How Long Does It Take to Register a Company in Singapore?

Singapore is one of the most business-friendly jurisdictions in the world, known for its low tax rates, transparent regulatory environment, and ease of doing business. Entrepreneurs and investors, both local and foreign, often ask: How long does it take to register a company in Singapore?

The short answer? 1 to 3 business days—provided all requirements are met and documents are in order.

In this blog, we’ll break down the steps involved, key factors that affect the timeline, and how you can speed up your incorporation process whether you’re a local businessperson or a foreign investor.

Why Start a Company in Singapore?

Before diving into timelines, it’s worth understanding why Singapore is such an attractive destination for entrepreneurs:

• World-class legal and regulatory framework

• 100% foreign ownership allowed

• No capital gains tax

• Simple, low corporate tax structure

• Fast and efficient online registration system via ACRA

• Strong reputation for intellectual property protection

Whether you're launching a startup, an e-commerce business, or a regional headquarters, Singapore offers a stable and strategic base in Asia.

How Long Does It Take to Register a Company in Singapore?

Incorporating a company in Singapore typically takes 1 to 3 business days, assuming:

• You have all required documents prepared

• Your company name is approved immediately

• No additional approvals from government authorities are needed

In some cases, same-day registration is possible when everything is submitted without errors and during ACRA’s working hours.

Let’s look at each step in the process and how it affects the overall timeline.

Step-by-Step Company Registration Timeline

Step 1: Name Approval (A Few Minutes to 1 Business Day)

The first step is to reserve and register your company name with Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). This is done via BizFile+, ACRA’s online portal.

If your proposed company name:

• Is not identical to an existing name,

• Does not contain sensitive or restricted words,

• Is not vulgar or misleading,

…it will likely be approved within a few minutes to a few hours.

However, if your name includes regulated terms like "finance," "school," or "medical," it may need to be referred to another government agency for review. This can take up to 14 days or longer.

Step 2: Prepare Incorporation Documents (1–2 Days)

Once your company name is approved, you’ll need to prepare and submit incorporation documents. These include:

• Company Constitution (formerly Memorandum & Articles of Association)

• Consent to Act as Director and Company Secretary

• Details of shareholders and their shareholding

• Registered office address in Singapore

• Identification documents for all directors and shareholders

For foreign directors/shareholders, notarized or apostilled documents may be required, which can add to the timeline. If you're working with a corporate service provider, they usually prepare these documents within 1 working day.

Step 3: Filing with ACRA (Same Day to 1 Business Day)

Once your documents are in place, filing them via BizFile+ can be completed on the same day. Most filings are processed automatically by the system, and your company can be incorporated within a few hours.

If ACRA needs to review your application manually, it may take up to 1–2 business days. Rarely, it can take longer if your company falls under specific regulations or requires approval from other agencies.

Step 4: Post-Incorporation Formalities (1–5 Days)

This step doesn’t delay incorporation but is necessary to legally operate your business. After your company is successfully registered, you’ll receive:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Business Profile from ACRA

With these documents, you can proceed to:

• Open a corporate bank account (takes 1–5 working days depending on the bank)

• Register for GST if applicable

• Apply for business licenses if your business activity requires one

• Set up accounting and tax systems

Opening a bank account is often the longest post-incorporation task, especially for companies with foreign shareholders or directors.

Factors That Affect the Time to Register a Company in Singapore

1. Accuracy of Submitted Information

Errors or missing details in your incorporation documents can delay processing. This includes:

• Inconsistent names or addresses

• Missing signatures

• Invalid ID documentation

Using a qualified corporate secretary or service provider ensures faster, error-free submissions.

2. Nature of Business

If your business activities fall into a regulated industry (e.g., finance, education, travel, food & beverage), you may need licenses or approval from relevant authorities. This can delay both incorporation and operations.

3. Nationality of Shareholders/Directors

Companies with foreign individuals or entities as shareholders or directors may experience slightly longer processing due to identity verification, document authentication, and KYC (Know Your Customer) checks by banks and service providers.

4. Bank Account Setup

While incorporation itself may be completed quickly, some foreign founders mistakenly believe they’re “fully operational” after registration. In practice, opening a bank account can take several days, especially if banks require face-to-face meetings or further documentation.

Can a Foreigner Register a Company in Singapore?

Yes, foreigners can register a company in Singapore with 100% ownership. However, at least one director must be a Singapore resident (citizen, permanent resident, or holder of an Employment Pass or EntrePass).

If you're based overseas, you can engage a corporate service provider to:

• Act as your company secretary

• Provide nominee director services (temporarily or permanently)

• Handle registration and compliance on your behalf

Tips to Register Faster

• Have all identification documents prepared and verified early

• Avoid sensitive or regulated words in your company name

• Work with an experienced incorporation service

• Ensure one local director is ready to be appointed

• Submit during ACRA’s working hours for faster processing

Common Post-Registration Tasks

After receiving your Certificate of Incorporation, here are the next steps:

• Appoint a company secretary (within 6 months)

• Issue share certificates to shareholders

• Open a corporate bank account

• Set up accounting and bookkeeping systems

• File for GST if applicable

• Apply for required business licenses

These steps don’t delay registration, but completing them early ensures smooth operations.

Conclusion

So, how long does it take to register a company in Singapore?

If you're prepared with the required documents and your company name is approved quickly, you can expect the entire process to be completed in 1 to 3 business days. Even for foreign entrepreneurs, Singapore offers one of the world’s most efficient and transparent company registration systems.

With digital filings, professional support, and minimal red tape, setting up a company in Singapore is faster and easier than in most countries. Whether you’re expanding into Asia or launching a new venture, you can expect to get started quickly—and with confidence.

FAQs

1. Can I register a company in Singapore online?

Yes. All company registration in Singapore is done online via ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. Foreigners must use a licensed corporate service provider.

2. What documents are needed to register a company in Singapore?

You’ll need identification documents for all directors/shareholders, a registered office address, the company constitution, and consent forms from the appointed officers.

3. Do I need to be in Singapore to register a company?

No. Foreigners can register and manage the process remotely by appointing a corporate service provider and a local director.