A UEN is a permanent identification number used by Singapore entities for all official and government transactions.
Most organizations receive their UEN automatically upon registration without needing a separate application.
This identifier is essential for corporate activities such as filing taxes, opening bank accounts, and applying for licenses.
In Singapore, every business has a unique ID called a UEN, or Unique Entity Number. Think of it like your business’s NRIC. It’s the official number that identifies your company in all things legal and government-related.
Whether you’re registering a company, filing GST, or dealing with IRAS, youra UEN will be required. In this guide, we’ll explain what a UEN is, how to find it, and why it matters for every Singapore business.
What is a UEN?
UEN (Unique Entity Number) is a government-issued identification number for businesses and organisations in Singapore. It serves as the official ID of a business.
The system was introduced to replace the multiple numbers businesses previously had to manage for different agencies, such as tax, employee contributions, and licences. This consolidation reduces confusion and administrative work.
Today, the UEN is used for all government transactions, including filing with IRAS and applying for licences. It streamlines compliance, simplifies operations, and ensures consistency across agencies.
Who needs a UEN?
Short answer: Almost every registered business in Singapore.
If you’ve formally incorporated or registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), you’ll automatically receive a UEN.
This includes:
- Locally incorporated companies
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
- Sole proprietorships and partnerships
- Registered societies and trade unions
- Charities and non-profits
What about freelancers or sole traders just starting? Do they need a UEN too?
If you have not formally registered your business with the ACRA, you will not have a UEN yet. But the moment you register a business in Singapore formally, you will be issued one.
Where do you get a UEN in Singapore?
Your UEN is issued during business registration by the relevant government agency. Most businesses in Singapore register with ACRA and receive their UEN through Bizfile.
If your entity type does not fall under ACRA (such as a society, charity, or government-linked body), your UEN will be issued by the relevant government agency instead.
Other issuing agencies include:
- Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC)
- IE Singapore
- Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)
- Ministry of Education (MOE)
- Ministry of Finance (MOF)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
- Ministry of Health (MOH)
- Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
- Ministry of National Development (MND)
- Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
- Registry of Societies (ROS)
- Singapore Land Authority (SLA)
What is the format of a UEN?
Your UEN is not just a random mix of letters and numbers. It contains information about your business. Specifically, it indicates which agency issued the UEN and what type of entity your business is.
While it may look technical at first glance, it’s quite simple once you know what to look for.
Different types of entities receive different UEN formats based on the issuing agency. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Entity Type | Issuing Agency | UEN Format Example |
| Sole proprietorships, partnerships | ACRA | nnnnnnnX (e.g., 53212345A) |
| Local companies | ACRA | YYYYnnnnnX (e.g., 202312345A) |
| Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) | ACRA | T-YYnnnnnX (e.g., T23LL1234A) |
| Registered Societies | Registry of Societies (ROS) | S-YYSSnnnnX (e.g., S99SS1234A) |
| Trade Unions | Registry of Trade Unions | T-YYUEnnnnX (e.g., T12UE1234A) |
Legend:
- YYYY or TYY — Year of registration
- LL / SS / UE — Code for entity type
- X — Check alphabet
As you can see, the prefix of the UEN reflects the entity type and the year of incorporation, especially for companies registered with ACRA.
So if your business is called Sleek Digital Pte Ltd and it was incorporated in 2024, your UEN might look like: 202412345Z
How to get a UEN in Singapore?
Getting a UEN (Unique Entity Number) is easy. In most cases, you don’t need to apply for it separately. Your UEN is automatically issued when you register your business with the relevant government agency, usually ACRA.
In short: register your business, and your UEN comes with it.
Here’s how the process works:
1. Choose your business structure
Decide whether you’re setting up a sole proprietorship, partnership, or private limited company. This affects how you register and what UEN format you’ll receive.
2. Register your business on Bizfile
Most businesses in Singapore register through Bizfile, ACRA’s online portal. You’ll need to provide:
- Business name and activities
- Registered address
- Identification details for directors and owners (e.g. NRIC or FIN)
3. Get your UEN upon approval
Once your application is approved, ACRA will issue your Unique Entity Number as part of your registration confirmation. This UEN becomes your business’s official ID for all government transactions.
Some private service providers offer business registration help, but only government agencies like ACRA can issue a UEN.
Can you choose your own UEN?
Yes, if you want a more memorable or auspicious UEN, you can select one through ACRA’s Special UEN (SUN) service.
Think of it like choosing a custom car plate, but for your business.
