Set Up a Company in Singapore with BoardRoom
Setting up a company in Singapore involves navigating regulatory requirements and making key strategic decisions. With BoardRoom as your trusted incorporation partner, our expert team provides end-to-end support from entity structuring and documentation to pre-incorporation compliance and post-registration services. We simplify the process ensuring a seamless, compliant setup that aligns with your business goals.
Explore how we help businesses establish a compliant, future-ready presence in Singapore.
We begin by evaluating your broader business structure, operational model, and international tax footprint to recommend the most suitable company type. Whether you’re setting up a trading company, holding entity, or fund structure, we provide tailored advice aligned with your objectives.
Key considerations include:
- Your existing group structure and cross-border operations
- Tax implications in other jurisdictions
- Goals for your Singapore presence (e.g. investment vs. operations)
- Regulatory and compliance impact
Tax Tip: Qualifying new companies may benefit from the Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE), offering 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 and 50% on the next S$100,000 of chargeable income for the first three years.
Our team handles all the administrative and regulatory steps required for your company registration in Singapore — ensuring accuracy, speed, and compliance.
We assist with:
- Name reservation with ACRA
- Appointment of a local resident director (nominee director services available)
- Provision of a registered office address (virtual office options available)
- Preparation of incorporation documents
- Completion of Know Your Customer (KYC) due diligence
Once the requirements are fulfilled, most applications are approved within 1–3 business days, subject to ACRA’s review.
Once your entity is incorporated, we help you fulfil statutory obligations and ensure your entity is fully operational from day one.
Our post-incorporation services include:
- Appointing a resident company secretary (mandatory within six months)
- Appointing a resident company secretary (mandatory within six months)
- Issuing share certificates and statutory registers
- Appointing auditors (if required)
- Applying for Employment Passes, Dependent Passes, or other permits
We also support exit planning, including strike-offs and members’ voluntary liquidation. Note that capital gains from divestment are not taxed in Singapore.
Foreign individuals and entities can incorporate a company in Singapore. However, some added requirements apply, which can be efficiently managed through a registered filing agent like BoardRoom.
Foreign requirements include:
- Engaging a corporate service provider or registered filing agent, such as BoardRoom, to handle their application
- Appointing at least one local resident director (nominee director services available)
- Translating or notarising documents (as required)
We also assist with relocation matters such as Employment Pass (EP) applications, opening of local bank accounts, and fulfilling due diligence protocols, enabling a smooth transition for overseas investors.
Company incorporation is just the beginning. Our full suite of corporate services ensures long-term compliance, allowing you to scale confidently.
Our ongoing support includes:
- Appointing a company secretary (within six months of incorporation)
- Filing annual returns with ACRA
- Holding Annual General Meetings (AGMs) within six months of the financial year-end
- Preparing audited financial statements (if applicable)
- Submitting corporate tax filings to IRAS
- Maintaining accounting records and statutory registers
With our OneBoardRoom Advantage, you gain integrated support across incorporation, tax, payroll, accounting, and corporate secretarial services, ensuring your company setup in Singapore remains compliant, and future-ready.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
YOUR POINT OF CONTACT
Alex Lee
Asia Chief Operating Officer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What do I need to decide on before incorporating a company in Singapore?
Company incorporation and business registration in Singapore can be relatively straightforward. However, the degree of complexity will largely depend on your company’s structure and goals.
You will need to make decisions on the following prior to the actual incorporation process:
- Company Name
- Type of Business Activity
- Appointing Directors, Company Secretary, and Other Key Personnel
- Share Structure
- Registered Office Address
- Company Constitution
- Financial Year End
For these reasons and more, many companies choose to outsource their company registration to a firm like BoardRoom.
2. How much does it cost to start a company in Singapore?
The initial company incorporation fee in Singapore is S$315, comprising S$15 for name reservation and S$300 for company registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). However, several additional charges must be paid and noted before completing the setup process. A full list of company-related fees can be found here.
To ensure a fuss-free company setup process, BoardRoom is committed to walking you through the incorporation procedure from start to finish so that you can hit the ground running when your application is approved by Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
3. What are the requirements to register or incorporate a company in Singapore?
Singapore’s company incorporation process consists of six key requirements.
- Shareholders: One to fifty shareholders (individuals or entities), with 100% foreign ownership permitted.
- Share Capital: A minimum of S$1.
- Directors: At least one Singapore-resident director (Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or EntrePass holder), with additional directors of any nationality.
- Company Secretary: A company secretary must be appointed within six months of the incorporation date.
- Registered Address: A physical Singapore address (not a P.O. box) for statutory records.
- Company Name: A unique company name that has been pre-approved by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
4. How to start a company in Singapore for foreigners?
Foreigners can incorporate a company in Singapore almost as easily as a Singapore resident, with additional requirements. Foreigners must appoint at least one Singapore-resident director (citizen, permanent resident, or EntrePass holder) and engage a registered filing agent to register their company in Singapore.
