The mandatory government cost to incorporate a company in Singapore is S$315, made up of a S$15 name application fee and a S$300 registration fee payable to ACRA. That figure never changes regardless of your business structure. Your realistic Year 1 budget, however, tells a different story. Resident founders filing themselves often spend under S$2,000 in total, while foreign founders needing a nominee director should plan for several thousand dollars more.

TL;DR:

  • The fixed government fee for company registration in Singapore is S$315, covering name application and registration, but total Year 1 costs vary significantly depending on additional services.
  • Resident founders filing themselves can expect to spend under S$2,000 initially, while foreign founders requiring nominee directors and full services should plan for S$3,000 to S$6,000 or more.
  • Additional mandatory costs include company secretary fees (S$280–S$900 annually), registered office services (S$110–S$420 annually), and nominee director fees (several hundred to thousands yearly).
  • Processing times can range from minutes for straightforward applications to 14–60 days if referral or licensing delays occur, especially in regulated sectors.
  • Ongoing costs include annual return filings, bookkeeping, tax compliance, and eventually GST registration if turnover exceeds S$1 million, and these are fixed expenses that must be budgeted for beyond initial incorporation.
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What does the company incorporation cost in Singapore actually cover?

The S$315 government fee is the one number every founder can rely on staying fixed. It breaks into two separate charges collected through BizFile+, the online portal that ACRA uses for both name reservation and company registration.

The name application costs S$15 and this fee is non-refundable, even if your chosen name gets rejected for being too similar to an existing entity. The registration fee itself is S$300, payable once your name is approved and your incorporation documents are ready for submission. Together, these two charges make up the entire company registration fees Singapore requires by law, and no legitimate provider can undercut this floor.

Payment is accepted through the BizFile+ system using major credit cards or eNETS. Most straightforward applications clear within minutes of payment, which surprises many first time founders who expect a lengthy wait. However, applications that get flagged for referral, often because the business activity involves a regulated sector such as education, finance or healthcare, can take between 14 and 60 days to clear, according to GoBusiness guidance. If your proposed activity needs a separate licence, it pays to check that requirement before you file, since delays here often catch founders off guard.

Singapore incorporation fee and clearance timeline

Professional service fees explained: secretary, office, and filing agents

The S$315 government fee rarely reflects your total incorporation cost in Singapore. Every company law requires a company secretary within six months of incorporation, and most founders also need a registered office address if they run their business from home or from overseas.

Market rates for these services vary considerably, and understanding why helps you compare quotes properly.

  • Company secretary: typically S$280 to S$900 per year, depending on filing complexity and whether AGM support and statutory register maintenance are bundled in.
  • Registered office address: usually S$110 to S$420 per year, with pricing tied to mail handling and whether the address doubles as your operational base.
  • Filing and incorporation agent fees: often bundled into starter packages, but standalone filing assistance can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand for complex structures.

Packages differ so widely because providers bundle different combinations of these three elements, plus extras like a company kit, share certificates or bank account introduction. A starter package priced at S$500 to S$1,500 for Year 1 typically covers basic secretarial support and a registered address, but always check what happens to pricing once the introductory period ends.

Do you need a resident director, and what does that cost?

Singapore law requires every company to have at least one director who is ordinarily resident here. This means a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or holder of an Employment Pass or EntrePass with a local residential address.

Foreign founders without any of these statuses cannot meet this requirement alone, which is where nominee director services become necessary. If you already hold an Employment Pass, PR status or citizenship, you skip this cost entirely and simply appoint yourself.

  • Nominee director services typically cost from several hundred to several thousand Singapore dollars per year, depending on the provider and the indemnity terms offered.
  • Contracts usually require a security deposit and a signed indemnity agreement protecting the nominee from operational liability.
  • Some providers charge additional fees if you need the nominee to sign specific documents or attend meetings.

Pro Tip: If you plan to apply for an Employment Pass anyway, timing that application before incorporation can remove the nominee director cost altogether, though the pass approval itself takes several weeks.

