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A PRC citizen can own a Singapore company outright. Filing goes through a registered corporate service provider (CSP), and one director must live in Singapore. ACRA charges S$15 for the name and S$300 to register. For you, three China-specific points matter: the 30-day visa exemption for ordinary PRC passports, the full tax treaty on the IRAS list and the way money leaves China. Checked . SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, not ACRA, IRAS, ICA or a provider. Requests sent through the form go to providers that fit.
What is specific to a founder from mainland China?
| Area | Position for PRC passport holders | Official body |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Ordinary passports: visa-free up to 30 days | ICA |
| Treaty | Full DTA in force, MLI-modified | IRAS |
| Funds | Annual foreign exchange purchase quota | SAFE |
| Documents | Apostille route in force | HCCH |
| Filing | Registered CSP plus a resident director | ACRA |
Do Chinese citizens need a visa to enter Singapore?
Not for a short visit on an ordinary PRC passport. ICA announced a mutual 30-day visa exemption that took effect on , covering holders of ordinary passports issued by the PRC. ICA also says holders of all other PRC travel documents must still apply for an entry visa before they travel. A longer stay needs an extension, which is an ICA matter, and the SG Arrival Card is required within 3 days before arrival.
A visit is not work. If you want to be paid by the company, you need a pass. The Employment Pass sets a salary floor of S$5,600 a month at the youngest age band for new applications now, and S$6,000 from 1 January, with S$105 to apply and S$225 to issue. EntrePass needs the holder to own at least 30%. See EntrePass and COMPASS.
Is there a tax treaty between China and Singapore?
Yes. IRAS lists a full DTA with China, in force and modified by the Multilateral Instrument, with no arbitration provision. The list does not print rates, so we do not quote any. Download the treaty from the IRAS page and read it with a PRC tax adviser, especially if profits will move back to China as dividends.
How does money move from China to Singapore?
SAFE, China's foreign exchange regulator, states that every person has an annual foreign exchange purchase quota equivalent to 50,000 US dollars, and that bank card spending abroad does not use it. That is all the SAFE page we read says on the quota. It is about buying foreign exchange. It does not tell you whether funding a foreign company needs a separate filing or approval, and we did not find an official page we could read that answers it. Ask your Chinese bank and a PRC adviser how the transfer will be classified, and do that before you pay the provider.
On the Singapore side, ACRA only asks for share capital of at least S$1. See register a company as a foreigner.
Do Chinese documents need an apostille?
The Apostille Convention entered into force for the People's Republic of China on , and for Singapore on . For PRC public documents such as a notarised certificate, an apostille is therefore the formal route between the two. The Hague Conference table notes that China made declarations on accession, and we did not read how they apply to Hong Kong or Macao, so that case is left out. ACRA does not require an apostille for foreigners, but a provider may ask for certified copies.
Who can be the resident director?
ACRA's rule is a director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Citizens, permanent residents and holders of certain passes qualify. Most PRC founders appoint a local partner or a nominee director. Read nominee director in Singapore for what the nominee declares. You also need a secretary within six months and a registered office open to the public at least 3 hours a day.
What are the steps?
- Hire a CSP and give it three name choices, the business activity and who holds the shares.
- The CSP books the name on Bizfile for S$15, then pays S$300 when it submits the registration.
- Scan the passport and a recent address proof for every director and shareholder.
- ACRA clears most filings soon after payment. A complex one can take up to 15 working days.
- The UEN arrives, and the bank account opening starts from there.
We did not find a bank rule aimed at PRC nationals on an official page, so bank requirements are left for you to ask each bank.
Planning to compare Singapore with Hong Kong? Singapore vs Hong Kong company sets them side by side. Otherwise, use the form here and say you are filing from China.
Sources
- ICA: mutual 30-day visa exemption with China: the exemption and its limits.
- ICA: visa guidelines: arrival card.
- IRAS: list of DTAs, limited DTAs and EOI arrangements: China treaty status.
- SAFE: Q and A on overseas cash withdrawals: annual quota wording.
- HCCH: Apostille status table: China date and declaration note.
- MinLaw: Apostille Convention in force for Singapore: Singapore date.
- ACRA: foreigners registering a business: CSP and resident rules.
- ACRA: service and transaction fees: fees.
- MOM: Employment Pass eligibility: salary floor and fees.
- MOM: EntrePass eligibility: 30% holding.
