Company Registration in Singapore - Business Starting & Setup

Want to set up a firm in Singapore? We can assist you in starting a business or in buying a shelf company in Singapore with a full package of necessary documents, legal advice and follow-up support. Incorporation of a firm in Singapore includes provision of a registered office (for at least 1 year in any of our service plans), an apostilled set of constitutional documents, secretarial services and assistance with compliance fee and pre-approval for opening an account in banks of Singapore. The total price of company formation in Singapore includes all necessary fees and charges for the first year of operation, as well as full one-year nominee service (package Optimum).

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Service packages
Express
Standard
Optimum
Company registration
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Legal address per year
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Secretarial services for the first year
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Fees and duties for the first year
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Apostilled bound set of incorporation documents
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Nominee service per year
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Bank Account Pre-approval
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Price
4 900 USD

13 000 USD

13 610 USD

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Corporate Information

Legal system

Singapore's legal system is almost wholly based on English common law, except from some issues of personal status of Chinese, Muslim and Indian community when Chinese, Muslim and Indian law is applied. Since its introduction in 1826, English common law had undergone a lot of changes to adapt it to special local conditions. Most part of law branches was codified, comprehensive legislation was applied.

Singapore applies English doctrine to the full extent, considering court rules an important source of law. Except from Singaporean, court rules of the UK, Malaysia, India and other countries which practice common law are applied.

According to Civil Law Ordinance, English commercial law is applied in Singapore in all cases regarding partnerships, corporations, banks and banking, agency agreements, transportation, trade, unless otherwise is required by Singaporean law. To be specific, there is Singapore’s own Company Law, based on Company Law of Malaysia of 1965. There are also national laws on trust companies, insurance, and banking.

Types of entity in Singapore

The principal forms of business organization in Singapore are:

  • sole proprietorship;
  • partnership;
  • limited liability partnership;
  • limited partnership;
  • private limited company;
  • exempt private company;
  • public company limited by shares;
  • public company limited by guarantee;
  • foreign branch;
  • representative office.

Most companies in Singapore are registered as private limited companies. Unlike sole proprietorship and partnership, such a company has its own legal status, and liability of its shareholders and directors is limited by amount of their contribution into the share capital.

Registration

Company name

Company name should contain "Limited", "Pte" or “Sendirian Berhad”, “Sdn. Bhd.” (in Malay), indicating a type of business entity. In some cases when a company is to be engaged in activity for community’s interests (recreation, amusement, science, charity, etc.), words "Limited" or "Pte" may be omitted. Besides, there are several requirements to company names. A company cannot be registered under a name which is:

  • identical with another company’s name registered in Registrar;
  • undesirable;
  • in the list of names prohibited to register by the Minister.

Company name can be checked in ACRA Online Directory. Approved name can be reserved for 60 days since application.

procedure of a Company Registration in Singapore

To register a private limited company in Singapore, you need to go through the following procedure:

1. Get approval of a company name (2-3 hours)

2. Register a company in ACRA

Required Documents:

  • Memorandum – contains a company name, type of entity, information about individuals who signed it: complete address, names and place of work, amount of issued shares indicating currency of share capital, and Articles of Association;
  • Statutory Declaration of Compliance;
  • Particulars of Shareholders, Directors, Secretaries, etc.;
  • Directors and shareholders identification documents (for individuals); Company Registration Certificate and registered address confirmation document (corporates);
  • Registered office address in Singapore and office hours;
  • Consent to Act as Director;
  • Statement of Non-disqualification to Act as Director;
  • Consent to Act as Secretary.

After registration you get the following documents:

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Business Profile, containing Unique Entity Number which must be printed on all outgoing documents, invoices, etc.).

These two documents are enough for all legal and contract purposes in Singapore, including opening of a bank account, office lease contract signing, phone and internet service contract conclusion, etc.

Restriction of the activities and banking account

There are a number of restrictions on the activities of a private limited company. Some types of business (there are a few of them, though) require to get a license. It needs to be done after company registration, but before starting business operations, requiring licenses. Types of business requiring license include restaurants, educational establishments, tourist companies, financial services, export/import, etc. To register business and apply for licensing at one step you can go to Online Business Licensing Service – OBLS.

After successful registration of a company in Singapore you can open a bank account for your company in any bank in Singapore. To do that the owner of account has to be a director of a company and arrive in Singapore. Meanwhile, bank account in other banks can be opened without director’s presence.

Local registered office

Singapore companies must maintain a registered office in Singapore. It should be a real address, not a PO Box. Registered office should be open for public within three hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. At the registered office all incorporation documents including Register of directors, managers, secretaries and auditors, as well as financial statements would normally be kept.

Seal

Every Singapore company must have as its common seal a metallic company seal which is normally produced by third-party stationers. The price depends on the production term: e.g, one day – 70 SGD.

Redomicile

The redomiciliation of companies either to or from Singapore is not permitted.

Company Structure

Directors

A Singapore company is required to have a minimum of one director who must be a resident, i.e. a citizen of Singapore, permanent resident of Singapore or an individual who holds Enterpass, Employment Pass or Dependent Pass. Other directors can be residents or non-residents. Directors should at least be 18 years old, cannot be bankrupt and accused of illegal activity in the past.

Directors should take part in Annual general meeting. There are no requirements to other meetings.

