ACRA Compliant · 1 to 3 Days · Locals and Foreigners Welcome
Company Incorporation Singapore Made Easy from Day One
Company incorporation Singapore is one of the most straightforward processes in the world, and Savvilio makes it even smoother. Whether you’re a local founder or a foreigner setting up here, we handle everything from your ACRA filing to your first compliance deadline. You focus on the business. We take care of all the paperwork.
Why Singapore
Why Many Founders Incorporate a Company
in Singapore?
Singapore is genuinely one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business. It tops the charts in Asia for ease of doing business,
and the government has made new business registration in Singapore remarkably straightforward through
ACRA’s fully digital BizFile+ portal. Here’s what makes it such a popular choice.
A World-Class Business Environment
Singapore ranks first in Asia for ease of doing business per the World Bank index.
ACRA processes most company formation Singapore applications
within 1 to 3 business days through the BizFile+ portal.
That's fast, even by global standards.
Tax Rates That Actually Work in Your Favour
Singapore's corporate tax rate sits at 17%, which is already one of Asia's lowest.
But for new companies, it gets even better. The Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)
can bring your effective rate down to as little as 4.25% on your
first S$100,000 in the early years.
Your Gateway into Asia-Pacific
Singapore's 26 plus Free Trade Agreements give your registered company preferential access to markets across ASEAN, the EU, the US, and China.
It's also a popular base for founders looking to grow across borders
through mergers, acquisitions, and cross-border structuring.
Rules You Can Count On
Singapore's legal system is English-based and built on common law principles.
You get strong IP protections, reliable contract enforcement, and a stable regulatory environment that investors and global partners trust.
That predictability is worth a lot.
Entity Comparison
Which Company Structure Is Right for You?
Not every business needs the same structure. Here’s a quick look at the most common entity types registered with ACRA
so you can decide what works best before you incorporate a company in Singapore.
Entity Type
Liability
Min. Directors
Foreign Ownership
Tax Exemptions
Best For
Private Limited (Pte. Ltd.)
Limited
1 resident director
100% allowed
SUTE and PTE
Most businesses, from startups to SMEs
Sole Proprietorship
Unlimited
Not applicable
Restricted
None
Individual freelancers
Limited Liability Partnership
Limited
2 partners
Yes
Partial
Professional practices
Branch Office
Unlimited (parent liable)
2 resident agents
Yes
None
Foreign company expansion
Representative Office
Not applicable
1 resident rep
Yes
None
Market research only
Our Recommendation
For most clients looking to incorporate a company in Singapore, including foreign founders and China nationals, the Private Limited (Pte. Ltd.) structure gives you the best mix of liability protection, tax efficiency, and investor appeal.
Our Company Incorporation Services
Everything We Take Care of So You Don't Have To
Our end-to-end company incorporation services cover every step between you and a fully registered Singapore company.
Here’s what you can hand off to us from day one.
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Company Name Availability Check
We search ACRA's registry and flag any restricted words before submitting anything, so there are no surprises or rejections on the name front.
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SSIC Industry Code Selection
Choosing the right SSIC code matters more than most people realise. It can affect your tax incentive eligibility, and our team makes sure you're set up correctly from start.
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Company Constitution Drafting
We draft your constitution to fit your shareholding structure and governance preferences, whether you need something standard or fully customised.
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ACRA BizFile+ Submission
We handle the full digital incorporation filing through ACRA's official BizFile+ portal. Accurate, compliant, and confirmed in 1 to 3 business days.
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Registered Office Address (12 months)
A Singapore registered business address is included with every package. P.O. boxes aren't accepted by ACRA, and we take care of that requirement for you.
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Digital Share Certificates and Statutory Registers
We issue your digital share certificates and maintain your statutory registers for directors, shareholders, and charges from the moment your company is set up.
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Company Secretary Appointment
We appoint your first company secretary within ACRA's 6-month requirement. No risk of penalties and no scrambling to find someone at the last minute.
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Compliance Calendar and Deadline Alerts
We set up your post-incorporation compliance calendar with reminders for Annual Returns, ECI, AGM requirements, and GST registration triggers.
ACRA Requirements
What You Need Ready Before We File
Every Private Limited company in Singapore needs these six things in place before we can submit your BizFile+ application.
Don’t worry if you’re missing any of them. We’ll walk you through each one.
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A Resident Director
You need at least one director who ordinarily lives in Singapore. Foreigners who don't have one yet can use our nominee director service while they sort out an Employment Pass or EntrePass.
