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A Bangladeshi citizen can hold all the shares of a Singapore private company. The part that needs the most care is the money, not the filing, because Bangladesh Bank controls outward remittances. On the Singapore side, ACRA requires a registered corporate service provider (CSP) to file for foreigners, and one director must be locally resident. ACRA's fees are S$15 for the name and S$300 to register: S$315. Checked . Nothing here comes from a regulator. SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, and its form sends your request on to providers that fit.
What is different for Bangladeshi founders?
| Topic | Position for Bangladesh | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Filing | Provider submits; resident director needed | ACRA |
| Entry visa | Required for Bangladeshi passports | ICA |
| Tax treaty | Full DTA in force, not modified by the MLI | IRAS |
| Apostille | In force from , with an objection marker | HCCH |
| Money out of Bangladesh | Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 and circulars | Bangladesh Bank |
The common process is set out in register a company as a foreigner.
Do Bangladeshi passport holders need a Singapore visa?
Yes. ICA's Bangladesh page says anyone holding a Bangladeshi travel document needs a visa, and that diplomatic, official and service passports are exempt. You submit Form 14A, a photo, a passport page valid six months beyond your entry date and Form V39A, the letter of introduction, usually from a local contact. The local contact must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, at least 21, with a Singpass account, and for a business visit must act for a Singapore-registered business. Alternatively, apply through an authorised visa agent or a Singapore overseas mission, within 30 days before arrival.
ICA charges S$30, non-refundable, paid online by Visa or MasterCard, and says processing takes three working days with some cases longer. Entry is never guaranteed. File the SG Arrival Card within the 3 days before travel. Staying as a visitor does not let you work.
What does Bangladesh Bank say about sending money abroad?
Bangladesh Bank's circular FE No. 37, dated , says foreign exchange transactions on outward remittances are regulated by the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947 and the circulars issued under it. In the part on offices abroad, it allows an annual remittance of up to USD 30,000 to meet current expenses of an office opened abroad by a commercial or industrial concern, and then says this authorisation cannot be used for equity remittance to establish subsidiaries abroad. That clause covers resident entities and one specific permission, so it is not a full answer for an individual who wants to own a Singapore company.
We found no official page that gives an individual a clear general route to fund a foreign company. So ask your authorised dealer bank in writing what documents and approvals it needs before any money leaves Bangladesh, and talk to a local lawyer. Circulars are valid for set periods and change, so treat this as a starting point only.
Is there a tax treaty between Bangladesh and Singapore?
IRAS shows a full double tax treaty with Bangladesh. It is in force, sits outside the Multilateral Instrument and has no arbitration clause. The list does not show withholding rates, so we show none. The treaty PDF on IRAS has them. Singapore's tax on company profit is in corporate tax in Singapore.
Does the apostille work for Bangladeshi documents?
Bangladesh joined the Apostille Convention by accession on , and it took effect on , per HCCH. The table marks it with a double asterisk after the A, which the legend reads as an objection. Our source does not say which State objected, so we cannot say whether it affects documents going to Singapore. Singapore's own date is . ACRA's foreigner pages do not list an apostille as a requirement. Ask your provider what it accepts before you pay for one.
How do you meet the resident director rule?
Singapore law wants at least one director who lives in the country. A relative or partner there can fill it, or a provider can supply a nominee, a choice weighed up in nominee director in Singapore. Do not forget the registered address and the company secretary.
What are the steps in order?
- Ask your authorised dealer bank how a payment abroad would be handled.
- Choose a CSP and send the name, activity and shareholder details.
- The CSP applies for the name at S$15.
- Send scanned passport and address documents for each officer.
- The CSP pays S$300 and files. With the UEN in hand, open the bank account. ACRA does not publish bank rules for Bangladeshi nationals. See business bank account in Singapore.
If you plan to buy and sell goods across borders, see trading company in Singapore.
To pass the work to a provider, use the form on this page and say you are in Bangladesh.
Sources
- Bangladesh Bank: FE Circular No. 37 on outward remittances: Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, subsidiaries clause.
- IRAS: Bangladesh in the treaty list: Bangladesh treaty row.
- ICA: visa requirements, Bangladesh: forms, fee, timing, local contact.
- ICA: visa guidance: arrival card.
- HCCH: Convention status for Bangladesh: Bangladesh dates and legend.
- MinLaw: Singapore joins the Apostille Convention: Singapore start date.
- ACRA: foreign applicants: foreigner conditions for incorporation.
- ACRA: fee page: amounts paid to ACRA.
