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Singapore Company Incorporation FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Singapore Company Formation

TOP FAQs

  • What visa does the director of a Singapore company need to work in Singapore?

    Usually the newly incorporated Singapore company acts as the employer and applies for the director's own Employment Pass. If the founder has raised investment or has a track record as an entrepreneur, EntrePass can also be considered.

    To work in Singapore, even a managing director or director needs an Employment Pass. The Employment Pass is applied for online by the employer or an appointed employment agent, and approval depends on MOM's review.

    • If a Korean head office is setting up a subsidiary: when a head office employee is seconded, the Singapore subsidiary applies for the Employment Pass, and intra-corporate transferees may be exempt from the COMPASS assessment.
    • If you are an individual founder: after incorporation, the company applies for the director's own Employment Pass, and the review considers salary as well as education, work experience and the business.
    • If your spouse holds an Employment Pass and you hold a DP: you can consider running the business with a separate permission (LOC).

    Lee Kim Alliance provides an Employment Pass application service.

    As of November 2026, source: MOM

  • What is the process for incorporating a Singapore company?

    The usual order is submitting company information and documents, paying the fees, signing the incorporation documents electronically and registering with ACRA. Once signing is complete, registration is completed within 1-2 business days.

    1. Confirm the company name, business activities, directors and shareholders, and share capital, and submit documents
    2. Pay the incorporation fees
    3. Sign the incorporation resolutions and other documents electronically
    4. Register with ACRA and receive the company registration number (UEN)
    5. After incorporation, open a bank account, apply for an Employment Pass and start company secretary services

    If the company name or business activity is subject to review by another authority, registration may be delayed.

    You can find step-by-step guidance on the Lee Kim Alliance How it works page and apply through the online application form (for-profit company).

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

  • Can I set up a Singapore company while living in Korea?

    Yes. You can set up a Singapore company even if you live in Korea. However, at least one of the directors must be locally resident in Singapore, so you first need to decide how you will have a local resident director.

    A local resident is a person who meets ACRA's residency requirement, such as a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or Employment Pass holder. There is no residency requirement for shareholders.

    • If the founder plans to move to Singapore: If you obtain an Employment Pass after incorporation, you can become the local resident director. Whether a visa is issued depends on the outcome of the assessment.
    • If you have an acquaintance or employee in Singapore who is a citizen or permanent resident: That person can be appointed as the local resident director.
    • If neither is possible: You can use a nominee director service and replace the nominee director later.

    Lee Kim Alliance provides a nominee director service.

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

  • How long does it take to set up a company in Singapore?

    Usually, once the required documents are ready and signed, registration of a Singapore company is completed within 1-2 business days. It may take longer if the company name or business activity requires review by another agency.

    ACRA approves most registrations right after payment, and if review by another government agency is required, it may take up to 15 business days.

    • Individual founders: Only passport and proof of address are needed, so document preparation tends to be quick.
    • If a Korean parent company is setting up a subsidiary: More time is needed to prepare documents, such as notarising the appointment letter for the representative.
    • Industries such as finance, education and real estate: Registration may be delayed by review from the relevant authorities.

    You can check each step on the Lee Kim Alliance How it workspage.

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

  • Can a non-resident also use a nominee director service?

    Yes. If all directors live overseas, you can meet the local director requirement by appointing a nominee director through a corporate service provider (CSP) registered with ACRA.

    From 9 June 2025, a person who acts as a nominee director by way of business can only be appointed after a registered CSP has confirmed that they are fit and proper. The company must file with ACRA the fact that the director is a nominee director and the details of the nominator, and a nominee director has the same legal duties as the other directors.

    For this reason, customer due diligence procedures such as identifying the beneficial owners, and signing the nominee agreement, are required before the service begins.

    As an ACRA registered Filing Agent (FA20122902), Lee Kim Alliance provides a nominee director service.

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

  • What documents are needed to open a Singapore corporate bank account?

    The basic documents are usually the company documents (BizFile, constitution), passport copies of directors, shareholders and authorised signatories, English proof of address dated within the last 3 months, and an English business profile.

    All documents must be in English, and documents not in English must be translated and notarised. The bank may ask for additional documents such as business contracts and information on major customers or suppliers.

    • If a Korean head office is setting up a subsidiary: the Korean company's business registration certificate and shareholder register (translated and notarised) are also required, and the bank usually asks for the identification of individual shareholders holding 25% or more.
    • If you are an individual founder: the application proceeds with the passports and proof of address of the directors and shareholders themselves.

    Lee Kim Alliance provides a corporate bank account opening support service.

  • What is the minimum paid-up capital required to set up a Singapore company?

    S$1. A Singapore private limited company (Pte. Ltd.) can be set up with paid-up capital of S$1 and one share, and the capital can be denominated in currencies other than Singapore dollars, such as US dollars.

