How to Register Your Business with ACRA

Every Singapore business that trades under a name or has more than one owner needs to be registered with ACRA. Here is how to do it in under a day.

Which structure should you choose?

Most solo founders start as a Sole Proprietorship — cheapest and fastest. If you have a co-founder, register a Partnership. For limited liability (personal assets protected if the business has debts), register a Private Limited Company (Pte. Ltd.). You can start as a sole prop and convert later.

What you need before you start

A Singpass account to log in to BizFile+. A proposed business name — check availability at bizfile.acra.gov.sg. Your NRIC or FIN. A local registered address (home address is fine). For a Pte. Ltd., at least one director who is a Singapore citizen, PR, or holds an Employment Pass.

How to register a Sole Proprietorship

Go to bizfile.acra.gov.sg and log in with Singpass. Select Register a Business, choose Sole Proprietorship, and fill in the form. Choose your SSIC industry classification code — search for it on the ACRA website if unsure. Pay the registration fee of SGD 115. Your UEN — Unique Entity Number — is issued within minutes in most cases.

How to register a Private Limited Company

Done via BizFile+ under Incorporate a Company. You need at least one director (Singapore citizen, PR, or EP holder), a company secretary appointed within 6 months, and a local registered address. Share capital can be as low as SGD 1. The fee is SGD 315. Processing is usually same-day unless your name or activity requires additional review.

After registration

Open a business bank account using your UEN and ACRA business profile. Apply for a Corppass account if you need to transact with government agencies. Check whether your business type requires additional licences — food, money lending, and childcare all require separate licences on top of ACRA registration.

Annual renewal

Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships renew annually at SGD 30 per year. Private Limited Companies file annual returns — no renewal fee, but you must maintain proper accounts and hold an Annual General Meeting each year.