Singapore Company Registration

Singapore Company Registration | Bestar

🇸🇬 The Ultimate Guide to Singapore Company Registration in 2025: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Singapore Company Registration Guide Outline

Singapore is globally recognised as one of the best places in the world to establish a business, consistently ranking high on the Ease of Doing Business Index. It offers a pro-business environment, attractive tax incentives, and a straightforward legal framework.

For foreign entrepreneurs and local founders alike, understanding the Singapore Company Registration process is the first critical step to leveraging these benefits. This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step checklist to navigate the entire journey, ensuring smooth and compliant ACRA registration Singapore.

1. Why Choose Singapore for Your Company Registration?

Before diving into the steps, it helps to know what makes the jurisdiction so appealing:

• Tax Efficiency: Low corporate tax rate (flat 17%) and generous tax exemption schemes for new start-up companies.

  
  

• Political Stability: A stable government and robust legal system offer security for long-term planning.

  
  

• Global Credibility: A company registered in Singapore instantly gains international recognition and credibility.

  
  

• Efficiency: The entire Singapore business registration process can often be completed in as little as 1 to 2 days once all documents are in order.

2. Key Requirements for a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)

The Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) is the most common and recommended structure due to its limited liability protection. To successfully complete your ACRA registration Singapore for a Pte Ltd, you must fulfil the following statutory requirements:

Requirement	Details & Role
Shareholder(s)	Minimum of one shareholder (can be an individual or a company). 100% foreign ownership is permitted.
Director(s)	Minimum of one Local Resident Director (must be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or an Employment Pass/EntrePass holder).
Company Secretary	Must appoint a qualified, local resident secretary within 6 months of incorporation. This role ensures compliance with the Companies Act.
Registered Address	A local, physical office address in Singapore must be provided. A P.O. Box is not acceptable.
Paid-Up Capital	A minimum of S$1 is required.

💡 Note for Foreigners: If you are a foreign entrepreneur and do not reside in Singapore, you are legally required to engage a professional Corporate Service Provider (CSP) to manage your registration and provide a Nominee Local Director service.

3. Step-by-Step Guide to Singapore Company Registration

The entire process is managed by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) via its online platform, BizFile+.

Step 1: Reserve Your Company Name

1. Check Availability: Ensure your proposed name is not identical to an existing business, nor is it offensive or undesirable.

   
   

2. Submit Application: Apply for name reservation through the BizFile+ registration portal (Fee applies: S$15).

   
   

3. Approval: Approval is typically fast (often minutes), unless referred to a government agency for review (which can take up to 15 working days). Once approved, the name is reserved for 120 days.

Step 2: Prepare and Collate Incorporation Documents

Gather all necessary information for the company, its directors, and shareholders, including:

• Company Constitution: This is the document (formerly Memorandum and Articles of Association) that governs the internal management of the company. You can adopt ACRA's standard model constitution.

  
  

• Directors’ and Shareholders’ Details: Full name, residential address, nationality, and ID/Passport copies.

  
  

• Registered Office Address and Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code(s) for your business activity.

Step 3: Formal Company Incorporation via BizFile+

1. Submission: Your Corporate Service Provider (or you, if you possess a SingPass account and meet the resident requirements) will submit the formal registration application to ACRA via BizFile+.

   
   

2. Processing: The application, once submitted and all information is in order, is usually processed and approved within 15 minutes to 1 business day.

   
   

3. Incorporation Notice: Upon successful ACRA registration Singapore, you will receive an official email notice of incorporation and your company’s unique Unique Entity Number (UEN). This email serves as the digital Certificate of Incorporation.

4. Post-Registration Compliance Checklist

Registration is only the beginning. To maintain good standing, your company must adhere to key post-incorporation and annual compliance obligations:

• Open a Corporate Bank Account: Establish a business bank account in the company’s name.

  
  

• Appoint Company Secretary: Ensure a qualified Company Secretary Singapore is officially appointed within 6 months.

  
  

• Set Up Register of Controllers: Maintain an accurate Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC) as mandated by ACRA.

  
  

• Apply for Licences: Check with the GoBusiness Licensing Portal if your business activity requires specific sectorial licences (e.g., for education, finance, or F&B).

  
  

• Tax Filing (IRAS): Your company must file its Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) and Annual Returns with the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

5. Conclusion: Kickstart Your Success

Singapore offers an unparalleled platform for scaling your business globally. With a highly efficient digital system, the Singapore Company Registration process is quick and straightforward when the necessary prerequisites are met. By partnering with an experienced corporate service provider, you can ensure full compliance from day one, allowing you to focus purely on growing your business.

