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The Ultimate Guide to Registering a Company in Singapore

The Ultimate Guide to Registering a Company in Singapore

Putting up a company in Singapore is a prospect eyed by both locals and foreigners thanks to the ease of doing business here and the government’s near-zero corruption track record. 

So you have a brilliant marketable idea and you have the funds, but where do you start? 

Here’s a detailed guide to registering your company in The Lion City to help you navigate this exciting venture.

Inside This Guide

Starting a Company

Starting a company will take more than just willpower. Here is a starter pack of information for aspiring business owners to succeed in this region.

Is it easy to register a company in Singapore?

Is it easy to register a company in Singapore

Registering a company in Singapore is easy, as most of the transactions are done online.

You need only to prepare your company information and funds beforehand. 

You will also need to download the pertinent documents from BizFile+, an online portal of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

The portal supplies downloadables and online application forms that you need to submit so you can register your business name or apply for incorporation, among other things.

What are the steps in registering a company in Singapore?

What are the steps in registering a company in Singapore

The general steps in registering a company in Singapore include

  1. Selecting your business structure
  2. Registering your company name with ACRA
  3. Incorporating your company

The steps will vary depending on the business structure you choose.

1. Select your business structure

Select your business structure

Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) allows the registration of the following business structures:

  • Sole-proprietorship
  • Limited partnership
  • Limited liability partnership
  • Company

For this article’s purpose, we’re focusing on setting up a company in the country. 

That said, here’s a table to compare the different business structures.

StructureDefinitionOwnerSetup Fee
Sole-proprietorshipBusiness owned by an individual1 person$115 – $175
PartnershipAssociation of 2 or more persons carrying a business in common with a view to profit2 to 20 partners$115 – $175
Limited partnershipPartnership consisting of 2 or more personsAt least 2 partners (1 general partner and 1 limited partner)$115 – $175
Limited liability partnershipPartnership where the individual partner’s own liability is generally limitedAt least 2 partners$115
CompanyA legal entity separate and distinct from its shareholders and directors– Exempt private company: 20 members or less
– Private company: 50 members or less
– Public company: can have more than 50 members
$315

As we are talking about setting up a company, you will be choosing which of the company types to register.

Note that there are seven company types that you can incorporate in Singapore, namely

  • Exempt private company
  • Private company limited by shares
  • Public company limited by shares
  • Public company limited by guarantee
  • Unlimited private company
  • Unlimited exempt private company
  • Unlimited public company

The full descriptions and comparative table for these company types are available on the ACRA website for your perusal.

Meanwhile, you can check the entirety of the business structures’ descriptions here.

2. Register your company name with ACRA

Once you’ve decided on a company type, you will need to register your business name with ACRA.

How do I register a company name in Singapore?

How do I register a company name in Singapore

To register your company name in Singapore, you first need to sign up for a Sing Pass and log into your account on BizFile+ (ACRA’s application portal).

The platform will provide an application form through which you can submit your application. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when registering a company name:

  • Your company name should not be identical to an existing name in Singapore
  • Taboo or undesirable words are not allowed
  • Ensure that your company name is aligned with the specific activities of your business

Once your application is approved, you will then have to incorporate your business within 120 days from the date of the initial approval. 

Here’s a fun fact: Did you know that not all businesses are required to register with ACRA? The exemption applies to owners who choose to use their names (as indicated on their National Identification Card) for their businesses.

For instance, if your name is Tan Mei Ling and you use that same name for your business, you don’t need to apply for registration. 

But if you add descriptive words e.g. Tan Mei Ling Pet Shop or Noodles by Tan Mei Ling, you must register the business.

How long will it take to register a company in Singapore?

How long will it take to register a company in Singapore

Registering a company in Singapore will take as little as a day, provided that your company name has no issues. 

Meanwhile, applications that require reviewing from other agencies may take 14 days to two months before approval.

3. Incorporate your company

Incorporate your company

After the approval of your company name, you should proceed to apply for the company’s incorporation.

The application for this phase is also done via BizFile+. You can easily find the “incorporation of local company” link on the landing page of the portal.

Before applying for incorporation, secure the following information and documents first:

  • The company’s financial year-end (FYE)
  • Name of the company director, secretary, and other key personnel 
  • Documents showing the consent of the appointed personnel
  • Share capital (the minimum share capital is $1)
  • An office address
  • Company constitution

You can find the pertinent documents for incorporation on the ACRA website. A handy model constitution is also available there if you don’t have an original one prepared.

