No. Singapore allows remote incorporation. A company can be registered online through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. Your incorporation agent can submit the application, and you do not have to travel to Singapore. After registration, Statrys can help you open a corporate bank account online.

With the help of corporate services providers like Statrys, a foreign company can handle the entire registration process online, without visiting Singapore in person.

You must choose a unique company name and appoint at least one resident/local director (a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or Employment/EntrePass holder). The company must have 1–50 shareholders, a local registered office that is a physical address (no P.O. boxes) accessible to the public for at least three hours during business days, and must appoint a company secretary within six months of incorporation. There is no minimum paid‑up capital — a company can be formed with S$1. You also need a company constitution and to pay ACRA’s registration fee.

Yes. Singapore’s Companies Act allows 100 % foreign shareholding. A private limited company can have between 1 and 50 shareholders, who may be individuals or corporations of any nationality. However, the company must still have at least one local resident director.

The main structures are: Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) – the most common form with limited liability and up to 50 shareholders; Sole Proprietorship – owned by one individual who is personally liable; Partnership – two or more persons sharing profits and liabilities; Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – partners have limited liability; and Public Limited Company – can offer shares to the public. Foreign businesses may also register a subsidiary, branch or representative office.

Yes. All companies must have a registered office address in Singapore. It must be a physical address (P.O. boxes are not permitted) and must be accessible to the public for at least three hours during ordinary business hours. If you operate from home, you may use your residential address as the registered office under the Home Office Scheme, but approval from the Housing & Development Board (HDB) or Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is required. Any change of registered address must be filed with ACRA within 14 days.

A foreign company is an overseas entity that registers a branch office or subsidiary in Singapore, while a local company is incorporated directly under Singapore law as a separate legal entity.

Yes, at least one company director must be a Singapore resident to fulfil statutory compliance requirements under ACRA.

In the realm of establishing businesses in Singapore, terms like “company formation,” “company registration,” and “company incorporation” are often interchangeable, signifying the same procedural steps for creating a corporate entity. Regardless of the terminology used, these terms collectively refer to the legal processes and documentations required to formally set up a company in accordance with Singapore’s regulatory standards.

The company registration process for incorporating a Singapore Company is marked by its efficiency and transparency. Initial steps involve firstly, selecting an available company name, followed by the preparation of necessary documents like the company’s constitution, details of directors and shareholders and the registered office address. Once all the documents are signed, the company’s constitution is then submitted to the Accounting Corporate Regulatory and Authority (”ACRA”). Following a thorough review, successful applications receive an official business profile. The process is streamlined, offering online submission options, exemplifying Singapore’s dedication to providing a business-friendly and straightforward environment for company establishment.

Company registration in Singapore can be very fast. Getting a business profile and certificate of incorporation from the Accounting Corporate Regulatory and Authority (”ACRA”) can be done within a few days and with very low bureaucracy if all is done well in advance. To set up your new Singapore company, and before registering with ACRA, you must prepare a few items, including some of the future company documents that will come in handy along the way.

A company name
Before starting a business registration process, every business entity must have a name. So first, select the company name you wish to register as your new Singapore Company. To save time during the incorporation process, it is always a good idea to have at least two backup names in case the one you want is already registered. You can check if your business name is available by doing a company name search on ACRA’s website.

Appoint a company secretary
In Singapore, a company secretary is an individual appointed by a company to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. The role of a company secretary is essential for maintaining proper corporate governance and adherence to legal obligations. The Accounting Corporate Regulatory and Authority (”ACRA”) mandates that every Singapore company must appoint a qualified company secretary within six months from its date of incorporation. The company secretary is responsible for various administrative and compliance tasks, including maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns, organizing board meetings, and ensuring that the company operates in accordance with its constitution and relevant laws. The company secretary is a crucial figure in helping the company and its directors understand and fulfill their obligations in a structured and compliant manner.

Choose the legal vehicle of your company
Before registering your company in Singapore, you need to decide on the structure of your business. Exempt Private Company Limited by Shares, Private Companies Limited by Shares, Public Company Limited by Guarantee, Public Company Limited by Shares, Limited Liability Partnership, and sole proprietorship (only Singaporeans can register, and the liability of the owner and the sole proprietorship are not separated), different partnerships, or other business structures. Limited liability companies, also known as private limited or Pte. Ltd. companies, are easier to manage and cover most business owners' needs. Company secretaries can be appointed six months after the date of incorporation.

A local Singapore registered office address
One of the requirements for Singapore companies is that every registered business must have a local company's registered office address. The Company Secretary usually provides this service. When you choose to have your company registered with Statrys, we include in our package a local registered office address that will be used during the process. This service has to be renewed every year.

