Setting up a Private Limited Company
Why Set Up Company in Singapore
There are many reasons why you might want to set up a company in Singapore. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Strategic location: Singapore is located at the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a convenient base for businesses that want to operate in the region. Singapore is also a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which gives businesses access to a market of over 600 million people.
Business-friendly environment: Singapore has a reputation for being a business-friendly country. The government provides a number of incentives for businesses, such as low taxes and a skilled workforce. Singapore is also ranked as the easiest place to do business in the world by the World Bank.
Favorable tax regime: Singapore has a relatively low corporate tax rate of 17%. There are also a number of tax incentives available for businesses, such as the Pioneer Status and EntrePass schemes.
Strong infrastructure: Singapore has a well-developed infrastructure, including a modern airport, seaport, and telecommunications network. This makes it easy for businesses to import and export goods and services, and to communicate with customers and suppliers around the world.
Highly skilled workforce: Singapore has a highly skilled workforce with a strong work ethic. The government invests heavily in education, and English is the lingua franca, making it easy for businesses to attract and retain talent from around the world.
Political stability: Singapore is a stable and politically neutral country. This makes it a safe place to do business, and it also reduces the risk of political instability affecting your business.
If you are considering setting up a company in Singapore, speak to a qualified lawyer or accountant to get more information about the process and the benefits that Singapore has to offer.
What Information is Required to Incorporating a Company
Proposed company name
Principal activities
3. Details of proposed director(s) and shareholder(s) - include address, ID number, ID type, Nationality/Citizenship and contact information
Paid-up capital / Shares details
Registered office address
Choosing a Company Name
Every business needs a name to distinguish itself and make it easy for others to find the business. The first step is to choose a suitable name.
Appointing Directors, Company Secretary and other Key Personnel
You will need to provide company officers' personal identification details, contact information (phone number and email address) and residential address.
Directors
A director is a person responsible for managing the affairs of the company. He must make decisions objectively and in the best interests of the company. Every company must have at least one resident director in Singapore. This person can be a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident, Dependent Pass holder or an EntrePass holder. Subject to laws and regulations on employment of foreign manpower, an Employment Pass holder may be accepted as a director.
These are the basic requirements of a company director. He must:
be at least 18 years old;
be of full legal capacity;
be a Singapore citizen, Singapore permanent resident or EntrePass holder. Directors can also be Employment Pass (EP) holders. However, EP holders who wish to become a director of a local company must first obtain a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower;
not be disqualified from acting as a company director, such as an undischarged bankrupt.
Bestar provides nominee resident director by our external working panels to help clients meet the legal requirement for a company to have a resident director.
Company Secretary
Every company must appoint a secretary within 6 months from the date of its incorporation.
The company secretary must be a natural person residing locally in Singapore and he/she must not be the sole director of the company.
Auditor
Every company must appoint an auditor within 3 months after the establishment of the company, unless the audit requirements are exempted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Companies Act. Read more about the audit exemption concept for small companies here.
Foreigners who Wish to Incorporate a Local Company in Singapore
Foreigners who wish to establish a local company in Singapore must hire a director who meets the above-mentioned requirements regarding directors.
After establishing a local company, you can choose to live outside of Singapore. However, if you wish to come to Singapore to manage the company's business, you must obtain approval from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Shareholders
There must be at least one shareholder (can be a corporate body or an individual). You need to provide personal identification details, contact information (phone number and email address) and the address of each shareholder's residence.
A branch can set up a company in Singapore.
A private company has a maximum number of shareholders limited to 50. 100% foreign ownership is allowed.
Capital Share Information
Share capital refers to the amount of money that shareholders have committed to the company. Share capital can be issued with or without full payment from shareholders.
You must indicate the amount of issued capital. The minimum issued share capital is $1 when you incorporate a company. However, there is no minimum paid-up capital requirement. The minimum paid up share capital is typically $1 in any currency comprising at least one share. “Paid up capital” refers to the amount shareholders have paid to the company for their shares.
For example, a company issues 100,000 shares at $1 each to its shareholders. This brings the issued share capital to $100,000. If the shareholders have only paid up 50% of their shareholding, the paid up capital will be $50,000 and the unpaid share capital will be $50,000. If the shareholders pay the remainder 50% of their shareholding, then the company’s paid up capital will become $100,000 and the unpaid share capital will be $0.
The share capital may be altered or increased, subject to certain conditions. Companies are not required to have an authorized capital which is the maximum value of shares which a company may issue.
Share capital may be payable in cash or otherwise or both. If otherwise in cash, the allotment can be under different methods:
Pursuant to a contract in writing
Pursuant to a contract not reduced to writing
Pursuant to a provision in the constitution
In satisfaction of a dividend in favor of, but no payable in cash to, the shareholder or in pursuance of the application of monies held in an account or reserve in paying up unissued shares to which the shareholders have been entitled
Pursuant to a scheme of arrangement approved by the Court
The respective document is required to be attached.
