Do I need an agent to register a company in Singapore?

Yes, you need an agent. According to Singapore's latest regulations, foreigners cannot register a company in Singapore on their own and must complete the registration process through a registered corporate service provider (i.e., secretary company). Even though locals can register companies on their own, most of them are also unfamiliar with the relevant processes and compliance requirements, so locals also engage agents to register companies.

In Singapore, company registration and related corporate services are a specialized industry requiring professional qualifications. These enterprises are known as CSP (Corporate Service Provider) and hold FA licenses, commonly referred to as "secretary companies." These secretary companies play a crucial role in company registration and compliance management in Singapore.

This means that company registration generally requires a professional registration agency to assist you in completing various registration procedures.

Registration agencies can not only help you complete company registration but also provide the following services:

• Provide local director services: Singapore law requires companies to have at least one local director, and agencies can provide suitable candidates for you.
• Provide company registered address: Agencies can usually provide you with a legal company registered address to meet registration requirements.
• Serve as company secretary: According to Singapore's Companies Act, companies must appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of establishment, and agencies can provide this service.
• Assist in opening bank accounts: Agencies are familiar with the account opening procedures of major banks in Singapore and can help you successfully open a corporate bank account.
• Provide tax and compliance consulting: Agencies can provide tax planning and compliance advice to ensure your company operations comply with Singapore laws and regulations.

Singapore company registration, the government does not retain company registration certificates and related documents. All company certificate authentication and compliance management are entirely the responsibility of secretary companies. CSP corporate service providers not only assist with company registration but also need to handle subsequent compliance matters, such as maintenance of company documents, statutory filings, company information updates, and annual report submissions. This arrangement ensures the compliance and effective management of Singapore companies, guaranteeing the accuracy and completeness of company information.

Engaging a secretary company with an FA license is not only a legal requirement for foreign investors but also the foundation for ensuring legal and compliant company operations. These service providers can effectively support company document management, statutory secretary services, and daily compliance work, thereby ensuring smooth business operations and long-term development of the company.