IDs or passport copies of the company owners and directors
A Singapore company must have at least one local director and one shareholder. The local director must be either a Singaporean, a Permanent resident, or an Employment Pass Holder, while the shareholder can be you or anybody you appoint as an owner. In any case, prepare a copy of the passport of each one of the individual/corporate shareholders. A Singapore company cannot have a foreigner as a sole individual director, but as for shareholders, the shareholders can be individual or corporate shareholders, which is fine.

You will also need an identification document (such as passport copies for foreigners and NRIC for Singaporeans) and proof of residential address, which is fully translated into English and no more than three months from the date of application to incorporate the Company. Overseas residential address proof is fine but must be fully translated into English if it is in another language.

We will help you prepare all the documents necessary to register your business in Singapore. An application for a Singapore company is usually fast, with companies registered in only a few days.

Company directors are company officers responsible for running the company on behalf of its shareholders. They have a duty to act with good faith and in the best interests of the company's shareholders. The law requires directors to exercise their powers responsibly, honestly and in the best interests of the company. Where a director is not fulfilling this duty, they may be disqualified as a director. A company can appoint a director through an ordinary resolution or the decision of existing directors, who must inform the Company Registry within 14 days of the appointment being confirmed.

IRAS is the government body responsible for overseeing taxation matters. It plays a pivotal role in administering and enforcing tax policies, ensuring that individuals and businesses comply with tax regulations. IRAS manages various tax types, including corporate income tax, Goods and Services Tax (”GST”), and personal income tax.

The organization is committed to fostering a fair and efficient tax system, providing guidance to taxpayers and facilitating economic development through sound fiscal policies. Businesses and Individuals in Singapore interact with IRAS for filing tax returns, obtaining tax-related information and ensuring adherence to the country’s taxation framework.

In Singapore, a business profile is a document provided by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (”ACRA”), presenting a comprehensive summary of key information about a registered business entity in Singapore. This profile include vital details such as the company’s registration number, name, date of incorporation, principal/business activities, registered office address, number of shares held and the paid-up capital and information about its officers, including directors, shareholders and the company secretar(ies).

The business profile is a valuable resource for businesses and stakeholders, offering a convenient snapshot of essential company information. It serves various purposes, including due diligence, business transactions and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Businesses can access their business profiles through ACRA’s online portal or authorized service providers.

Statrys Corporate Services Singapore Pte. Ltd.’s registered filing agent license number is FA20230475.

Following the first year of incorporation in Singapore, businesses prioritize key steps to ensure ongoing compliance and advancement. Activities include holding an annual general meeting (”AGM”) and submitting annual returns to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (”ACRA”). It is also prudent to evaluate financial performance, update records, and strategize for the forthcoming fiscal year. This period presents an opportunity to refine business strategies, explore growth possibilities, and confirm the currency of licenses and permits. Regular engagement with a qualified company secretary, financial advisors, and legal professionals offers valuable support, aiding the company in adhering to regulatory obligations and establishing a robust foundation for future prosperity.

Our annual maintenance fee is SGD3,000. This fee covers the same secretarial services provided in the first year, extending them for an additional one-year period.

The certificate of incorporation is a document issued by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory and Authority (”ACRA”).

This document certifies the incorporation of any Singapore company written in English language only.

The Certificate of Incorporation expresses the following:

• Company Name
• Company Registration Number
• Date of Incorporation
• The vehicle type

The annual renewal fee at Statrys is HKD 7,740. This package ensures your company remains in good standing with the following services included:

• Company Secretarial Services: Ongoing support to meet local regulations, including preparing and filing required documentation and maintaining statutory records.
• Registered Address in Hong Kong: A registered office address with mail scanning services for official correspondence.
• Business Registration Certificate Renewal: Renewal of your Business Registration Certificate, with government fees covered.
• Annual Return Filing: Preparation and filing of your company’s Annual Return to the Companies Registry, ensuring statutory compliance, with government fees included.

For any additional queries, feel free to contact us.

Hong Kong company formation, registration, and incorporation are basically the same thing, a set of processes to get a license to operate a business in Hong Kong legally.

Company Formation in Hong Kong is straightforward. After providing the necessary incorporation documents for the new company—company name and copy of owners' and directors' passports—Statrys, your company secretary, will take care of the rest.

Review the Articles of Association and prepare the application for the business registration office.

With all the documents ready, we will proceed to register your business as a new company in Hong Kong under the company name you provided. The Hong Kong Registry will check if the name is available and if all the documentation is correct and up to date.

With the good news from the Hong Kong Company registry, we will help you start the process of opening your business account.

Company registration is relatively inexpensive in Hong Kong. Our package includes all the essential steps and documents to get your business started for only HK$7,740 (roughly USD$990), including the Government Fees.

