- 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.
Learning how to register a business in Singapore takes less time than most founders expect, because the whole process runs online through ACRA’s Bizfile portal. The step worth slowing down for is the decision that comes first: which business structure you register, since it sets your fees, your personal liability and how you’re taxed. This guide covers that choice and the six steps that follow, whether you’re filing a sole proprietorship yourself or using a company incorporation service to set up a Pte Ltd.
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 weigh up Pte Ltd vs 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 to register a business in Singapore (Step-by-step)
How do you register a business in Singapore in 6 steps?
The core process is the same for every structure. Only the details you enter in Bizfile change.
- 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. Most registrations are approved soon after 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.
Bizfile has its own screens for each structure. If you’re registering a company, our ACRA registration guide walks through every field.
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. Having everything ready is what keeps the filing itself 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 corporate service provider)
- 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 each Pte Ltd requirement explained in depth, see how to set up a private limited company.
Ready to register your business?
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 |
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 Singapore company registration cost guide breaks down full first-year budgets for local and foreign founders.
Timing is usually quick. Most straightforward registrations are approved soon after payment, and a Pte Ltd with its documents ready typically takes 1 to 3 working days. ACRA notes that complex cases can take up to 15 working days, and names or activities that need a referral authority’s approval can add 14 to 60 days.
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. 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$700 with S$375 in government fees included. Prices may vary with current promotions — check the latest on the relevant page.
Registering from overseas without a local director? Our incorporation service for foreigners adds a nominee director and registered address. The guide for founders registering from overseas covers the extra steps.
DIY vs Sleek vs Traditional Firm: What’s the Difference?
Thinking of doing it all yourself on Bizfile? Here’s how that stacks up against using Sleek or going with a traditional firm.
| 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–S$315 depending on structure | Transparent. Starts from S$650 (Including S$375 govt fees) | High. Often S$800 or more |
| 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
Registering a business in Singapore comes down to three things: choosing the right structure, reserving a name and filing on Bizfile. 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.
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FAQs on how to register a business in Singapore
Can I register a business while working a full-time job?
Singapore citizens and permanent residents can generally register a side business while employed, as long as their employment contract allows it. Work pass holders face tighter rules, so check with MOM before you register anything.
What happens if I delay registering my business?
Can I switch from a Sole Proprietorship to a Pte Ltd later?
- Register a new Pte Ltd company
- Close or transfer assets from your Sole Prop
- Inform clients, banks, and IRAS of the change
What if my business name gets rejected?
- Too similar to an existing company
- Contains restricted words without approval
- Violates trademark guidelines
