Can foreigners register a company in Singapore?
Foreigners may register and own shares in a Singapore company, while the registered corporate-service-provider and local-residency requirements still apply. The appropriate structure depends on the founders and intended activity.
Singapore offers company, sole-proprietorship, partnership and limited-liability-partnership structures.
Hongda can help compare relevant business structures and coordinate the selected setup within an agreed scope.
Key Singapore company requirements
- Company name and activities: The proposed company name must be reserved through Bizfile and remains subject to ACRA and, where applicable, referral-authority review. Select the primary Singapore Standard Industrial Classification code for the company's main activity and a secondary code if applicable.
- Shareholders and share capital: A local company must have at least one shareholder. An individual or corporate entity may hold shares subject to the company type and applicable requirements. For a local company type that requires share capital, at least S$1 in share capital is required; issued and paid-up amounts should be recorded accurately.
- Director: A local company must have at least one director who is a natural person, at least 18 years old and ordinarily resident in Singapore. Additional directors may be foreign subject to eligibility requirements.
- Company secretary: A local company must appoint a company secretary within six months of registration. The secretary must be a natural person who meets the applicable local-residency requirements.
- Registered office and position holders: A local company needs a qualifying Singapore registered-office address, required position-holder details and consents, and the applicable director and secretary arrangements.
How Singapore company registration works
1. Discuss the proposed structure
Hongda can help compare relevant business structures and tailor the proposed service scope to the founder's intended structure and agreed needs.
2. Reserve the company name
Reserve the proposed company name through Bizfile before registration. Acceptance depends on ACRA and any applicable referral-authority review.
3. Prepare incorporation information
Preparation may include the approved name, company and position-holder details, registered-office information, business activities and SSIC codes, share-capital and shareholder details, a constitution, identification and consents, and controller or nominee information where applicable.
4. Coordinate local requirements and submit the registration
Hongda can support preparation and coordination within the agreed scope. Required registration is submitted through the appropriate registered CSP or filing party.
The incorporation application is submitted through ACRA's Bizfile. Foreign founders must engage a registered CSP, and position-holder endorsements or additional review may apply.
5. Plan post-registration support
After registration, the company should identify and manage the annual returns, accounting and tax filings, statutory registers and activity-specific licences that apply to its structure and operations. Depending on the intended activities, licences or permits may be required before conducting regulated activities.
Related market-entry options
Founders comparing jurisdictions can review Hong Kong company registration for foreign founders or WFOE registration in Mainland China. For a broader view of available support, visit Hongda Business Services.