This article provides a comprehensive walk-through for setting up a company in Singapore for foreigners, covering everything from pre-incorporation steps to post-incorporation requirements:

How to Register a Company in Singapore in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide).

🚀 Launch Your Singapore Dream: How Bestar Singapore Simplifies Your Company Registration

Starting a business in Singapore is a strategic move, offering a powerful launchpad into the Asian market, preferential tax treatment, and a robust, globally respected legal framework. While the Singapore Company Registration process is efficient, it has mandatory compliance steps, especially for foreign entrepreneurs.

This is where a trusted partner like Bestar Singapore becomes indispensable. As a full-service corporate solutions provider and a registered filing agent with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority), Bestar is perfectly positioned to handle every complexity of your business setup and ongoing compliance.

1. Why Foreigners Need a Corporate Service Provider (CSP)

For non-residents looking to set up a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) in Singapore, engaging a professional CSP is not just advisable—it is a mandatory legal requirement.

Mandatory Requirement	How Bestar Provides the Solution
Local Resident Director	You must have at least one director who is a Singapore Citizen, PR, or on a valid work pass.
ACRA Filing Agent	Foreigners cannot file directly with ACRA's BizFile+ portal; they must appoint a registered filing agent.
Company Secretary	A company secretary who is a natural person and ordinarily resident in Singapore must be appointed within 6 months.

Bestar's comprehensive services directly address these legal mandates, ensuring your company is compliant from Day One.

2. Bestar's Singapore Company Registration Step-by-Step Support

Bestar doesn't just process paperwork; they manage the entire lifecycle of your company setup, transforming the potentially complex process into a seamless, rapid experience.

Phase 1: Pre-Incorporation & Advisory

1. Structure Guidance: Advising on the most suitable business structure (Pte Ltd, Branch Office, or Representative Office) to align with your business goals and tax strategy.

   
   

2. Name Reservation: Efficiently checking and reserving your proposed company name with ACRA.

   
   

3. Local Statutory Appointments: Providing the mandatory services:

   
   

   • Nominee Director Service (essential for overseas-based founders).

   • Corporate Secretary Appointment (included in most packages for the first year).

     
     

4. Registered Address: Providing a local registered office address in Singapore (cannot be a P.O. Box).

Phase 2: ACRA Incorporation & Formalities

1. Document Preparation: Drafting and finalising the required legal documents, including the company's Constitution and initial board resolutions.

   
   

2. ACRA Submission: Acting as your registered filing agent to submit the application to ACRA via the BizFile+ portal.

   
   

3. Rapid Setup: Under normal circumstances, the formal incorporation can be completed within 1 to 3 business days once all necessary documents are provided.

Phase 3: Post-Incorporation & Beyond

1. Corporate Bank Account: Assistance with preparing the necessary documents (Constitution, Business Profile, Board Resolution) required by major Singapore banks for opening your corporate account.

   
   

2. Employment Pass (EP) Application: If you plan to relocate to Singapore, Bestar's licensed experts can manage your Employment Pass application, significantly improving your chances of success.

   
   

3. Ongoing Compliance: Seamless transition into annual compliance services:

   
   

   • Corporate Secretarial Services: Managing AGM preparation, Annual Return filing, and statutory record maintenance.

   • Accounting & Bookkeeping: Handling financial records, XBRL filing, and preparing financial statements.

   • Tax Services: Advising on Corporate Income Tax (CIT) filing, GST registration, and maximising tax exemptions for new start-up companies.

3. Bestar's Value: Expertise Beyond Registration

Choosing Bestar means securing a long-term compliance partner. Their value proposition extends far beyond the initial ACRA registration Singapore:

• Full-Spectrum Solutions: A one-stop-shop for incorporation, accounting, tax, payroll, and HR consulting—ensuring consistency across all corporate functions.

  
  

• Compliance Certainty: With in-depth knowledge of the Singapore Companies Act and IRAS regulations, Bestar helps your company avoid costly penalties and maintain good standing.

  
  

• Cost-Effective Packages: Bestar offers transparent and customisable incorporation packages that bundle essential services like the Corporate Secretary and Registered Office to provide clear, upfront pricing.

Bestar Service Example	Service Detail
Company Incorporation Package	Includes government fees (ACRA), Constitution setup, and often 1 Year of Corporate Secretary Service.
Nominee Director Service	Fulfilling the mandatory local resident director requirement for foreigners.
Employment Pass (EP) Application	Professional assistance with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) application process.

Starting a business in Singapore is a journey best taken with an experienced guide. By entrusting your Singapore Company Registration to Bestar, you can accelerate your market entry and gain the peace of mind that your compliance is handled by dedicated local professionals.

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