- 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.
To incorporate a Private Limited (Pte Ltd) company, reserve your name on ACRA’s Bizfile+ portal (S$15), appoint at least one locally resident director and a qualified corporate secretary, designate a physical local address, and submit the incorporation application (S$300). Upon approval, ACRA issues your Unique Entity Number (UEN) and official Business Profile, enabling you to open a corporate bank account and operate legally.
Registering a business in Singapore takes as little as one to three business days, but mistakes around SSIC classification, residency rules, or filing channels can stall your launch for weeks.
Under the Singapore Companies Act, all business entities must register with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). While local residents can lodge applications directly via Singpass on Bizfile+, foreign founders, and local entrepreneurs who prefer not to manage statutory paperwork alone, must engage an ACRA-registered filing agent to manage incorporation and compliance.
Here is a clear, step-by-step breakdown to get it right the first time.
In this guide, you will learn:
- Why you should register a business in Singapore
- How to choose the right business structure for your goals
- What documents you need before you start
- A step-by-step walkthrough of the Bizfile+ process
- How long it usually takes to get approval in 2026
- What to do right after incorporation (bank account, GST, compliance)
You can do it yourself on Bizfile+ or use Sleek to handle the entire process, including your company secretary and registered address, for a faster and fully compliant setup.
Why register a business in Singapore
Singapore remains one of the world’s most stable, pro-enterprise jurisdictions. Registering properly sets your corporate foundation up for operational scalability and tax efficiency:
- Build credibility: A registered entity looks professional and trustworthy to clients, partners, and investors.
- Open a bank account: Banks require a UEN, Bizfile business profile, and ID documents before issuing a corporate account.
- Enjoy tax perks: Pte Ltd companies get up to 75% tax exemption on the first S$100,000 of income for three years, no capital gains tax, and access to IRAS rebates.
- Qualify for grants: Many schemes, like Startup SG Founder or Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), are only open to ACRA-registered businesses.
- Enable future growth: Registration lets you hire, lease office space, protect IP, and expand regionally.
- 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)
Starting a business in Singapore is simpler than it sounds if you know what to expect.
Here’s what to do:
1. Choose your business structure
First, decide what type of business you’re setting up. Are you freelancing on your own? Starting a team? Planning to raise funds later?
Your answer determines whether you register as a:
- Sole Proprietorship (simplest, but no liability protection)
- Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) (most scalable and grant-eligible)
- LLP/LP (only for specific cases)
2. Check and reserve your business name
Log in to Bizfile+ and run an entity name check. Your proposed name cannot be identical to an existing business, infringe on registered trademarks, or include prohibited words (such as “Bank”, “University”, or “Travel”). Once approved, your business name is reserved for 60 days. If you need additional time to finalize documents, you can file an online extension via Bizfile+ for another 60 days (up to 120 days total).
3. Get your documents and details ready
Before you start the actual application, have these on hand:
- Business name (approved via Bizfile+)
- Local business address (physical or virtual — no P.O. boxes)
- SSIC code (your business activity classification)
- Identification documents (NRIC, FIN, or passport)
- Consent to act (if you have directors or shareholders)
- Company constitution (ACRA’s template works fine for most)
4. Register your business on Bizfile+
Log in to Bizfile+, choose “Start a New Business”, and input your company structure, SSIC codes, and officer particulars.
ACRA Statutory Fees (2026):
Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd): S$315 total (S$15 name application fee + S$300 incorporation fee).
Sole Proprietorship / Partnership: S$115 for 1-year registration (S$15 name fee + S$100 registration), or S$175 for 3-year registration (S$15 name fee + S$160 registration).
(Note: Foreign entrepreneurs without Singpass cannot file directly and must submit their application and statutory payments through an ACRA-registered filing agent.)
5. Wait for approval from ACRA
Standard applications submitted via Bizfile+ are usually approved within 15 minutes after the registration fee is paid, according to GoBusiness. If your selected SSIC activity falls under a regulated industry, ACRA routes the application to the respective referral authority for review, which extends processing to between 14 and 60 days:
Financial Services & FinTech: Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
Real Estate Agencies: Council for Estate Agencies (CEA)
Education & Private Tutoring: Ministry of Education (MOE)
Travel & Tour Operations: Singapore Tourism Board (STB)
Architectural / Engineering Services: Board of Architects (BOA) / Professional Engineers Board (PEB)
6. Receive your business registration documents
Upon ACRA approval, you will receive confirmation via email containing your official incorporation credentials:
Unique Entity Number (UEN): Your business’s permanent statutory identification number for all corporate transactions, government filings, and banking setups.