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At Least One Shareholder
Your company needs at least one shareholder, either an individual or a corporate entity. You can have up to 50 shareholders in a Singapore Private Limited company.
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Minimum Share Capital of S$1
Yes, just one dollar. You don't need to deposit it into a bank account before you incorporate. It's simply stated in your constitution and can be increased any time after that.
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A Singapore Registered Address
ACRA requires a physical Singapore business address for all companies. P.O. boxes aren't accepted. We include a compliant registered office address in every package.
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A Company Secretary Within 6 Months
You have 6 months from incorporation to appoint a qualified company secretary who lives in Singapore. We handle this as part of our service so you're covered from day one.
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An Approved Company Name
ACRA holds your approved name for 120 days. Names need to be unique and can't include restricted terms like "bank" or "insurance" without prior approval from the relevant authority.
Registration Timeline
How Quickly Can You Register?
For a standard Singapore Pte. Ltd. with no regulated activities, here’s how the timeline typically looks.
Day 1
Document Collection
Directors, shareholders and company info gathered
Day 1 to 2
Name Check
ACRA name search and reservation confirmed
Day 2
BizFile+ Submission
Full ACRA incorporation filing submitted
Day 3 to 5
UEN Issued
Company officially registered and UEN received
Day 5+
You're Live!
Bank intro, compliance calendar set up
Heads Up on Regulated Industries
If your business involves financial services, education, or healthcare, you may need to get approval from the relevant authority before ACRA can complete your registration. This can add 14 to 60 days to the process. We’ll flag this for you before anything is filed.
Company Incorporation Singapore Tax Benefits
The Tax Benefits of
Incorporating Your Company in Singapore
One of the biggest reasons founders choose Singapore for company formation is the tax environment. It is genuinely competitive,
and when you know how to use the available schemes properly, the savings can be significant. Here’s what you can look forward to.
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Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)
For the first 3 Years of Assessment, new qualifying companies pay zero tax on 75% of the first S$100,000 in chargeable income and 50% on the next S$100,000. Your effective tax rate on the first S$100,000 can be as low as 4.25%, which is genuinely one of the most competitive startup tax environments anywhere.
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Partial Tax Exemption (PTE) After Year 3
Once SUTE expires, companies move to the Partial Tax Exemption scheme, which applies every year permanently. Under PTE, 75% of the first S$10,000 and 50% of the next S$190,000 of chargeable income are exempt from tax. This means even established businesses continue to benefit from meaningful tax relief year after year.
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No Capital Gains Tax
Singapore does not tax capital gains. If your company sells shares, property, or other assets at a profit, that gain is generally not subject to income tax. This makes Singapore especially attractive for investment holding structures, IP holding companies, and businesses planning exits or asset disposals.
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No Withholding Tax on Dividends
Dividends paid by Singapore companies to shareholders are exempt from withholding tax. Foreign shareholders receiving dividends from a Singapore company do not face an additional layer of Singapore tax on top of corporate tax already paid at the company level. This makes profit distribution clean and efficient for international ownership structures.
Singapore Tax Rate vs the Region
Headline corporate tax rates. Singapore’s effective rate for new companies can be as low as 4.25% under SUTE.
Savvilio Ensures You Claim Every Exemption
Many new companies miss out on SUTE by not structuring their shareholding correctly from the start. Savvilio’s team flags these requirements at incorporation so your company is set up to claim every exemption it qualifies for from the very first year of assessment.
After Your Company Is Registered
What to Do After Incorporating
Your Singapore Company
Getting your ACRA registration is the exciting part, but there are a few important steps to take right after your company is registered. Savvilio guides you through all of them so nothing falls through the cracks.
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Open a Corporate Bank Account
Most Singapore banks require your Certificate of Incorporation, Constitution, and director KYC documents. Savvilio provides introductions to Singapore banking partners and helps you prepare the paperwork so your account opening goes smoothly.
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Register for GST (If Applicable)
GST registration is mandatory once your taxable annual turnover hits S$1 million. If you expect to reach this threshold quickly, Savvilio will advise on voluntary early registration and help you set up your first GST accounting processes.
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Apply for an Employment Pass
If you are a foreign founder who wants to relocate to Singapore to run your company, you will need an Employment Pass or Personalised Employment Pass from the Ministry of Manpower. Savvilio offers EP and PEP application support as an add-on service.
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Appoint a Company Secretary Within 6 Months
Every Singapore company must appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. Savvilio can step in as your named secretary from day one, covering your Annual Return, AGM, statutory registers, and all ACRA compliance
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Set Up Accounting and Bookkeeping
Singapore companies are required to maintain proper accounting records. Getting this right from the start makes your first year of assessment a lot smoother. Savvilio offers bookkeeping and accounting services that integrate neatly with your secretarial and tax obligations.
