Defensible
    SG

    Worldwide

    Setting up a company in Singapore

    The gateway to Asia: one-day incorporation, 17 percent tax and one of the most trusted legal systems in the world.

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    At a glance

    Corporate tax

    17%, lower effective with partial exemptions

    Capital gains

    None

    Resident director

    At least one, mandatory

    Incorporation

    Usually same day, via ACRA

    Singapore is Southeast Asia's financial centre and the gateway to the Chinese, Indian and Indonesian markets. Incorporation runs online through ACRA and is usually completed the same day. Corporate tax is 17 percent, but partial exemptions in early years and at lower profits reduce the effective rate markedly; there is no capital gains or dividend tax.

    The condition: at least one Singapore-resident director. For most foreign founders that means a nominee director service. Incorporation itself is easy; banking, residency and the tax effect on the Turkish side are the real design work.

    Why here

    When this jurisdiction is the right choice.

    • One of the most predictable legal and contracting environments in the world.
    • More than 80 double tax treaties, no withholding on dividends.
    • Investor and talent access for a regional headquarters.
    • Incorporation in a day, fully digital.

    Entity types

    Which structure, for whom.

    Private Limited (Pte. Ltd.)

    The standard form. Up to 50 shareholders, limited liability, S$1 capital suffices.

    Branch office

    Branch of a foreign company; no separate legal personality, local agent required.

    Representative office

    For market research, no commercial activity, maximum three years.

    LLP

    Limited liability partnership; for professional partnerships such as law and consulting.

    Process

    Formation step by step.

    1. 01Name approval (ACRA, usually instant)
    2. 02Constitution, director and shareholder details
    3. 03Resident director and registered address
    4. 04Incorporation through ACRA, same day
    5. 05Company secretary appointed within six months
    6. 06Corporate bank account
    7. 07GST registration if needed (S$1 million turnover threshold)
    8. 08EntrePass or Employment Pass assessment for the founder

    After formation

    What has to happen every year.

    • Annual general meeting and ACRA annual return
    • Corporate tax: estimated chargeable income and annual return (IRAS)
    • Audit exemption for small companies; record keeping mandatory
    • CPF and work pass obligations for employees

    Frequently asked

    The in-country registry, licence and agent steps of the formation file run through our licensed formation partners in the relevant jurisdiction. Structure design, contracts, the bank file and the tax and notification effect on the Turkish side are managed by Defensible. Rates and thresholds summarise the headline rules at the time of writing; we check the current text together on your own file.

    Can I run the company without moving to Singapore?

    Yes, with a resident director service. But where management and control sit affects tax residency; a company run from Türkiye may be taxed in Türkiye. We design for this from the start.

    How long does the bank account take?

    A few days with digital banks, a few weeks with traditional banks. For foreign founders, evidence of activity and a business plan decide it.

    Let's work out which structure fits you in 15 minutes.

    Tell us where you sell, who you are and what you are aiming at; we will say in the call which jurisdiction and entity type make sense. Formation itself is a separate engagement, scoped and priced there.

    Book a 15-minute call