The one-stop-shop to incorporate in Singapore from overseas

Yes! Foreign entrepreneurs are incentivised to begin their Singapore company registration process with an employment pass. The employment Pass allows foreign professionals, managers and executives to work in Singapore. You will need to complete your company registration before applying for the employment pass and your application is subject to approval by authorities.

To avoid any hassle or uncertainty, foreigners are advised to hire a corporate secretary firm like Sleek, who can help them with the whole incorporation process.

It costs S$315 to start a business in Singapore. The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) fees are as followed:
– Company name application: S$15
– Company registration fee: S$300

Yes. However, there are some conditions to take note of.

Foreigners residing overseas must appoint at least one local resident as an authorized representative (i.e. a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or entrepass / employment pass holder). They must also engage a registered filing agent (such as Sleek!) to submit their application via BizFile+.

If you wish to be present in Singapore to manage your business, approval must be sought from the Ministry of Manpower after the registration of your sole proprietorship.

Do note that MOM will not grant an EP to a foreigner to operate as a sole-proprietor in Singapore.

Unfortunately, foreigners are unable to set up a Singapore company by themselves and must engage a registered filing agent (such as Sleek) to set up their company.

There are 5 requirements to take note of when setting up a new business in Singapore:

1. A local director
2. A local company secretary
3. At least 1 shareholder
4. At least S$1 in capital
5. A local business address

Yes, an employment pass holder can register for a Singapore company.

To qualify as the director of a company, the individual must be:

1. A Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident, an entrepass or employment pass (EP) holder
2. At least 18 years old
3. Have full legal capacity
4. No prior convictions that could result in automatic disqualifications

Singapore offers many business-friendly tax benefits as incentives to encourage companies to register in the country.

• New companies that are incorporated in Singapore enjoy 75% of their first S$100,000 corporate profits exempted for the first 3 tax filing years.
• They also enjoy 50% further tax exemption on up to S$100,000 taxable income.
• Newly registered Singapore companies can even enjoy further partial tax exemption for 8.5% tax rate on taxable income of up to S$100,000 per annum.
• In terms of shareholding, shareholders of Singapore companies can enjoy 0% tax for both dividends and capital gains.
• Singapore has also signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTA) with over 50 countries including China, Japan, Canada, France and the UK.