How to Register a Company in Singapore in 2026: Step-by-Step for Locals and Foreigners
Registering a company in Singapore takes as little as 15 minutes to 3 business days via ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. The total government fee is S$315, foreign founders can own 100% of a Singapore company, and the entire process is fully digital. HeySara, an ACRA-registered filing agent, guides founders through every step.
Singapore consistently ranks among the world’s easiest places to start a business. The World Bank has placed it at or near the top of its Ease of Doing Business Index for decades. The company registration framework is a major reason why: a single portal, clear requirements, and a transparent fee structure make the process accessible to anyone — local or overseas.
This guide covers every step of the process, with the latest 2026 requirements and fees confirmed from ACRA.
What Is ACRA and What Is BizFile+?
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is Singapore’s national regulator for business entities and public accountants. BizFile+ is ACRA’s online filing and information portal, available at bizfile.gov.sg, where all company registrations are submitted.
Every registered business in Singapore receives a Unique Entity Number (UEN) — your company’s official ID used for all regulatory, banking, and tax purposes.
Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure
The most popular choice for entrepreneurs and investors is the Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd). It offers limited liability (your personal assets are protected from business debts), a competitive 17% corporate tax rate with start-up exemptions, and higher credibility with banks, investors, and enterprise clients.
Other structures include:
- Sole Proprietorship — Simple setup (S$100 registration fee) but with unlimited personal liability. Best for freelancers and solo service providers with minimal risk.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) — S$115 fee, combines elements of a partnership and company. Common for professional firms.
- Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) — Used for non-profit organisations.
For most founders — especially those who plan to hire staff, raise investment, or work with corporate clients — a Pte Ltd is the right choice.
Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name
Before filing for incorporation, you must reserve a company name through BizFile+. The name application fee is S$15. Once approved, the name is reserved for 120 days.
ACRA checks automatically for:
- Identical or substantially similar names to existing entities
- Offensive or undesirable words
- Restricted words (e.g., “bank”, “finance”, “insurance”) that require additional regulatory approval
Names with restricted terms may take 14–60 days for approval. Standard names are typically approved within one hour.
Tip: Use HeySara’s free Company Name Check tool on the website to verify availability before submitting.
Step 3: Prepare Your Key Documents and Information
Before filing, have these ready:
- Proposed company name and SSIC code (Singapore Standard Industrial Classification code, which identifies your business activity)
- Directors’ information: Full name, NRIC/passport number, residential address
- Shareholders’ information: Same details, plus percentage of shareholding
- Registered office address in Singapore (must be a physical address accessible during business hours)
- Company constitution (you can use ACRA’s model constitution or a customised one)
- Paid-up capital amount (minimum S$1; no maximum)
Step 4: Meet the Director Requirements
Every Singapore Pte Ltd must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. This means the director must be a Singapore citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident (PR), or the holder of a valid Employment Pass, EntrePass, or Dependent Pass.
Foreigners who are not relocating to Singapore can appoint a nominee director — a licensed resident individual who fulfils this legal requirement. HeySara offers a professional nominee director service with proper legal safeguards.
Directors must be:
- At least 18 years old
- Mentally fit to make decisions
- Not an undischarged bankrupt
- Not disqualified under the Companies Act
Step 5: Appoint a Company Secretary
Singapore law requires every company to appoint a company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The secretary must be a natural person who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, and the sole director cannot serve as the company secretary.
Most Singapore companies — especially SMEs and startups — outsource this function to a professional corporate secretarial firm like HeySara.
Step 6: Submit Your Incorporation Application via BizFile+
Singapore residents with a SingPass account can file directly on BizFile+. Foreign founders without SingPass must appoint a Registered Filing Agent (like HeySara) to handle the submission.
ACRA Fees:
- Name application: S$15
- Incorporation: S$300
- Total: S$315
Once submitted, straightforward applications are typically approved within 15 minutes to 3 business days. Applications involving regulated business terms or requiring referral to another government agency can take 14–60 days.
Step 7: Receive Your Incorporation Documents
Upon approval, ACRA issues:
- Email notification confirming incorporation (includes your UEN)
- Digital Business Profile (free for newly incorporated companies)
- Certificate of Incorporation (available for purchase at S$50 from BizFile+)
These documents are sufficient for all legal and contractual purposes, including opening corporate bank accounts and signing office leases.
Step 8: Post-Incorporation Essentials
After receiving your UEN, complete these steps:
- Set up CorpPass — Singapore’s corporate digital identity for accessing government e-services
- Open a corporate bank account — Most banks in Singapore require your ACRA Business Profile and Certificate of Incorporation
- Register with IRAS for corporate tax — Your company is automatically registered with IRAS, but you should set up your myTax Portal access
- Register for GST — Required once taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million (or voluntary below this threshold)
- Apply for relevant licences — Depending on your business activity (e.g., food & beverage, financial services, healthcare)
Key Requirements Summary Table
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Government fee | S$315 (S$15 name + S$300 registration) |
| Minimum shareholders | 1 |
| Maximum shareholders | 50 (for Pte Ltd) |
| Minimum directors | 1 (at least one must be Singapore-resident) |
| Minimum paid-up capital | S$1 |
| Company secretary | Must appoint within 6 months |
| Registered office address | Required (Singapore physical address) |
| Processing time | 15 minutes to 3 business days (standard) |
| Foreign ownership | 100% permitted |
Can a Foreigner Register a Company in Singapore?
Yes. Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership of a Pte Ltd. There is no requirement for a local partner or co-founder. The only requirement is that at least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore. Foreigners who are not yet in Singapore typically fulfil this through a nominee director service.
Why Use HeySara?
HeySara is an ACRA-registered filing agent (FA20200042 / FA20031119) that has helped over 2,000 companies incorporate and manage compliance in Singapore and offshore. As a one-stop service provider, HeySara handles your company name reservation, incorporation filing, nominee director, registered address, and company secretary appointment — so you can focus on building your business.