Realistic Year 1 cost scenarios with example budgets

Numbers make more sense against real situations. Here is how the Singapore company formation expenses typically stack up across three common founder profiles.

  • Scenario A, resident founder filing solo: S$315 ACRA fee plus a basic secretary at roughly S$300 to S$500 brings Year 1 close to S$700 to S$900.
  • Scenario B, foreign founder with EP or PR status: a starter package covering secretary and registered address runs S$500 to S$1,500, plus the S$315 fee, landing around S$1,000 to S$1,800.
  • Scenario C, foreign founder needing a nominee director and full service: expect S$3,000 on the low end and up to S$6,000 or more once nominee fees, secretary, registered office and filing agent charges combine.

These ranges shift with business complexity, and Scenario C variance depends heavily on which nominee provider you choose.

What ongoing annual costs come after incorporation?

Incorporation is a one time event, but Singapore compliance costs continue every year afterwards. Budgeting only for Year 1 is one of the most common mistakes new founders make.

  • Annual return filing with ACRA carries its own fee, alongside recurring corporate secretary charges of S$280 to S$900 yearly.
  • Bookkeeping and corporate tax filing become mandatory once your company starts trading, and audit requirements kick in for companies exceeding certain revenue, asset or employee thresholds.
  • GST registration becomes compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million, adding quarterly filing obligations.
  • Registered office fees and nominee director charges, where applicable, renew annually at similar rates to your first year.

Treat these as fixed costs of doing business, not optional extras you can defer indefinitely.

How long does the incorporation process actually take?

Timing depends heavily on your business type and whether any authority needs to review your application.

  1. Reserve your company name via BizFile+, which usually clears within minutes for straightforward names.
  2. Submit incorporation documents immediately after name approval, with instant approval typical for standard activities.
  3. Expect a 14 to 60 day delay if your business activity triggers a referral to another government authority.
  4. Open a corporate bank account after incorporation, a step that commonly takes one to three weeks depending on the bank.
  5. Apply for any required work passes separately, since these run on their own timeline independent of incorporation.

What documents do you need before you start?

Preparing paperwork in advance prevents the single most common cause of filing delays.

  • Full identification and residential address proof for every director and shareholder.
  • A signed company constitution, which most providers supply as a standard template.
  • Written consent letters from each proposed director and company secretary.
  • Notarised or officially translated documents for any foreign director or corporate shareholder, where the original is not in English.

Founders operating in regulated sectors such as healthcare should also check specific product or licensing requirements early. Guidance on Singapore regulatory steps before product registration is a useful reference for businesses in that space.

How can you lower your incorporation cost in Singapore?

DIY filing through BizFile+ suits founders who already meet the resident director requirement and feel comfortable handling statutory paperwork themselves. You still need a company secretary within six months, so factor that cost in even when filing solo.

Foreign founders eyeing an Employment Pass should consider timing that application early, since replacing a nominee director with yourself once your pass is approved typically pays for itself within twelve to eighteen months.

Pro Tip: Compare starter packages against full service bundles based on complexity, not price alone. A cheap starter package that excludes AGM support often costs more once you add missing pieces later.

How can you lower your incorporation cost in Singapore? — overview diagram

Bizsquare services for incorporation and first year compliance

Bizsquare Accounting supports founders through every stage of setting up and running a compliant Singapore company. Our services include company incorporation, corporate secretarial support, nominee director arrangements, registered office address provision, bookkeeping and corporate tax filing.

To prepare an accurate quote, we typically ask for your intended business activity, shareholder and director residency status, and whether you need a nominee director or work pass support. Foreign founders applying for an Employment Pass alongside incorporation can also get guidance through our other services page.

Once we understand your situation, we outline exact costs upfront rather than quoting a vague starting price. Explore our complete incorporation guide for a fuller walkthrough of requirements and timelines.

