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A foreigner can own a Singapore company, but cannot file the registration alone. ACRA states that foreigners must engage a corporate service provider (CSP) to reserve the name and register. The company also needs a locally resident director. Checked . SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, not ACRA or a provider. The quote form passes your request to suitable providers.
What must a foreigner have in place?
| Requirement | What ACRA says |
|---|---|
| Filing route | Use a CSP to reserve the name and register |
| Resident director | At least one director who is ordinarily resident, 18 or older |
| Secretary | Appointed within six months of registration |
| Registered office | Open to the public at least 3 hours a day |
| Share capital | At least S$1 |
| Government fees | S$15 name application plus S$300 registration, S$315 together |
How do you meet the resident director rule?
You have three options.
- Be the resident yourself. A Singapore citizen or permanent resident qualifies. So does a valid holder of an Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass.
- Appoint a resident partner or colleague. They sit on the board and carry the director's legal duties.
- Appoint a nominee director. A nominee must tell the company that they are a nominee and give the nominator's details. The company must declare nominee status when it registers. See nominee director in Singapore for how it works.
The holder of an Employment Pass counts as resident. A founder who gets an EP through the new company can therefore take over the resident seat later. Employment pass for a company director explains that route and where MOM's rules are silent.
Which work pass can a founder use?
| Pass | Fit for a founder |
|---|---|
| EntrePass | Venture-backed or innovative private limited company, founder holds at least 30%. Apply before incorporation or within six months of setting up |
| Employment Pass | Salary from the company, scored under COMPASS |
| Dependant's Pass with LOC | Family member of an EP holder who runs a business as sole proprietor, partner or director with at least 30% |
| Other FIN holders | Check with the pass issuer, such as MOM or ICA, before registering or accepting a role |
ACRA tells FIN holders to confirm with the pass issuer before they register a business name or accept a role, so do that first.
What are the steps for a foreigner?
- Pick a provider and give it the company type, the name choices and the activity.
- The provider reserves the name on Bizfile for S$15. The name is held for up to 120 days.
- Collect your passport details, address proof and the same for each other officer. The provider tells you its exact document list.
- The provider files the registration and pays S$300.
- ACRA approves most straightforward filings soon after payment. Complex ones can take up to 15 working days.
- You receive the UEN. Because a CSP filed, the 60 day endorsement step by each position holder does not apply.
- Apply for your pass if you need one, then open the bank account.
What does it cost?
The ACRA part is fixed and small. The provider part varies. A provider price is only worth quoting when the provider publishes it, and we only show it with a link and a date. Ask for a written total that lists the name fee, the S$300, the resident director, the registered address and the secretary separately.
Ready to compare? The quote form on this page passes your details to providers who handle foreign owners.
Sources
- ACRA: foreigners registering a business: CSP rule, who counts as resident, EntrePass timing and Dependant's Pass LOC.
- ACRA: fees for companies: the S$15 and S$300.
- ACRA: registering via Bizfile: timing, endorsement and the 3 hour office rule.
- ACRA: officers page: director, secretary and nominee rules.
- MOM: EntrePass eligibility: the 30% holding and backing tests.
- MOM: LOC for Dependant's Pass business owners: the 30% shareholding rule.
