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Andi Refandi
Andi serves as a Senior Account Executive on Emerhub’s global team.
Singapore is known for its fast and efficient company registration process, which is a major draw for foreign investors. However, when it comes to setting up a company, one of the most common questions we get is about the total cost involved.
For a foreign investor, the cost can be broken down into two main parts. First are the low, one-time government registration fees. Second, and more significantly, are the costs for mandatory local services, such as a resident director and a company secretary, which are required by law.
This guide provides a breakdown of both these costs to help you budget accurately for your company registration in Singapore.
First, Choose the Right Company Structure
Before looking at costs, your first step is to choose the right legal structure for your business. While Singapore offers several types of business entities, such as partnerships and representative offices, the vast majority of foreign investors register a Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd).
The reason for its popularity is that it is a separate legal entity. This structure limits your personal liability (protects your personal assets from business debts), allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, and helps you present a credible, scalable business to banks, clients, and potential investors.
In contrast, other structures like a Sole Proprietorship offer no liability protection and are generally not suitable for foreign entrepreneurs looking to build a serious business. For most foreign investors, the Pte Ltd is the most practical and secure choice.
Recommended reading: Types of Business Entities in Singapore
Breakdown of Key Company Incorporation Costs in Singapore
A. First Time Company Incorporation Costs
Firstly, let’s establish that incorporating a company in Singapore doesn’t cost much at the government level– and that’s not the full picture.
Under the Companies Act, you’ll need a resident director, a Singapore-registered address, and a company secretary to legally incorporate a private limited company.
You don’t have to appoint a company secretary during registration, but you must do so within six months of incorporating your company. This is why most foreign founders (especially those registering remotely) engage a service provider such as Emerhub, which includes this role upfront, or bundled with full incorporation packages.
Here are the estimated setup costs for your first year of business in Singapore, based on Emerhub’s latest pricing for foreign companies:
| Cost Component | Emerhub Fee (SGD) | Notes |
| Company Registration with ACRA | 500 | ACRA filing ($15 for name reservation + $300 company registration) + Emerhub advisory fee. *additional ACRA fee applies ($50) for a copy of the certificate of incorporation. |
| Company Secretary (AR and AGM filing included) | 840/year | Must be appointed within 6 months; typically bundled with annual compliance. |
| Registered Address / Virtual Office | 480/year | Required for statutory correspondence; must be local |
| Nominee Director (Resident Director) | 2,300/year | Required if all directors are non-residents |
| ND Deposit | 1,000 (refundable) | Security retainer, held during directorship |
| Bank Account Opening | 500 | Assistance with opening a business bank account in Singapore |
| Filing Agent / Incorporation Support | Included | End-to-end onboarding and ACRA setup |
| Total Estimated First-Year Setup | SGD 5,520 | Excludes licensing, relocation, and post-incorporation services |
B. Post-Incorporation Filing Fees (One-Off or Special Cases)
Once your company is registered, you will encounter additional ACRA fees, most of which are situational. These are not part of standard compliance but may apply if your business undergoes changes, files late, or requests exemptions.
Below are the most common ACRA-related fees that apply after incorporation and in special cases:
- Annual Return (AR) Filing: SGD 60 per year
- Lodgment of Notice of Error (NOE): SGD 60
- Conversion of company types: SGD 40
- Extension of Time (AGM/accounts): SGD 200 per request
- Special Permissions or Exemptions: SGD 200 each (e.g. exemption from SFRS, holding land under Section 23(2), omitting ‘Limited’ in name)
💡 Most companies won’t need to file beyond standard compliance, but if a specific lodgment is required, our team will flag it early and guide you through it.
C. Additional Compliance and Commonly Outsourced Services
Whether or not you’re actively trading, every Singapore-incorporated company is required to maintain compliance with ACRA and IRAS. Regular filings are mandatory, deadlines are strictly enforced, and falling behind can trigger penalties from SGD 300 (AR late filing) to higher fines for repeated breaches.
