Prepare the details.
File with ACRA.
Build for day one.
Company registration in Singapore is handled by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) through Bizfile. A Pte Ltd is a separate legal entity, with ownership represented by shares and limited liability for shareholders.
What do you need to register a company?
Start with the people, address, and capital. These decisions shape the rest of your incorporation.
At least one shareholder
A private company can have up to 50 shareholders. Decide each person's allocation and whether a company will hold any shares.
A resident director
At least one director must meet Singapore's local residency rules. Directors must be at least 18, legally eligible, and understand their responsibilities.
A Singapore office address
Provide a registered office in Singapore that satisfies public-access requirements. Plan who will receive and handle official correspondence.
Share capital from S$1
Share capital is what shareholders commit to invest; paid-up capital is what they actually pay. Choose an amount that supports your business plan.
Appoint a company secretary within six months of incorporation. The secretary must ordinarily reside in Singapore, and a sole director cannot also be the company secretary.
Read ACRA's company structure guidance, officer requirements and share capital guide.
How to register a company in Singapore: 8 steps
Use this sequence to organise the work. Confirm filing eligibility before starting; foreign founders must engage a registered corporate service provider (CSP).
Choose your company structure
Confirm that a Pte Ltd fits your ownership and operating plans. Discuss shareholder roles, decision-making, and any planned investment before finalising the structure.
Your output → Agreed structure and ownership planReserve your company name
Choose a suitable name and identify the relevant Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) activities. Apply through Bizfile and pay S$15. An approved name is reserved for 120 days.
Your output → Approved name and application referenceConfirm the people and address
Arrange the resident director, confirm shareholders, and settle the registered office. Give each participant a clear list of the details and consents you need from them.
Your output → Consistent officer and shareholder detailsSet your capital and financial year end
Agree the share currency, share classes, allocations, and payment position. Choose a financial year end that works with your reporting cycle, and record these decisions together.
Your output → Share schedule and reporting calendarPrepare the company constitution
Use ACRA's model constitution or prepare a customised document. Where founders or investors need specific rights, have those arrangements checked before signing.
Your output → Constitution ready for incorporationSubmit the Bizfile application
Enter the company details, officers, shareholders, capital, and constitution. Complete the applicable controller and nominee declarations. Review the entire application against your agreed records.
Your output → Application ready for endorsement and paymentComplete endorsements and payment
Complete required endorsements and pay the S$300 incorporation fee. Monitor the Bizfile inbox for the outcome or any request for additional information.
Your output → Incorporation outcome and company UENOrganise your launch essentials
Save your company records, arrange banking, and allocate responsibility for licences, appointments, and recurring compliance. Keep a single launch checklist with named owners.
Your output → An organised plan to begin operations
Filing reference: ACRA's Bizfile registration guide. Preparation: name reservation and company setup guidance.
Your incorporation preparation checklist
Tick off each group as you prepare it. Confirm the exact evidence, certification, and translation requirements with your filing provider.
Create one secure folder for the final documents and one summary sheet for approved company details. Use a secure channel to share identity documents with your provider.
What does company registration cost?
The standard ACRA filing fees total S$315. Plan separately for professional support and the services your company needs after registration.
Payable to ACRA
Payable to ACRA
Excludes service costs
| Cost category | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Incorporation support | Document preparation, filing, and handling follow-up questions. |
| Local arrangements | Registered office, secretary, and resident director services if needed. |
| Ongoing operations | Accounting, tax support, annual filings, banking, and licences. |
ACRA says most registrations are approved soon after payment. Complex cases may take up to 15 working days; referral-authority approval can take 14–60 days. Allow separate time for preparation and banking.
Official references: ACRA company setup fees and processing times.
Registering from outside Singapore
Plan the filing, local management, and any relocation as separate workstreams.
Engage a registered CSP
ACRA requires foreigners to use a corporate service provider to reserve a name and register a business. Confirm the scope, required evidence, and local arrangements before starting.
Check work-pass eligibility
Incorporation does not grant permission to live or work in Singapore. If you plan to relocate to run the business, check the appropriate work-pass requirements.
A nominee director is still a director with legal responsibilities. Clarify the role, oversight, and required disclosures before agreeing to the appointment.
Read ACRA's rules for foreigners and director guidance.
Your company is registered. What comes next?
Assign an owner to every obligation and set reminders from the incorporation date. Your financial year end also shapes the recurring reporting calendar.
Records & access
Maintain required company registers, save the Business Profile, and set up Corppass for government transactions.
Audit appointment
Appoint an auditor unless the company qualifies for an audit exemption.
Company secretary
Complete the secretary appointment and confirm responsibility for records and filings.
Banking & permissions
Arrange a corporate account and check applicable business licences. Bank onboarding and regulatory permissions have their own requirements.
Accounts & filings
Keep accounting records and plan annual returns, tax filings, and meetings or applicable exemptions. Review GST obligations as the business develops.
Use ACRA's post-registration checklist and company management overview to build your compliance calendar.
Small decisions that can slow you down
Different details in every document
Use one approved summary for names, addresses, appointments, and share allocations. Reconcile each document to it before submission.
Leaving founder decisions until filing
Resolve ownership, funding, and decision-making early. An application is easier to complete when the commercial agreement is already clear.
Planning only for filing fees
Compare the first-year total and recurring charges. Ask what each service includes and who is responsible for the work.
Treating every approval as one step
Track incorporation, banking, licences, and work passes separately. Build dependencies into your launch schedule.
Go straight to the source.
This guide was checked against the following ACRA resources on 12 September 2026. Use the live guidance to confirm the requirements for your application.
General guidance for a Singapore Pte Ltd. The requirements for other structures, regulated activities, and individual circumstances may differ.