
Written by Sneha Patwari, Corporate Secretary Lead
I've guided hundreds of founders through the incorporation process across Hong Kong and Singapore. The questions are always different; the mistakes are usually the same. I write to help people avoid them.
Last reviewed by June 2026.
Key Takeaways
Foreign founders cannot self-register a Singapore company — you need a licensed Corporate Service Provider if you lack Singapore residency.
Statrys combines everything you need for company incorporation with an in-house multi-currency business account and pay-per-use accounting.
The headline price is probably the least useful number on this page.
That might sound odd in a comparison of seven incorporation providers, but the cheapest package is not automatically the best value. Providers bundle different services together, and those differences often explain the price tag.
One provider's SGD 4,500 package might include services that another provider charges for separately, such as a nominee director, company secretary, registered address, compliance support, or assistance with opening a bank or business account. A lower upfront price does not necessarily mean lower overall costs. Some providers advertise a lean base package and charge separately for services that many foreign founders will ultimately need, while others include more of those services upfront.
The real question is not "Which provider is cheapest?" but "What am I actually getting for the price?" This guide compares 7 company incorporation services for foreign founders who cannot self-register a Singapore company. For each: what is included in year one, what year two typically costs, and what post-incorporation support looks like.
In this guide, you will learn:
- What foreign founders must know before choosing a provider
- A comparison of 7 incorporation services, with updated pricing as of June 2026
- Who each provider suits and where their limitations are
Disclaimer: Statrys operates in the same market as the providers reviewed in this guide. I am the Corporate Secretary Lead at Statrys, where we have supported 10,000+ clients and incorporated 1,600+ companies across Singapore and Hong Kong. We have made every effort to present accurate, evidence-based information for each provider. This content is based on research conducted in June 2026, including a review of each provider's official website, terms and conditions, and ACRA public records.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | Best For | Year-1 Price |
|---|---|---|
| Statrys | Remote setup with integrated business account and pay-per-use accounting | SGD 4,095 |
| Osome | Flexible nominee director options and bundled accounting for relocating founders | SGD 2,438 – 3,822 |
| Sleek | Fast digital setup with bundled accounting and business account | SGD 2,250 – 3,838 |
| Counto | Budget-friendly incorporation with optional accounting add-ons | SGD 2,500 |
| CorporateServices.com | Hands-on advisory with Employment Pass or nominee director support | SGD 4,315 |
| HeySara | Flexible digital or guided incorporation with upgradeable support | SGD 5,388 |
| WealthBridge | Early-stage foreign founders needing basic setup | SGD 2,650 – 3,375 |
Fees based on publicly available pricing as of June 2026.
What Foreign Founders Must Know Before Choosing
Six requirements apply to every foreign founder setting up a company in Singapore: a local director, a licensed Corporate Service Provider, a company secretary, a registered address, ACRA registration, and a plan for your payments.
1. You Need a Local Director
Under Section 145 of the Companies Act 1967, every Singapore company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Most foreign founders may use a nominee director: a Singapore citizen, Permanent Resident, or qualifying holder who holds the directorship on your behalf while you retain full ownership and control.
Some incorporation packages include a nominee director, although you can also appoint one separately. In case you are sourcing it as a separate service, annual nominee director fees typically range from SGD 1,500 to 5,000, with most reputable providers charging between SGD 2,400 and 3,500, plus a refundable security deposit of SGD 1,000 to 5,000. As a result, obtaining a nominee director through an incorporation package is often the more cost-effective option.
Nominee directors must be appointed through an ACRA-registered Corporate Service Provider. You cannot appoint a personal contact or business associate.
2. You Cannot Self-Register Using BizFile
BizFile is ACRA's online business registration portal. Accessing it requires Singapore Personal Access (SingPass), which is only available to Singapore residents. As a result, foreign founders who do not have Singapore residency cannot register a company directly through BizFile.
Instead, they must engage a Corporate Service Provider (CSP), which submits the incorporation application on their behalf using its CorpPass credentials. This means your incorporation timeline depends not only on ACRA's processing time but also on your provider's internal procedures and turnaround times.
Note: ACRA also sets out a rule for foreigners, requiring them to engage a Corporate Service Provider (CSP) to reserve a business name and complete the registration of a business structure.
3. The Company Secretary Is a Legal Obligation
Under the Companies Act, you must appoint a company secretary within six months of incorporation. This is a compliance function: maintaining statutory records, managing ACRA filings, and keeping you current with legal obligations. Most incorporation packages include this for year one.
4. You Need a Registered Address
Every Singapore company must maintain a local registered address where official correspondence can be received. The address must be a physical location in Singapore and cannot be a PO Box. Most incorporation providers include a registered address service in their packages, although the scope and mail-handling policies vary.
5. Business Account Opening Can Be as Important as Incorporation
Company registration and opening a business account are separate processes. Most companies register in under a week, but opening an account can take longer depending on the provider and your business type. Founders with cross-border business models or non-Singaporean shareholders often face longer review periods.
Some providers offer dedicated support or introductions for business account opening, while others leave the process entirely to you. When comparing incorporation services, it is worth considering what assistance is available after the company has been registered.
6. Budget for Recurring Costs from Year Two
Year-two costs are one of the most common sources of frustration after incorporation. Year-two recurring costs to budget for:
- Nominee director annual renewal: SGD 1,200–3,600
- Company secretary annual renewal: SGD 200–1,200
- Registered address renewal: SGD 300–2,400
- ACRA annual return filing fee: SGD 60
- Accounting and corporate tax filing: From SGD 1,500 per year, depending on transaction volume
7. The Government Incorporation Fee Is Fixed
The ACRA government fee is SGD 315 total: SGD 15 for the company name application and SGD 300 for registration. This is included in most incorporation packages.
1. Statrys: Best for Remote Setup + Business Account Support

