What is a Unique Entity Number (UEN) in Singapore & How to Find It

In Singapore, every registered business is issued a Unique Entity Number (UEN), which is a standard identification number used across all government agencies. Much like how individuals have an NRIC or FIN, the UEN serves as the official ID for companies, partnerships, and other legal entities.

The UEN is required whenever a business interacts with the government, from filing corporate taxes and applying for licences to submitting employee contributions or renewing permits. Without it, a company cannot complete many essential transactions with public agencies.

In this guide, I’ll explain what a UEN is, why it matters, and how you can easily find your company’s UEN in Singapore so you can run your business without any interruptions.

A UEN is a standard identification number for registered business entities. Think of it as your business’s official registration number or ID number.

Most UENs are issued by ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority), but some businesses get their UEN from other government agencies, depending on business structure or activities. 

For example, the Ministry of Health (MOH) issues UENs for healthcare institutions, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) issues UENs for financial businesses, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) issues UENs for employment-related businesses. 

Many registered entities need to be issued a UEN to use when dealing with government agencies, including 

• Singapore companies, such as private limited companies (Pte Ltd)
• Sole proprietorships
• Partnership, such as Limited Partnerships (LPs), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), etc.
• Representative offices
• Societies
• Charities and non-profits

Individuals don’t need a UEN since it is meant for businesses. 

Additionally businesses are exempt from needing UEN if they operate under an individual’s full name as stated in their NRIC (National Registration Identity Card), or they operate with one or more partners using only their full names as stated in their NRICs.

UEN is used by entities registered in Singapore when dealing with government departments, such as:

• Filing corporate tax returns
• GST registration
• Applying for licenses, such as real estate, financial or F&B licenses 
• Applying for permits,  such as export permits
• Registering for PayNow transactions: Entities can link their UEN to a bank account to send or receive Singapore Dollar (SGD) funds instantly via the PayNow system, without needing bank or account numbers. PayNow is provided by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS).
• Other government transactions, grants, and compliance processes

The UEN consists of 8 to 10 alpha-numeric characters, made up of numbers and one or a few letters, with slight variations depending on the issuing agency and the type of entity your business is.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common formats for a business or company’s UEN.

A Special UEN (SUN) is a unique identifier for businesses in Singapore, similar to a regular UEN, but with a personalised or “special” number that is designed to be easier to remember.

While a regular UEN is automatically assigned and free of charge, a SUN offers customisation, allowing businesses to select numbers that are easy to remember or considered auspicious (for instance, including the number 8, which is linked to wealth in the culture). Businesses may opt for a SUN to:

• Enhance brand recognition with an easy-to-remember number
• Align with numerology or personal preferences (e.g., lucky numbers)
• Stand out from competitors

Unlike a standard UEN, a SUN comes with a fee based on the number’s characteristics. Below is the summary of the fees. 

Types and Fees of Special UEN (SUN)

UEN is automatically assigned when you successfully register a business in Singapore. During the registration process, you will have the option to apply for either UEN or Special UEN (SUN). After the registration is completed, the UEN will be available in your business profile.

Here’s how to apply for a UEN:

Begin by registering your business

1. First, reserve your entity name via the BizFile+ name application page 
2. Prepare the required documents, such as identification for shareholders and directors, the company constitution, and proof of address. 
3. Once everything is ready, submit your incorporation application online through the BizFile+ portal.

For sole proprietorships and partnerships, the main requirement is being a Singapore resident, or appointing a local representative if you are not.

For a company, you’ll need at least one shareholder (individual or corporate), one Singapore-resident director or a nominee director, a local company secretary, and a registered office address.

During the business registration process, you will be asked whether you want a Special UEN (SUN). If you choose no, the system will automatically generate a standard UEN for free. This UEN cannot be customised.

If you choose yes, you can opt for a Special UEN (SUN), which costs SGD 1,000 - 3,000 depending on the combination you choose. You can browse the list of available numbers or enter up to 5 digits in the search bar to find numbers containing those digits.

After selecting your preferred SUN, you will need to complete the payment for it within 30 minutes. If payment is not made within this time, the number will be released back into the pool of available Special UENs.

Once your registration is approved, your business will receive a free Business Profile (BP), which displays your UEN prominently in the first few lines. 

The Business Profile serves as the official record of your registered entities and is free to download within 30 days. If you miss this window, you can purchase a copy from BizFile for SGD 5.50.

Here is a sample of a Business Profile:

To find a business’s UEN, you can use BizFile’s Entity Search at https://www.bizfile.gov.sg/.  Simply enter the business name.

The system will then display the relevant record, including the UEN of the searched business. This search can also retrieve key information about the business, including its official name, registration status, and other registration details. 

The basic information about a business such as its UEN, industry, registered address, last annual general meeting date and last filed annual return date is available for free. 

For more detailed company information such as the number of shares, shareholder details and paid-up capital, you will need to purchase it.

In short, the Unique Entity Number (UEN) identifies your business and opens access to government services and grants, helping you take advantage of opportunities for growth in Singapore. 

If you’re planning to start a company in Singapore, Statrys can help. At Statrys, we simplify the process of setting up a company in Singapore. Each incorporation package includes a complete Business Profile, featuring your UEN and more. Here’s what’s included:

✅ Company Incorporation: We manage the registration with ACRA, ensuring your company meets all legal requirements, including having a Singapore-registered address, local company secretary and more.
✅ Business Profile with UEN included in the package.
✅ Multi-currency Business Account Assistance: We support your application for a Statrys multi-currency business account, suitable for both local and international transactions.
✅ Ongoing Compliance Support: Continuous corporate secretarial services to help your business stay compliant, including filing annual returns and other obligations.