What types of companies are there in Singapore?
The form usually set up by foreigners for business purposes is the private limited company (Pte. Ltd.). Other forms include the public company (Ltd), the company limited by guarantee for non-profit purposes, the branch of a foreign company, the representative office and the sole proprietorship.
- Private limited company (private company, Pte. Ltd.): A private company with 50 or fewer shareholders, and the most commonly used form.
- Public company (public company limited by shares, Ltd): A company that can offer its shares to the public.
- Company limited by guarantee (public company limited by guarantee): A company without shares, used for non-profit organisations.
- Branch of a foreign company: The same legal entity as the parent company, which bears all liability.
- Representative office: A temporary form for market research that cannot carry out revenue-generating activities.
- Sole proprietorship: Not a separate legal entity, and the owner has unlimited liability.
If you are unsure which form is right for you, you can request a consultation through the Lee Kim Alliance Contact page.
As of November 2026, source: ACRA
