Singapore Company Registration
Set up a Singapore private limited company, including the resident director and secretarial requirements.
Singapore is the most common Asian holding jurisdiction for Indian businesses expanding regionally. It offers a territorial tax system, an extensive treaty network including with India, and a company registration process that is genuinely fast.
The binding constraint is the resident director requirement. Every Singapore company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident there, and for a foreign founder that means either relocating or engaging a nominee.
What this costs
Company Formation - Nominee Director
$2,375 plus VAT
- Certificate of incorporation
- Company Name Reservation
- Draft Company Constitution
- Liaise with Local Registrar
- Board resolution for the share allotment filed
- Nominee Director (1 Year)
- Registered Office Address (1 Year)
- Company Secretary(1 Year)
- Share Certificate
- Help opening the bank account
What incorporation requires
- At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore
- At least one shareholder, which may be an individual or a corporate body
- A company secretary appointed within six months, who must be resident
- A registered office address in Singapore, which cannot be a post box
- Minimum paid-up capital of one Singapore dollar
- Company name approved by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
The resident director requirement
This is the practical hurdle. The resident director must be a citizen, permanent resident, or holder of an appropriate employment or entrepreneur pass.
A nominee director service is the usual answer for founders not relocating, and it is a legitimate and common arrangement. It should be documented properly, since the nominee carries statutory duties and personal liability under Singapore law and will expect indemnities accordingly.
The tax position
Singapore taxes on a territorial basis, so foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed unless received in Singapore. The headline corporate rate is competitive and start-up exemptions reduce the effective rate further in early years.
The India–Singapore treaty is relevant to any structure holding Indian investments, but treaty benefits depend on satisfying substance and limitation of benefits conditions. A shell with no genuine activity will not obtain them, and structuring on that assumption is how disputes arise.
Ongoing obligations
- Annual general meeting, unless dispensed with as the Act permits
- Annual return filed with the corporate regulator
- Corporate income tax return, with estimated chargeable income filed earlier
- Audited accounts, unless the company qualifies as a small company
- Maintenance of registers, including the register of controllers
- Goods and services tax registration and returns, above the threshold
How we handle it
- 1 Name approval The proposed name is submitted for approval, which is usually granted within a day where it is clearly available.
- 2 Resident director The resident director requirement is addressed, whether through relocation or a properly documented nominee arrangement.
- 3 Incorporation The application is filed with the constitution and director and shareholder details.
- 4 Secretary and office A resident company secretary is appointed and the registered office established.
- 5 Banking and tax Bank account opening is supported and tax registrations completed where applicable.
- 6 Indian reporting The overseas investment is reported to the Reserve Bank and flagged for Schedule FA disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a Singapore resident director?
Yes, at least one who is ordinarily resident. Founders not relocating typically engage a nominee director, which is a legitimate arrangement but must be properly documented.
What is the minimum capital?
One Singapore dollar. There is no substantial capital requirement, though banks and counterparties may take a view on a nominally capitalised company.
Is foreign income taxed?
Singapore taxes territorially, so foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed unless received in Singapore. The rules on what counts as received are specific and worth advice.
Can we get India treaty benefits?
Only where substance and limitation of benefits conditions are met. A company with no genuine activity in Singapore will not obtain them, and structures built on that assumption tend to end in dispute.
Do we need an audit?
Not if the company qualifies as a small company on the size criteria. Larger companies require audited accounts.
What is not included. Government fees, statutory charges, stamp duty, court and registry fees, digital signature costs and any third-party professional charges are separate and payable at actuals. GST applies on professional fees where indicated. Prices shown are indicative and may change without notice; we confirm the total in writing before any work begins — see our terms on pricing.
Talk to us about Singapore Company Registration
Share your requirement and our team will confirm the documents needed, the exact charges and a realistic timeline — usually the same working day.
- Expert document checking before submission
- Regular status updates on WhatsApp
- Transparent professional charges
- Assistance in Marathi & English
Request This Service
More in International & Cross-Border
Have a Legal or Documentation Need?
Talk to our experts today. Transparent pricing, fast processing and dedicated support.