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Registering a company in Singapore is a filing with ACRA, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, through its Bizfile portal. The government fees are S$15 for the name and S$300 for the registration, so S$315. Checked . SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, not ACRA or a provider. If you want help, the quote form on this page passes your request to suitable providers.
How much does it cost to register a company in Singapore?
| ACRA item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Business name application, non-refundable if the name is unavailable or you withdraw | S$15 |
| Registration of a local company | S$300 |
| Total government fees | S$315 |
These are the fees ACRA lists. They do not include what a corporate service provider charges for doing the work, nor a registered address, a company secretary or a resident director if you need one. Provider prices differ, and we only quote a provider price when the provider publishes it.
What do you need before you file?
ACRA sets these conditions for a local company.
- At least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore and aged 18 or older.
- A company secretary appointed within six months of registration. The secretary cannot be the same person as the sole director.
- A registered office open to the public at least 3 hours a day.
- A valid company email address.
- Share capital of at least S$1, if the company type uses share capital.
- A reserved name.
If the secretary post stays empty beyond six months, the director may face a penalty of up to S$1,000.
What are the steps to register?
- Choose the company type. ACRA lists seven local types. A private company limited by shares (Pte Ltd) is the common one.
- Reserve the name. Apply on Bizfile and pay S$15. ACRA reviews in up to 3 working days if the case is complex, and up to 15 working days if a referral authority is involved. The name is held for up to 120 days.
- Pick the financial year end. This is part of the registration entry.
- Appoint directors and officers. You need their NRIC or FIN, residential addresses and contact details.
- Decide share capital and shareholders. A private company can have up to 50 shareholders.
- Adopt the constitution. You upload it as part of the filing.
- Register on Bizfile. Enter the details, declare nominee and registrable controller status, allot shares, and pay S$300.
- Endorse. Each position holder endorses within 60 days, unless a corporate service provider filed.
- Receive the UEN. The company is registered and has its Unique Entity Number.
How long does approval take?
| Case | ACRA timing |
|---|---|
| Straightforward | Approved soon after payment |
| Complex | Up to 15 working days |
| Referral authority involved | 14 to 60 days |
ACRA sends some applications to a referral authority for a view. Those are the 14 to 60 day cases, so leave time for them if your activity is regulated.
What are the common ways a filing goes slow?
Three things. The name is not available, so the S$15 is spent and you start again. A position holder does not endorse within 60 days. Or the application goes to a referral authority. Check the name before you pay, collect each officer's identity and address details first, and ask every position holder to watch for the endorsement request.
Who can file?
An individual who will be a director or secretary of the proposed company can file on Bizfile with Singpass. A corporate service provider files with Corppass. Only the person who reserved the name can register it. Foreigners must engage a provider, which is covered in register a company as a foreigner.
What should you check after registration?
Open a business bank account, work out your tax and reporting duties, and set up the registers the company must keep. Bizfile is where you file changes afterwards, and the SSIC code you picked describes the main activity. The full setup picture is in set up a company in Singapore.
Ready for a provider to file it?
Tell us what you need on the form below. We pass your request to suitable providers, who quote you directly.
Sources
- ACRA, Service and transaction fees for companies: https://www.acra.gov.sg/manage/companies/service-transaction-fees/ (S$15 and S$300)
- ACRA, Registering a local company via Bizfile: https://www.acra.gov.sg/register/business/registering-different-business-structures/local-company/registering-via-bizfile/ (steps, timing, who can file)
- ACRA, Reserving a business name via Bizfile: https://www.acra.gov.sg/register/business/choosing-reserving-a-business-name/reserving-bizfile/ (name fee, 120 days)
- ACRA, Choosing company directors and other key officers: https://www.acra.gov.sg/register/business/registering-different-business-structures/local-company/appointing-company-directors-other-key-officers/ (director and secretary rules)
- ACRA, Deciding on share capital and share types: https://www.acra.gov.sg/register/business/registering-different-business-structures/local-company/deciding-on-share-capital-share-types/ (S$1 minimum)
- ACRA, Choosing a company type: https://www.acra.gov.sg/register/business/registering-different-business-structures/local-company/choosing-a-company-type/ (50 shareholders)
