- Choose your business structure first, as it sets your fees, liability and tax.
- Every business structure is registered online through ACRA's Bizfile portal.
- ACRA fees start at S$115 for a sole proprietorship and S$315 for a Pte Ltd.
- A reserved business name is held for 120 days and can't be extended.
Which business structure should you register?
Your business structure decides who owns the business, who is liable for its debts and which tax regime applies. Singapore offers five common options, and the right one depends on whether you’re working alone, with partners or planning to raise money.
| Structure | Owners | Personal liability | How it’s taxed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | 1 owner | Unlimited, so your personal assets are exposed | Personal income tax rates | Freelancers and solo traders testing an idea |
| General partnership | 2 to 20 partners | Unlimited, shared between partners | Each partner’s personal income tax | Small partner-run businesses |
| Limited liability partnership (LLP) | At least 2 partners | Limited, and partners aren’t liable for each other’s misconduct | Each partner’s personal income tax | Professional firms such as consultancies and design studios |
| Limited partnership (LP) | At least 1 general and 1 limited partner | Unlimited for general partners, limited for limited partners | Each partner’s personal income tax | Investment and project vehicles |
| Private limited company (Pte Ltd) | 1 to 50 shareholders | Limited to the capital you put in | 17% corporate tax, with start-up exemptions | Founders planning to hire, raise funds or scale |
If you want limited liability and access to corporate tax exemptions, a Pte Ltd is the usual answer. Qualifying new companies can claim a 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 of chargeable income and 50% on the next S$100,000 for their first three years of assessment. We compare the two most common choices in our guide to sole proprietorship vs Pte Ltd, and partner-led firms can also weigh up a Pte Ltd against an LLP.
- ACRA business registration
- Founder-friendly constitution
- Post-incorporation documents
- Digital company documents
- Corporate secretary appointment
- AGM preparation and filing
- Annual return filing
- Address and shareholder updates
- Sleek business account
- Visa-powered virtual cards
- Multi-currency support
- Built-in expense management
- Unlimited e-signatures
- Digital document storage
- Partner perks benefits
- Unlimited ongoing support
- Partner perks worth over $6,000 included
How do you register a business in Singapore in 6 steps?
- Choose your business structure. Use the comparison above to settle on a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, LP or Pte Ltd before you file anything.
- Check and reserve your business name. Search Bizfile, then apply for your name for S$15; an approved name is held for 120 days and can’t be extended.
- Prepare your details and documents. Collect IDs, addresses and your SSIC code, plus director, shareholder and constitution details for a Pte Ltd.
- File your registration on Bizfile. Log in with Singpass, choose the structure you’re registering and enter your owners, officers and business details.
- Pay the fee and wait for approval. ACRA says most applications are processed within 15 minutes of payment, while names or activities referred to another agency can add 14 to 60 days.
- Receive your UEN and business profile. ACRA confirms your Unique Entity Number (UEN) by email, and you can then download your business profile from Bizfile.
What do you need before you register?
The details ACRA asks for depend on your structure, so gather them before you log in to Bizfile. Most questions about the documents needed to register a company in Singapore come down to this checklist, and having it ready keeps the filing to a single sitting.
For a sole proprietorship or partnership, you’ll need:
- A Singpass login for every owner or partner (foreigners without Singpass must file through a registered filing agent)
- A business name that isn’t already taken or restricted
- A local business address
- An SSIC code describing your main business activity
- A locally resident authorised representative, if every owner lives overseas
For a Pte Ltd, you’ll also need:
- At least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore
- At least one shareholder, individual or corporate, with up to 100% foreign ownership allowed
- A registered office address in Singapore
- Paid-up capital of at least S$1
- A company constitution (ACRA’s model constitution works for most companies)
- A company secretary, appointed within six months of incorporation
Not sure which activity code fits? Our SSIC codes guide lists the most common ones. For a closer look at the documents needed to register a company in Singapore, see how to set up a private limited company.
Registering from overseas?
Foreigners without Singpass must register through a registered filing agent, and a Pte Ltd still needs at least one locally resident director. Sleek can help you register a company in Singapore as a foreigner, with a nominee director and registered address included. Our guide for founders registering from overseas covers the extra steps.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
The government fees for business registration in Singapore depend on your structure:
| Structure | ACRA fees |
|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship or partnership (1-year registration) | S$115 (S$15 name + S$100 registration) |
| Sole proprietorship or partnership (3-year registration) | S$175 (S$15 name + S$160 registration, including renewal) |
| Limited liability partnership (LLP) | S$115 (S$15 name + S$100 registration) |
| Limited partnership (LP) | S$115 (S$15 name + S$100 registration) |
| Private limited company (Pte Ltd) | S$315 (S$15 name + S$300 registration) |
These are government fees only. A Pte Ltd also pays S$60 for each annual return, and you’ll need to budget for a registered address, a company secretary and accounting as the business runs. Our guide to Singapore company registration cost breaks down full first-year budgets for local and foreign founders.
How long does each step take?
If you’re asking how long to register a company in Singapore, the ACRA filing itself is the quick part. The waiting time sits in the steps around it:
| Step | Typical time | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Registration filing on Bizfile | Usually within 15 minutes of payment | ACRA |
| Name or activity referred to another agency | Adds 14 to 60 days | ACRA |
| Holding your approved name | 120 days from approval, no extension | ACRA |
| Appointing a company secretary (Pte Ltd) | Within 6 months of incorporation | ACRA |
| End to end with Sleek (Pte Ltd, documents ready) | 1 to 3 working days | Sleek |
For a Pte Ltd, company officers must endorse the approved incorporation in Bizfile, or the application lapses. Line up your co-directors’ Singpass sign-offs early so this step doesn’t hold you up.
