A lot of the information floating around about Singapore company registration costs is either outdated, written for a global audience, or conveniently vague about the things that actually slow people down. This article covers what the Singapore company registration cost actually is, how long it actually takes, and what ACRA will and won’t accept.
Singapore company registration costs: the full breakdown
There are two ways to register: do it yourself through ACRA’s Bizfile+ portal, or use a corporate service provider.
DIY through Bizfile+
- Name application: S$15
- Company registration: S$300
- Total government fees: S$315
That’s it for the government side. The S$300 registration fee covers the company registration filing, while the S$15 name application fee is paid separately.
Using a corporate service provider
Professional fees sit anywhere from S$500 to S$2,000 depending on the firm and what’s bundled in. The cheaper end often just handles the filing. The more useful packages include the first year of company secretarial services, which is something you need anyway.
Watch out for providers who quote you a low incorporation fee and then charge separately for everything else: nominee director, company constitution drafting, corporate bank account referral, registered office address. Ask for an all-in quote before you commit.
Nominee director fees (if applicable)
If you’re a foreigner without a local resident director, you’ll need a nominee. Budget S$1,500 to S$3,000 per year for this service.
Registered office address
Every Singapore company needs a physical registered address (no P.O. boxes). This typically costs S$200 to S$600 per year.
Ongoing annual costs
- Company secretarial services: S$400 – S$900/year
- Annual return filing (ACRA): S$60 filing fee
- Accounting and bookkeeping: S$1,200 – S$6,000/year
- Corporate tax filing: S$500 – S$1,500/year
- Registered office (if needed): S$200 – S$600/year
The actual timeline
Day 1: Name application — Submit your proposed company name through Bizfile+. Straightforward names are often approved quickly, sometimes same day. Once approved, reserved for 120 days.
Day 1–2: Prepare incorporation documents — Gather NRIC or passport details for all directors and shareholders. Decide on your share structure.
Day 2–3: Submit incorporation filing — The actual filing on Bizfile+ takes about 30 minutes if your documents are ready.
Day 3–5: Receive UEN and incorporation documents — You get your Unique Entity Number (UEN), Certificate of Incorporation, and business profile digitally.
Week 2–4: Open a corporate bank account — Local banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) typically take 1 to 3 weeks. Digital banking providers like Aspire or Airwallex move faster.
Within 6 months: Appoint a company secretary — A legal requirement under the Companies Act. Most people appoint a corporate secretarial firm.
What ACRA actually requires
Required:
- At least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore
- At least one shareholder (can be 100% foreign)
- A registered Singapore address
- A company secretary appointed within 6 months
- Minimum paid-up capital of S$1
Not required (despite what you might read):
- A Singapore shareholder — foreigners can own 100% of the company
- A local bank account before incorporation
- A physical office — a registered address service works fine
- A business plan — ACRA doesn’t require one
SSIC codes: the bit people overthink
When you register, you need to select SSIC codes for your main business activities. In most cases, pick the code that best describes what you do although it doesn’t legally restrict you from doing other things. You can update SSIC codes later through Bizfile+ for a small fee.
Questions about your specific situation?
The straightforward cases are easy to handle on your own. The less straightforward ones — foreign ownership, specific business activities, nominee director arrangements, multi-shareholder setups — are worth getting professional input on before you file.
Abacus handles company registration and corporate compliance for Singapore businesses. Contact us if you want to talk through your setup.
For more information on company incorporation, read our guide here:
How to register a company in Singapore: a complete guide (2026)