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Know Your Tax Filing Deadlines
Your first Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) filing is due within 3 months of your financial year end. Your annual corporate tax return (Form C-S or Form C) is due by 30 November each year. Savvilio maps all your deadlines and manages them proactively so nothing is missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Company Incorporation in Singapore
Here are the questions we hear most often from founders looking to register a company in Singapore. If yours is not here, just get in touch and the Savvilio team will be happy to help.
Can a foreigner register a company in Singapore without being present here?
How long does it take to register a company in Singapore?
ACRA typically processes most company incorporation applications within 1 to 3 working days once all documents are in order and submitted through BizFile+. In some cases it can even be completed on the same day. The main exception is if your business falls under a regulated industry such as financial services, education, or healthcare, which may require pre-approval from a relevant authority and can add several weeks to the timeline. Savvilio will flag this before you start so there are no surprises.
What is the minimum share capital required to incorporate a company in Singapore?
There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement for incorporating a Private Limited Company in Singapore. You can start with as little as S$1 in paid-up share capital. The share capital can be increased at any time after incorporation with a simple board resolution and ACRA notification. Most founders start with S$1 or a round number like S$1,000 and increase it later when needed for banking or regulatory purposes.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company?
Yes. Singapore allows 100% foreign ownership of a Private Limited Company with no restrictions in most industries. There are a small number of sectors with foreign ownership caps, such as certain media, broadcasting, and professional services industries, but the vast majority of businesses can be fully foreign-owned. This is one of the key reasons Singapore is so popular as a base for international entrepreneurs and holding companies.
What type of company should I register in Singapore?
For most founders and businesses, a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) is the right choice. It offers limited liability protection, is eligible for SUTE and PTE tax exemptions, allows 100% foreign ownership, can raise investor funding, and gives the company a separate legal identity from its directors and shareholders. Sole proprietorships are simpler but do not offer limited liability. Branch offices may suit large multinationals but come with added complexity and no access to startup tax exemptions.
Do I need a Singapore registered office address?
Yes. Every Singapore company must maintain a locally registered office address in Singapore at all times. This address is publicly listed on ACRA and is used for official correspondence, including notices from government authorities. Savvilio provides a Singapore registered office address as part of its incorporation and secretarial packages, so you do not need to lease physical office space to meet this requirement.
How do I register a company in Singapore from China?
Chinese founders can incorporate a Singapore company entirely remotely without travelling to Singapore. The process involves choosing a company name, preparing the necessary documents including director and shareholder identification, and submitting the application through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. Savvilio manages this entire process on your behalf and provides a Singapore registered address, nominee director service if needed, and ongoing secretarial support once the company is registered. Many Chinese entrepreneurs use a Singapore Pte Ltd for regional fundraising, IP holding, or as their Asia-Pacific operating entity.
What ongoing compliance obligations does a Singapore company have?
After incorporation, a Singapore Pte Ltd must maintain a company secretary at all times, file an Annual Return with ACRA within 7 months of financial year end, hold an AGM (or pass a resolution to dispense with one), file Estimated Chargeable Income with IRAS within 3 months of financial year end, and submit a corporate tax return by 30 November each year. GST registration and quarterly GST filing apply once annual turnover exceeds S$1 million. Savvilio covers all of these obligations as part of its secretarial and tax packages.
The way you incorporate shapes everything that comes after.
Getting into Singapore is the easy part. Getting in right is what matters.
We guide you through company name reservation, constitution drafting, shareholder and director appointments, and ACRA registration, making sure your entity is set up with the right structure, the right governance, and no loose ends.
From securing your registered office address to completing your first post-incorporation filings, we ensure you are building on solid ground before the doors open.
What’s Included in Incorporation
Company Name Reservation
We check name availability and manage submission to ACRA, so your chosen name is compliant, cleared, and ready to go without the back-and-forth that causes delays.
Constitution Drafting
Your constitution is the governing document that defines how your company runs. We tailor it to reflect your intended structure, shareholder rights, and management framework, fully aligned with Singapore’s regulatory standards.
Shareholder and Director Appoitments
We handle the formal appointment and documentation of directors and shareholders, ensuring every statutory requirement is properly recorded and filed from the outset. No gaps, no oversights.
ACRA Registration
We manage the full registration filing with ACRA, covering all declarations, confirmations, and supporting requirements, so your company is established accurately, efficiently, and without surprises.
