Guide to Private Limited Company Registration in Singapore for Foreigner

Are you considering to register a private limited company in Singapore as foreigner? Do you know company registration in Singapore (SG) takes 1-2 hours to complete whole process? Probably, you may want to register company in Singapore because of tax exemptions.

And ease of setting up business that the government of Singapore provides for foreigner. All knows that registering a company is a process that should handle by company secretary. Like any other modern country, Singapore follows and applies requirements of ACRA to open a company.

Guide to new Company Registration Singapore

Entrepreneurs prefer starting a business in SG because the process is less time-consuming and tedious. All you need is to have a reputed registered filling agent who can assist you ACRA service. It is not a complex process and steps of setting up your corporation through ACRA. Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority acts as company registrar and supervises of registration process.

Yet, there is obligations that must to discharge when starting a business in Singapore. The country has its own rules and compliance requirements for same. To start a company in Singapore as foreigner will need help from registration expert. Remember that foreigners are not allowed to do self-registration in Singapore. Do you know how to register a company in Singapore without local director?

No one can incorporate company without local director as it's a law. Local director never interfere into business but look after activities if anything went wrong !

Cost to Register A Company in Singapore for foreigner?

Most of us would want to start up a business in Singapore. However, an immediate question we should ask ourselves is: How much will this cost?

cost to register a company in Singapore

First, let us look at the fees you need to pay in order to register your Company in Singapore. The fees to register by ACRA are as follows:

Particulars Department Fees
Name Approval ACRA S $ 15
Registration Fee ACRA S $ 300
Incorporation certificate ACRA S$ less than 50
Secretary Fees Agent S$ 360-S$ 600 (Yearly)
Virtual Office Cost Agent S$ 10-S$ 30 (monthly)
Local Nominee Director Agent S$ 500- S$ 1500 (Yearly)
Accounting Service Fee Agent S$ 300-S$ 1000
Tax Filing Fee Agent S$ 100- S$ 300
Bank Account Open Fees Agent S$ 100- S$ 400

Total amount of S$315 need to pay if you want to incorporate a private company in Singapore as ACRA.

Requirement of Papers and Information of Register a Company

To register a company; the Company Registrar will ask for documents and information:-

  1. Company Name registered with ACRA (The Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority).
  2. Foreign companies need to submit Article of Association and Memorandum of association.
  3. Particulars of directors.
  4. Registered Address and a copy of passport for foreign entrepreneurs.
  5. Particulars of company secretary.
  6. Brief Description of Business Activities.
  7. Particulars of shareholders.
  8. Singapore residents need to give their identity card.

Pre-Registration Requirements in Singapore

Pre-registration requirements to register company in Singapore

Note that the following information need at process of company formation in Singapore . Here we go –

Name of the Company

Your new company name must undergo approval before registering any business in Singapore.

Shareholders

For a Private Limited Company in Singapore, between 1 and 50 shareholders limitation. For a private company at least 1 shareholder needed.

Company Secretary

Under Section 171, of Singapore Companies Act, you have at most 6 months to appoint by company. And choose a qualified company secretary after you incorporate business. A shareholder or rather a sole director can’t become a company secretary. This person should be a resident living in Singapore.

Appointed Directors

Directors are among the most important peoples in the process. At least one director needed and be a resident in Singapore. The person should be a permanent resident or a citizen. or, any person with the valid dependent or employment pass might act as director. You can choose as many directors, foreign or local, as you want. The person should be older than 18, have no bankruptcy debt and have a good and clean criminal record.

Registered Address

Talking about the address, you need a local business address. This can be commercial or residential, but cannot be the post office box. Under Home Office Scheme, owner is permissible to conduct small entity to use residential premise. This scheme used or applies to both private and HBD properties.

Paid-up Capital

For your company, it must have at least 1 dollar in paid-up capital, although you may increase later. Deposit them in bank any time after the corporation.

Time Line

To be inform that now Singapore Registrar of Companies is wholly computerized. This is fantastic and amazing for those who want to keep red tape to at least. An agent can submit the application by an hour where Registrar can incorporate the company on the same day. Also, you do both reserving of your company’s name and registering your company.

Proposed name 1 to 3
Shareholder 1 to 50
Secretary 1 to as many
Appointed director 1 to multiple
Registered address Commercial Residential
Paid up capital At least S$ 1 As most wish
Registration Time Line 2 hours 6 hours

Company Registration Process in Singapore (Timeline)

Company Registration Process in Singapore

Follow process of how to register a company in Singapore:-

1: Company Name Reservation

Government of Singapore through ACRA approve name of the company before registration process. The duty of Registrar to oversee this process. A registered filing agent will fill out and then submit the necessary. Relevant application forms and documents on company behalf will submit for approval.

Additionally, The Company Registrar has to notify you about their decision without delay. Some certain words slow down the process including media, law, finance, and bank.

