Steps to Register a Company in Singapore

Before operating a business in Singapore, business owner need to register company with ACRA. The first thing business owner need to do is choose a company name and submit the application through Bizfile+. The name cannot be the same as the name of existing companies. You can check this on BizFile+ portal too. The fee to register a business name is $15.

After the company name has been approved by ACRA, it will be reserved for 120 days. The business owner will need to register their business or incorporate the company within this time, otherwise, the name will be released and will be made available for other companies to register.

Whtr is ACRA?

The government organisation in Singapore responsible for business registration and compliance is called the Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). ACRA has extremely low bureaucracy and red tape, in contrast to analogous agencies of other governments across the world, which makes the process of incorporating a firm considerably simpler. If everything goes according to plan, you shouldn't actually need to communicate with them much at all because your selected business formation service provider will handle the labor-intensive tasks.

Requirements for Pre-Incorporation for ACRA Registration

You must get ready for the following incorporation requirements if you intend to submit an application to the Company Registrar of Singapore (ACRA).

A minimum initial Paid-Up Capital of S$1
At least one (1) Shareholder (1)
A local registered address for the firm office
At least one (1) local or resident director

Step 1: Approval of Company Name

The first step to registering a company in Singapore is to reserve company name via ACRA's online business filing portal, Bizfile+. To avoid any disputes in the future, the company name cannot be identical to an existing name or trademark.

When business owner submit a name application, they will need to specify the business activities or nature of business by selecting the most relevant Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code.

Once application is approved, business owner must complete the company incorporation within 120 days by company secretary appointed. If not, they will have to start the process from the beginning and pay the S$15 company name registration fee again to incorporate a company in Singapore.

Step 2: Documents Preparation

Step 3: Submission of application to ACRA and pay the submission fee

Important things to consider before submitting your company incorporation:

               i.          When business owner complete all required documents can directly log in Bizfile+ using the Singpass to submit the application (applicable for a Singapore residents business owner)

              ii.           Under the eServices menu, navigate to "Local Company" followed by "Start a New Local Company". Click on "Application for New Company Name" and complete the form. You will need to provide the transaction number of your approved name application to proceed with incorporating a local company.

            iii.           Once your incorporation application process has been approved, BizFile+ will email the appointed officers (e.g. directors, shareholders and company secretary). All appointed officers must endorse their appointments in BizFile+ within 60 days from the date of the email to complete your company registration.

            iv.           Foreigners without a Singpass will need to use a registered filing agent to submit the company name and incorporation applications on their behalf. (applicable for for non-residents business owner). To ensure your business meets legal requirements, Osome's company incorporation and accounting include your nominee director, company secretary and registered Singapore address in one package.

Documents to be prepared:

Company name

Directors' particulars

Shareholders' particulars

We'll provide the following:

i. Corporate Secretary particulars

ii. Nominee Director particulars (if required)

iii. Local address (if required)

iv. Company Constitution

v. How do I check if a company is incorporated in Singapore?

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