Singapore Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Singapore
Planning a Singapore company registration so you can set up a company in Singapore as your Asia headquarters? The most common entity is the private limited company (Pte. Ltd.), registered online through Bizfile of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Foreigners can own 100% of the shares, but the company needs at least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Singapore and must appoint a company secretary within 6 months of registration.
ACRA’s official fees are S$15 for the company name application, S$300 for registration and S$60 for each yearly Annual Return. Corporate income tax is 17%. A new company can get a 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 of chargeable income in its first 3 years of assessment, and Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 9%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Singapore company formation service, from structure review, name application, local director and company secretary to bank account opening and the EP work pass, for businesses registering a Singapore company.
Apply for the name and registration through Bizfile. Official fees total S$315, and once approved you receive a UEN and an electronic Business Profile.
Local and foreign companies pay the same rate. New companies can use the start-up tax exemption in their first 3 years of assessment, and under the one-tier system dividends are tax-free for shareholders.
Shareholders can be foreign individuals or foreign companies, but at least 1 director must ordinarily reside in Singapore. A professional firm can arrange one for you.
GST registration is compulsory only when taxable turnover exceeds or is expected to exceed S$1 million. In the early stage, you can register voluntarily if needed.
company registration?
Singapore is a shipping and financial hub for Southeast Asia, with transparent rules and an efficient government. Its legal system is based on English common law and protects commercial contracts and intellectual property well.
On tax, Singapore’s corporate income tax rate is 17%. A new company gets a 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 of chargeable income and 50% on the next S$100,000 in its first 3 years of assessment, and other companies can use the partial tax exemption. For the 2026 year of assessment, there is also a corporate income tax rebate of 50% of tax payable (including a cash grant, capped at S$40,000). Foreign income remitted into Singapore is in principle taxable, but a company that meets the conditions can apply for an exemption. Singapore has also signed double tax agreements with many countries, which gives multinational companies a basis for tax planning.
- The employer must post the job on the government Job Bank (MyCareersFuture) for at least 14 days (unless an exemption applies).
- You can also use MOM's Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) to estimate the COMPASS score.
- The employer fills in the details and uploads documents on the myMOM Portal, and pays the S$105 application fee.
- MOM usually completes the review within about 10 working days.
- Once approved, MOM issues an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter, valid for 6 months.
- After entering Singapore with the IPA, complete a medical examination if required.
- Get the EP issued online and pay the S$225 issuance fee.
- Then visit the MOM Services Centre for fingerprinting and a photo.
- You receive the physical EP card in about 4 to 5 working days.
on first issue
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The Singapore EP (Employment Pass) is the main work pass for foreign professionals in Singapore. Whether you apply for a standard work pass or a self-employed EP through your own company, planning and preparing early matter. We can help with:
- Explain EP requirements
- Assess your chance of approval
- Plan the best application approach
- Organize and review application materials
- Check documents are complete and compliant
- Explain the work pass application process
- Practical tips and points to watch
- Dependant's Pass application guidance
In Singapore, the most common entity is the private limited company (Pte. Ltd.). It is a separate legal entity, and shareholders’ liability is limited. Registering a Singapore company is fully electronic: ACRA handles it through Bizfile, and the process is fast and transparent.
Singapore offers more than a competitive tax system. It is a business environment that brings together talent and resources from around the world. NSS Group connects you with professional service teams in Singapore and provides a one-stop Singapore company formation service, from incorporation, local director and company secretary, and bank account opening to ongoing accounting and tax compliance.
First, apply for and reserve the company name through ACRA’s Bizfile. The fee is S$15. The name cannot be identical or too similar to an existing company, and cannot contain offensive or restricted words. The fee is not refunded if the name is rejected or withdrawn.
This is a mandatory requirement for setting up a company in Singapore. Every company must appoint at least one director who ordinarily resides in Singapore (a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or eligible pass holder). The company must also appoint a company secretary within six months of incorporation. The secretary must be a natural person who meets the residency requirement, and a sole director cannot also be the secretary.
Every company must have a registered office address in Singapore. It cannot be a P.O. box, and statutory records must be available for inspection there during business hours. Singapore has no minimum paid-up capital. A common practice is to start from S$1 or set the share capital based on business needs.
The core documents include the company constitution, identity proof (passport) and address proof for directors and shareholders, and each director’s consent to act. Foreign founders usually need to engage a professional services firm registered with ACRA to file on their behalf.
