Register a Company

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Register Company Singapore: A Guide

🇸🇬 The Ultimate Guide to Register a Company in Singapore: Fast, Easy, and Compliant

Singapore stands out as one of the fastest and easiest places globally to register a company, making it a magnet for entrepreneurs and foreign investors. With a pro-business environment, low corporate tax rates, and streamlined digital processes, incorporating your business in the Lion City is a smooth journey—especially when you follow the right steps.

This guide breaks down the essential requirements and the step-by-step process for registering a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd), the most common and recommended business structure for its credibility and limited liability protection.

Pre-Incorporation Checklist: Essential Requirements

Before you begin the online process on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) platform, BizFile+, ensure you meet these statutory minimum requirements for Pte Ltd Singapore:

Requirement	Details	Key Takeaway
Company Name	Must be unique, not identical to existing names, not offensive, and not infringing on trademarks.	Reserve your business name first via BizFile+. Fee is S$15.
Shareholder(s)	Minimum of one (1) shareholder. Can be an individual or a corporate entity, local or foreign (up to 50).	100% foreign ownership is allowed.
Paid-Up Capital	Minimum of S$1.00.	Start small and increase as your business scales.
Director(s)	Minimum of one (1) director who must be an 'Ordinarily Resident' of Singapore (Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or an Employment Pass/EntrePass holder with a Letter of Consent).	Foreigners often engage a nominee director service to meet this local director requirement.
Company Secretary	Must be appointed within six (6) months of incorporation and must be a natural person ordinarily resident in Singapore.	Essential for ongoing statutory compliance.
Registered Office Address	Must be a local, physical address in Singapore (not a P.O. box). Virtual office addresses are acceptable.	Required for official government correspondence.
Business Activity	Must be defined using the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code.	Select the code that best describes your principal business activity.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register a Company in Singapore via ACRA

The entire company registration Singapore process is conducted online through the ACRA BizFile+ portal.

Step 1: Reserve Your Company Name ($15 Fee)

1. Check Availability: Use the ACRA BizFile+ search function to confirm your desired name is available.

   
   

2. Submit Application: Apply for name reservation. If the name is straightforward, approval can be almost instantaneous.

   
   

3. Hold Period: Once approved, your name is reserved for 120 days, giving you time to prepare the rest of the documents.

Step 2: Prepare and Lodge Incorporation Documents

Gather the necessary documentation and details for all directors and shareholders, including:

• Director/Shareholder Details: Passport/NRIC, residential address, and contact information.

  
  

• Company Constitution: You can adopt ACRA's standard Model Constitution or upload a custom one.

  
  

• Consent Letters: Signed consent to act as director/secretary. (If using a corporate service provider, they will handle this).

Note for Foreigners: If you are a foreigner without a SingPass, the law requires you to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g., a corporate secretarial firm) to submit the application on your behalf.

Step 3: Submit the Registration Application ($300 Fee)

1. Log in to BizFile+ (or have your filing agent do so).

   
   

2. Complete the online application form, providing all details including the registered address, SSIC code, director/shareholder particulars, and share capital structure.

   
   

3. Pay the incorporation fee (S$300).

Step 4: Receive ACRA Approval and UEN

• Processing Time: For standard applications with all requirements met, approval is typically granted within 1 to 3 business days, often much faster. Applications requiring referral to other government authorities (e.g., for regulated activities like finance or education) may take 14 days or more.

  
  

• Official Documents: Upon successful incorporation, ACRA will email your official documents:

  
  

  • Certificate of Incorporation

  • BizFile Business Profile (contains your company's official name, registered address, and Unique Entity Number (UEN)).

Post-Incorporation Checklist: What Comes Next?

Your journey doesn't end with ACRA registration! To ensure full compliance and operational readiness, you must complete the following:

• Open a Corporate Bank Account: Use your Business Profile and UEN to open an account with a local or international bank.

  
  

• Appoint an Auditor: If required (based on company size/revenue), an auditor must be appointed within three (3) months of incorporation.

  
  

• Register for Corppass: This is the corporate digital identity for your company to transact with government agencies online.

  
  

• Apply for Licenses: Depending on your SSIC code, you may need to apply for specific business licenses or permits from the relevant government bodies (e.g., NEA, MAS, MOM).

  
  

• Set Up Tax Filing: Register with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for Corporate Tax and, if applicable, for Goods and Service Tax (GST).

Need Expert Assistance for ACRA Registration?

While the process is designed to be efficient, ensuring every detail meets ACRA registration standards is crucial to avoid delays. Engaging a professional corporate service provider can simplify the entire process, especially for foreigners, by handling the filing, providing the mandatory local resident director/secretary, and managing post-incorporation compliance.

Ready to launch your business in Asia's leading financial hub?

Seamless Company Registration in Singapore: Choose Bestar as Your Trusted ACRA-Registered Corporate Service Provider

Starting a business in Singapore requires compliance and expertise, especially for foreign entrepreneurs. By partnering with an established and fully compliant firm like Bestar, you ensure your company's foundation is fast, compliant, and optimized for growth.

Bestar is consistently highlighted as a professional and ACRA Registered Corporate Service Provider (CSP) in Singapore, offering a full spectrum of support for local and international businesses.

Why Choose Bestar for Singapore Company Incorporation?

Bestar stands out by combining deep local expertise with a comprehensive service model, making them an ideal partner for your Singapore company registration needs.

1. Registered Filing Agent and Compliance Experts

• ACRA Compliant: Bestar's team of corporate support experts is explicitly cited as Registered Filing Agents (RFAs) with ACRA. This registration is mandatory for any firm transacting with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) on behalf of clients, especially for foreigner company registration Singapore.

  
  

• Mandatory Appointments: We provide the mandatory local resident director (Nominee Director) and Company Secretary services required by Singapore's Companies Act, fulfilling the core Pte Ltd requirements.

2. Full-Spectrum Corporate Solutions (One-Stop Shop)

Company incorporation is just the start. Bestar provides a complete ecosystem of services that entrepreneurs need to be operational and compliant:

Service Category	How Bestar Assists You	Key Benefit
Company Registration	Handling name reservation, preparing the constitution, and submitting the entire application via the ACRA BizFile+ portal.	Speedy Incorporation (Often within 1-3 business days once documents are ready).
Corporate Secretarial	Appointing a qualified Company Secretary, maintaining statutory registers, drafting resolutions, and lodging Annual Returns (AR).	Guaranteed Compliance with ongoing ACRA deadlines.
Accounting & Tax	Bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, and filing Corporate Tax and GST with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).	Tax Efficiency and risk mitigation.
Work Pass & HR	Applying for Employment Pass (EP) or EntrePass for foreign directors and employees (as a licensed expert with the Ministry of Manpower).	Relocation Support for key personnel.

3. Transparency and Dedicated Support

Bestar is known for offering customized solutions and transparent pricing, ensuring you understand the total cost of your Singapore business setup upfront. We aim to provide a dedicated, efficient, and hassle-free service, allowing you to focus on your core business strategy.

Ready to Start Your Business in Singapore?

Engaging a reliable, ACRA registered CSP like Bestar transforms a potentially complex legal process into a streamlined administrative one. Our expertise ensures that all legal and regulatory bases are covered from day one.

Contact Bestar to inquire about our company registration packages.

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