Cheap to form, structured to maintain
Company Formation Fees & Costs in Singapore
Singapore incorporation fees are modest. What makes up the real cost is the resident director, company secretary and annual filings.
GCC business setup specialists
The director is the line item nobody quotes
If you have no resident director, a nominee arrangement is usually the largest single annual cost of a Singapore company. Comparing incorporation fees without it tells you almost nothing about what you will actually pay.
- Resident director cost included in the quote
- First-year running cost set out, not just formation
- Government fees and our fees always separated
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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What moves the number
Six things that decide your Singapore cost
Formation is modest; these are what actually vary.
| Driver | Why it changes the cost |
|---|---|
| Resident director | If you have none, a nominee arrangement is usually the largest annual item. |
| Company secretary | Statutorily required and an annual service cost. |
| Registered office | Required, usually provided with the secretary. |
| Audit | Exempt small companies avoid it; others face a material step up. |
| GST | Registration brings periodic filing obligations. |
| Employment passes | Relocating staff carries application costs and salary thresholds. |
At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore. This is a statutory requirement, not a formality, and it is the single biggest practical constraint for overseas founders. Government fees and thresholds are set by the authorities and change. We quote the current position in writing before anything is filed.
How we quote
From enquiry to a written quote
We quote the year, including the director arrangement.
01
Understand the position
Activity, people, whether you have a resident director, and whether anyone will relocate. That determines most of the cost.
02
Price the year
Incorporation, secretary, registered office, director arrangement and annual filings set out separately from government fees.
03
Quote, then file
You get it in writing and nothing is filed until you accept.
Before you compare quotes
Questions worth asking anyone quoting Singapore
A cheap headline usually excludes the director.
- Does the price include a resident director arrangement?
- What are the nominee director terms and security requirements?
- Is the company secretary included, and for how long?
- Is the registered office included?
- Is the annual return filing included?
- Is the corporate tax return included?
- Will my company be audit exempt?
- Is bookkeeping included?
- Is GST registration and filing included?
- What does year two cost?
- Are Employment Pass applications included?
- What is refundable if incorporation does not proceed?
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Written quote separating government and service fees
- Resident director options and costs explained
- Name reservation with ACRA
- Incorporation through a registered filing agent
- Company secretary and registered office arranged
- Register of controllers established
- Audit exemption assessment
- Filing calendar for the first year
Not included, quoted separately
- ACRA and IRAS fees, paid at cost
- Nominee director services and any security deposit
- Annual audit where not exempt
- Accounts preparation, quoted separately
- Bookkeeping, quoted separately
- Employment Pass applications
- Sector permit fees
- Bank charges
Verify independently
Official Singapore authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS)Ministry of ManpowerCentral Provident Fund BoardSingapore CustomsIntellectual Property Office of Singapore
Questions
Singapore company costs — FAQs
How much does a Singapore company cost?
Incorporation itself is modest. We quote the first year including the secretary, registered office and, where needed, the resident director arrangement, because that is the real number.
Why is the nominee director so significant?
Because they carry real directors’ duties and liability, providers charge accordingly and often require a security deposit. It is commonly the largest annual line.
Will my company be audit exempt?
If it meets the small company criteria, yes, which most new companies do. We confirm rather than assume, because the cost difference is material.
When do I have to register for GST?
Once turnover crosses the registration threshold, or voluntarily. We assess rather than registering by default.
Can the price change after I accept?
Our service fee is fixed once agreed. Government fees are set by the authorities; changes before filing are flagged to you.
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At Black Swan Business Setup Services, our mission is simple: to empower entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to establish and expand their presence in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and beyond.
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