For many foreign companies, managing these from overseas often require outsourced support: corporate secretary services, tax filings, bookkeeping, and visa support are common needs for founders running things remotely or hiring staff.
Here’s a breakdown of common recurring costs and optional add-ons that many founders rely on after incorporation, alongside Emerhub’s specific service fees where applicable.
| Cost Element / Service | Govt Fee (SGD) | Emerhub Fee (SGD) | Details |
| Annual Return Filing (AR) | 60/year | Included in secretary retainer | Required annually |
| Company Secretary Retainer | – | 840/year | Mandatory role. Most providers bundle with annual return filing. |
| Sector-Specific Licences | 100-1,000+/year | Quoted per case (filing + advisory) | Industry-specific (e.g. F&B, fintech, import/export, education, etc) |
| Work Pass Application (varies) | 105 (application) + 100-225 (issuance) | Quoted per case (filing + advisory) | Depends on pass type (EP, EntrePass, PEP, Dependant’s Pass, etc). Outsourced for accuracy and speed. |
| Bookkeeping & Tax Support | – | From 2,100/year | Monthly bookkeeping and annual tax filings (ECI, Form C-S/C), for ≤100 transactions. *The fee will be adjusted if it exceeds 100 transactions. |
| XBRL Financial Statement Preparation | – | 500/year | Mandatory unless exempt by ACRA, often included in the accounting plan. |
| Payroll Processing | – | From 125 – 250/month | Covers CPF registration, monthly payroll for up to 5 staff, and IR8A. |
| GST Registration Filing | – | ~300-1,000+ / year | Required if annual turnover > SGD 1 million, unless exemption applies. *voluntary registration is also possible. |
💡 Important note on retainer services: Many of these services recur annually or monthly, depending on your operations. Emerhub Singapore offers them as either modular add-ons or bundled within our core incorporation packages, so you only pay for what you need.
Expert Company Setup in Singapore for Your Business
Emerhub specializes in practical, end-to-end support for foreign founders, remote-led teams, and growing global businesses setting up in Singapore.
Our incorporation service is designed to cover all the mandatory requirements and more. From customizable single compliance items to full operational setup packages, most businesses lean on one of our three core packages:
- Basic Incorporation at SGD 1340: For companies that already have a local director and only need company registration, secretary, and compliance support.
- Full Compliance at SGD 6220: Best for remote-led companies without a local director. Covers nominee director, registered address (or virtual office), secretary retainer, and accounting support for up to 100 transactions per year.
- Full Compliance + EP at SGD 6720: Most suited for founders relocating to Singapore or hiring locally. Adds on Employment Pass application support and assistance with bank account setup.
Recommended reading:
- Hong Kong vs Singapore Company Setup– Guide for Foreign Investors
- Tax Exemptions for New Companies in Singapore
- How to Register an Offshore Company in Singapore
Ready to launch your company in Singapore? Fill out the form below, and our team will walk you through your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Company Incorporation Costs in Singapore
While it is possible to register a company in Singapore remotely without living there, you must appoint a local resident director (typically through a nominee service) and engage a registered filing agent such as Emerhub to handle the online registration with ACRA on your behalf.
With all your documents in order, you can secure ACRA approval in under 24 hours. The entire process, including setting up a nominee director, usually takes a few days to a week.
The statutory minimum is just SGD 1. However, most founders set a more realistic paid-up capital (e.g., SGD 1,000-10,000) to meet practical needs like visa eligibility, bank credibility, or licensing requirements.
No, you don’t need a visa to incorporate or own shares. But if you want to live or work in Singapore under the company, you’ll need to apply for an Employment Pass (EP) or other relevant work visa.
Common reasons include not appointing a resident director, missing out on required licences, or failing to file the company’s first tax or annual return on time. This is why choosing a reliable local partner often prevents these issues early on.
You don’t need to engage with nominees for shareholding because Singapore allows 100% foreign shareholding. However, in cases where clients request shareholder privacy and appoint a nominee, Singapore law still requires you to declare the beneficial owner to the ACRA.