When you incorporate or register your Hong Kong company with us, you get the following:

Pre-incorporation services

• Verification of availability of the company name in Hong Kong
• Preparation of documents for incorporation
• Company incorporation in Hong Kong
• Filling out the incorporation application with the Companies Registry in Hong Kong
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Business Registration Certificate
• Company kit: Company chops (corporate seals) and Set of Articles of Association

Post-incorporation services

• Company secretary services for one year
• A registered address for one year
• Significant controller register
• Designated representative
• Government fees (included in the price)
• Incorporation fee
• Business registration fee and levy.

Yes.  The law allows 100% foreign-owned companies in Hong Kong; this means you can register a company in Hong Kong as a foreigner.

A business registration fee in Hong Kong is a compulsory one-time payment made to the government entity known as the Companies Registry. The fees amount to approximately HKD 1,500 for the electronic delivery of the application and around HKD 1,700 for hard copy delivery. 

The license from the Hong Kong Companies Registry usually takes around 4 to 5 days.

To set up your new Hong Kong company, and before going to the Hong Kong Companies Registry, you must prepare a few items, including some of the future company documents that will come in handy along the way.

1. A company name
   Before starting a business registration process, every business entity must have a name. So first, select the name of the company you wish to register as your new Hong Kong Company. To save time during the incorporation process, having a backup name in case the one you want is already registered is always a good idea. You can check if your business name is available by doing a company name search on the Hong Kong Company Registry’s website.
2. Appoint a company secretary
   A company secretary is an incorporation agent trained and licensed to help you carry on the registration with the Business Registration Office (the government office in charge of registering companies in Hong Kong). They offer professional company formation services and ensure the company complies with Hong Kong law.
   
   Though it is not a requirement for Hong Kong citizens, it is for foreign-owned companies to have a company secretary appointed. This is done with a binding document called NNC1.
   
   A Company secretary’s tasks include keeping track of the company records and legal documents, doing accounting and tax filings, having the company audited accounts by Certified Public Accountants, and ensuring that the company has a valid business registration certificate and that, in general, follows ongoing compliance with the local legislation and with the Inland Revenue Department.
   
   When you register your company with Statrys, we will be your company secretary for the company registration process. Afterward, and for the other services mentioned above, we can recommend other verified companies offering company secretary services.
3. Choose the legal vehicle of your Company
   Before registering your company in Hong Kong, you need to decide on the structure of your business. Limited liability company, sole proprietorship, different partnerships, or other business structures. Limited liability companies are easier to manage and cover most business owners' needs. No matter what legal vehicle, the requirements are at least one shareholder and one director.
4. A local Hong Kong address
   One of the requirements for Hong Kong companies is that every registered business must have a company's registered address. The Company Secretary usually provides this service. When you choose to have your company registered with Statrys, we include a business address in our package that will be used during the process. This service has to be renewed every year.
5. IDs or passport copies of the company owners and directors
   A Hong Kong company must have at least one shareholder. This can be you or anybody you appoint as an owner. In any case, prepare a copy of the passport of each one of the corporate shareholders. A Hong Kong company can have a foreigner as an individual director or corporate shareholder without restrictions.

You will also need a residential address and proof of foreign business professionals. Overseas residential address proof is perfectly valid.

You can also have a designated representative to act as an individual director of the company while you oversee business operations as an owner. This is helpful, especially for Hong Kong companies, when managing requests from the Hong Kong authorities, approving audited accounts, and performing other business activities that require a person.

Company directors are company officers responsible for running the company on behalf of its shareholders. They have a duty to act with good faith and in the best interests of the company's shareholders. The law requires directors to exercise their powers responsibly, honestly, and in the best interests of the company. If a director is not fulfilling this duty, they may be disqualified as a director.

A company can appoint a director through an ordinary resolution or the decision of existing directors, who must inform the Company Registry within 15 days of the appointment being confirmed.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is the government department responsible for taxes and duties in Hong Kong.

A business registration certificate is a document issued by the Hong Kong Business Registration Office conveying the details of a company. If you own a business in Hong Kong, you are required to apply for a Business Certificate within 30 days of commencing operations. If the nature or details of the company change, you will need to update the Business Registration Office within 30 days.

The Business registration certificate expresses the following:

• Business name
• Nature of the business
• Registered Business address
• The type of business
• The date the business started
• The Expiry date
• A Certificate number

The certificate of incorporation is a document  issued by the Companies Registry of Hong Kong SAR. This document certifies the incorporation of any Hong Kong-based limited liability company written both in Traditional Chinese and English languages.

Statrys Corporate Services Ltd Trust or Company Service Provider License number is TC008677.