To start the registration process, you should pick a name that

  • The name should be meaningful, unique, devoid of the obscene and vulgar word and easy to read.
  • Free from the copyright issues.
  • The name must not infringe any trademark.
  • External authority permission need if name contains like “Finance,” “Bank,” “Media,” “educational”.

2: Company Registration

As second step, incorporation application will processed after name approval by few hours . The service provider will ensure all your documents are safe and in order. Also, it make sure shareholders and company directors have signed all forms, properly.

Most people from other countries might find it hard at times as their application can delay. Even though this is rare, the Government Authorities needs to perform further interrogations. $300 is what you should pay the registrar of companies for her services upfront. In general, the fee is usually included by agent in Singapore Company Incorporation.

Formalities to Complete Post-Company Registration

Formalities to Complete Post-Company Registration

1: Certificate of Incorporation

After completion of registration, you will receive confirmation email along with certified copies. Certificate of incorporation is an official certificate so be preserve for future. Singapore doesn’t use paper certificate, though, for a 50 dollars fee, you can get by the Company Registrar. The processing period may take 1 to 2 days.

2: Company Business profile

Registrar has duty to create business profile for the company after finish of registration. Your service provider will thereby secure this for you. Then you need to download the PDF profile that contains key information such as:

  • Name of the company plus registration number.
  • The previous name of the company.
  • Incorporation date.
  • Paid-up initial capital.
  • Principal activities.
  • Registered address.
  • Directors details.
  • Shareholders details.
  • Company secretary details.

After receiving business profile and email, need to proceed with all contractual and legal tasks. You’re expected to open a lease office space, a corporate bank account or set up your internet and phone account. Your service provider will aid you to get ready with the following important items :

  • A rubber stamp specifically for your company.
  • Company seal for your company.
  • Share certificates for every shareholder.
  • A register indicating all shares allotted to every shareholder.

Procure of Business Licenses and permits

A special, business license is essential. When engaging in certain businesses and deals in your company, you’ll require a license. The business license applies to all companies that engage in activities related to:

  • Travel agencies
  • Restaurants
  • Educational Institutes
  • Financial agencies
  • Employment agency
  • Export/import of goods

Opening Your Corporate Bank Account

There are many outstanding banks; Standard Chartered, HSBC, OCBC, Citibank, DBS, and UOB. To have a wider choice of finest banks in Singapore, you should make an appearance. When you arrive, take to tour each bank, look and speak. It is difficult to open business account now a day with DBS.

Goods and Service Tax Registration (GST Registration)

Your service provider wish your annual revenue of the company will exceed S$ 1 million. If so, you’ll need registering for Goods and Service Tax, that is as sales tax or value-added tax. After receiving your GST registration, you can continue and charge your clients. An extra 7 percent for all goods and services charge you can offer. Since you cannot keep all this money, you should hand it to the Singapore authorities. Nevertheless, if your yearly revenue is below S$ 1 million, there is no need to get GST registration.

Compliance for Singapore Companies

Compliance for Singapore Companies

According to the law, each Singapore-incorporated company need to fulfill annual filing requirements. So as on stay compliant and adhere to the law of SG.

Annual returns filing

The filling of annual returns is usually done one month after the date of the Company’s AGM.

Accounting Requirements

All companies operating in Singapore must maintain all the accounting books appropriately. Every accounts, ledger, B/S, Loss, Payable must maintain on a timely basis.

Tax filing

Company’s tax filling dates are 15th December (electronic ) and 30th November, paper-filling.

Convening of AGM

For every company, it is mandatory to hold an Annual General Meeting every year. This is where the financial statements placed & discussed for shareholder’s approval.

Financial Year Determination

In Singapore, every company is free to examine its financial year. It is not fixed of financial year should starts from January to December cycle. The accounting cycle can begin in any month.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Company Incorporation as a Foreigner

As a foreigner, start a company in Singapore, may face advantages and disadvantages. These are

Advantages

Particulars Facilities 1 Facilities 2
Limited liability 1 shareholder 1 Nominee
Reputation Brand of company Zero corruption
Tax advantage No tax less than 100 K Enjoy Tax incentive
Work permit Easy for directors Import employees
Ease of entry 1 day registration 1 day bank account

Disadvantages

  • Termination process is always complicated.
  • Stringent compliance matters.
  • Administrative and Incorporation cost are high.
  • A strict code of conduct.

Conclusion

As the demand for Singapore Company continues to accelerate, more foreigners are coming. As seen Company Registration Singapore is attracting much interest from every corner. This is because the company registration process looks easier compared to other nations. To ensure the growth of new businesses, they usually offer tax incentives and schemes. When setting up any company, it is advisable to engage the correct team that will assist you.

In Singapore, they offer a suitable and affordable package. Whether you're a foreign entrepreneur with or without relocation, they will help you. Also, if you're a local entrepreneur, the process will be even simpler for you. All you need is an excellent criminal record and free from bankruptcy. It's your time to diversify and make an informed decision. Everybody has a dream to become a business owner, but in Singapore, your goals will be achieved.

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