COMPANY FORMATION · SINGAPORE
Singapore, Asia’s most trusted address.
A stable legal system, a 17% headline corporate tax rate and a registry that works in hours: Singapore is the natural base for Asian holding and trading companies. Here is what setting one up involves.
AT A GLANCE
The essentials, October 2026.
Indicative figures checked against official and specialist sources. Always confirm with licensed advisers.
- Typical structure
- Private limited company (Pte Ltd)
- Registry
- Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
- Government fees
- S$315: S$15 name application and S$300 incorporation
- Minimum capital
- S$1 (banks usually expect more)
- Corporate tax
- 17%, with partial exemptions and a start-up exemption for the first three years of assessment
- GST
- 9%; registration compulsory above S$1 million taxable turnover
STRUCTURES
Key requirements
| Type | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Resident director | At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore | A citizen, permanent resident or holder of an Employment Pass, EntrePass or similar; often provided through a licensed corporate service provider at the start |
| Company secretary | Appointed within six months of incorporation | Must be a Singapore-resident individual and cannot be the sole director |
| Registered address | A physical address in Singapore | Usually provided by a corporate service provider |
| Shareholders | From one; individuals or companies | No nationality restrictions; 100% foreign ownership permitted |
The right structure, in the right place.
ATLAS MAISON · Business concierge
COSTS
What to budget for.
Indicative only. Packages and government fees change; your advisers confirm the exact figures.
- ACRA fees: S$315 in total (name and incorporation).
- Corporate service provider packages for incorporation, secretary and registered address are charged separately and vary.
- A nominee resident director, where needed at the start, is a separate annual service from licensed providers.
- Budget for accounting, annual filings and, depending on size, audit.
THE PROCESS
Four clear steps.
- 1
Name application
Reserve the company name with ACRA through BizFile+.
- 2
Incorporation
File constitution, directors, shareholders and address; most approvals are quick.
- 3
Secretary & registers
Appoint the company secretary within six months and keep statutory registers.
- 4
Bank & tax
Open a corporate bank account and register for GST if required.
IMPORTANT
This guide is general information, checked in October 2026, and not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, thresholds and rules change; licensed professionals confirm what applies to you. ATLAS MAISON coordinates the process and introduces licensed corporate service providers, lawyers and accountants.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to register a company in Singapore?
ACRA’s government fees total S$315 (S$15 for the name and S$300 for incorporation). Professional fees for secretary, registered address and, if needed, a resident director are separate.
Can a foreigner set up a company in Singapore?
Yes, with 100% foreign ownership. The company needs at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore, which many founders arrange through a licensed provider at first.
How long does incorporation take?
Often within a day once the name is approved and documents are complete. Referrals to other agencies can take longer.
What is Singapore’s corporate tax rate?
A headline rate of 17%, with partial exemptions and a start-up exemption that lowers the effective rate on initial profits for qualifying companies.
COMPANY FORMATION
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