Step-by-Step Guide to Register a Private Limited Company in Singapore

Incorporating a Singapore private limited company involves more than submitting a name. Plan the ownership, resident director, registered office, constitution and continuing compliance obligations before applying. This guide reflects ACRA guidance reviewed on 24 October 2026.

1. Choose and reserve the company name

Check that the proposed name meets ACRA’s rules and whether a referral authority must review it. An approved name is reserved for 120 days. Incorporate within that period or the reservation expires. Certain names and activities require further checks or approval. See ACRA’s name reservation guide.

2. Confirm the activity and required licences

Select the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) activity code or codes that accurately describe the business. Incorporation does not itself authorise a regulated activity. Check the applicable licensing and premises requirements before operations begin.

3. Plan shareholders, share capital and control

Record the shareholders, share classes, allotments and capital accurately. Decide how voting, funding and transfers will work. Do not assume incorporation automatically qualifies the company for a tax exemption: tax residence, ownership and activity tests must also be met.

Prepare controller and nominee information where applicable. ACRA’s current incorporation application asks about the Register of Registrable Controllers and the registers of nominee directors and nominee shareholders, including any applicable exemption. See the current registration checklist.

4. Appoint an eligible resident director

A Singapore company must have at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore. The person must be at least 18, eligible and not disqualified. A valid immigration pass alone does not establish eligibility to take the role: FIN holders should check the requirements with their pass issuer. Directors have continuing legal duties even when professional service providers assist them. Read ACRA’s officer requirements.

5. Arrange the registered office and constitution

Provide a Singapore registered office that can receive official communications and is accessible during its declared opening hours. It need not be where your trading operations take place. A P.O. box alone is insufficient; a home office must meet the relevant scheme conditions. Keep ACRA informed of address or office-hour changes.

The constitution sets out the company’s governance rules. Use ACRA’s model constitution where appropriate or obtain advice on a customised version. Keep the signed constitution and required company records. See ACRA’s constitution guidance.

6. Submit the application through Bizfile

Use the approved name and prepare the required officer, shareholder, address, activity, capital, constitution and controller details. Obtain the relevant consents and endorsements. Check the declarations before submission. Referral cases and incomplete applications can take longer, so do not promise a fixed same-day outcome.

On successful registration, ACRA provides a notice of incorporation, the UEN and a link to a free Business Profile through Bizfile. Do not confuse the notice with a separately requested certificate of incorporation. ACRA’s free Business Profile download is available for 60 days. See the post-registration guide.

7. Appoint the secretary and assess audit requirements

Appoint an eligible company secretary within six months of incorporation. The sole director cannot also act as company secretary. Unless audit-exempt, appoint an auditor within three months.

Audit exemption is not based on revenue alone. The small-company rules include private-company status and at least two of the three tests: annual revenue not above S$10 million, total assets not above S$10 million and no more than 50 employees. The relevant financial-year rules, special rules for new companies and group tests also matter. Check ACRA’s full criteria. Audit exemption does not remove accounting, annual return or tax obligations.

8. Set up banking, records and a compliance calendar

Choose a business bank account and follow the bank’s identification and account-opening requirements. Prepare the required board authorisation, which may be a written resolution where appropriate. Keep company and personal funds separate.

Set the financial year-end, maintain the required registers and accounting records, and plan annual returns, any AGM requirements, ECI and corporate tax filings. Assess GST registration and InvoiceNow requirements separately. These obligations continue after incorporation.

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Reviewed and updated on 24 October 2026. General information only; requirements depend on your circumstances and current official guidance.