One of the first questions founders ask when considering Singapore is: "what does it actually cost?" The good news is that Singapore is one of the world's most cost-effective jurisdictions for incorporation. The government fee is a and with a professional filing agent, you can have a fully incorporated company for But the full picture includes more than just the one-time fee - here's the complete cost breakdown.
One-Time Incorporation Costs
ACRA Government Fee:
This is the mandatory fee paid to ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) upon filing your incorporation application. It covers:
- Company name reservation
- Company registration
- Issuance of your UEN (Unique Entity Number)
This fee is the same regardless of your company name, structure, share capital, or number of shareholders. It is non-refundable even if ACRA rejects the application.
Filing Agent / Incorporation Service Fee
Unless you are a Singapore Citizen or PR filing directly through BizFile+, you must use a registered filing agent. Even for local founders, most use a professional service to ensure accuracy and receive a complete set of incorporation documents.
| Scenario | Service Fee | What's Typically Included |
|---|---|---|
| Local founder, basic package | — | Name check, ACRA filing, digital documents |
| Local founder, full package (Karman) | — | Name check, ACRA filing, company secretary (1st year), digital documents |
| Foreign founder, basic package | — | Name check, ACRA filing, KYC, digital documents |
| Foreign founder, full package (Karman) | — | Name check, ACRA filing, nominee director setup, company secretary (1st year), digital documents |
Ongoing Annual Costs
Incorporation is a one-time event, but running a Singapore Pte Ltd involves annual professional service costs. Here's what you should budget for:
Corporate Secretarial Services:
Every Singapore Pte Ltd must appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. The corporate secretary:
- Maintains the statutory registers (directors, shareholders, charges)
- Files the Annual Return with ACRA
- Prepares board resolutions and AGM minutes
- Handles changes in directors, shareholders, or registered address
- Issues share certificates
Budget for a basic package (small company, no changes during the year) and for an active company with corporate changes.
Nominee Director (Foreign Founders):
If you're a foreign founder without Singapore residency, you need a nominee director. This is the single largest ongoing cost for foreign founders. See our complete nominee director guide for details on what to look for and how to protect yourself.
Accounting and Bookkeeping:
Singapore companies must maintain proper financial records. The cost depends entirely on your transaction volume:
- Under 50 transactions/month:
- 50–150 transactions/month:
- 150+ transactions/month: +/yr
Corporate Tax Filing:
Includes ECI filing (within 3 months of FYE) and Form C-S preparation and submission (due by 30 November of the YA). Many accounting firms include tax filing in their all-in package, so confirm what's covered.
Registered Address:
Your company needs a Singapore registered address for official correspondence. Most corporate secretarial packages include a registered address. If yours doesn't, standalone packages cost.
ACRA Annual Return Filing Fee:
This is the mandatory fee paid to ACRA when filing your Annual Return each year (within 5 months of your financial year end). It's a fixed - a trivial cost, but if it's late, the penalty
First-Year Total Cost Comparison
| Cost Item | Local Founder | Foreign Founder |
|---|---|---|
| ACRA government fee | — | — |
| Incorporation service fee | — | — |
| Nominee director (annual) | – | — |
| Corporate secretarial (annual) | Included in package | Included in package |
| Accounting (annual, lean startup) | — | — |
| Corporate tax filing | — | — |
| ACRA Annual Return fee | — | — |
| First-Year Total (est.) | — | — |
The nominee director fee is typically the largest cost driver for foreign founders. Once you obtain an Employment Pass and can serve as resident director yourself, annual costs drop to the same level as a local founder. Many founders recoup this cost within their first year simply by the tax savings Singapore's corporate tax regime provides versus their home country.
Ongoing Annual Costs (from Year 2)
| Cost Item | Local Founder (Year 2+) | Foreign Founder (Year 2+) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominee director | – | — |
| Corporate secretarial | — | — |
| Accounting (lean startup) | — | — |
| Tax filing | — | — |
| ACRA Annual Return | — | — |
| Annual Total (est.) | — | — |
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Some providers advertise very low incorporation fees but then charge separately for items that should be included. Ask upfront about:
- Digital company documents: Some providers charge extra for the digital Certificate of Incorporation, Constitution, and Share Certificates.
