Incorporating a Company in Singapore: Key Steps and Support Services

Singapore continues to be one of the most attractive destinations in Asia for entrepreneurs and investors seeking a stable, transparent, and efficient business environment. The process of incorporating a Private Limited Company in Singapore is straightforward and can be completed within one working day, provided that all necessary information and documents are in order.

At HC Consultancy Pte. Ltd., we guide clients through every stage of incorporation, from name reservation and registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to fulfilling post-incorporation compliance requirements.

Incorporation of a Singapore Company

The incorporation process involves preparing and submitting several key documents to ACRA. These include:

• Company Constitution (formerly known as Memorandum & Articles of Association) – which outlines the governance structure of the company.
• Statutory Registers – including details of shareholders, directors, secretaries, and controllers.
• First Board of Directors’ Meeting – formalising the appointment of officers and issuing the first share certificates.
• Share Certificates – evidencing ownership of company shares.
• Name Search and Reservation – conducted through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal to secure your company name.

Once all documents are approved, the company is incorporated, and a Unique Entity Number (UEN) is issued for business use.

Corporate Secretarial Support

Under Singapore law, every company must appoint a qualified company secretary within six months of incorporation. The secretary plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, maintaining company records, and managing corporate filings.

Our secretarial service includes:

• Appointment of a named company secretary (a qualified lawyer and Chartered Secretary).
• Preparation and documentation of the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Drafting of board and shareholder resolutions.
• Preparation and filing of annual returns with ACRA.
• Maintenance of minute books and statutory registers.
• Updating of company records and assistance with compliance reporting.

Appointing a professional company secretary ensures that your company remains in good legal standing and meets all ACRA requirements efficiently.

Registered Office Address

Every Singapore company must have a registered office address where official communications and notices can be sent.

For clients without a physical presence in Singapore, we can provide the use of our office address as your company’s registered office. This service includes:

• Receiving all official correspondence and government notices.
• Mail redirection or forwarding to your preferred address.

This option provides convenience and helps maintain a professional corporate image, particularly for foreign-owned companies or startups not yet operating from a physical location.

Statutory Registers and Compliance Records

Singapore companies are required to maintain updated statutory registers that are available for inspection by the authorities when requested. These include:

• Register of Registrable Controllers (RORC) – identifies individuals or entities with significant control or ownership of the company.
• Register of Nominee Directors – records directors acting on behalf of another person or entity.
• Register of Nominee Shareholders – lists shareholders holding shares on behalf of others.

It is the company’s responsibility to maintain accurate and current registers. However, our team can assist in preparing and updating these registers, ensuring compliance with the latest requirements and timely lodgement with ACRA.

Nominee Director Services

Under Singapore law, at least one resident director must be appointed in every private limited company. This director must be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Employment Pass holder with a valid local address.

For foreign clients without a local representative, we offer Nominee Director (ND) services to satisfy this statutory requirement. The Nominee Director stands in solely to meet the residency criteria and does not participate in the management or operations of the company.

Key features of this service include:

• Appointment of a trusted professional as your local resident director.
• Ensuring compliance with ACRA’s requirements.
• Maintenance of confidentiality and protection of client interests through proper documentation.

This arrangement allows foreign business owners to operate their Singapore entity smoothly while meeting all legal obligations.

Post-Incorporation Assistance

Once your company is incorporated, several post-registration tasks must be completed to enable business operations. We can assist with:

• Opening a corporate bank account in Singapore.
• Setting up CorpPass access for all government e-services (ACRA, IRAS, MOM).
• Applying for necessary business licences or permits, depending on your industry.
• Preparing tax registration and GST filing setup if applicable.

We also provide advisory support for corporate structure, shareholding arrangements, and regulatory compliance to ensure a solid foundation for your business operations in Singapore.