Cost of Starting a Business

Doing business in the country starts with you registering your company, and along with it comes certain fees.

How much does it cost to register a company in Singapore?

How much does it cost to register a company in Singapore

Registering a company in Singapore costs $315. The application for the name costs $15, while the registration fee is $300.

You also need to have at least a $1 share per shareholder when you’re incorporating your company.

Note that these costs apply to locals setting up a company in the country. Foreign investors might need to shell out more to acquire permission to operate in Singapore.

Putting Up a Small Business

Similar to setting up a company, you also need to consider governing rules and regulations if you’re considering putting up a home business. 

How do I register my small business in Singapore?

How do I register my small business in Singapore

Registering for a small business in Singapore involves the following steps.

1. Determine your business structure

Small businesses fall into two basic categories: sole proprietorship and partnership. 

A sole proprietorship is the simplest business type and is run by one owner. Partnerships are similar, but these are formed by two or more partners.

If you are having a hard time figuring out which business suits you, you can use some online help from Go Business Singapore.

2. Choose a business address and business name

For starting owners, choosing a business address means registering the place where you’re carrying out your business. Remember that a P.O. Box address is not accepted.

As for the business name, ensure that yours is not identical to any previously registered businesses. A quick Google or social media search can help with this. 

Alternatively, you can check here if a name is still available. 

Once you confirm that your business name is unique, you need to reserve it via Go Business Singapore’s e-adviser.

3. Register your business online

You can register your small business via the GoBusiness portal. You simply follow the Guided Journey to move forward with your registration.

Note that this platform is for sole proprietorship/partnership business structures. You can register all other business schemes, including companies, through BizFile+.

4. Register a Corppass account

To make digital transactions more convenient for your business, you should register a Corppass Administrator account via the GoBusiness portal or the Corppass portal, whichever is convenient.

Your Corppass is your business’ corporate digital entity. Having a Corppass admin account will make government transactions smoother, which will help you save on costs in the long run.

Starting a Business as a Foreigner

Many foreign investors have flocked to Singapore to grow their businesses, attracted by the thriving business climate and signature diversity of the land. 

Check out some of the things to keep in mind if you want to set up a company in the Lion City as a foreigner.

How can a foreigner start a business in Singapore?

How can a foreigner start a business in Singapore

Foreigners can start a business in Singapore by first applying for an Entrepreneur Pass (EntrePass). This pass is issued by the country’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Know that there are eligibility requirements for an EntrePass, including

  • Started or intends to start a private limited company in Singapore 
  • Owns a venture-backed company or has innovative technologies
  • If registered with ACRA, the company should be less than six months old. If not yet registered, wait for the EntrePass application result
  • Meets any of the criteria for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors as outlined by MOM 

Note also that there are businesses not eligible for an EntrePass such as coffee shops, bars, massage parlors, and employment agencies, among others. The complete list can be found here.

Alternatively, foreigners with a Dependant’s Pass can start a business in the country by applying for a Letter of Consent from MOM.

Eligible foreigners for this method include

  • Sole proprietors of ACRA-registered businesses
  • Partners of ACRA-registered businesses
  • Company directors with at least 30% shareholding in ACRA-registered businesses

Note that LOC applicants should present a Dependant’s Pass with a validity of at least three months.  

Can foreigners set up sole proprietorships in Singapore?

Can foreigners set up sole proprietorships in Singapore

Foreigners can set up sole proprietorships in Singapore, provided that they satisfy the local residency requirement. 

In other words, you need to appoint a local resident director or authorized representative to manage your business.

A local resident director or authorized representative can be a Singapore citizen or holder of a Permanent Resident Pass or EntrePass.

Sole proprietorships/partnerships require at least one local resident/authorized representative to be accepted for registration.

You can also choose to manage your business yourself (being present in Singapore for the operations), but you will need to seek approval from the Ministry of Manpower after registering the sole proprietorship or partnership. 

How much does it cost to start a business in Singapore as a foreigner?

How much does it cost to start a business in Singapore as a foreigner

The cost of starting a business in Singapore as a foreigner is $315, with $15 for the application of a new company name and $300 for the registration fee.

While the registration does not cost much, your company should be backed up by at least $100,000 worth of funding from a venture capitalist if you want to get an EntrePass as an entrepreneur here. 

Only then can you register your business. 

You can also ask a registered filing agent to take care of your business setup, albeit at an additional cost to you. Fees will vary depending on the service provider you choose. 

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