Incorporate in Singapore without a local resident director, with full ACRA compliance.
If none of your directors are ordinarily resident in Singapore, ACRA will not approve your incorporation.
EP processing takes 3 to 8 weeks. A nominee director lets you incorporate immediately and remove the nominee once your EP is approved.
Your company must have a resident director at all times. Continuing without one can lead to penalties and personal liability for shareholders.
If your Singapore entity is a subsidiary or holding vehicle with no local staff, a nominee director fulfils the residency requirement without relocating anyone.
Meets ACRA residency requirements for incorporation
Non-executive role, keeping full control
Support for bank accounts and statutory filings
Lee Hung Ee Sirius is a Corporate Secretarial Team Lead at Sleek, focused on clear communication and practical solutions. He works closely with businesses to simplify corporate processes and ensure smooth, efficient support.
Best for: Overseas founders who need incorporation, compliance, & a short-term nominee director
Best for: Foreign founders who want ongoing compliance and a full-year nominee director
Access exclusive partner benefits when you choose any Sleek plan.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Must be a natural person (not a company). Must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (Singapore citizen, PR, or EP holder). |
| Minimum directors | Every Singapore company must have at least 1 director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. |
| Appointment filing | The director's appointment must be filed with ACRA via Bizfile within 14 days. |
| Nominee agreement | A formal nominee director agreement should be signed, defining scope, authority, restrictions, and indemnity. |
| Responsibilities | Even as a nominee, the director has statutory obligations under the Companies Act, including fiduciary duties, avoiding conflicts of interest, and not acting beyond the scope of the agreement. |
| Removal/cessation | Cessation must be filed with ACRA within 14 days. A replacement local director must be in place before the nominee is removed. |
A nominee director is a Singapore-resident individual appointed to the board of a company to fulfil the legal requirement under Section 145 of the Companies Act. Every Singapore-incorporated company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Foreign founders who do not have a local resident available can appoint a professional nominee director to meet this requirement while retaining full operational control of their business.
A nominee director is not specifically required by law, but every Singapore company must have at least one ordinarily resident director under the Companies Act. If you are a foreigner who does not live in Singapore or hold an Employment Pass or residency, you will need to appoint a resident director. A nominee director is one way to meet this requirement if you do not have a local director.
Yes. Appointing a nominee director is completely legal under Singapore law. The practice is widely used by foreign entrepreneurs who need to meet the local director residency requirement before obtaining their own Employment Pass.
The nominee director does not make business decisions or manage day-to-day operations. A legal nominee agreement defines the scope of their role, limits their authority, and protects both parties. Sleek’s nominee directors sign a formal nominee agreement that clearly outlines responsibilities, restrictions, and indemnity provisions.
At Sleek, nominee director services cost S$2,000 per year. This includes the nominee appointment, legal nominee agreement, ACRA filing, and compliance support. 3-month and 6-month terms are also available. Accounting services (from S$900/year) are required alongside the nominee to ensure financial oversight.
The main risks of using a nominee director arise when the arrangement is not properly structured. These can include unclear authority, compliance issues, or misuse of director powers.
However, these risks are typically mitigated through clearly defined legal agreements, strict limits on the nominee’s authority, and proper accounting and compliance support. When structured correctly, nominee director services are widely used and compliant in Singapore.
No, a nominee director does not control your company when the arrangement is properly structured. You remain the beneficial owner, decision-maker and are in full control of operations and finances. The nominee director acts only within clearly defined legal limits as set out in the service agreement.
Most founders use a nominee director on a temporary basis. This is commonly during company incorporation, while waiting for Employment Pass approval, or until a local resident director is appointed.
The typical duration ranges from 3 to 12 months, after which the nominee can be replaced once you meet the resident director requirement.
Yes, you can replace a nominee director at any time, as long as your company continues to meet the requirement of having at least one resident director. The process usually involves appointing a new director, filing the necessary changes with ACRA, and completing resignation documentation. Most service providers, including Sleek, support this transition to ensure it is smooth and compliant.
Yes. A foreigner can be a director of a Singapore company. However, at least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore. A foreigner who holds a valid Employment Pass or EntrePass qualifies as an ordinarily resident. Without such a pass, you will need a resident director. A nominee director is a common solution.
