Company Incorporation
Set up your company in 3 simple steps:
- Proposed 2/3 company name
- Brief description of business activities (Max 2 activities)
- irector/Shareholders particulars with colour copy of NRIC/passport
If Foreign Director/Shareholders, colour copy of proof of residence (Utilities, bank statements, etc. not more than 3 months old). - Company Secretary particulars
- Registered Office address
- If Corporate Shareholder requires a certificate of incorporation, constitution, business profile, and board resolution by the parent company
- KYC is” Know Your Client” due diligence process to be completed by service providers for anti-money laundering regulations compliance required by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). We use a reliable solution to meet the AML/CFT compliance requirements.
Once approved, your name is reserved for 120 days (4 months). If you don’t register with ACRA within 120 days, your name will be released, and you’ll have to pay another $15 to reapply. If the application requires approval from another government agency, then it may have a longer processing time.
ACRA approves the application within a day (provided all signed documents are in place); processing time may be extended if approval is needed from another government agency. The registration can be completed in one day, provided all directors/shareholders/secretaries have endorsed the online application. All appointed officers must endorse their appointments in Bizfile within 60 days from the date of email. Otherwise, your application will lapse. Upon successful incorporation, ACRA will send an email notification containing your company registration number (UEN) and electronic certificate of incorporation.
We will issue share certificates, as well as the resolutions for the first meeting of the board of directors and the opening of a bank account.
Some industries require a business licence or permit before being allowed to operate, including:
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Retails stores -
Construction -
Import/export -
Hotels & spas -
Medical clinics & related services -
Financial advisory & related services -
Private School & education services -
Employment agency -
Travel agency -
Real Estate -
Publishing -
Commodity Trading -
Event Management
Post - Incorporation
Create a Corpass account
Business licenses and permits specific to your sector
Bank account opening
GST registration if turnover exceeds S$1m
Annual compliance (Filing Annual Return, enlisting a corporate secretary within 6 months, enlisting an auditor unless designed as a small company)
An Exempt Private Company (EPC) is the most popular business structure in Singapore. Setting up an EPC is a relatively easy process. An EPC has a maximum of 20 shareholders with no corporate entity.
Setup Requirement:
- Minimum 1 shareholder (Only Individual)
- Minimum 1 local resident Director
- 1 company secretary
- Minimum paid-up capital S$1
- Singapore registered office address
Has a maximum of 50 shareholders with a corporate entity
Setup Requirement:
- Minimum 1 shareholder (Individual/corporate entity)
- Minimum 1 resident Director
- 1 company secretary
- Minimum paid-up capital S$1
- Singapore registered office address
EPC & Private Limited Characteristics:
- Separate legal entity, can sue or be sued in the company’s name, can own properties in the company’s name
- Separate legal entity, can sue or be sued in the company’s name, can own properties in the company’s name
- EPC Minimum Compliance
- Tax exemption scheme on corporate tax
- Foreign shareholders can own 100% of shares
- Private limited shares transferring is easy
- EPC does not require submitting a financial statement on annual filing
- Perpetual succession until wound up/struck off
- Small company for audit exemption must meet 2 of 3 following criteria for the immediate past two consecutive financial years:
1) Total annual revenue ≤ 10m,
2) Total assets ≤ 10m,
3) employees ≤ 50 - For a company as part of a group, a) the company must qualify as a small company, and b) the entire group must be a “small group” to qualify for audit exemption
- For a company as part of a group, a) the company must qualify as a small company, and b) the entire group must be a “small group” to qualify for audit exemption
FAQ
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How much share capital do I need?
There is low cost to start up a company in Singapore, as low as S$1. You can inject the more funds to business later on and shares can be issued without receiving the money from shareholders. This is leaglised and make sure the amount are paid on.
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Do I need a company address?
Yes, all Singapore companies required a local registered address which cannot be P.O.BOX. The purpose is to allow membres of public to reach out to office if necessary or facilitate the delivery of any legal documents
If you don’t have office address in Singapore and can use virtual office address or use B6 service for your office address registration
If you run small scale business from your home, you may use your residential address as the office address under Home Office Scheme. You must get approval under the Home Office Scheme before submitting your application to incorporate your company.
Approval from Housing Development Board for HDB flat and Urban Redevelopment Authority (for private residential properties) -
When should I set my financial year end to maximise tax savings?
Newly incorporated company to have their 1st Financial year end as close to 12 months as possible in order to take advantage of the tax break for first three consecutives YAs to maximise the coverage of the tax exemption for new startup company
As IRAS will count financial periods longer than 12 months as two YAs for tax exmption reason. -
Can foreigner open a company in Singapore?
Yes, foreigner can register a company and own 100% shareholding
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What is corporate shareholder and I need one?
A corporate shareholder is a business entity that holds shares in another limited company. This designation encompasses various entities, including another limited company, a limited liability partnership (LLP), or a non-profit organization or charity.