INCORPORATION
Structured · Efficient · Digital Incorporation Support
Registration of new business entity
Who is this for?
Local founders establishing a Singapore private company
Singaporean / SPR
Foreign founders who need local setup and compliance coordination.
Non Singaporean / Foreigner
Existing businesses establishing a Singapore subsidiary or related entity.
Existing Local & Foreign Companies
Company Incorporation
Step | Process stage | What happens | Information usually required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initial discussion | We discuss the proposed business, ownership structure, intended activities, timing and support required. We also identify any matters that may require further review before onboarding. |
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| 2 | Client acceptance and due diligence | Before accepting the engagement, we complete the applicable identity, beneficial-ownership, screening and customer-risk checks.
Additional information may be requested depending on the ownership structure, business activities and assessed risk. |
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| 3 | Incorporation setup review | We confirm the proposed company type, business activities, directors, shareholders, share structure, financial year end, registered office, company email and constitution arrangements. |
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| 4 | Name application, documents and filing | Following satisfactory onboarding and confirmation of the setup, we prepare the agreed documents and submit the name application and incorporation filing after confirmation of the filing information. |
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| 5 | Incorporation outcome and handover | We monitor the registration outcome and, upon successful incorporation, provide the registration documents and agreed post-incorporation records. Ongoing corporate secretarial, accounting, tax, GST and payroll support may be scoped separately. |
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- Business setup requirements differ widely across countries, as each jurisdiction has its own procedures and mandatory steps that affect how quickly a company can be legally incorporated and begin operations. Starting a business in Singapore is a streamlined process with the right guidance. Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, Deltus provides professional, competitively priced, and end-to-end services to help you incorporate your company efficiently.
Choose the Incorporation Package That Fits Your Situation
Local Founder | Foreign Founder – Own Resident Director | Foreign Founder – Nominee Director | Foreign Founder + EP Coordination | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PRICE | S$900 | S$1,400 | S$3,200 / First Year | S$3,999 / First Year |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| — / where applicable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| — | — | — | ✓ |
Not sure which package applies?
- Tell us whether you are locally resident, whether you already have a suitable Singapore-resident director, and whether you intend to work in Singapore. We will help identify the appropriate starting package.
What you need to prepare and consider before incorporation:
- 1) Select An Appropriate Company Name
- Begin by choosing a unique and suitable name for your business. As incorporation cannot proceed if the proposed company name is rejected by ACRA, please ensure that the name:
- Is not identical to existing entities in Singapore.
- Does not contain prohibited or offensive terms.
- Reflects the nature of your business.
- Avoid identical or similar names to existing businesses.
- Do not use prohibited words (e.g., bank, finance) without approval.
- Steer clear of vulgar or offensive language.
- Don’t mislead the public or imply government affiliation.
- Does not have trademark conflicts to prevent legal issues.
- 2) Determine The Business Structure And The Company Type
- When registering a business in Singapore, choosing the right structure is crucial as it affects your liability, tax obligations, compliance requirements, and ability to raise capital. The most common structures include:
- Sole Proprietorship: Suitable for one-person businesses; easy to set up but offers no liability protection. This is the simplest and most direct business form in Singapore, managed entirely by one person. Setup is straightforward, but the owner is personally responsible for all business debts, making it common among individual freelancers, consultants, and small-scale traders.
- Partnership: Shared ownership among 2–20 partners; still lacks limited liability. In this structure, two or more partners jointly own and run a business. In a general partnership, all partners share profits and liabilities, while limited partnerships offer some partners reduced personal risk. It is a practical option for ventures with multiple owners who wish to pool resources and duties.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Offers limited liability and flexibility for professionals like lawyers or accountants. An LLP merges the operational flexibility of a partnership with the protection of limited liability. Partners are shielded from the business’s debts, which is why it is frequently adopted by professional services such as legal and accounting firms.
- Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd): A separate legal entity offering strong liability protection, tax benefits, and scalability with a maximum of 50 shareholders. Preferred for startups and SMEs. As the most widely used structure in Singapore, a Pte Ltd company is an independent legal entity. Its owners (shareholders) enjoy limited liability, and the company can raise funds by issuing shares. This adaptable model suits small to medium enterprises across various sectors.
