee Director Services

Appointing a qualified nominee director is a key step in setting up a company in Singapore. Selecting the right local director ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and provides a foundation for stable operations. Our nominee director service offers a balance of quality and cost-efficiency, designed to support businesses in meeting their legal obligations seamlessly.

However, it’s important to approach this decision with care, as an ill-suited appointment could expose the company to significant risks.

The nominee director fulfils the resident director requirement on paper only. They have no access to your bank accounts, no involvement in business decisions, and no operational role. You retain full ownership and control of your company at all times.

For further guidance on making the right choice, refer to our in-depth article on “Appointing the right person as your Nominee Director“.

Table of Contents hide

1 Nominee Director Services in Singapore

2 Who is a Nominee Director in Singapore?

3 What Are the Key Responsibilities of a Nominee Director in Singapore?

4 What Are the Residency Requirements for a Nominee Director in Singapore?

5 Why Choose Our Nominee Director Services in Singapore?

6 How Do Our Singapore Nominee Director Services Work?

7 What is the Package Fee for Singapore Nominee Director Service?

Who is a Nominee Director in Singapore?

A nominee director in Singapore is a crucial figure in the company setup process, as mandated by the Singapore Companies Act. Every private limited company (PLC) in Singapore must have at least one director who is a resident of Singapore.

This local nominee director fulfils a statutory requirement to ensure compliance with Singapore’s corporate regulations. However, the nominee director does not participate in the company’s financial, operational, or management activities.

Our Singapore nominee director services provide a reliable, professional, and cost-effective solution to help businesses meet this requirement with confidence and ease.

What Are the Key Responsibilities of a Nominee Director in Singapore?

A nominee director in Singapore plays an important statutory role by helping companies meet the local resident director requirement under the Singapore Companies Act.

Key responsibilities of a nominee director include:

Acting as the locally resident director required for Singapore company incorporation and ongoing compliance.
Ensuring the company maintains basic regulatory compliance under Singapore corporate laws.
Serving a statutory role only, without involvement in the company’s operational, financial, or management activities.
Assisting in matters related to company closure, strike-off, or liquidation if the foreign owner becomes unreachable or fails to fulfil legal obligations.
Managing potential exposure to compliance risks, penalties, or liquidation-related liabilities associated with the company.
Maintaining a refundable security deposit arrangement as protection against unforeseen legal, regulatory, or administrative liabilities during the appointment period.
Holding the security deposit for the duration of the nominee director engagement, subject to release upon successful termination and compliance clearance.

What Are the Residency Requirements for a Nominee Director in Singapore?

For an individual to qualify as a nominee director in Singapore, they must be recognized as “ordinarily resident.” Generally, this involves:

Having a local residential address in Singapore.
Holding a valid status, such as Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, EntrePass, Employment Pass, or Dependant’s Pass.
Demonstrating long-term residency in Singapore, which shows they can legally remain in the country for an extended period.

These residency requirements ensure the nominee director is a properly incorporated company in Singapore and able to fulfil statutory compliance obligations.

Why Choose Our Nominee Director Services in Singapore?

Selecting a competent nominee director for your company in Singapore is essential to avoid potential legal and financial pitfalls. Our nominee director service stands out for its professionalism and affordability. Backed by an experienced team, our services ensure that your compliance needs are met without any involvement in your company’s day-to-day management.

Additionally, we require a security deposit of SGD 2,000 to safeguard the interests of the nominee director, which is refundable upon termination of the service, provided all conditions are met.

How Do Our Singapore Nominee Director Services Work?

To engage our nominee director services, specific conditions must be met to ensure compliance and security for all parties involved. Here’s an outline of our process:

Service Fees and Security Deposit: The nominee director service costs SGD 2,180 (inclusive of GST) per year, with an additional refundable security deposit of SGD 2,000.
Requirements for Compliance:
- We require all clients to subscribe to our annual secretarial, accounting, tax filing, and registered address services, ensuring smooth operational support.
- The nominee director must verify domain names under VerifiedID@SG if you wish to register a .sg domain.
- To maintain regulatory compliance, your business correspondence must be routed through our office.
- Clients may only maintain a single Singapore bank account under the nominee director’s responsibility, with additional accounts subject to approval.
Restrictions and Disclaimers:
- Our nominee directors do not participate in business operations. You must appoint separate directors responsible for managing the company’s activities.
- We do not provide services to individuals from countries listed under US sanctions. Failure to disclose any such association may lead to forfeiture of the security deposit and other necessary actions.