Companies can issue different types of shares under different conditions. Generally, companies issue two main types of shares:
Ordinary shares: have voting rights and give shareholders a variable dividend rate (that is, dividends paid to shareholders from company profits)
Preference shares: usually enjoy priority over ordinary shares in dividend distribution. The specific rights and benefits of preference shares are business decisions made by each company. They are included in the Constitution or resolutions passed during the meetings.
Registered Office Address
The registered office address refers to the place where all communications and notices to the company are sent, and the place where the company's register and records are kept.
You need to identify an address to carry out your business. P.O. Box address cannot be used as the business address.
The registered office must be operational and open to the public during normal office hours, but does not have to be where the company conducts activities (for example, the registered office address can be in Financial District, but the factory can be in Pioneer).
Under the Home Office Scheme, residents are allowed to use their residential address as the business address. This scheme applies to both HDB and private properties. Flat owners/occupiers can seek approval from HDB. Private residential property owners can seek approval from URA.
Constitution
The constitution is a legal document in which it:
Describe the key characteristics of the company.
Contains its governance rules and regulations.
Describes how to perform its operation.
Explains the rights and responsibilities of directors, shareholders and company secretary.
When applying for incorporation of a company, a copy of the company's constitution must be submitted.
If you do not want to create your own constitution, you can choose to adopt the "Model Constitution".
A copy of the constitution signed by the subscribers ("shareholders") should be kept in the company's registered office.
Any changes to the constitution will involve the passing of a special resolution. The company must also submit a copy of the special resolution and a copy of the revised constitution to ACRA ("Notice of Resolution" transaction) within 14 days.
Deciding on a Financial Year End
You must also decide the first financial year end (FYE) of the new company. FYE will determine when your company filings and taxes are due. Common choices for companies include March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31.
You must also determine whether your accounting period is 12 months or more than 52 weeks.
The company must notify ACRA of any subsequent changes in FYE. Without the approval of the registrar, the company cannot change its FYE:
if the FYE change will cause the financial year longer than 18 months; or
if FYE has changed in the last 5 years (from the last changed FYE).
Time Taken to Register a Company in Singapore
The time it takes to register a company in Singapore is usually within a day. It may take between 14 days to 2 months if the application needs to be referred to another agency for approval or review.
Fee
The fee for registering a company is $315.
Package $650 (GST is chargeable)
Includes:
Company Name Search and Application Fee (S$15)
Singapore Pte Ltd Company Registration Fee (S$300)
Constitution Business Profile (S$5.50)
Application of Banking Account
12 Months Company Secretary ($300)
- 1 Named Secretary
- First Board Resolution
How Bestar can Help
Bestar is a company formation service provider in Singapore that offers a comprehensive range of services to help businesses set up and operate in Singapore. These services include:
Company incorporation
Accounting and tax services
Corporate secretarial services
Business advisory services
Compliance services
Bestar can help you with every step of the process of setting up a company in Singapore, from choosing the right business structure to filing the necessary paperwork. They have a team of experienced professionals who can guide you through the process and ensure that your company is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
Here are some of the ways in which Bestar can help you set up a company in Singapore:
Advise you on the best business structure for your needs. There are different types of business structures available in Singapore, and Bestar can help you choose the one that is right for your business.
Assist you with the registration process. Bestar will help you gather the necessary documents and file the required paperwork with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
Provide you with accounting and tax services. Bestar can help you set up your accounting system and ensure that you are compliant with all applicable tax laws.
Act as your corporate secretary. Bestar can take care of all of your corporate secretarial needs, such as maintaining your company's records and filing annual returns.
Provide you with business advisory services. Bestar can offer you advice on a wide range of business-related matters, such as marketing, legal, and HR.
Help you with compliance matters. Bestar can help you stay compliant with all applicable laws and regulations, such as those governing employment, intellectual property, and data protection.
Bestar is a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes who are looking to set up or operate in Singapore. They have a proven track record of success, and they offer a wide range of services that can help you achieve your business goals.
Here are some of the benefits of using Bestar to set up a company in Singapore:
Expertise: Bestar has a team of experienced professionals who can help you with every step of the process.
Convenience: Bestar can handle all of the paperwork and filing for you, so you can focus on your business.
Cost-effectiveness: Bestar's services are competitively priced, and they offer a variety of packages to fit your budget.
Peace of mind: Knowing that your company is in good hands with Bestar can give you peace of mind so you can focus on growing your business.
If you are considering setting up a company in Singapore, contact Bestar to learn more about their services. They can help you get started on the right foot and ensure that your company is successful.
If you would like to incorporate companies, please contact Bestar.
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