Incorporate a private limited company in Singapore
One of the fastest incorporations in the world. ACRA's BizFile+ portal can approve a company within a single working day.
- Timeline
- 1-3 working days
- Cost
- S$15 name application, S$300 incorporation fee
- Steps
- 7 stages
Deadline — read this first
Appoint a company secretary within six months; hold the first AGM within nine months of the financial year end.
Who can file
Any person aged 18 or over. At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore.
Step by step
- 1
Apply for the company name
Names are usually approved within an hour unless they need referral to another authority.
- 2
Prepare the constitution
ACRA's model constitution is accepted and sufficient for most companies.
- 3
Confirm a resident director
A citizen, permanent resident or EntrePass/Employment Pass holder must be appointed.
- 4
File the incorporation transaction
Submit shareholder, director, secretary, share capital and registered office details in BizFile+.
- 5
Receive the UEN and business profile
The Unique Entity Number is issued immediately on approval and is used for all government dealings.
- 6
Open a corporate bank account
Banks require the business profile, constitution and director identification, often with an in-person or video interview.
- 7
Register for GST if applicable
Compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million, voluntary below that.
Documents you must produce
- Identification for all directors and shareholders
- Proof of registered Singapore address
- Company constitution
- Consent to act as director and secretary
Common mistakes that sink cases
- Assuming a foreign founder can be the sole director without a local resident.
- Using a residential address without an approved Home Office Scheme registration.
- Late annual return filings, which attract escalating penalties.
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