Yes, a foreigner can incorporate a company in Singapore and own 100% of the shares.
Singapore allows full foreign ownership of private limited companies, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and businesses worldwide.

The most common entity types available for registration in Singapore are:

• Private Limited Company (Pte. Ltd.): The most preferred option. It offers limited liability, attractive tax benefits, and requires at least one shareholder and one director. A private limited company can be owned by individuals or corporate entities.
• Sole Proprietorship: Best suited for solo local entrepreneurs operating small-scale or family-run businesses. Easy to set up, but the owner bears unlimited liability.
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP): Ideal for professionals forming a partnership. It requires a minimum of two partners and provides limited liability protection.
• Branch Office: A registered extension of a foreign parent company. Subject to local compliance regulations.

You can learn more about the types of business entities in Singapore here.

Incorporating a company in Singapore realistically takes between 2 to 4 days (ignore the marketing hype by various service providers), assuming all required information is provided promptly. However, some steps depend on how quickly the client can supply documentation and complete formalities, which may extend the timeline. Below is a breakdown of the process:

• Providing company details & supporting documents:
  1 hour to a few days – depends on how quickly the client shares the required information.
• KYC (Know Your Client) checks by the CSP team:
  1–2 business days – duration varies based on the complexity of the ownership and company structure.
• Company name reservation with ACRA:
  Typically under 1 hour, unless the name requires additional approval.
• Preparation of incorporation documents:
  3–4 hours, once all information is available.
• Client review and signing of documents:
  1 hour to a few days, depending on the number of signatories and their availability.
• Filing the incorporation with ACRA:
  1–2 hours, with approval usually granted the same day.

Note: Delays usually occur if the client needs more time to prepare or review documents, or if ACRA requires additional clarification.

The required documents for company incorporation in Singapore depend on whether the shareholder is an individual or a corporate entity.

✅ For Individual Shareholders:

• Passport copy
• Singapore ID, if the individual resides in Singapore
• Proof of residential address (e.g. utility bill, driver’s license, bank statement, or tenancy agreement — dated within the last 3 months)
• Brief professional background (such as a CV or LinkedIn profile)

✅ For Corporate Shareholders:

• Certificate of incorporation of the parent company
• Official business profile detailing the parent company’s activities, share capital, shareholders, and directors
• Ownership structure chart identifying the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs)
• Board resolution authorizing the incorporation of a subsidiary in Singapore

Additional documents may be requested depending on the complexity of the ownership structure or the nature of the business.

Yes, you can operate your Singapore company from abroad.

Foreign entrepreneurs are not required to reside in Singapore to incorporate or manage a business here. Our ACRA-licensed CSP teams who will handle all incorporation and compliance requirements on your behalf. With remote onboarding, digital document management, and expert support, you can register and run your Singapore company entirely from overseas — without needing to visit Singapore.

Yes, certain business activities in Singapore require a business license or permit.
When incorporating your company, it’s important to check whether your intended business activities fall under any regulated category. If so, you must apply for the relevant license(s) from the appropriate government agencies before commencing relevant business activities.

Refer to our Comprehensive Guide to Singapore Business Licensing Requirements to learn which licenses apply to your business.

Incorporating a company in Singapore offers several tax advantages that make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors. Key tax benefits include:

• Low effective corporate tax rates: While the standard corporate tax rate is 17%, most startups and SMEs pay significantly less due to various tax exemptions and incentives.
• Startup and partial tax exemption schemes: Eligible companies enjoy generous tax exemptions on chargeable income for the first three years and beyond.
• No capital gains tax or dividend tax: Profits from the sale of shares and dividends distributed to shareholders are tax-free.
• Extensive Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs): Singapore has an established network of DTAs with over 80 countries, reducing the risk of being taxed twice on the same income.

Explore our comprehensive guide to the Singapore tax system to understand how your company can benefit.