Once all documents are ready, file the registration through Bizfile and pay the S$300 registration fee. When the information is complete and no other agency needs to review it, approval usually comes quickly. You then receive the Unique Entity Number (UEN) and an electronic Business Profile, which prove the company can legally operate in Singapore.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Constitution drafting
- Certificate collection
- Singapore bank and digital bank options
- Account opening documents
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing
- Document custody and records
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- Company registration and related government fees
- 12 months of nominee director service
- First-year company secretary service
- First-year statutory filings and administration within the agreed scope
- EP/DP packages include the pass application, government fees and related documents
- After EP approval, a local staff member accompanies you for the photo and card collection
These services are delivered by NSS Group and our partner professional service team in Singapore. We first do a free assessment of your company structure, director arrangement, whether you need an EP/DP and your first-year compliance needs, then give you a written quote. The scope and items are confirmed in advance, with no hidden fees.
ACRA official fees: company name application S$15, registration S$300, Annual Return S$60 per year. EP application fee S$105 and issuance fee S$225 (MOM). See the fee breakdown below.
How much does Singapore company registration cost? Official fee breakdown
The government fees to register a Singapore company are charged by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and are published openly. Other costs are mainly the local resident director, company secretary, registered address, and accounting and tax. Below are the official fees and other items so you can check each one when comparing quotes for setting up a company in Singapore.
| Item | Official fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company name application | S$15 | Filed through ACRA's Bizfile. The fee is not refunded if the name is rejected or withdrawn. |
| Private limited company registration | S$300 | Name and registration total S$315. Once approved, you receive the Unique Entity Number (UEN) and an electronic Business Profile. |
| Annual Return | S$60 / year | To extend the filing deadline, each application costs S$200, with an extension of up to 60 days. |
| Local resident director (nominee director) | Quoted by service | The company must have at least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Singapore. If foreign shareholders have no suitable person, they usually appoint one through a professional services firm. |
| Company secretary and registered address | Quoted by service | The company secretary must be appointed within 6 months of registration and must be a natural person who meets the residency requirement. The registered address must be a physical address in Singapore. |
| Accounting, tax filing and audit | Quoted by bookkeeping volume | A company that qualifies as a small company can be exempt from the statutory audit, but it must still keep accounts, file financial statements and file corporate income tax. |
| NSS Group packages | See the package table above | For anything outside the standard scope, we confirm the fee in writing in advance. |
Fees follow ACRA notices, checked in October 2026. The latest official notices prevail.
Singapore company tax: 17% corporate income tax and 9% GST
A Singapore company pays 17% corporate income tax on chargeable income, with two relief schemes: the start-up tax exemption and the partial tax exemption. A company must register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) only when its turnover exceeds the threshold.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 17% | Same rate for local and foreign companies, calculated on chargeable income. |
| Start-up tax exemption (SUTE) | 75% exempt on the first S$100,000, 50% exempt on the next S$100,000 | Applies to the first 3 consecutive years of assessment after incorporation, with up to S$125,000 exempt each year. The company must be incorporated in Singapore, be a tax resident and have no more than 20 shareholders. Investment holding and property development companies do not qualify. |
| Partial tax exemption (PTE) | 75% exempt on the first S$10,000, 50% exempt on the next S$190,000 | For companies that do not qualify for the start-up exemption, with up to S$102,500 exempt each year. |
| Year of assessment 2026 rebate | 50% of tax payable | Capped at S$40,000 together with the S$2,000 cash grant. The cash grant requires meeting the local employee hiring condition. |
| Goods and Services Tax (GST) | 9% | 9% from January 1, 2024. Registration is compulsory when taxable turnover exceeds or is expected to exceed S$1 million. Below the threshold, a company can register voluntarily. |
| Dividends | One-tier system, tax-free for shareholders | After the company pays corporate income tax, shareholders pay no further tax on dividends. |
| Annual filing | ECI, Form C-S / C | File the Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) and the annual corporate income tax return with IRAS, and the Annual Return with ACRA. |
Tax rates and reliefs follow IRAS notices. Ask an accountant to review how they apply to your actual structure.
Which Singapore entity type should you choose?
Foreigners setting up a company in Singapore usually compare three options: a private limited company, a foreign company branch and a representative office.
| Comparison | Private limited company (Pte. Ltd.) | Foreign company branch | Representative office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity; shareholders' liability is limited to their capital | Not a separate legal entity; the foreign parent company is liable | Not a separate legal entity; cannot carry out profit-making activities |
| Regulator | ACRA | ACRA | Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) |
| Local officer requirements | At least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Singapore and 1 company secretary | Must appoint at least 1 authorized representative resident in Singapore | Per representative office rules |
| Tax incentives | Can use the start-up or partial tax exemption | Usually not a Singapore tax resident; the start-up exemption does not apply | No corporate income tax (no profit-making allowed) |
| Best for | The most common choice for regional headquarters, trading, holding and service businesses | Parent companies operating directly in Singapore | Market research, liaison and promotion |
These are general principles. Choose based on shareholder background, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know about setting up a company in Singapore
- A local resident director is mandatory: ACRA requires at least 1 director who ordinarily resides in Singapore (a citizen, permanent resident or eligible pass holder). If you have no one, you need to arrange a nominee director.