Best for: Foreign founders who want incorporation, business account, and accounting handled in one place without coordinating multiple providers.
Statrys is the only provider on this list that combines company incorporation, a multi-currency business account, and a pay-per-use accounting service under one platform.
The package includes direct support for opening a Statrys multi-currency account, and founders who need bookkeeping can activate an accounting plan and pay only for work actually done.
| ACRA registration | Includes SGD 315 government fee |
| Nominee director | 1 year |
| Company secretary | 1 year |
| Registered address | 1 year |
| Company constitution | Included |
| Business account support | Fast-track Statrys multi-currency account application |
| Accounting | Pay-per-use, priced on monthly transaction volume |
| Timeline | 5 business days |
| Pricing | SGD 4,095 |
✅ Good if: You want one provider to handle incorporation, business account, and accounting — and prefer to pay for accounting only for what you use.
📌 Worth knowing: The discounted SGD 3,686 sits above some competitors, but includes in-house business account support that others don't. The pay-per-use accounting model suits founders who want cost control.
Reminder: Singapore rules require the arrangement of a nominee director to be provided through a licensed corporate service provider (CSP). You can't simply appoint a friend or other individual to act as a nominee director.
2. Osome: Best for Flexible Nominee Director Options and Accounting

Best for: Foreign founders who want the flexibility to start with a nominee director before transitioning to their own local directorship.
What makes Osome particularly interesting for foreign founders is its range of nominee director arrangements. If your plan is to move to Singapore, obtain the necessary work authorisation, and eventually act as your company's local director, the short-term nominee option can be more cost-effective and flexible than paying for a full year upfront.
If you do not intend to relocate to Singapore or become the company's local director later, Osome also offers a plan with 12 months of nominee director service.
| Starter | Fully Compliant | Fully Compliant + Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | Included | Included | Included |
| Nominee director | 3 months | 12 months | 6 months |
| Registered address | Included | Included | Included |
| Bookkeeping, tax filing, and accounting | Included for the first year | Included for the first year | Included for the first year |
| Immigration services | Add-on | Add-on | Included |
| Business account support | Included | Included | Included |
| Timeline | 3 to 5 business days | 3 to 5 business days | 3 to 5 business days |
| Pricing | SGD 2,438 | SGD 3,772 | SGD 3,822 |
✅ Good if: You want flexibility around nominee director arrangements, particularly if you expect to relocate to Singapore and take over the local director role within the first year.
📌 Worth knowing: Accounting fees after year one are revenue-based — confirm the pricing tier before committing.
3. Sleek: Best for Flexible Nominee Director and Bundled Service