What should you set up after you register?
Registration gives you a legal identity, but a few set-up tasks decide how smoothly your first year runs. Work through these in roughly this order:
- Open a business bank account. Banks will ask for your UEN and business profile, and our guide to opening a business bank account compares your options.
- Check whether you need a licence. Food, education, childcare and several other sectors need approvals on top of registration, covered in our guide to business licences and permits.
- Appoint a company secretary (Pte Ltd only). It’s a legal requirement within six months, and a corporate secretary service keeps your filings on schedule.
- Plan for GST. Registration becomes compulsory once taxable turnover passes S$1 million a year, and some businesses register for GST voluntarily to claim input tax.
- Set up your compliance calendar. A Pte Ltd files an annual return within seven months of its financial year end and its corporate tax return by 30 November each year.
Should you register it yourself or get help?
If you’re registering a sole proprietorship with your own Singpass, doing it yourself on Bizfile is quick and costs only the ACRA fee. Learning how to register a company in Singapore as a Pte Ltd is a bigger job: you’ll need a resident director, a constitution, share allotments and a company secretary lined up. Small errors in any of these can send an application back for rework.
That’s where most company founders bring in help. Sleek’s Founder Launch Kit bundles ACRA registration, your constitution and share certificates, a company secretary, your first annual return and AGM preparation, and a business account, from S$600, including S$375 in government fees (S$315 ACRA registration and your first S$60 annual return).
DIY vs Sleek vs Traditional Firm: What’s the Difference?
Thinking of working out how to incorporate a company in Singapore yourself on Bizfile? Here’s how that stacks up against using Sleek or going with a traditional firm. If you’re weighing several providers, you can also compare company incorporation services side by side.
| Factor | DIY on ACRA (Bizfile) | Sleek | Traditional Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admin time | High. You handle every form and document | Low. We manage the entire process for you | Medium. Some hand-holding, some back-and-forth |
| Ease of use | Complex. Requires understanding ACRA terms | Simple. Online platform with expert help | Mixed. Often offline and less transparent |
| Compliance accuracy | Risky. Easy to miss legal or filing steps | High. Compliance is built into the service | Moderate. May charge extra for filings |
| Upfront cost | Low. S$115 to S$315 depending on structure | Transparent. From S$600 (includes S$375 government fees) | Varies. Ask for an itemised quote that separates government fees |
| Hidden costs | Possible. Errors can lead to late penalties | None. Clear package pricing | Likely. May charge per document or add-on |
| Ongoing support | None. You’re on your own after registration | Yes. Real experts available when you need them | Limited. Often business hours only |
| Best for | Founders who are tech-savvy and confident navigating ACRA on their own, with time to spare | Entrepreneurs who want a fast, compliant setup with expert support, modern tools, and no admin headaches | Business owners who prefer in-person processes or have long-standing relationships with legacy providers |
How Sleek helps you register a business in Singapore
If a Pte Ltd is your next step, the Founder Launch Kit takes you from name check to UEN with a company secretary and business account already in place. Our incorporation team handles the filings, answers your questions and keeps your first year of compliance on track.
Still mapping out the steps to register a business in Singapore? The Sleek resources hub covers how to incorporate a company in Singapore and each stage that comes after registration.
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FAQs on how to register a business in singapore
Can I register a business while working a full-time job?
Yes. Singapore citizens and permanent residents can register a side business while employed if their employment contract allows it. Work pass holders face tighter rules, so check with MOM before you register anything.
Do I have to register before I start trading?
Yes, in most cases. ACRA requires you to register if you carry out any activity for profit on an ongoing basis, and you must be at least 18 to register. The main exemption is trading under your own full name as it appears on your NRIC, or with partners who trade under their full names.
Can I switch from a Sole Proprietorship to a Pte Ltd later?
Yes, but it’s a separate process, not an upgrade. You’ll need to:
- Register a new Pte Ltd company
- Close or transfer assets from your Sole Prop
- Inform clients, banks, and IRAS of the change
That’s why many founders choose to start with a Pte Ltd if they plan to grow, hire, or raise funds.
What if my business name gets rejected?
You’ll need to pick another name and resubmit. Common reasons for rejection:
- Too similar to an existing company
- Contains restricted words without approval
- Violates trademark guidelines
I'm overseas. Can I still register a business in Singapore?
Yes. The process runs fully online through Bizfile, so you don’t need to visit Singapore, though you’ll need a registered filing agent if you don’t have Singpass. Sleek’s incorporation service for foreigners handles the filing, and our foreigner’s guide to starting a business in Singapore walks through the rest.
How to start a business in Singapore with no capital?
You can start a business in Singapore with no capital by choosing a low-cost structure such as a Sole Proprietorship, which requires no paid-up capital, or a Private Limited Company with a minimum of S$1 paid-up capital. You will still need to pay ACRA registration fees (S$115 to S$315), provide a registered address, and appoint a company secretary for a Pte Ltd. To keep costs low, start with service-based work, operate from home or a virtual office, use free digital tools, and apply for government grants for new businesses.
