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Appointing a Local Director for your Singapore company

3 Practical Solutions for Foreign Entrepreneurs
appoint local director Singapore, resident director Singapore

Appointing a Local Director for Your Singapore Company

If you’re planning to incorporate a company in Singapore but are not a resident, you’ll need to meet a basic legal requirement: every Singapore company must have at least one local director.

This can seem like a roadblock — but there are three clear solutions, each with pros and cons. Whether you’re relocating to Singapore or running your business remotely, there’s a viable way to appoint a local or nominee director while staying compliant.

Why Is a Local Director Required?

Under the Singapore Companies Act, all private limited companies must appoint at least one director who is “ordinarily resident” in Singapore.

This means:

  • ✅ Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident

  • ✅ Employment Pass or EntrePass holder

  • ✅ Dependent Pass or LTVP holder with LOC (in some cases)

Foreigners cannot incorporate a company in Singapore without fulfilling this condition — but that doesn’t mean you must relocate. Let’s explore your options.

Option 1: Apply for a Work Visa & Appoint Yourself

If you’re planning to move to Singapore and run the business full-time, you can apply for an Employment Pass (EP) or EntrePass.

Employment Pass:

  • Suitable for directors, founders, CEOs

  • Requires minimum salary (S$5,600/month in 2026, rising to S$6,000 in 2027)

  • EP must be tied to a Singapore company

  • MOM generally expects the company to show real business activity and reasonable capitalization — there’s no fixed legal minimum, but very thin companies attract more scrutiny

Note: You can’t apply for an EP until the company is registered — but you can’t register the company without a local director. So, you’ll still need a temporary nominee director during the application process.

EntrePass:

  • Designed for startup founders

  • Allows pre-registration application

  • No need for nominee director if approved

  • Stricter requirements (innovative business, funding, track record)

✔️ Best for: Entrepreneurs with serious plans to relocate and run operations from Singapore
✖️ Limitations: Longer processing time, approval not guaranteed, higher capital requirements

Option 2: Appoint a Nominee Director

If you don’t plan to relocate, the most practical path is to engage a nominee director in Singapore — a local individual appointed purely to meet the regulatory requirement, not involved in day-to-day operations, and serving under a formal agreement with defined responsibilities and indemnity.

✔️ Best for: Foreign owners operating remotely
✖️ Limitations: Annual fees apply; choose only licensed providers

Read our full guide to nominee director services → — covers the agreement structure, costs, legal duties, and how to choose a provider.

Option 3: Appoint a Local Employee as Director

If your Singapore company will hire local staff, you can appoint one of them as a resident director.

Suitable candidates:

  • Senior staff (managers, heads of department)

  • Trusted administrators with long-term plans in the company

  • Local employees with clear employment contracts and responsibilities

✔️ Best for: Companies setting up an actual local office with Singapore-based staff
✖️ Limitations: Hard to implement during early stages or remote-only setups

You may also combine solutions — e.g., appoint a nominee director temporarily until a local hire is ready to take over.

Switching Options Later Is Normal

Business needs evolve. It’s common to:

  • Start with a nominee → then switch to EP or local hire

  • Apply for EntrePass → fall back on nominee if rejected

  • Begin with a local staff member → upgrade to director-shareholder later

We can guide you through transitions, ensuring no lapse in compliance or risk exposure.

FAQs – Local/Resident Director in Singapore

What is considered a “local director” in Singapore?

Someone who is ordinarily resident — citizen, PR, or valid long-term pass holder (EP, EntrePass, etc.).

Yes. Even if passive, the nominee is a legal director and must ensure compliance with ACRA and Singapore laws.

Only until you appoint your own local director (via visa or local hire). Many clients use nominee services indefinitely if operating remotely

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