Best for: Foreign founders who want flexible nominee director arrangements and are comfortable committing to an accounting package.
Sleek is built around speed and convenience, with a digital onboarding process.
Like Osome, Sleek offers flexible nominee director arrangements, including shorter-term options for founders who plan to relocate to Singapore and eventually take over the local director role themselves. The main differences: Sleek's packages are priced slightly lower, include access to a Sleek Business Account within its own ecosystem, and partner perks.
One thing to note is that founders who require a nominee director must also subscribe to Sleek's accounting package. The included accounting covers businesses with transactions of up to SGD 30,000, after which additional fees apply
| Starter | Fully Compliant | Fully Compliant + Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | Included | Included | Included |
| Nominee director | 3 months | 12 months | 6 months |
| Registered address | Included | Included | Included |
| Bookkeeping, tax filing, and accounting | Included for the first year | Included for the first year | Included for the first year |
| Visa support | ❌ | ❌ | Included |
| Sleek Business account application | Included | Included | Included |
| Timeline | 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
| Pricing | SGD 2,250 | SGD 3,650 | SGD 3,838 |
✅ Good if: : You want a fast timelines and are comfortable bundling accounting services with your nominee director arrangement.
📌 Worth knowing: The accounting bundle requirement increases the real cost above the headline figure. If you plan to manage accounting separately, Sleek may not be the right fit.
4. Counto: Best for Startup Founders + Automation

Best for: Cost-conscious foreign founders who want a lower entry price with optional accounting.
Counto is one of the more affordable options for foreign founders who need a nominee director included. Their platform includes bookkeeping and accounting tools and services as optional add-on rather than a mandatory bundle.
| Starter | Fully Compliant | Fully Compliant + Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | Included | Included | Included |
| Nominee director | 3 months | 12 months | 6 months |
| Registered address | Included | Included | Included |
| Bookkeeping, tax filing, and accounting | Included for the first year | Included for the first year | Included for the first year |
| Immigration services | Add-on | Add-on | Included |
| Business account support | Included | Included | Included |
| Timeline | 3 to 5 business days | 3 to 5 business days | 3 to 5 business days |
| Pricing | SGD 2,438 | SGD 3,772 | SGD 3,822 |
✅ Good if: You want an affordable package with optional accounting.
📌 Worth knowing: Less established for business account introductions than Statrys or Osome.
5. CorporateServices.com: Best for Hands-On Advisory

Best for: Founders who prefer guided advisory and need Pass support alongside incorporation.
CorporateServices.com follows a traditional consultancy model, with dedicated advisors.
One feature that stands out is the ability to choose between a 12-month Nominee Resident Director service or an Employment Pass application as part of the package. This can be appealing if you already know whether you intend to remain overseas or relocate to Singapore and take on the local director role yourself.
The process is largely handled through direct interaction with advisors. Depending on your preferences, this can be either an advantage if you value personalised support, or a drawback if you prefer a fully digital and self-service experience.
| Incorporation | Included |
| Nominee director or Employment Pass support | One or the other* |
| Company secretary | Included |
| Registered address | Included |
| Business account support | Traditional Singapore banks |
| Timeline | 4 business days |
| Pricing | SGD 4,315 |
✅ Good if: You prefer people guiding you through the process.
📌 Worth knowing: Less digitally focused than other options. Opening a business account with a traditional bank may require a physical visit. *Employment Pass option carries an additional SGD 360 government fee.
6. HeySara: Best for Founders Who Want the Option of Priority Support

Best for: Founders who want to choose between a self-service digital setup and a more hands-on incorporation experience.
HeySara is designed around a mobile-first experience and gives founders a choice between a fully digital incorporation process or a more guided setup with personalised support.
For founders who prefer hands-on assistance, HeySara's Chartered Secretaries can guide them through the incorporation process. Those who want a dedicated service can pay for an upgrade from SGD 600+, which includes priority service, faster turnaround times, and additional support channels such as face-to-face meetings and WhatsApp support.
Add-ons cover a CBD registered address, Employment Pass support, and bookkeeping services.
| Nominee director | 1 year |
| Registered address | Included |
| Company secretary | Included |
| Company constitution | Included |
| Business account support | ANEXT Bank, Airwallex, Aspire, Wise, CIMB, OCBC, UOB |
| Optional add-ons | CBD address (SGD 199/year), Employment Pass (SGD 1,865), Bookkeeping (from SGD 100/month) |
| Monthly bookkeeping | From SGD 100/month |
| Timeline | Not specified on website |
| Pricing | SGD 5,388 (Full price, discount may apply) |
✅ Good if: You want the flexibility to start digitally or access more personalised support if needed.
📌 Worth knowing: The real total depends on which add-ons apply to your situation. Get a full itemised quote before comparing against other providers.
7. WealthBridge: Best for foreign founders in early-stage businesses

