Options for registering foreign companies in Singapore
It’s hard for foreign companies to find a shortlist of the world’s top business destinations that doesn’t include Singapore. Well-connected in Asia’s trade routes, the country offers stable governance, transparent regulations and an environment supportive of regional expansion.
Singapore offers a range of incorporation options for international companies keen to establishing a presence:
- Local company using private limited company (Pte Ltd) as the legal entity type
- Registering as a branch of a foreign company
- Setting up a representative office in Singapore
Among these, local private limited company (Pte Ltd) remains the preferred structure for most businesses. This structure offers a strong balance of flexibility and limited liability. Below, we discuss these most widely used business structures in Singapore by the global companies:
Private limited company in Singapore
- The most popular and flexible structure, suitable for most industries and sectors.
- Offers limited liability and tax efficiency.
- Ideal for SMEs, foreign MNCs and entrepreneurs planning long-term growth in Singapore.
- Highly suitable for establishing a regional headquarters, holding company or wholly owned subsidiary.
Singapore branch office of a foreign company
- A good option for foreign companies looking to expand their operations.
- The branch office in Singapore can engage in a wide range of business activities, but its activities are limited to those of the foreign parent company.
- The branch requires a local authorised agent and must comply with all relevant Singaporean company laws, including filing annual returns and tax obligations.
Representative office in Singapore
- Non-commercial structure used by foreign companies for research or liaison.
- Cannot engage in revenue-generating activities and can only operate for a maximum of three years.
- Governed by Enterprise Singapore. It does not require audited accounts or annual filings with ACRA and IRAS.
To help you choose the right structure, we have created an ‘at a glance’ summary table for the common company types that outlines key differences in formation processes, requirements, and timelines. It serves as a valuable resource for foreign companies looking to setup or expand a business in Singapore.
Table comparison of common entity types in Singapore
Information verified against ACRA and IRAS