Register your business
Step 4: Register your business
How to register a business
Registering a business involves two transactions: applying for a business name followed by business registration. Go to Step 3 (Reserve your business name) to find out how to apply for a business name. Once the name has been approved, you can proceed with business registration.
To register your business
I want guidance for starting a business
Get step-by-step guidance in starting a business and registering it with this e-Adviser.
I want to register a business
Reserve your business name and register your business entity directly on ACRA's BizFile+. This is for all business structures.
I want someone to register a business on my behalf
You may engage a registered filing agent (e.g. law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit an online application on your behalf. Fees may vary.
The pre-requisites, information and supporting documents needed for the application to register the business will vary, depending on the business structure type. Click on the respective business structure to find out more.
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Here’s what you need to know in order to register a Business (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership).
Application fee
- $100 for one year or $160 for three years (inclusive of registration and renewal fee)
- Additional $40 for every Alternate Address registered (optional)
Average processing time
- Usually approved within 15 minutes after registration fee is paid
- May take 14 to 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- All owners are required to clear their outstanding MediSave liabilities with CPF Board
- The owner(s) must be either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- All owner(s) or authorised representatives must endorse the application before payment can be made
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Commencement date
- Business address
- Particulars of business owners and authorised representatives (if applicable)
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Here’s what you need to know in order to register a Limited Partnership.
Application fee
- $100 for one year or $160 for three years (inclusive of registration and renewal fee)
- Additional $40 for provision of each Alternate Address (optional)
Average processing time
- Usually approved within 15 minutes after registration fee is paid.
- May take 14 to 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- There must be at least one General Partner and one Limited Partner
- All partners are required to clear their outstanding MediSave liabilities with CPF Board
- The partners must be either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- Alternatively, if all the General Partners are not residing in Singapore, a local manager must be appointed
- All partners and the local manager (if applicable) must endorse the application before payment can be made
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Commencement date
- Business address
- Particulars of partners and local manager (if applicable)
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Here’s what you need to know in order to register a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
Application fee
- One-time registration fee of $100
- Additional $40 for provision of each Alternate Address (optional)
Average processing time
- Usually approved within 15 minutes after registration fee is paid
- May take 14 to 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- There must be a minimum of two partners
- The partners must be either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass Holder or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- A local manager who is residing in Singapore must be appointed
- All partners and the local manager must endorse the application before payment can be made
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Commencement date
- Registered office address
- Particulars of partners and local manager
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Here’s what you need to know in order to incorporate a Local Company.
Application Fee
- One-time registration fee of $300
- Additional $40 for provision of each Alternate Address (optional)
Average Processing Time
- Usually approved within 15 minutes after registration fee is paid
- May take 14 to 60 days if the application needs to be reviewed by Referral Authorities
Pre-requisites
- All position holders must be at least 18 years old
- There must be at least one director who is either a Singapore Citizen, Singapore Permanent Resident or an EntrePass or Employment Pass (EP) Holder
- EP Holders should first get a Letter of Consent (LOC) from the Ministry of Manpower
- There must be at least one director and one shareholder
- All the position holders must endorse the application before payment can be made
- Foreigners will need to engage the services of a registered filing agent (e.g. a law firm, accounting firm or corporate secretarial firm) to submit the online application on their behalf
Information/documents required
- Commencement date
- Registered office address
- Share capital, share and shareholder information
- Particulars of directors and/or company secretary
- Constitution
Unique Entity Number (UEN) and Business Profile
Upon successful registration of your new business, your business will be issued a Unique Entity Number (UEN). The UEN is your business’ unique identification number that will be used in all transactions with government agencies.
A free copy of Business Profile for your business will be emailed to the person filing the application.