ACRA Business Profile (Electronic Extract): The legal document detailing your SSIC classification, paid-up capital, registered office address, and registered officers (directors, shareholders, secretary).
Certificate of Incorporation: Digital certificate issued by the Registrar of Companies confirming valid incorporation under the Singapore Companies Act.
Choose the right business structure (Singapore 2026)
Not sure if you need a Sole Prop or a Pte Ltd while figuring out how to register a business in Singapore? Well, your business structure affects your taxes, liability, grants, and even how serious you look to clients or investors.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
Business Structure Comparison (2026)
| Structure | Best For | Ownership | Liability | Tax Benefits & Grants | Compliance Level | Flexibility to Scale |
| Sole Proprietorship | Freelancers, solopreneurs, side hustlers | Single owner | Personally liable for all debts | No corporate tax perks or grants | Low (minimal filings) | Limited (cannot add partners or investors) |
| Private Limited (Pte Ltd) | Startups, scaling founders | 1–50 shareholders | Limited (separate legal entity) | Full access to tax exemptions & grants | Medium (AGM, returns, secretary) | High (ideal for funding & growth) |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Small professional firms (e.g., design, law) | 2+ partners | Partners liable for own actions | Not eligible for most grants | Medium (some annual filings) | Moderate (rarely used for scaling) |
| Limited Partnership (LP) | Investment vehicles, project setups | 1 general + 1 limited partner | General: full liability; Limited: capped | No tax perks or grant access | Low (but rarely used) | Low (niche use cases only) |
Which one fits you?
- Just you, doing freelance work? Start with a Sole proprietorship. Quick and cheap, but no liability protection.
- Planning to grow, hire, or raise funds? Go with Pte Ltd. Safer, scalable, and grant-eligible.
- Working with partners? LLPs offer some flexibility, but mainly for professional firms.
- Investor-backed or short-term setup? LPs are niche; most solo founders skip them.
How long does it take to register a business in Singapore?
ACRA usually approves a local company application within 15 minutes after the registration fee is paid, according to GoBusiness. From a complete application, most founders can expect the whole process to take about 1 to 3 working days. (Last verified: 12 November 2026.)
The 15 minutes only starts once your business name is approved, your documents are ready and the fee is paid, so preparation is where most of your own time goes. These are the things that make registration take longer:
- Referral authorities: regulated activities such as financial services or real estate agencies are reviewed by another agency, which can add 14 to 60 days (see step 5 above).
- Director residency: at least one director must be a Singapore Citizen, a Singapore PR, or an EntrePass or Employment Pass holder. Pass holders need a Letter of Consent from MOM first. If nobody on your team qualifies, a nominee director service can fill the role.
- Foreign founders: you must use a registered filing agent to submit the application, and identity checks come first.
- Business name: a name that is rejected or too similar to an existing one has to be re-submitted.
Opening a bank account is a separate step with its own timing and is not guaranteed on the day you incorporate. Using a professional service like Sleek can help avoid delays from errors or missing details.
What do you need to start a business in Singapore?
Before heading to Bizfile+, it helps to have your key documents and details ready. Requirements can vary depending on your business structure, but if you’re registering a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd), which is the most popular option for startups and growing SMEs in Singapore, here’s what you’ll need.
- Company name: Must be unique and approved by ACRA. You can check availability on Bizfile+ or use Sleek’s free business name generator for ideas.
- At least one locally resident director: Must be an ordinary resident in Singapore (Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or an EntrePass/Employment Pass holder with an approved Letter of Consent from MOM). Foreign founders who do not live in Singapore can appoint a nominee director to satisfy this statutory requirement.
- At least one shareholder: Can be an individual or corporate body (100% foreign shareholding is permitted, up to a maximum of 50 shareholders for a Private Limited company).
- Qualified company secretary: Legally mandated under Section 171 of the Companies Act within 6 months of incorporation. The sole director cannot act as the company secretary; this role must be held by an ordinary Singapore resident or a licensed corporate secretarial firm.