- Exempt Private Company (EPC or EPC Pte Ltd): A special type of private limited company with 20 or fewer shareholders and no corporate shareholders. An Exempt Private Limited Company is ideal for small businesses looking for credibility, liability protection, and reduced regulatory burden.
- * Our incorporation packages on this page are primarily designed for Singapore private companies limited by shares (Pte. Ltd.). Other structures such as sole proprietorships, partnerships and LLPs have different ownership, liability and compliance characteristics and may be discussed separately where relevant. For many SMEs and growth-oriented businesses, a private limited company provides a separate legal entity and limited-liability structure, subject to the company’s ongoing statutory and tax obligations.
3) Appoint Key Personnel
Every company in Singapore must appoint key individuals to fulfill statutory roles and ensure regulatory compliance. These include:
a) Shareholders* & Directors Resident Director Requirement:Every Singapore company must have at least one director who meets the applicable local-residency requirements and is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents commonly satisfy this requirement. Holders of FIN-based passes should check with the relevant pass issuer before accepting a directorship.
Where a foreign founder does not have a suitable resident director, Deltus may consider providing nominee-director services subject to enhanced onboarding, risk assessment, contractual requirements and ongoing monitoring.
b) Company Secretary: Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within six months after incorporation. The secretary assists with corporate administration, statutory records and agreed filing matters. Directors remain responsible for ensuring that the company meets its legal obligations.
c) Auditor: All companies must appoint an auditor within 3 months of incorporation unless exempted.
Audit Exemption:A private company may qualify for audit exemption under the small-company criteria. Generally, it must satisfy at least two of the following three thresholds for the relevant assessment period: - Revenue ≤ S$10 million - Total assets ≤ S$10 million - 50 employees or fewer Special rules apply to newly incorporated companies and companies belonging to a group.
For group companies, the entire group must qualify as a “small group” to be exempt. This exemption reduces compliance costs and is especially beneficial for startups and small private companies.
a) Shareholders* & Directors Resident Director Requirement:Every Singapore company must have at least one director who meets the applicable local-residency requirements and is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents commonly satisfy this requirement. Holders of FIN-based passes should check with the relevant pass issuer before accepting a directorship.
Where a foreign founder does not have a suitable resident director, Deltus may consider providing nominee-director services subject to enhanced onboarding, risk assessment, contractual requirements and ongoing monitoring.
b) Company Secretary: Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within six months after incorporation. The secretary assists with corporate administration, statutory records and agreed filing matters. Directors remain responsible for ensuring that the company meets its legal obligations.
c) Auditor: All companies must appoint an auditor within 3 months of incorporation unless exempted.
Audit Exemption:A private company may qualify for audit exemption under the small-company criteria. Generally, it must satisfy at least two of the following three thresholds for the relevant assessment period: - Revenue ≤ S$10 million - Total assets ≤ S$10 million - 50 employees or fewer Special rules apply to newly incorporated companies and companies belonging to a group.
For group companies, the entire group must qualify as a “small group” to be exempt. This exemption reduces compliance costs and is especially beneficial for startups and small private companies.
4) Define the Share Structure & Decide on the Financial Year End
Decide on the initial paid-up capital (minimum of S$1) and the number of shares to be issued. While there's no maximum limit, the structure should align with your business needs and investment plans. Generally, the company would issue two types of shares – Ordinary Shares and Preference Shares.
A company's Financial Year End (FYE) is the last day of its accounting year, which is typically a 12-month or 52-week period used to prepare its financial statements. You can choose any date as your FYE. The FYE determines important annual compliance deadlines. Where an AGM is required, a non-listed private company generally holds it within six months after FYE, while its Annual Return is generally due within seven months after FYE. Certain private companies may be exempt from holding an AGM or may dispense with it subject to the applicable requirements.
5) Provide a Registered Address
Your company must have a local Singapore address to serve as its registered office. This address will be used for all official communications and must be accessible during standard business hours. We can provide you with a registered office address for a minimum fee.
6) Draft the Company Constitution
The constitution outlines the rules governing the company's operations and defines the rights and responsibilities of its members. You can adopt the standard template provided by ACRA or draft a customized version to suit your specific requirements.