What is the Package Fee for Singapore Nominee Director Service?

Package Available	Fee (SGD)
Nominee Director Services (We will also collect a refundable security deposit of $2,000 from you for the provision of our Nominee Director Service. The security deposit is refundable upon termination of our Nominee Director Service.)	$2,000 (W/GST $2,180) per year **
Verification of .com.sg / .sg domain name through VerifiedID@SG by the nominee director *	$200 (W/GST $218) per domain name *

Singapore Nominee Director Services

FAQ for Nominee Director Services

Singapore Nominee Director Services
We will also require a refundable security deposit to provide you with the Nominee Director Service. The service can be terminated any time at your request. You, however, must appoint a new Singapore resident director to meet the statutory requirement.

Ready to Appoint a Nominee Director in Singapore?

3E Accounting provides in-house, fully compliant Singapore nominee director services for foreign founders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a nominee director in Singapore?

A nominee director is a Singapore-resident professional appointed to meet ACRA’s local director requirement. They act in a compliance role; on paper, they do not run or control your business. You need one if you are a foreigner without Singapore residency (citizenship, PR, or Employment Pass).

Do I need a nominee director to incorporate a company in Singapore?

You need a nominee director if you are a foreign national without Singapore residency, meaning you do not hold a Singapore Citizenship, Permanent Residency, Employment Pass, EntrePass, or Dependent’s Pass. ACRA requires at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. If none of your directors meets this requirement, a nominee director is mandatory before your company can be incorporated.

How much does a nominee director cost in Singapore?

3E Accounting’s nominee director service is priced at S$2,000 per year (W/GST S$2,180). In addition, a refundable security deposit of S$2,000 is held throughout the engagement and returned in full upon termination. Clients must also subscribe to annual secretarial, accounting, tax filing, and registered address services as part of the engagement requirements.

What is the difference between a nominee director and a real director in Singapore?

A nominee director fulfils the ACRA local resident director requirement on paper only; they have no involvement in business operations, no bank signatory rights, and do not sign contracts or invoices. A real or executive director actively manages the company and is responsible for its day-to-day operations. Foreign founders act as the executive director while the nominee director satisfies the statutory residency requirement.

Can a nominee director sign documents or manage my company?

No. 3E Accounting’s nominee director will not manage or be involved in the operation of your company. The nominee director will not be a bank signatory, will not sign invoices, contracts, or legal documents on your behalf, and will not play any active role in your business. You remain solely responsible for all daily business activities and bank account operations.

What are the residency requirements for a nominee director in Singapore?

To qualify as a nominee director in Singapore, the individual must be ordinarily resident in Singapore. This means they must provide a local residential address, hold a valid status as a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, EntrePass holder, Employment Pass holder, or Dependent’s Pass holder, and be able to legally remain in Singapore for an extended period.

Is the security deposit the same as the service fee?

No. The security deposit of S$2,000 is your own money held in custody by 3E Accounting for the duration of the nominee director engagement. It is fully refundable upon termination of the service. The annual service fee of S$2,000 (W/GST S$2,180) is a separate charge for the nominee director service itself. The deposit protects our in-house nominee directors, who bear significant legal responsibilities, including potential liability for company liquidation costs.

Can I terminate the nominee director service?

Yes. You can terminate the nominee director service at any time by providing 3E Accounting with the details of an alternate local resident director who will replace the nominee. 3E Accounting will handle all necessary ACRA filings and will promptly refund the security deposit once the replacement is confirmed and all termination conditions are met.

Is a nominee director legally required by ACRA in Singapore?

Yes, indirectly. ACRA requires every Singapore-incorporated company to have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore under the Singapore Companies Act. A nominee director is the legal mechanism used by foreign founders to meet this requirement when they do not personally hold Singapore residency.