10 Essential Questions to Know Before Registering a Company in Singapore
Singapore has long been recognized as one of the best countries for doing business globally. With its low tax rates, excellent reputation, and bilingual Chinese-English environment, it has attracted countless Chinese entrepreneurs and companies to establish their presence here. However, in practice, many first-time investors still have questions about the procedures, requirements, and policies.
This article compiles "10 key questions you must understand before registering a company in Singapore" to help you plan your business layout in Singapore more clearly.
Question 1: Can foreigners register a Singapore company?
Yes.
Singapore allows foreigners to register companies with 100% shareholding, without the need to establish joint ventures or bring in local Singapore shareholders. However, at least one local resident director must be appointed, which can be resolved by hiring a nominee director.
Question 2: Do I need to be present in person to register a Singapore company?
No.
The entire registration process can be completed remotely, including bank account opening and self-employed EP applications, which also support video KYC or electronic signatures, without the need to travel to Singapore in person.
Question 3: How long does it take to register a company?
Usually 1 business day.
With complete documentation and approved company name, Singapore's ACRA can complete registration within 1 day. High-risk industries or names involving sensitive words may require additional approval time.
Question 4: How much does it cost to register a Singapore company?
Basic fees are as follows (using private limited company as an example):
| Item | Fee (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Company name application | S$15 |
| Company registration fee (government) | S$300 |
| Registered address service (1 year) | S$360 |
| Company secretary service (1 year) | S$500 |
| Nominee director service (if needed) | S$2,400 |
| Bank account opening assistance | Varies by service content |
Question 5: Can I apply for a Singapore work visa after company registration?
Yes.
After registering a company, you can apply for an Employment Pass (EP) or self-employed EP. The prerequisite is that the company has a genuine business plan, office arrangements, and certain operational capabilities. Self-employed EP is suitable for investors who wish to relocate to Singapore using the company as a platform.
Question 6: Is it mandatory to rent an office as the registered address?
No.
Singapore regulations require companies to have a local commercial registered address, but do not mandate renting a physical office. Most companies choose to use registered address services provided by licensed secretarial companies.
Question 7: What is the minimum registered capital for a company?
The minimum is only 1 SGD, but it's recommended to set a reasonable amount based on actual business needs (such as S$10,000 or above) to be more convincing when applying for EP or opening bank accounts.
Question 8: What annual compliance filings are required for Singapore companies?
Main requirements include:
- Annual Return submission to ACRA
- Corporate Income Tax filing
- GST registration and filing (if revenue exceeds S$1 million)
- Continuous updates of UBO information and RORA records
Most clients entrust local secretarial companies or accounting firms to provide annual audit and tax filing services.
Question 9: Can Singapore companies be used for cross-border business?
Absolutely.
Singapore companies have excellent international reputation and can be used for various cross-border business models including foreign trade, software services, consulting, digital marketing, and investment holding. They also facilitate opening multi-currency bank accounts, improving payment efficiency.
Question 10: Which Chinese individuals are suitable for registering Singapore companies?
- Entrepreneurs looking to do cross-border e-commerce, overseas SaaS, or technology exports
- Business owners wanting to expand into Southeast Asia or global markets
- Families with needs for asset overseas placement, identity planning, or children's education
- High-net-worth individuals wanting to apply for Singapore self-employed EP and relocate
- Companies needing to establish international trust platforms or global settlement platforms
Summary: Understand These First, Then Act More Securely
While registering a Singapore company has a simple process, it involves multiple aspects including corporate structure, compliance reporting, tax planning, and identity arrangements. It's recommended to conduct professional assessment and comprehensive planning before registration.
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As a locally licensed corporate services provider in Singapore, we offer:
- Complete company registration process (can be done remotely)
- Local registered address, secretary, and nominee director packages
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- Self-employed EP/Family PR immigration planning
- One-stop accounting, taxation, annual audit, and filing services
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