Singapore
Singapore Company Formation for Foreigners
Incorporate any Singapore entity online from anywhere in the world. Pte Ltd, Subsidiary, Branch, VCC, LLP or Representative Office - registered with ACRA, with a real Singapore office, nominee director and bank account assistance.
Singapore Pte Ltd at a glance
- Best for
- Foreigners launching globally from Singapore - SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, holding companies
- Foreign ownership
- 100% allowed
- Minimum directors
- 1 (must be locally resident - we provide a nominee)
- Minimum paid-up capital
- SGD 1
- Time to incorporate
- 1 to 3 business days
- Corporate tax
- 17% flat, with 75% exemption on first SGD 100,000 for new companies
- Personal tax for non-resident shareholders
- 0% on dividends
- Annual compliance
- Annual Return + AGM (ACRA), Form C-S/C (IRAS), GST if turnover > SGD 1M
- Starting price
- From SGD 850 with Bastion Formations
Every Singapore company structure, fully supported
We help international founders register every type of Singapore entity available through ACRA. Not sure which one fits? Tell us about your business and we'll recommend the right structure.
Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)
The most popular Singapore structure. Limited liability, separate legal entity, 100% foreign ownership allowed and access to Singapore's 17% corporate tax rate with generous startup exemptions.
Best for: SaaS, e-commerce, fintech, holding companies, regional HQs, online businesses.
Subsidiary Company
A Singapore Pte Ltd owned by a foreign parent company. Treated as a Singapore tax resident, eligible for tax incentives and double tax treaties.
Best for: Foreign groups expanding into Asia with a local entity.
Branch Office
An extension of your foreign parent company registered with ACRA. Not a separate legal entity - the parent remains liable. Taxed as a non-resident.
Best for: Foreign companies needing a Singapore presence without a separate entity.
Representative Office (RO)
A non-trading liaison office for market research and promotion. Cannot generate revenue. Maximum 3 years of operation.
Best for: Testing the Singapore and ASEAN market before committing.
Variable Capital Company (VCC)
A flexible corporate structure for investment funds and asset managers, with sub-funds, segregated assets and tax incentives under sections 13O and 13U.
Best for: Hedge funds, family offices, private equity, venture capital.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
A partnership with limited liability for partners. Profits flow through to partners and are taxed at personal rates.
Best for: Professional services, joint ventures and small partnerships.
Why incorporate in Singapore
Asia's #1 business hub
Singapore is consistently ranked #1 globally for ease of doing business and is the gateway to ASEAN, China and India.
Low 17% corporate tax
Flat 17% corporate tax with up to 75% exemption on the first SGD 100k for new companies - effectively under 5% for early stage.
100% foreign ownership
No restrictions on foreign shareholding. One foreigner can own and run the entire company.
World-class banking
Access to DBS, OCBC, UOB, Standard Chartered and digital banks like Aspire, Wise Business and Airwallex.
Strong IP & legal system
English common law, robust IP protection and the Singapore International Commercial Court trusted by global businesses.
90+ tax treaties
Singapore has Double Tax Agreements with over 90 jurisdictions, ideal for holding companies and international structures.
Choose your Singapore Pte Ltd package
Three flat-price packages covering everything you need in year one. Custom pricing available for VCC, Branch, Subsidiary, RO and LLP - get in touch for a quote.
Essential Pte Ltd
Singapore Pte Ltd incorporation with ACRA, registered office and a corporate secretary for year one.
- ACRA Pte Ltd incorporation
- Company name reservation
- Constitution & first board resolution
- Registered office address (1 year)
- Corporate secretary (1 year)
- Digital company kit & share certificates
Standard Pte Ltd
Everything in Essential plus nominee resident director, IRAS registration and bank account introduction.
- Everything in Essential
- Nominee resident director (1 year)
- IRAS corporate tax (CIT) registration
- Corporate bank account introduction (DBS, OCBC, Aspire, Wise)
- AGM & annual return reminders
- Priority email support
Premium Pte Ltd
Everything in Standard plus GST registration, accounting onboarding and Employment Pass advisory.
- Everything in Standard
- GST registration (voluntary or mandatory)
- Bookkeeping setup (Xero / QuickBooks)
- Employment Pass / EntrePass advisory
- Compliance calendar & XBRL filing
- Priority WhatsApp support
Ongoing Singapore compliance
Every Singapore company has annual obligations to ACRA and IRAS. We help you stay on top of them.
Annual Return
Filed annually with ACRA within 7 months of financial year end.
AGM
Hold an Annual General Meeting (or pass written resolutions) each financial year.
Financial Statements
Prepare statements under SFRS. Small companies are exempt from audit if they meet 2 of 3 criteria.
ECI Filing
Estimated Chargeable Income filed with IRAS within 3 months of financial year end.
Form C-S / C
Annual corporate tax return filed with IRAS by 30 November.
GST Returns
Quarterly GST returns if registered (mandatory above SGD 1,000,000 turnover, currently 9%).
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Singapore?
Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of a Singapore Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd). You only need at least one locally resident director - we provide a nominee resident director if you do not have one.
Do I need to visit Singapore to incorporate?
No. The entire ACRA incorporation process is fully online and remote. KYC is handled via video verification.
How fast can I incorporate a Singapore Pte Ltd?
Most companies are incorporated within 1 to 3 business days once all KYC documents are received.
What is the minimum paid-up capital?
The minimum paid-up capital is just SGD 1. There is no requirement to deposit large amounts of capital to incorporate.
What is Singapore's corporate tax rate?
Singapore corporate tax is a flat 17%, with significant exemptions: 75% exemption on the first SGD 100,000 of normal chargeable income and 50% on the next SGD 100,000 for the first 3 years of qualifying new companies.
Do I need a local registered office?
Yes. Every Singapore company must have a registered office address in Singapore. We provide one as part of every package.
Can I open a Singapore business bank account remotely?
Yes. We help with applications to DBS, OCBC, UOB and digital banks like Aspire, Wise and Airwallex. Final approval is at the bank's discretion and may require a video or in-person meeting.
What ongoing compliance is required?
Annual filing of financial statements with ACRA, annual general meeting (AGM), Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) and Form C-S/C corporate tax return with IRAS, plus GST returns if registered.
Do I need GST registration?
GST registration (currently 9%) is mandatory once annual taxable turnover exceeds SGD 1,000,000. Voluntary registration is also possible.
What's the difference between a Pte Ltd and a Sole Proprietorship?
A Pte Ltd is a separate legal entity with limited liability and corporate tax rates. A Sole Proprietorship has no liability protection and profits are taxed as personal income. Foreigners almost always choose Pte Ltd.
Ready to launch your Singapore company?
Tell us about your business and we'll recommend the right structure, prepare every document and keep you compliant from day one.
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