7) Submit Incorporation Documents
Prepare and submit the following documents to ACRA:
i) Approved company name.ii) Description of business activities.iii) Details of directors, shareholders, and company secretary.iv) Registered office address.v) Company constitution.
Most straightforward registrations are approved soon after successful submission and payment. Complex applications may take longer, and applications requiring approval from another authority may require additional processing time.
i) Approved company name.ii) Description of business activities.iii) Details of directors, shareholders, and company secretary.iv) Registered office address.v) Company constitution.
Most straightforward registrations are approved soon after successful submission and payment. Complex applications may take longer, and applications requiring approval from another authority may require additional processing time.
What happens after the incorporation:
- 1) Post-Incorporation Essentials
- After incorporation:
- Successful Registration & UEN: Upon successful incorporation, the company will be registered with ACRA and issued its Unique Entity Number (UEN).
- Business Profile: A free Business Profile containing the company's registration particulars is available to the filing party after successful registration.
- Corporate Bank Account: Open a corporate bank account in Singapore to manage business finances.
- Licenses and Permits: Depending on your business activities, apply for necessary licenses or permits.
- Maintain Required Company Registers: Where applicable, registrable-controller and nominee information must be provided as part of the incorporation process, and the relevant private registers must be maintained and updated in accordance with ACRA requirements after incorporation.
- GST Registration: GST registration may become compulsory where the company's taxable turnover exceeds the S$1 million threshold under IRAS' applicable retrospective or prospective registration tests.
- 2) Compliance and Annual Filings
- Ensure ongoing compliance by:
- Holding AGMs where required, or completing the applicable written-resolution / AGM-exemption procedures.
- Preparing and submitting GST returns to IRAS for the applicable accounting periods, where the company is GST registered.
- Filing annual returns with ACRA.
- Submitting tax returns to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
Frequently asked questions
What are the strategic benefits of establishing a corporate entity in Singapore?
Incorporating a company, typically as a Private Limited (Pte Ltd), in Singapore offers a powerful blend of credibility, protection, and efficiency. The primary advantage is that the company becomes a separate legal entity, providing shareholders with limited liability protection. This means personal assets are shielded from business debts, a critical safeguard not available to sole proprietors.
Singapore's headline corporate income tax rate is 17% of chargeable income, with tax exemptions and other reliefs potentially available subject to eligibility. The tax treatment of particular income, gains and distributions depends on the company's circumstances.
Finally, the ecosystem itself is built for growth. The process is fast and digital, the corporate structure enhances access to funding, and the country’s global reputation for stability and ease of doing business attracts partners and talent. Together, these benefits create an ideal launchpad for scalable, internationally-focused enterprises.
Singapore's headline corporate income tax rate is 17% of chargeable income, with tax exemptions and other reliefs potentially available subject to eligibility. The tax treatment of particular income, gains and distributions depends on the company's circumstances.
Finally, the ecosystem itself is built for growth. The process is fast and digital, the corporate structure enhances access to funding, and the country’s global reputation for stability and ease of doing business attracts partners and talent. Together, these benefits create an ideal launchpad for scalable, internationally-focused enterprises.
What is the minimum share capital required?
A Singapore company that requires share capital can generally be incorporated with as little as S$1 in share capital and at least one issued share. The appropriate capital structure should nevertheless reflect the business’s ownership, funding and commercial needs.
How long does company incorporation take?
Most straightforward registrations are approved soon after successful submission and payment. Applications requiring additional review, complex structures or referral to another authority may take longer. Deltus will explain any known issues that may affect timing before filing where practicable.
Is physical presence in Singapore a mandatory requirement for company incorporation?
In many straightforward cases, Singapore company incorporation can be coordinated remotely without the founder travelling to Singapore. Foreign founders must engage a registered Corporate Service Provider to submit the incorporation. Additional verification, certified documentation or other steps may nevertheless be required depending on the ownership structure, customer-due-diligence requirements and circumstances of the application.
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Practical solutions tailored to your business
Tell us about your business and the support you require. We will help identify an appropriate starting scope and explain the information needed before work begins.