How to register a company in Singapore

Yes: 100% foreign ownership is allowed, but at least one director must meet local residency rules (citizen, PR or work-pass holder), so overseas founders usually hire a resident director or get a pass. A local company secretary within 6 months and a Singapore registered office are required.

1. 1

   Prepare Singpass or CorpPass credentials (foreigners without Singpass use an ACRA-registered corporate service provider) and decide the director, shareholders, secretary and controllers.

2. 2

   Apply for the company name on BizFile+ (S$15) and wait for approval.

3. 3

   Open the 'Register a local company' eService on BizFile+ and enter company details, activity codes, registered office and the financial year-end.

4. 4

   Add the position holders (directors) and shareholders, then the nominator and the registrable controllers.

5. 5

   Enter the share capital and share allotment, then upload or adopt the company constitution.

6. 6

   Review, endorse and pay S$300 by card or online banking; most registrations are approved soon after payment (complex cases up to 15 working days).

7. 7

   Appoint a local company secretary within 6 months, open a corporate bank account, and register for GST with IRAS if needed.

• NRIC/FIN or passport and residential address for each director, shareholder and controller
• Date of birth, nationality and email for each position holder
• Proposed company name and SSIC business activity code(s)
• Registered office address in Singapore, open to the public for at least 3 hours each business day
• Company constitution (ACRA model or customised)
• Singpass or CorpPass login (or a corporate service provider acting for you)

• File the annual return with ACRA (private companies: within 7 months of year-end) and keep a local company secretary
• Hold an AGM or send financial statements to members; small companies (meeting 2 of: revenue up to S$10m, assets up to S$10m, up to 50 staff) are audit-exempt
• File Estimated Chargeable Income within 3 months of year-end and Form C-S/C by 30 November; corporate tax is 17% with partial and start-up exemptions
• File GST returns quarterly once registered (compulsory above S$1 million taxable turnover; rate 9%)
• Keep the register of registrable controllers up to date

1. 1

   Check eligibility: the business needs at least one local resident (Singapore citizen, PR or an EP/PEP/ONE Pass holder); foreigners must use a corporate service provider to register.

2. 2

   Log in to BizFile+ with Singpass or CorpPass and apply for the business name (S$15).

3. 3

   Register the new business entity on BizFile+ (S$100) with the owner's details, business activity, address and start date.

4. 4

   Wait for approval, usually soon after payment (complex cases up to 15 working days).

5. 5

   Open a business bank account and register for GST if turnover exceeds S$1 million; declare business income on your personal tax return.

• NRIC or FIN of the owner
• Proposed business name and activity code
• Business address and email
• Singpass credentials (or a corporate service provider)

• Renew the business registration before it lapses (S$30)
• Declare business income on your personal income-tax return each year
• Register for and file GST once turnover exceeds S$1 million
• Update ACRA when the owner, address or activities change

1. 1

   Obtain a certified copy of the parent's certificate of incorporation, latest financial statements and constitution, with certified English translations if needed.

2. 2

   Appoint one authorised representative who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (a corporate service provider can supply one).

3. 3

   Apply for the branch name on BizFile+ (S$15).

4. 4

   Have a corporate service provider register the foreign company on BizFile+: business details, position holders, nominator and controller declarations, document uploads and payment (S$300 for one year).

5. 5

   Wait for approval, usually soon after payment (complex cases up to 15 working days; referral cases 14–60 days).

6. 6

   Open a bank account and register the branch for tax and GST as needed.

• Certificate of incorporation certified as a true copy by the home registry or equivalent official
• Latest financial statements of the foreign company
• Certified copy of the constitution
• English translations certified by a notary or Singapore consular officer
• Details of the authorised representative

• File the foreign company's annual return and financial statements with ACRA as required
• Keep a locally resident authorised representative in place
• Pay corporate tax (17%) on Singapore profits and file GST returns if registered

• Corporate tax registration with IRAS is automatic; use the myTax Portal for ECI and Form C-S/C (17% rate, with partial exemption on the first S$200,000 and start-up exemption for new companies)
• Register for GST with IRAS when taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million (voluntary earlier); the rate is 9%
• Open a corporate bank account (DBS, OCBC, UOB or a digital bank); expect KYC on directors and controllers
• Appoint a company secretary within 6 months, decide on an auditor (unless exempt) and set the financial year-end
• CPF contributions for citizen and PR employees; work passes for foreign staff (Employment Pass minimum S$5,600 a month, S$6,000 from 1 Jan 2027) or an EntrePass for founders who want to live in Singapore
• Keep the register of registrable controllers and nominee directors up to date
• Industry licences (for example MAS for finance, SFA for food) and trade mark registration with IPOS

Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.

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