Cost of Company registration In Singapore
What You Really Pay (Government Fees + Agent Costs + Ongoing Compliance)
In this article:
The unavoidable government fees (ACRA)
The added costs for foreigners / overseas directors
What service providers charge and why
Ongoing costs after incorporation
How to budget realistically
1. Mandatory Government Fees with ACRA
These are fixed, non-negotiable fees charged by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
| Fee Type | Amount (SGD) | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Name Application | S$15 | Reserve or apply for your company name via BizFile+ |
| Company Registration | S$300 | Private Limited Company incorporation fee |
| Total Basic Fee | S$315 | Name + Registration together |
In reality, if you are not registering a company completely by yourself, as a local resident, you will always have o pay substantially more than $315. Read further to understand more about company registration cost in Singapore.
2. Extra Costs for Foreigners / Added Requirements
Foreign founders often face additional necessary costs because of regulatory requirements and service needs. Some of the common extras are:
Nominee director fees (resident director) if no local director is available.
Registered office address costs (can be virtual office) to comply with requirement for local address.
Corporate secretary fees (legal requirement within 6 months after incorporation).
Agent / service provider costs: preparing documents, consultations, handling complicated ownership structures, etc.
A recent market overview provides an average for the first‑year setup for a foreign-owned company-it can reach around S$5,500+, depending on number of services required.
3. What Company Registration Service Providers Charge (Agent / Incorporation Costs)
Service providers bundle government fees + added services. What you pay depends on:
How much you delegate (do you need nominee director, virtual address, secretarial support, bank account setup)
Complexity of structure (foreign shareholders, multiple directors)
Optional extras (e.g. translations, apostille)
Typical packages range between:
S$500‑1,500 for local individuals / simple companies
S$2,000‑3,000+ when more services are required (nominee director, overseas ownership, etc.)
4. Ongoing & Compliance Costs After Incorporation
Once your company is registered, staying compliant has its own set of costs. Common items include:
| Compliance Item | Typical Annual Fee (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Registered Office Address | S$110‑420 / year |
| Company Secretary Services | S$280‑900 / year |
| Annual Return Filing with ACRA | S$60 / year |
| Audit / Financial Statement Preparation | From S$400+ depending on complexity |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Monthly Services | S$250‑2,500/month depending on number of transactions, volume, etc. |
5. What Determines Total Cost
Your final cost depends on these variables:
Whether you’re local or foreign (presence of nominee director etc.)
Number of shareholders, number of directors
Number of transactions (volume of bookkeeping)
Whether you need virtual office or physical address
Extras like bank account setup, stamps, translations, apostille
Whether audit is required or you’re audit‑exempt
6. Putting It All Together: Sample Cost Scenarios
To help give you a clearer idea, here are some sample first‑year budgets for different company situations:
| Scenario | Gov’t + Basic Fees | Additional Essential Services | Approx Total First Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local startup, no foreign directors | S$315 + basic secretary + address | S$500‑700 | ~ S$800‑1,200 |
| Foreign‑owned company, remote | S$315 + nominee director + virtual address + agent package | S$2,000‑3,000 | ~ S$4,500‑6,000 |
| Full service + compliance bundle | S$315 + all extras (secretary, director, address, bank account, accounting) | S$3,000‑5,000+ | S$6,000‑8,000+ |
Our Pricing (Singapore Dollars):
Local Business
- Government Fees
- Incorporation Fees
- Company Secretary
- Company Registered Address
International Business
- Government Fees
- Incorporation Fees
- Company Secretary
- Local Nominee Director
- Company Registered Address
Moving to Singapore
- Government Fees
- Incorporation Fees
- Company Secretary
- Local Nominee Director
- Company Registered Address
- Employment Pass application
7. Tips to Manage Costs
Bundle services (company secretary, address, nominee director) with one provider rather than separate vendors.
Start with minimal compliance and scale tools (e.g. accounting, payroll) as you grow.
Ask for transparency in quotes — check which items are included or not.
Use virtual office / address if physical premises are not needed first.
Keep personal & company documents organized to avoid delays and rejects.
FAQs – Cost of Company Registration in Singapore
What is the cost for name reservation and company registration in Singapore?
ACRA charges S$15 for name application and S$300 for company registration — total S$315.
How much do agent / incorporation service providers charge?
Depends on services. Basic packages often start at S$500‑1,500. More complex cases (with nominee director, virtual office, foreign shareholders) can cost S$2,000‑3,000+.
Are there ongoing registration or compliance fees?
Yes. Examples include S$60/year for annual return filing with ACRA, fees for company secretary, registered address, accounting, possible audit costs.
Do I need a nominee director and how much does that cost?
If no director is a Singapore resident, you’ll need a local director (can be nominee). That usually adds S$1,800‑2,500/year depending on provider.
Can I register a company in Singapore entirely remotely?
Yes, often. But certain requirements (e.g. local director, local address) still apply. Working with a corporate agent makes remote incorporation much smoother.
Start Your Business in Singapore Today
Intraconnect Pte Ltd can help you register your company with clarity — government fees plus all needed services.
Click Here