    However, it is advisable to set the actual capital taking into account the size of the business, initial operating funds, corporate bank account opening and any plans to apply for an Employment Pass. Banks and MOM also look at the substance of the company's business, and the outcome depends on their assessment.

    Capital can also be increased after incorporation by issuing new shares.

    Lee Kim Alliance reviews a capital structure that suits your business plan as part of its company incorporation service.

    As of November 2026

  • Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company?

    Yes. Singapore does not restrict the nationality or residence of shareholders, so an individual living in Korea or a Korean parent company can hold 100% of a Singapore company.

    However, separately from the shareholders, at least one of the directors must be locally resident in Singapore.

    • Regulated industries such as finance: Regardless of the shareholding structure, you should first check the licensing requirements of the relevant authorities.

    Lee Kim Alliance provides a nominee director service.

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

  • What are the requirements for setting up a company in Singapore?

    With at least one director (at least one of whom is locally resident), one shareholder, capital of S$1, a Singapore registered address and a company secretary, even foreigners can set up a Singapore private limited company (Pte. Ltd.).

    • Directors: At least one, and at least one of them must meet the local residency requirement, for example as a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or Employment Pass holder.
    • Shareholders: 1 to 50, and both individuals and corporate entities are allowed. There are no nationality or residency restrictions, so 100% foreign ownership is also possible.
    • Capital: A minimum of S$1, with at least one share issued.
    • Registered address: An address in Singapore is required.
    • Company secretary: A locally resident individual must be appointed within 6 months of the date of incorporation.

    You can check the items to prepare in the incorporation checklist, and Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

  • Is a local director required to set up a company in Singapore?

    Yes. Every company set up in Singapore must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (local resident director). The other directors may live overseas, for example in Korea.

    The local resident director can be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or work pass holder who meets the local residency requirement. The local resident director has the same legal duties as the other directors.

    • If a Korean parent company is setting up a subsidiary: The employee or executive to be seconded can obtain an Employment Pass under the subsidiary and become the local resident director, or the company can use a nominee director service until the visa is issued.
    • Individual founders (living overseas): The usual approach is to set up the company with a nominee director service and then, if needed, replace the nominee director after the founder obtains an Employment Pass.
    • Singapore residents (PR and work pass holders): First check the type and conditions of your pass to see whether you can be the local resident director yourself.

    Lee Kim Alliance provides a nominee director service.

    As of November 2026, source: ACRA

Shareholders

How is the value of shares in a Singapore company determined?

The value of shares can generally be viewed in two ways: the issue price paid by the shareholder when subscribing for the shares, and the actual value reflecting the company's current worth. The two amounts may differ.

  • Issue price: The amount the shareholder agrees to pay at incorporation or when new shares are issued, which is reflected in the company's share capital.
  • Actual value: Varies depending on the company's net assets, profitability, transaction terms and so on, and is often valued separately when shares are transferred or investment is raised.

When shares are transferred, the transfer price may affect taxes such as stamp duty, so it should be reviewed before the transaction. A share transfer in a private limited company takes effect after ACRA updates the electronic register of members (EROM).

Tax treatment can differ depending on the company's revenue, shareholder structure and transactions, so please consult an accounting professional before applying it.

The Lee Kim Alliance accounting team provides accounting and tax consultation.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

Can a Singapore company issue classes of shares other than ordinary shares?

Yes. Most companies are set up with ordinary shares, but other classes of shares such as preference shares can also be issued, subject to the constitution. The voting and dividend rights of each class of shares are set by the constitution and the terms of issue.

  • Ordinary shares: Usually carry voting rights, and when the company declares a dividend, holders receive it in proportion to their holdings.
  • Preference shares: Often receive dividends ahead of ordinary shares or carry a fixed dividend, and often have no voting rights. The priority of capital repayment on liquidation and redemption terms can also be set in the terms of issue.

If you want to create different classes of shares for raising investment or for a co-founder structure, the constitution should be reviewed before incorporation or the issue of new shares.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

What is a share?

A share is a unit of ownership interest in a company.

How do directors and shareholders differ in a Singapore company?

Directors manage the company and are responsible for fulfilling its legal obligations, while shareholders are the owners of the company who hold its shares. Shareholders decide key matters such as the appointment of directors at general meetings.

  • Directors: Handle day-to-day management and board resolutions, and are responsible for fulfilling statutory obligations such as filings with ACRA. At least one must be locally resident.
  • Shareholders: Own the company in proportion to the shares they hold, and have dividend and voting rights at general meetings depending on the class of shares. There is no residency requirement.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

Who can be a shareholder of a Singapore company?

Individuals, companies and limited liability partnerships (LLP) can all be shareholders of a Singapore company, and there are no nationality or residency restrictions. Residents of Korea and Korean companies can also be shareholders.