Best for: Foreign founders in early-stage businesses who want incorporation and first-year compliance covered without needing full bookkeeping support yet.
WealthBridge offers two plans for foreign founders. Both include a nominee director for one year, a company secretary, a registered address, and bank account opening assistance. The lower-tier plan is among the more competitively priced options that include a nominee director. The higher-tier plan adds IRAS corporate tax filing, an annual management report, and bookkeeping for up to 100 transactions per year.
While WealthBridge advertises 1-hour incorporation for straightforward cases, this appears to apply mainly to local founders. No guaranteed incorporation timeline is stated on the website for foreign founders.
| Nominee director | 1 year |
| Company secretary | Included |
| Registered address | Included |
| Timeline | Not specified on website for foreign founder (local can be as fast as an hour) |
| Pricing | SGD 2,650 (with SGD 1,500 refundable deposit), or SGD 3,375 (with bookkeeping up to 100 transactions) |
✅ Good if: You don’t anticipate a lot of transactions, and only need basic company setup
📌 Worth knowing: Confirm the SGD 1,500 refundable deposit amount, whether it is included in the package.
How to Choose the Right Incorporation Service
Most providers on this list can get your company registered. The decision comes down to your specific situation.
1. What Is Included vs. Charged as Add-ons?
Many providers advertise a very low incorporation fee that only covers filing the company. Check whether the quoted price includes:
- Government fees
- Company secretary
- Registered office address
- Nominee director service
Some providers include bookkeeping and tax filing only up to a certain amount or a certain number of transactions, then charge extra or require you to upgrade to a more expensive plan.
2. Do You Need Business Account Support?
If you need a Singapore corporate account, ask directly whether the provider offers any support. Most do not. Knowing this early avoids the situation where you incorporate in three days and then spend four months trying to open a business account separately.
3. Factor in Year-Two Cost
Ask every provider for nominee director renewal, secretarial fee, and registered address renewal as separate line items. Year-two costs to confirm before signing:
- Nominee director renewal fee
- Company secretary renewal fee
- Registered address renewal fee
- Whether accounting is mandatory or optional
Final Recommendation
There is no single “best” incorporation provider in Singapore. The right choice depends on how much support you want after registration, especially for nominee director arrangements, accounting, and business accounts.
If you want the most streamlined setup, Statrys is a fitting all-in-one option. It combines incorporation, a nominee director, a company secretary, a registered address, and direct support for opening a multi-currency business account. It is also one of the few providers that keeps accounting flexible through a pay-per-use model, which helps avoid fixed ongoing fees when activity is low.
If your priority is flexibility around relocating to Singapore or eventually taking over the local director role, Osome or Sleek is better suited. It is designed for founders who may start with a nominee director temporarily and then transition into their own directorship after securing the appropriate work pass or residency.
Counto is a practical budget option. For founders who want more guided incorporation rather than a self-service platform, CorporateServices.com and HeySara can be a fit. WealthBridge positioned itself for founders who are not yet focused on heavy transaction volume
Whichever provider you choose, confirm the nominee director renewal fee before signing. That number matters more than anything on the year-one pricing page.
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FAQs
Do I need a nominee director to incorporate in Singapore as a foreigner?
Yes, unless you already hold Singapore residency such as citizenship or permanent residency. Under the Companies Act, every Singapore company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. If you do not qualify, a licensed CSP provides a nominee director on your behalf. Most packages include this for year one. A separate service typically costs SGD 2,000–3,500 annually.
How long does Singapore company incorporation take?
Most companies are registered within 3 to 5 business days once all documents are submitted.
What is the government fee to incorporate a Singapore company?
The ACRA government incorporation fee is SGD 315 total: SGD 15 for the company name application and SGD 300 for registration. This is a fixed fee paid directly to ACRA and is included in most incorporation packages.
Can I incorporate a Singapore company fully remotely without visiting Singapore?
Yes. Incorporation can be completed remotely, including the nominee director arrangement, document signing, and ACRA registration. The more complex step is opening a corporate bank account — traditional banks may require physical branch visits for foreign-owned entities. If remote banking access is a priority, confirm whether your provider can help you open an account with a digital payment provider before deciding.
What does year-two cost for a Singapore company look like?
Most providers do not publish year-two renewal pricing clearly. The main recurring costs are: nominee director renewal (SGD 2,000–3,500/year), company secretary renewal (SGD 500–1,000/year), registered address renewal (SGD 300–800/year), and the ACRA annual return filing fee (SGD 60). If your provider bundles accounting, those fees continue on top. Ask for all renewal costs as separate line items before signing with any provider.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.