Many companies prefer UENs with lucky numbers or repeating digits to help with branding, memorability, or even feng shui. The SUN service allows you to choose from a list of reserved UENs during your business registration or conversion process.
How it works:
- You’ll see the option to choose a Special UEN during the payment stage on Bizfile (if available).
- The selected number will be assigned after successful registration.
SUN pricing tiers:
Tier | Price (S$) | Examples |
Tier 1 | 3,000 | Numbers with ‘8’ or repeated patterns like 8888, 1111 |
Tier 2 | 1,000 | Patterns like 222, 777, or other memorable non-8 sequences |
Note: Only part of the UEN is customisable. Elements like the prefix (e.g., year or entity type) and check alphabet are system-generated and cannot be changed.
How to find a company’s Unique Entity Number?
Any ACRA-registered company’s UEN is not a secret. It is public information by design. This transparency helps you verify that the companies you work with are legitimate and have limited liability status if applicable.
So, how do you find another company’s UEN? The government makes it easy through its public online search directory. The most common tool is the Bizfile portal run by ACRA. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.
1. Go to Bizfile Entity Search and enter the company’s name in the search bar.
2. The system will show you a list of matching businesses. You can then see details like:
- UEN
- Entity status (e.g., Live Company)
- Industry (SSIC)
- Registered address
How Sleek helps you get your UEN
Your UEN might seem like a minor detail, but it’s a big deal. It’s your business’s official identity for everything from tax filing to hiring employees.
At Sleek, we make sure you get your UEN without stress or confusion, while helping you launch a compliant, ready-to-run business in Singapore.
Here’s how we make it simple:
- End-to-end company registration: We handle your full company registration with ACRA, so your UEN is issued automatically. No extra steps or separate forms required.
- Expert guidance from day one: We help you choose the right business structure, submit director and shareholder details, and meet all regulatory requirements from the start.
- Business-ready from the start: As part of your setup, we offer a Sleek Business Account, so you can send and receive payments almost immediately after incorporation.
- Special UEN (SUN) option available: Want a lucky or easy-to-remember UEN? We can help you apply for a Special UEN, including popular number combinations that match your brand or values.
- Ongoing support beyond incorporation: From corporate tax filing to bookkeeping and compliance, we stay by your side as your business grows.
A UEN marks the start of your business journey, but it’s only the beginning. Sleek helps you go further, faster, and with complete peace of mind that you’re doing things right.
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FAQs about the UEN Singapore
What’s the difference between an NRIC and a UEN?
An NRIC, or National Registration Identity Card, is a personal identity card for individuals in Singapore. A UEN, on the other hand, is an identifier for business entities, not people. While a director’s registration identity might be needed during company formation, the business itself operates under its own UEN.
Is UEN the same as GST number?
No. If your business is GST-registered, your GST number is based on your UEN, but the two are not the same. You can have a UEN without being GST-registered.
Can I register a business without a UEN?
No. Every legitimate business in Singapore must be registered and assigned a UEN. If you haven’t registered yet, you don’t have a UEN, but one will be automatically issued upon successful incorporation.
Do I need to display my UEN?
Yes. Your UEN must appear on all official documents, including invoices, letters, statements of account, and your website. This is a legal requirement that helps verify your business’s legitimacy.
Is my UEN confidential?
Absolutely not. As mentioned earlier, UENs are public information. This is intentional to build trust and accountability in the business community. Anyone can look up your UEN if they know your business name.
Do I need to renew my UEN?
This is a frequent point of confusion. The UEN itself does not expire and does not need to be renewed. It is a permanent identification number. However, your business registration does need to be renewed. For sole proprietorships and partnerships, this is an annual requirement. As long as you keep your business registration active, your UEN remains valid.
If you fail to renew your business registration, your entity will eventually be struck off the register. At that point, your UEN will become inactive.
What if my business details change? Do I need a new UEN?
Businesses change over time. You might move to a new office, change business activities, or appoint new directors. Your UEN will stay the same through all these changes, as it is tied to your business entity.
You have a legal obligation to report these changes to ACRA, usually through the Bizfile portal. Keeping your official records accurate is a critical part of compliance.
What happens to my UEN if I close my business?
If you decide to close your business, you will go through a formal process to deregister it. This officially dissolves the business entity. Once your business is formally closed, your UEN becomes invalid.
It cannot be used for any more transactions and is retired with the company. It will not be reassigned to another business in the future. The unique entity number stays with the history of the closed entity.
Can I use one UEN for multiple businesses?
No. Each registered entity is issued one unique UEN. If you register a new business, even under the same owner, it will receive its own UEN.
