What if I do not have a local director when setting up a company in Singapore?

There are usually three options: use a nominee director service, have yourself or an employee obtain an Employment Pass and become the local resident director, or appoint an acquaintance who meets the local residency requirement as a director.

A local resident director must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or work pass holder who meets the local residency requirement, and the company must have at least one local resident director registered at all times.

• If a Korean parent company is setting up a subsidiary: Because the Korean parent company (a corporate entity) cannot be a director, many companies use a nominee director service until the employee or executive to be seconded obtains an Employment Pass under the subsidiary.
• Individual founders (living overseas): Set up the company first with a nominee director service, then consider an Employment Pass or EntrePass. Whether a visa is issued depends on the outcome of the assessment.
• If you appoint a local acquaintance as a director: That director also bears legal duties and liabilities towards the company, so it is advisable to set out their role and scope of responsibility in writing in advance.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a nominee director serviceand Employment Pass application support.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA