Complete Guide to Singapore Entity Registration via ACRA BizFile+
Complete Guide to Singapore Entity Registration via ACRA BizFile+
💡 Executive Summary
How do I register a business entity in Singapore?
You can register a business entity online through BizFile+, the official portal of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) at bizfile.gov.sg. Singapore residents use Singpass to log in, while corporate representatives use Corppass. Foreigners must engage a local registered filing agent (such as a law, accounting, or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the application on their behalf. Standard company incorporation fees are S$300 to S$315, and approval is typically granted within 1 to 3 business days.
1. Pre-Registration Checklist & Requirements
Before initiating your entity registration on BizFile+, ensure you have met the necessary structural, residential, and documentation requirements.
Entity Structure Options
Local Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd): Most common; limits liability to share capital; separate legal entity.
Sole Proprietorship / Partnership: Suitable for small-scale or individual operations; carries personal liability.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) / Limited Partnership (LP): Combines features of partnerships and corporate structures.
Core Mandatory Requirements
Company Name: Must be unique, approved by ACRA, and free of restricted or obscene terms.
Registered Address: Must be a physical Singapore address (no PO Boxes) that remains accessible to the public for at least 3 business hours daily.
Local Director / Manager: At least one director (for Pte Ltd) or local manager (for LLPs) must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (Singapore Citizen, PR, or eligible work pass holder).
Shareholders & Capital: Minimum of 1 shareholder (can be 100% foreign-owned); initial paid-up capital starting from S$1.
2. Step-by-Step Entity Registration Process via BizFile+
[ Step 1: Reserve Name ] ──> [ Step 2: Prepare Docs ] ──> [ Step 3: Login (Singpass/Corppass) ] ──> [ Step 4: Submit & Pay ] ──> [ Step 5: Approval & UEN Issued ]
Step 1: Reserve Your Business Name
Log in to BizFile+ using Singpass or Corppass.
Navigate to Local Company > Apply for New Business Name.
Enter your proposed name and select the appropriate SSIC (Singapore Standard Industrial Classification) code reflecting your primary business activity.
Pay the S$15 name reservation fee and await approval (usually instantaneous unless referred to an external authority).
Step 2: Gather Required Details & Documents
Approved business name application transaction number.
Full personal particulars, residential addresses, and contact details for all directors, shareholders, and company secretaries.
Company Constitution (you may adopt ACRA’s Model Constitution or upload a customized version).
Step 3: Submit Incorporation Application
Return to BizFile+ and select Incorporate a Company under the "Start a Business" section.
Link the application to your approved business name.
Complete all fields regarding share capital, share structure, and appointment holders.
Upload required attachments (e.g., Constitution).
Step 4: Endorsement & Fee Payment
All position holders (directors, shareholders, secretaries) must log into BizFile+ to endorse their respective appointments.
Pay the non-refundable S$300 registration fee (plus S$15 name application fee, totaling S$315) via credit card or eNETS.
Step 5: Official Approval & Issuance of UEN
Once reviewed by ACRA, you will receive an email notification of incorporation.
Your company's Unique Entity Number (UEN) becomes active immediately, and you can download your official Certificate of Incorporation and BizFile Business Profile.
3. Post-Registration Action Items
After successfully registering your entity on BizFile+, complete these essential steps to operationalize your business:
Open a Corporate Bank Account: Provide your UEN, ACRA Business Profile, and directors' KYC documents to your preferred financial institution.
Appoint a Company Secretary: Mandated by law to be appointed within 6 months of incorporation for Pte Ltd companies.
Evaluate GST Registration: Mandatory if your taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million within a 12-month period, or optional for voluntary registration.
Maintain Compliance: File annual returns on BizFile+ and conduct Annual General Meetings (AGMs) as applicable under the Companies Act.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can foreigners register a company directly on BizFile?
A: No. Foreign individuals cannot directly submit an incorporation application using BizFile without local credentials. Foreign founders must engage a registered filing agent (such as a law firm, accounting firm, or corporate secretarial service) to submit the application on their behalf.
Q: How long does company registration take on BizFile+?
A: Standard applications without referrals to external regulatory agencies are typically approved within 1 to 3 business days (often on the same day).
Q: What is an ACRA Business Profile and how do I buy one?
A: An ACRA Business Profile is an official document outlining a company's legal status, registered address, share capital, and particulars of directors and shareholders. Anyone can purchase an entity's business profile on BizFile+ for S$5.50 using Singpass or Corppass.
Q: What should I do if my company details change?
A: Any updates to your entity name, registered office address, email, or business activities must be lodged through the Update Entity Information eService on BizFile+ within 14 days of the change to avoid late lodgement penalties.
Bestar Singapore Registered Filing Agent: Complete Corporate Secretarial, Accounting & Incorporation Guide
Complete Guide to Singapore Entity Registration via ACRA BizFile+
💡 Executive Summary
What is Bestar Singapore and why choose them as a Registered Filing Agent?