- Appoint a company secretary within 6 months: The secretary must be a natural person who meets the residency requirement. A sole director cannot also be the company secretary.
- Setting up a company does not guarantee an EP: The Employment Pass is assessed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The current monthly salary threshold is S$5,600 (S$6,200 for financial services). From January 1, 2027, new applications need S$6,000 (S$6,600 for financial services), and applicants must also pass the COMPASS assessment.
- Bank account opening has its own review: Singapore banks are strict on KYC and business substance and may require directors to attend an interview. The account opening timeline is separate from company registration.
- Check your home-country tax rules: Singapore's corporate income tax rate is 17%. If your home country has controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, check whether they apply, especially if the company enjoys large exemptions or reliefs. Singapore has double tax agreements with many countries.
Further reading
Sources: ACRA: company service and transaction fees; ACRA: director and company secretary rules; ACRA: foreign company branch; IRAS: corporate income tax rate, rebates and tax exemption schemes; IRAS: GST registration threshold; MOM: EP eligibility; MOM: 2026 factsheet on foreign workforce policies (2027 EP threshold). The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice.
Below are the questions clients ask most, covering four topics: company setup, bank account opening, yearly maintenance costs and audit and tax. If your situation is more complex, contact our advisors and we will give you a full itemized quote based on your needs.
What does your Singapore company registration service include?
We provide a one-stop Singapore company setup service. It usually includes:
- Company name search and reservation
- Company registration filing (ACRA)
- Company constitution
- Company registration certificate (Business Profile)
- Company secretary service (first year)
- Singapore registered address (first year)
- Help obtaining the UEN (Unique Entity Number)
- Help applying for CorpPass (if applicable)
- Documents needed for incorporation
- Basic corporate governance documents (shareholder resolutions, director resolutions and similar)
How is the total setup cost calculated? Does it include Singapore government fees?
- Singapore government (ACRA) registration fees
- Company secretary service
- Registered address
- Singapore registered address (first year)
- Document preparation and filing
Government fees can generally be included in the overall quote:
- Whether you need a local director
- Whether you need a nominee shareholder
- Whether you need bank account opening
- Whether you need tax planning
- Whether you need other licenses or permits
Do you help open a bank account after the company is set up?
- Yes.
We can arrange the company bank account opening and recommend suitable banks based on your needs.
Which banks do you usually work with?
Depending on your needs, we can help you apply with, for example:
Can you help if I want an HSBC account?
- Yes.
We can arrange the HSBC account opening process, including:
- Document preparation
- Account application
- Communication with the bank contact
- Interview scheduling (if the bank requires it)
Is bank account opening included in the company setup fee?
What are the basic yearly maintenance costs after incorporation?
Annual maintenance costs depend mainly on your company’s actual needs and transaction volume. They usually include:
- Company secretary annual fee
- Registered address annual fee
- Annual Return filing
- ACRA annual maintenance
- Basic corporate compliance services
What does the annual fee usually cover?
It usually includes:
- Company secretary service
- Statutory record keeping
- Annual Return filing
- Help with company detail changes
- Registered Address
- Corporate compliance reminders
- Basic compliance advice
Do you provide audit services?
- Yes.
We can provide:
- Bookkeeping
- Financial statements
- Corporate tax filing
- GST (if applicable)
- Audit (when the company must be audited)
- XBRL Filing
How are audit fees calculated?
We assess it mainly on:
- Company revenue
- Number of transactions per year
- Number of bank accounts
- Cross-border transactions or not
- GST (if applicable)
- Employee payroll or not
- Whether GST registration is needed
- Whether consolidation is needed
For a new company with low transaction volume, what are the most basic audit and tax filing costs?
- Low yearly transaction volume
- No employees
- No GST
- No inventory
- Only basic operations
- Bookkeeping
- Financial statements
- Corporate Tax Filing
Actual fees still depend on transaction volume, business complexity and legal requirements. We provide a detailed quote before we start working together.
How long does it take to set up a Singapore company?
When the documents are complete and the name does not need review by another agency, ACRA usually approves quickly. The overall timeline depends on how complete the documents are, the nominee director arrangement and government review progress. We give you the actual timeline before we start.
Do I need to go to Singapore in person?
Setting up the company usually does not require going to Singapore in person.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company?
- Yes.
Singapore allows foreigners to own 100% of the shares of a private limited company, but the law still requires at least one qualified Singapore resident director. If you do not have a qualified person, we can arrange a nominee director service.
Who can help me register a company in Singapore?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. We handle ACRA registration, the local resident director, company secretary, registered address, bank account opening, Employment Pass and Dependant’s Pass applications, and accounting and tax. For an Employment Pass, we help you plan and apply, but approval depends on the assessment of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), which looks at the company’s business plan, the job, the salary and the applicant’s qualifications as a whole.