- Corporate seal / common seal: No longer legally required in Singapore since 2017, but some firms charge for one anyway.
- ACRA Bizfile searches: Reputable firms include name searches in the incorporation fee.
- Nominee director documentation: The Nominee Director Agreement and Deed of Indemnity should be included, not charged as extras.
- Annual Return filing: Confirm whether your corporate secretarial fee includes Annual Return filing or if it's a separate charge.
- GST registration: If you need to register for GST, check if this is included or extra.
Karman vs DIY ACRA: Is It Worth Using a Filing Agent?
| — | DIY via BizFile+ | Karman |
|---|---|---|
| Available to foreigners? | No | Yes |
| ACRA fee | — | — |
| Service fee | — | — |
| Constitution drafting | Standard ACRA template only | Custom + standard options |
| Director / shareholder consents | Self-prepared | Prepared for you |
| Company secretary Year 1 | Not included (you source separately) | Included |
| Nominee director setup | Not applicable | Available |
| Processing time | 1–3 days (if done correctly) | Same day to 1 day |
| Support if ACRA queries | You handle it | Karman handles it |
Conclusion
Singapore incorporation is genuinely affordable. For a local founder, the all-in first-year cost with a professional filing agent runs For a foreign founder needing a nominee director, budget for the first year. From year two, ongoing professional services for a lean startup cost (local) or (foreign with nominee director).
Use our free Cost Calculator to get a personalised estimate, or see Karman's incorporation packages, corporate secretarial plans, and nominee director service for a full breakdown of what's included.
Official Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum government fee is (ACRA incorporation fee). If you use a filing agent (required for most foreign founders), expect to pay an additional for a professional incorporation package. For a Singapore Citizen or PR with no nominee director needed, total first-year costs can be including corporate secretarial services.
Key annual costs include: corporate secretarial services, accounting and bookkeeping (depending on transaction volume), corporate tax filing, and nominee director if applicable. A lean startup with minimal transactions might spend on professional services.
Yes, you save the service fee by using ACRA's BizFile+ directly - but only if you are a Singapore Citizen or PR. Foreigners cannot submit incorporation applications directly and must use a registered filing agent. Even for local founders, most choose a filing agent for the convenience, accuracy, and included company secretary setup.
As of 2026, incorporating a Singapore private limited company (Pte Ltd) via ACRA's BizFile+ portal typically takes 1–3 business days for straightforward applications. The standard government fee is (name application + incorporation). Every company must have at least one locally resident director — most foreign founders appoint a professional nominee director initially, then apply for an Employment Pass to take on the director role themselves. Understanding the total cost is a key part of planning to move your business to Singapore — beyond the government fee, the recurring annual compliance costs are what matter most.
Key Takeaways on Cost (Updated July 2026)
The government fee to incorporate a Singapore company is unchanged in 2026: for name reservation and for ACRA registration, total. That number is the easy part. The real cost picture is the recurring Year 1 stack - corporate secretary, a registered office address, and, for most foreign founders, a nominee director - which typically brings all-in first-year costs into the range depending on the provider and whether nominee services are needed.
When comparing quotes, look past the incorporation headline price and check what is bundled versus billed later. The items that quietly add up are nominee director deposits, unlimited resolutions versus per-item charges for corporate secretary work, accounting and annual filing, and GST registration if your turnover crosses illion. A cheap incorporation fee attached to expensive per-transaction admin often costs more over a year than a slightly higher all-in package.
Karman's all-in incorporation package and is structured so the recurring costs are transparent from the outset, with no surprise per-resolution billing. If you want a precise figure for your situation, the fastest route is to tell us your founder residency, whether you need a nominee director, and your expected turnover. The figures above are current as of July 2026 and are general guidance rather than a formal quote.