- Local registered office address: A physical Singapore address accessible to the public during ordinary business hours. P.O. boxes are prohibited, but compliant commercial and virtual office addresses are fully permitted.
- Paid-up capital: Minimum of S$1 in share capital to incorporate. Capital can be increased at any time post-incorporation.
- SSIC code: The official 5-digit Singapore Standard Industrial Classification code defining your primary and secondary business activities.
- Company constitution: The legal charter governing corporate administration and shareholder rights. Founders can adopt the standard Model Constitution provided by ACRA or draft custom articles.
What to do after SG business incorporation?
Once you have your UEN and BizFile+ profile, take these steps to stay compliant and ready for growth:
1. Open a corporate bank account
Apply for a business bank account using your UEN, certified ACRA Business Profile, and director identification documents. While legacy brick-and-mortar banks frequently require in-person identity verification in Singapore, modern digital multi-currency accounts allow local and foreign founders to complete onboarding remotely.
2. Evaluate mandatory vs. voluntary GST registration
Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration is mandatory if your business’s taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million at the end of any calendar year (retrospective basis) or is expected to exceed S$1 million in the next 12 months (prospective basis). Businesses below this threshold can register voluntarily to claim input tax credits on operational expenses, provided they maintain compliance for a minimum of two years.
3. Obtain sector-specific business licences via GoBusiness
Even after receiving your ACRA Business Profile, businesses in regulated sectors—such as food and beverage, retail, employment agencies, education, and financial advisory—must secure operational licences via the government’s GoBusiness portal before trading begins.
4. Appoint a qualified company secretary
Private Limited companies must appoint a qualified corporate secretary within 6 months of the incorporation date. The secretary manages statutory registers, tracks compliance deadlines, and ensures all filings with ACRA comply with the Companies Act.
5. Maintain statutory registers (RORC & ROND)
Within 30 days of incorporation, every Singapore company must establish and maintain an internal Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC) and Register of Nominee Directors (ROND) at its registered office or with its registered filing agent, keeping it up to date for regulatory inspections.
6. Prepare for annual statutory compliance
Every financial year, your company must finalize its unaudited financial statements, hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) unless exempted by shareholder resolution, file an Annual Return (AR) with ACRA within statutory timelines, and submit its Corporate Income Tax Return (Form C-S / Form C-S Lite / Form C) to IRAS by 30 November. When filing Annual Returns on Bizfile+, companies are now required to confirm up-to-date officer particulars and explicitly declare individuals acting in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) under the latest Corporate and Accounting Laws amendments.
Don’t let accounting catch you off guard after registration.
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$315 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 start a business in Singapore
Starting a business shouldn’t feel like decoding a puzzle. Sleek removes the stress so you can launch with clarity and confidence.
What we do for you:
- Prepare and file all your documents
- Get your company name approved without hiccups
- Ensure smooth, fast registration
- Provide everything in one place, be it a nominee director, secretary, or address
- Support you with real experts, not automated replies
So, skip the paperwork and start your business right.
ACRA enables business registration. Sleek makes it effortless. Let our local team handle the details while you focus on growing your business.
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FAQs on how to register a business in Singapore
Can I register a business while working a full-time job in Singapore?
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents are legally permitted to incorporate a company and act as directors, provided their employment contract or HR policies do not prohibit outside commercial directorships. Foreign nationals residing in Singapore on an Employment Pass (EP) are legally tied to their sponsoring employer; they cannot start a business or act as a director of another entity without receiving an official Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Can a foreign entrepreneur incorporate a Singapore company without living there?
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is permitted under the Companies Act. However, ACRA requires at least one locally resident director (Singapore Citizen, PR, or EntrePass holder). Foreigners who do not reside locally can satisfy this rule by engaging a nominee director service. Additionally, because foreign individuals do not hold a Singpass, ACRA legally requires all applications to be lodged through an ACRA-registered filing agent.
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
How do I start a business in Singapore with zero capital?
A Singapore Private Limited company can be incorporated with a minimum paid-up share capital of S$1. While you do not need substantial upfront operating capital, you must account for statutory ACRA fees (S$315), a registered office address, and the legal requirement to appoint a qualified corporate secretary within 6 months. Many service-based startups keep overhead minimal by utilizing digital accounting software and virtual office infrastructure.