Author view: choosing between DIY, a starter package, and full service

Most founders overthink this decision when three questions settle it quickly. Can you meet the resident director requirement yourself? Do you need to trade within days rather than weeks? Will you need a corporate bank account and work pass sorted quickly?

If you answered yes to the first question and have time to spare, DIY filing with a basic secretary saves real money. If you need speed, or you are managing this from overseas while juggling a work pass application, paying more for full service usually saves far more time than it costs in fees. Map your situation against these triggers before comparing quotes, not after.

— Vandro

Get a Bizsquare quote for your incorporation

Bizsquare is the practical alternative to piecing together your incorporation from separate freelancers and unbundled fee quotes, since we handle name reservation, ACRA filing, nominee director arrangements and your registered office under one coordinated engagement.

Bizsquare

We keep pricing transparent and scoped to your actual business activity, rather than a generic headline figure that changes once you ask about AGM support or bookkeeping. To prepare your quote, we will ask about your business activity, director and shareholder residency, and whether you need nominee director or work pass support. Visit our company incorporation services page to request a quote, or explore our corporate secretary services if you already have an entity and need ongoing compliance support. Reach out today to get a scoped quote based on your specific setup.

Authoritative government and official resources

For verified fee figures, consult the ACRA fee schedule directly. Filing itself happens through BizFile+, and processing timelines are explained on GoBusiness.

Sources

FAQ

How much does it cost to register a company with ACRA in Singapore?

The mandatory ACRA fee is S$315 total, covering a S$15 name application and a S$300 registration fee. Professional service fees for a secretary and registered office come on top of this government charge.

What is the cheapest way to start a company in Singapore?

DIY filing through BizFile+ combined with a basic secretary package keeps costs closest to the S$315 government floor. This route works best for resident founders who meet the director residency requirement without needing a nominee.

How long does it take to incorporate a company in Singapore?

Straightforward applications are often approved within minutes of submission through BizFile+. Applications referred to other authorities can take 14 to 60 days depending on the business activity involved.

How much is the company filing fee?

The filing fee consists of S$15 for name application and S$300 for registration, totalling S$315. This is separate from any professional fees charged by a secretary or filing agent.

Do I need a nominee director if I am a foreign founder?

Yes, unless you hold an Employment Pass, PR status or citizenship with a local residential address. Nominee director services typically cost several hundred to several thousand Singapore dollars per year depending on the provider and contract terms.

What is a realistic Year 1 budget for incorporating in Singapore?

Resident founders filing themselves often spend under S$2,000 in total for Year 1. Foreign founders needing a nominee director and full service should budget S$3,000 to S$6,000 or more depending on service level.

Does Bizsquare offer company incorporation services in Singapore?

Yes, Bizsquare provides company incorporation along with nominee director and registered office address services. Pricing depends on your business activity and residency status, so quotes are provided individually rather than as a fixed headline figure.

What ongoing costs should I expect after incorporating?

Expect annual return filing fees, recurring corporate secretary charges of S$280 to S$900 yearly, and bookkeeping or tax filing costs. GST registration becomes mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million.

Can I be my own company secretary in Singapore?

A sole director and shareholder cannot also act as the company secretary under Singapore law. You must appoint a separate qualified individual or engage a corporate secretarial service instead.

What documents do I need before incorporating?

You need identification and address proof for all directors and shareholders, a signed company constitution, and consent letters from officers. Foreign documents not in English may require notarisation or certified translation.

Why do incorporation package prices vary so widely between providers?

Prices differ based on which services get bundled, including secretary support, registered office, nominee director arrangements and filing assistance. A package excluding AGM support or statutory register maintenance often looks cheaper but costs more once those gaps surface later.

How does opening a corporate bank account affect my total cost and timeline?

Bank account opening does not carry a mandatory government fee but typically adds one to three weeks to your total setup time. Some banks require in person verification, which can extend timelines further for founders based overseas.

Is GST registration required immediately after incorporation?

No, GST registration only becomes compulsory once your taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million within a 12 month period. Voluntary registration is possible earlier if it suits your business model.