Unlike directors, shareholders do not need to live in Singapore. A private limited company (Pte. Ltd.) can have a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 50 shareholders.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

What are shareholders and shares in a Singapore company?

A share is a unit of ownership in a company, and a shareholder is an individual or corporate entity that holds those shares. Shareholders have rights such as dividends and voting rights depending on the number and class of shares they hold.

If there are several shareholders, each owns the company in proportion to the shares they hold. In principle, shareholders of a private limited company (Pte. Ltd.) are liable only up to the amount they have invested.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

Do the directors and shareholders of a Singapore company have to be the same person?

No. Directors and shareholders do not have to be the same person. One person can be both a director and a shareholder, a person with no shares can be a director, and a person who is not a director can be just a shareholder.

A one-person company in which one individual is the sole shareholder and director is also possible. However, if that person is not resident in Singapore, one more local resident director must be appointed.

  • If a Korean parent company is setting up a subsidiary: The parent company (a corporate entity) becomes the shareholder, and employees or executives of the parent company become directors in their personal capacity.
  • Individual founders (living overseas): The founder becomes both shareholder and director, and a nominee director is added.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

What are the minimum and maximum numbers of shareholders for a Singapore company?

A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 50. A single-shareholder company in which one shareholder holds 100% of the shares can also be set up, and the limit of 50 applies to private limited companies (Pte. Ltd.).

Shareholders can be both individuals and corporate entities, and there are no restrictions on shareholders' nationality or residence.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service.

As of November 2026

Can a shareholder also be a director?

Yes, there are no restrictions prohibiting an individual assuming both roles.

What is the register of registrable controllers (RORC) of a Singapore company?

The register of registrable controllers (RORC) records the individuals and entities that actually own or control the company. Unless exempt, every company must prepare and keep it, and file it with ACRA.

Companies incorporated on or after 16 June 2025 file controller information with ACRA on the date of incorporation, and the register is kept at the company's registered address or at the registered CSP's office. This obligation also applies to dormant companies.

  • If a Korean head office is setting up a subsidiary: you may be asked for supporting documents not only for the Korean head office but also for the individuals who ultimately control it.
  • Individual founders: the shareholder is usually recorded as the controller.

If controller information changes, the register must be updated and reported to ACRA within the set deadline, and a confirmation notice must be sent to the controllers every year.

Through its company secretary service, Lee Kim Alliance helps prepare and file the register of registrable controllers.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

Can a Korean head office (company) be a shareholder of a Singapore company?

Yes, a Korean company can be a shareholder of a Singapore company, and the most common form is a subsidiary 100% owned by the Korean head office. However, a corporate entity cannot be a director, so directors are appointed as individuals.

A corporate shareholder submits an English business registration certificate, a notarised corporate shareholder representative appointment letter, a shareholder register and similar documents, and may additionally be asked for documents identifying the individuals who ultimately control the company (beneficial owners).

Investing in an overseas company from Korea may require a report under Korean foreign exchange regulations, so please check with your bank in advance.

Please refer to Lee Kim Alliance's company incorporation service and company setup checklist.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

Can I own 100% of a Singapore company while living in Korea?

Yes, regardless of where they live, Korean residents can also own 100% of the shares of a Singapore company. However, at least one director must be a local resident of Singapore.

Shareholders have no nationality or residency requirement, so a single-shareholder company is also possible. If the shareholder also acts as a director, one more local resident director must be appointed.

  • Individual founder (living overseas): the founder becomes the 100% shareholder and director, and appoints a nominee director service (Nominee Director).
  • If you plan to move to Singapore: you can also obtain an Employment Pass after incorporation and become the local resident director yourself; whether the pass is issued depends on the review.

When a Korean resident invests in an overseas company, a report under Korean foreign exchange regulations may be required, so please check with your bank in advance.

Lee Kim Alliance provides a company incorporation service and a nominee director service.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

How do I transfer shares of a Singapore company to another person?

Usually the parties agree on the transfer terms, sign an instrument of transfer and report the transfer to ACRA. The transfer takes effect once it is reflected in ACRA's electronic register of members.

  1. Agree on terms such as the number of shares transferred and the price
  2. Check transfer restrictions in the constitution and whether board approval is required
  3. Sign the instrument of transfer and handle stamp duty (if applicable)
  4. File with ACRA and have it reflected in the electronic register of members (EROM)
  5. Update related registers such as the register of registrable controllers

Stamp duty and tax on any gain from the transfer can vary depending on the transfer price and where the transferor and transferee are resident.

Tax treatment can differ depending on the company's revenue, shareholder structure and transactions, so please consult an accounting professional before applying it.

The Lee Kim Alliance accounting team provides accounting and tax consultations.

As of November 2026, source: ACRA

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