Bestar is an ACRA-licensed Registered Filing Agent (RFA) and full-service accounting and corporate secretarial firm in Singapore. Bestar provides end-to-end entity setup, nominee local director support, statutory compliance, bookkeeping, auditing, and corporate tax filing (IRAS) for foreign entrepreneurs, local SMEs, and multinational corporations expanding across Southeast Asia.
1. Why Partner with an ACRA-Registered Filing Agent (RFA)?
Under Singapore law, foreign individuals and foreign entities cannot register a company directly on ACRA BizFile+ without local credentials (Singpass/Corppass). You are legally required to engage an ACRA-licensed Registered Filing Agent.
[ Foreign Founder / SME ] ──> [ Bestar (Registered Filing Agent) ] ──> [ ACRA BizFile+ & IRAS ] ──> [ Official UEN & Certificate ]
Core Advantages of Choosing Bestar
ACRA Compliance Assurance: Direct integration with ACRA BizFile+ for immediate UEN generation and error-free lodgements.
Full-Stack Professional Support: Unified governance covering corporate secretarial, bookkeeping (Xero/QuickBooks), audit, tax advisory, and payroll.
Local Resident Representation: Compliant Nominee Director arrangements and registered office address provision.
Cross-Border Expertise: Specialized foreign entity setups (Subsidiaries, Branch Offices, Representative Offices) alongside Employment Pass (EP) visa processing.
2. Comprehensive Service Overview
Service Category | Key Offerings & Features | Primary Business Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Company Incorporation | Entity structuring (Pte Ltd, LLP, Branch), ACRA name reservation, Constitution drafting, UEN issuance. | Rapid setup (1–3 business days) with 100% legal compliance. |
Corporate Secretarial | Statutory registers maintenance, AGM preparation, ACRA Annual Return filing, share transfers. | Eliminates compliance risk and avoids late lodgement penalties under the Companies Act. |
Accounting & Bookkeeping | Monthly/quarterly ledgers, XBRL statement preparation, cloud platform management (Xero/QuickBooks). | FRS-compliant financial records ready for investor due diligence or bank review. |
Corporate Tax & IRAS Compliance | Form C-S/C computation, ECI filing, GST quarterly reporting, startup tax exemption optimization. | Maximizes tax savings legally while ensuring timely IRAS submissions. |
Nominee & Virtual Address | Qualified local resident Nominee Director services, prestigious Singapore business office address. | Satisfies local statutory requirements for non-resident founders. |
3. Step-by-Step Incorporation Process with Bestar
Consultation & Entity Structuring: Assess your operational needs to determine the best structure (Private Limited, Subsidiary, or Branch Office).
ACRA Name Search & Reservation: Verify and reserve your proposed business name and assign appropriate SSIC codes.
KYC & Due Diligence Clearance: Submit passport copies, proof of residential address, and corporate ownership charts for mandatory AML/CFT screening.
BizFile+ Submission: Bestar prepares and files the official incorporation documents via ACRA's portal.
Post-Incorporation Support: Receive your official Unique Entity Number (UEN), Certificate of Incorporation, and Business Profile; proceed directly to corporate bank account opening and EP visa filings.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can foreign founders own 100% of a Singapore company through Bestar?
A: Yes. Singapore permits 100% foreign shareholding. Bestar acts as your ACRA Registered Filing Agent and can provide a statutory Nominee Director to fulfill the local residency requirement under the Companies Act.
Q: What documents are required to start a company with Bestar?
A: Individual shareholders/directors need a copy of their passport, proof of foreign residential address (e.g., utility bill or bank statement within 3 months), and a brief business profile. Corporate shareholders must provide certificate of incorporation and governance documents.
Q: How quickly can Bestar incorporate a Singapore company?
A: Once anti-money laundering (AML) checks are verified, name reservation and entity registration on ACRA BizFile+ are typically completed within 1 to 3 business days.
Q: Does Bestar assist with corporate bank account opening?
A: Yes. Bestar facilitates introductions and prepares statutory documentation for account opening with major local and international banks in Singapore (e.g., DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC, Standard Chartered).
🎯 Take the Next Step
Ready to establish or streamline your business operations in Singapore? Contact Bestar today to schedule an expert consultation for incorporation, secretarial, tax, and accounting solutions.
🚀 Get Started with Bestar Today
Ready to incorporate your business or streamline your accounting and statutory compliance in Singapore?
Take the Next Step for Your Business:
📞 Direct Line: +65 6299 4730
📧 Email Inquiry: admin@bestar-asia.com
💬 WhatsApp Consult: Chat with a Bestar Specialist on WhatsApp
📍 Office Address: 23 New Industrial Road, #04-08 Solstice Business Center, Singapore 536209
🌐 Official Website: www.bestar-sg.com
Ready to talk? Schedule your free, non-obligatory 30-minute consultation with our ACRA Registered Filing Agent team to get your UEN in as little as 24 hours.
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