5. What are the types of companies in Singapore?
Companies are separate legal entities from their owners, offering limited liability protection. This means that the owner’s personal assets are generally shielded from the company’s debts and liabilities. The following are the various company types available in Singapore:
| Company Type | Key Characteristics | Pros | Cons |
| Exempt Private Company | Small businesses with up to 20 shareholders, limited liability, simple structure | Easy to set up and manage, low costs, suitable for small-scale operations | Limited growth potential due to shareholder capacity |
| Private Company Limited by Shares | Up to 50 shareholders, limited liability, can raise capital | Offers flexibility in ownership structure, can attract investors, suitable for growing businesses | More complex to set up and manage than exempt private companies |
| Public Company Limited by Shares | More than 50 shareholders, can offer shares to the public, which requires a prospectus | Can raise significant capital, offers greater public visibility | Complex and expensive to set up and maintain, subject to stricter regulations |
| Public Company Limited by Guarantee | Typically used for non-profit organisations, limited liability up to a specified amount | Tax-exempt status, can receive donations | Limited profit-making potential, subject to specific regulations |
| Unlimited Private Company | No limit on shareholders, unlimited liability | Offers flexibility in ownership structure, can raise unlimited capital | High risk for shareholders due to unlimited liability |
| Unlimited Exempt Private Company | Similar to an unlimited private company but with a maximum of 20 shareholders | Limited liability for shareholders, can raise capital | Limited growth potential due to shareholder capacity |
| Unlimited Public Company | More than 50 shareholders, unlimited liability | Can raise unlimited capital, offers flexibility in ownership structure | High risk for shareholders due to unlimited liability |
| Branch Office | Representative office of a foreign company, no separate legal entity status, not subject to corporate tax | Low setup costs, can conduct business activities without full incorporation | Limited legal protection, cannot own assets or raise capital locally |
| Variable Capital Company (VCC) | Flexible capital structure, no minimum share capital, suitable for investment funds. | Efficient capital management, attractive to investors, tax incentives | Complex setup and regulatory requirements, limited use cases |
6. What are the types of partnerships in Singapore?
Unlike a company, a partnership is not a separate legal entity from its owners and does not require a formal incorporation process. The owners, or partners, are personally liable for the partnership’s debts and obligations. Here’s the breakdown of different partnership types:
| Partnership Type | Key Characteristics | Pros | Cons |
| General Partnership | Two or more individuals, unlimited liability for all partners | Easy to set up, shared responsibilities | Unlimited personal liability for all partners, potential conflicts |
| Limited Partnership | General partners with unlimited liability, limited partners with limited liability | Offers limited liability for limited partners, can attract investors | A complex structure, requires a partnership agreement |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Separate legal entity, limited liability for all partners | Limited personal liability, flexible management structure | More complex to set up and manage than general partnerships |
7. Why should you choose BoardRoom as your preferred incorporation service provider?
Incorporating a company in Singapore involves multiple steps that require precision to ensure compliance with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). BoardRoom’s experienced team of professionals provides expert guidance, simplifying the process and ensuring adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements. From selecting the right business structure to managing post-incorporation obligations, BoardRoom can deliver seamless, end-to-end support tailored to your goals. Get the assistance you need for peace of mind, compliance confidence, and a partner committed to your business success in Singapore.
8. How long does it take to incorporate a company in Singapore?
Incorporating a company in Singapore can be a highly efficient process. The process typically takes between one and three days if there are no complications. The first step is to reserve the company name with the ACRA, which usually takes less than an hour if the name is unique and not similar to existing company names. However, if the name requires additional approval from certain external authorities, it could take up to a few days. Once the company name is approved, the next step is to prepare the necessary documents and file them with ACRA. After the company is successfully registered, it can take a couple of days to receive the official business profile and incorporation certificate from ACRA.
9. Do I need a company secretary to incorporate a company in Singapore?
A company secretary is not required at the time of incorporation. However, under Singapore’s Companies Act, every company must appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. Failure to appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation may result in a penalty of up to S$1,000 imposed on the company’s directors.
10. What are the ongoing compliance requirements after incorporation?
After incorporation, there are ongoing compliance requirements that companies in Singapore must adhere to, including:
- Appointing a company secretary within six months of incorporation and, if required, appointing auditors within three months.
- Filing annual returns with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
- Holding an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within six months of the company’s financial year-end.
- Submitting corporate tax returns to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
- Maintaining proper accounting records and preparing audited or unaudited financial statements.
Failing to meet these obligations can result in fines and penalties.
11. What are the tax benefits of incorporating in Singapore?
Incorporating a company in Singapore offers several tax benefits, making it an attractive destination for businesses. Key tax advantages include a relatively low corporate tax rate, currently at 17%. The Singapore government also offers various incentives and exemptions to promote start-ups and specific industries and activities. Singapore has an extensive network of Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with over 80 countries, thereby reducing the tax burden on international transactions and preventing double taxation.
A full-suite corporate services provider with expertise in incorporation, corporate secretarial, accounting,and tax advisory can help you navigate these benefits, ensure compliance, and maximise your tax efficiency.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist with your Singapore incorporation and tax structuring needs.