Information on directors is disclosed to local agent and put into the open register.

Secretary

All Singapore companies must appoint at least one company secretary within six months of incorporation. A secretary should be a natural person permanently living in Singapore. He/she should be a qualified secretary who for at least 3 years in the period of 5 years immediately preceding his/her appointment as secretary, held the office of secretary of a company. At the moment of appointment secretary should file application for consent to act as company secretary in the Registrar. If the company only has one director, he/she cannot be the company secretary.

Shareholders

Singapore companies may have at least one or maximum 50 shareholders, individuals or corporations. Director and shareholder can be one person or two different individuals. Shareholders can residents and non-residents. Shareholders’ details are disclosed to the local agent and appear on the public file. Annual General Meetings are to be held annually with the first meeting to be held within 18 months of the date of incorporation and the following meetings – by the end of 15 months of the date of the previous meeting. At the meeting directors file financial report to shareholders.

Beneficiary

In the summer of 2020, Singapore introduced a Beneficiary Registry: centralised but not public. The information contained in the central Registry is provided to law enforcement agencies only for the purposes of enforcing legislation within their competence, for example, to investigate money laundering offences. Ordinary citizens do not have access to the information.

The following data is provided to the central registry: Name, date of birth, identity card number, nationality, place of residence and date of origin of control over the company.

Shares and share capital

The share capital of a private limited company can be nominated in any currency.

Minimum paid-up share capital to incorporate a company is 1 SGD or its equivalent in any currency. Share capital can be increased any time after incorporation.

Shares do not have par value. Bearer shares are not permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions about Company Registration in Singapore

Why do you register companies in Singapore?
Singapore is a popular destination for company registration for several reasons - 1) Strong economy: Singapore has a strong and stable economy with a high GDP per capita and a low unemployment rate, making it an attractive destination for business investment, 2) Favorable business environment: Singapore has a pro-business environment and a low corporate tax rate, making it an attractive destination for international companies looking to expand their operations, 3) Access to Southeast Asian markets: Singapore is well-positioned to serve as a hub for businesses looking to access the Southeast Asian market, 4) Efficient legal system: Singapore has a well-established legal system that is efficient and predictable, which helps to reduce the risk of disputes and lawsuits, 5) Strong IP protection: Singapore has strong laws protecting intellectual property, making it an attractive destination for companies looking to protect their IP assets.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of opening a company in Singapore?
Advantages of opening a company in Singapore is: strong economy - Singapore is considered one of the most economically stable countries in the world, low tax regime - Singapore offers one of the most favorable tax regimes in the world, with a low corporate tax rate and various tax incentives, ease of doing business - Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the easiest countries in the world to do business, with a transparent and streamlined process for starting a firm. Disadvantages of opening a company in Singapore is: strict regulations - Singapore has strict regulations in law, which can be challenging for some businesses to navigate, competition - Singapore is a highly competitive business environment, so large number of foreign and local companies operating in the country.
Can I open a company in Singapore remotely (online)?
Yes, it is possible to open a company in Singapore remotely, online. The process of company incorporation in Singapore can be done through the use of digital platforms and online services provided by government agencies and professional service providers. This allows foreign investors to incorporate a company in Singapore without the need to be physically present in the country. The online process of company incorporation in Singapore typically involves submitting the necessary documents and information online, paying the required fees, and communicating with the relevant government agencies and professional service providers through email or other digital means.
is Singapore an offshore?
Singapore is not typically offshore, as it has a well-developed and transparent legal system, and don't offering favorable tax or legal benefits. However, Singapore has a low tax rate and a business-friendly environment, which makes it an attractive location for companies that want to set up operations in Asia. Additionally, Singapore is known for its strong protection of intellectual property rights, which can be an important consideration for companies that rely on intellectual property.

Core Services and fees for the formation of a company in Singapore

— Incorporation

Price4 900 USD

including preparation and submission of the original founding documents of the company, documents formalizing the issue of shares, as well as the company seal

— Legal address and local secretary services

Price4 600 USD

as well as providing a fax number, mailing/postal address, preparation of AGM documents to be signed by directors and shareholders (starting with the first year)

— Annual government fees

PriceInc

Stamp Duty and Companies Registrar (ACRA) incorporation fee

— Corporate legal services

Price4 250 USD

including legal address and local secretary services, fax number, mailing/postal address, preparation of AGM documents for signing by directors and shareholders, and filing the annual report with ACRA

—Delivery of documents by courier mail

Price250 USD

DHL or TNT, at cost of a Courier Service

Basic set of documents for setup of a company in Singapore

Articles of Association

Certificate of Incorporation

Business Profile

Director Consent

Share Transfer

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    Nominee Director

    Priceот 8 100 USD + 10 500 USD depozit

    Paid-up “nominee director” set includes the following documents

    Compliance fee in Singapore

    Compliance fee is payable in the cases of: incorporation of a company, renewal of a company, liquidation of a company, transfer out of a company, issue of a power of attorney to a new attorney, change of director / shareholder / BO (except the change to a nominee director / shareholder), signing of documents

    For low and medium risk clients

    Price1 350 USD

    simple company structure with only 1 physical person

    For client with high risk Status

    Price1 650 USD

    Signing of documents

    Price100 USD

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