Open a Company in Singapore

Once all required documents are ready, registering a company with ACRA typically takes under an hour. Including the time needed to collect identification and company details, the full process can be completed in as little as 3 hours.

Yes, foreigners can set up a company in Singapore, but there are a few key requirements. You’ll need to engage a local registered filing agent to handle the incorporation process, as self-registration is not allowed.

In addition, Singapore law requires at least one locally resident director — most foreign founders fulfil this through a nominee director service. You don’t need to be physically present to incorporate, but you may need to visit Singapore to open a bank account, depending on the bank’s requirements.

ACRA stands for the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. It is the national regulator of business entities, public accountants, and corporate service providers in Singapore.

If you want to set up a company — whether as a local or foreign founder — you must register through ACRA. They oversee the entire incorporation process, issue your Unique Entity Number (UEN), and maintain the BizFile system where company information is stored and updated. Registering with ACRA is a legal requirement for operating a business in Singapore.

Yes, every Singapore company is legally required to appoint a corporate secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The company secretary ensures that your business complies with statutory obligations under the Companies Act — such as filing annual returns, maintaining company registers, and keeping ACRA updated on changes to directors or shareholders.

If you’re the sole director and shareholder, you cannot also act as the company secretary. Many companies choose to outsource this role to a licensed corporate service provider for convenience and compliance.

To incorporate a company in Singapore, you’ll need to prepare several key documents and details:

• Identification documents for all directors and shareholders (e.g. passport or NRIC)
• Proof of residential address for each director and shareholder (e.g. utility bill or bank statement)
• Proposed company name and at least one alternative
• Business activity description based on ACRA’s SSIC code
• Registered office address in Singapore (can be provided as part of our package)
• Details of the company’s capital structure
• including the number of shares, types of shares, and paid-up capital
• Appointment details for the company secretary (can be arranged after incorporation)

Having these ready in advance helps avoid delays in the registration process.

It depends on the bank. While some Singapore-based banks and digital banks may allow remote corporate account opening, most traditional banks require at least one director to be physically present for identity verification and compliance checks. This is part of their due diligence under local banking regulations.

If you’re incorporating from overseas, we can assist in coordinating with banks and guiding you on the documentation needed. It’s advisable to check with your preferred bank early, as procedures and requirements vary.

The minimum paid-up capital to register a private limited company in Singapore is just SGD $1. There’s no requirement to deposit the capital upfront into a bank account before incorporation. You can increase the capital at any time after the company is set up.

While SGD $1 is the legal minimum, some industries or licensing bodies may require a higher capital amount to meet regulatory requirements or demonstrate financial credibility.

GST (Goods and Services Tax) registration is mandatory if your business’s annual taxable turnover exceeds SGD $1 million. You must monitor your revenue on a rolling 12-month basis and register within 30 days of crossing the threshold. If you expect to exceed this amount based on future projections, you’re also required to register in advance.

If your turnover is below SGD $1 million, registration is optional — some businesses choose to register voluntarily to claim input tax or enhance their credibility with corporate clients. Once registered, you must charge GST on taxable goods and services and file regular GST returns.

Yes. We offer full setup, implementation, and training for both Xero and QuickBooks Online — so your accounting runs smoothly from day one. As cloud solutions, they also make it easy to manage finances from anywhere.

Absolutely. Our outsourced payroll and HR solutions help you stay compliant with CPF, SDL, and MOM requirements — while saving time and reducing admin overhead.

We help SMEs adopt cloud tools like Xero, QuickBooks, and Dropbox, and integrate them into your operations. Our implementation services cover setup, onboarding, and process optimisation to help you go digital efficiently.

Yes — our team supports you with tax planning and optimisation to make sure you meet IRAS obligations while identifying available reliefs and incentives for your business.

Yes. Whether you’re looking to expand into China, Hong Kong, the UK, Malaysia, or the Philippines, our international expansion services help you navigate incorporation, compliance, and local regulations with ease.

Incorporation is just the first step. After that, you’ll need to maintain compliance with ACRA and IRAS, manage payroll, and keep proper records. Our corporate services are designed to support you at every stage of growth.

We do. Our bookkeeping services are tailored for SMEs and fully cloud-based, making it easy to stay compliant, up to date, and ready for tax season.