Incorporate in Singapore 2026: New Nominee Director & CSP Compliance Rules
Singapore has long attracted entrepreneurs. In 2026, new rules from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) require business founders to stay up to date on changes affecting nominee directors, shareholders, and Corporate Service Providers (CSPs). These updates aim to enhance transparency and strengthen anti-money-laundering safeguards.
This guide explains the key 2026 ACRA rules for nominee directors, shareholders, and CSPs. You will learn the essential compliance actions for each rule, including:
- How to set up Central Registers,
- What specific deadlines to meet,
- The exact actions required to avoid penalties,
- Steps to register with ACRA as a CSP if your business needs it, and
- A clear process to complete company incorporation under the new requirements.
Before diving into the new register requirements, review this summarised checklist to get your compliance plan started.
Central Registers of Nominee Directors and Shareholders (ROND & RONS)
The new CSP Act in a Nutshell
In 2026, incorporation will only be through an ACRA-registered CSP,and if you need a nominee local director, it must be arranged and vetted by that CSP.
Singapore is increasing corporate transparency by centralising the tracking of “nominees”—people or entities acting on behalf of others as directors or shareholders. All companies must maintainRegisters of Nominee Directors (ROND) and Nominee Shareholders (RONS), which must now be filed with ACRA’sCentral Registers. Effective 16 June 2025, companies must submit ROND and RONS details to ACRA’s database.
If your company appoints a nominee director or shareholder, you must submit the nominator’s details to ACRA. Existing companies were required to lodge this information by 31 December 2025. Companies incorporated on or after 16 June 2025 must file nominee details at incorporation, with any updates reported to ACRA within 2 business days.
A director’s or shareholder’s nominee status now appears in the ACRA business profile, while the nominator’s identity remains private and accessible only to law enforcement. These changes promote transparency, reveal the company’s true ownership structure, and align with international standards.
Enhanced AML/CFT and Proliferation Financing Obligations for CSPs
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Simple example | What your CSP will do (in practice) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AML Anti-Money Laundering | Stops "dirty money" (from scams, fraud, corruption, illegal businesses) from being disguised as legitimate business income. | Someone sets up a company just to move suspicious funds around so it looks like "sales revenue". | Verify identities, confirm the real owners, understand business activity, and flag unusual structures or transactions. |
| CFT Countering the Financing of Terrorism | Prevents money from being used to support terrorist activities — even if the money originally seems "clean". | Money routed through companies to send funds to banned groups or risky jurisdictions. | Screen people and entities against watchlists/sanctions, check risk factors, and escalate suspicious cases. |
| PF Proliferation Financing | Stops money or business networks from supporting the spread of weapons of mass destruction (e.g., nuclear/chemical/biological weapons). | Payments linked to restricted equipment/materials that could be used in banned weapons programmes. | Check sanctions and restricted-party lists, review high-risk industries/locations, and require clearer documentation where needed. |
| "Obligations" (What it means) | These are the mandatory checks CSPs must follow — like "bank-style onboarding" — before they can provide services. | You're asked for IDs, proof of address, and ownership details before incorporation proceeds. | Collect KYC documents, verify beneficial owners, keep records, monitor for red flags, and report suspicious activity when required. |
One big reason Singapore introduced the new CSP rules is to stop criminals from using “shell companies” to hide money or move funds illegally. That’s why registered Corporate Service Providers (CSPs) — like the firm helping you incorporate — must follow stricter checks. Think of CSPs asa first line of defence, similar to how banks verify customers before opening accounts.
What this means when you’re incorporating
When you engage a CSP, expect them toask more questions and request additional documents before proceeding. This isn’t them being difficult — it’s the law.
A CSP must confirm:
- Who you are (identity checks)
- Who really owns the company (not just the names on paper)
- What the business is doing (basic understanding of your activities)
- Whether anything looks suspicious (red flags that don’t match up)
So as a founder, you may be asked for things like:
- Passport / NRIC
- Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or bank statement)
- Company structure (who owns what %)
- A simple explanation of your business and how it earns money
- Sometimes, basic information about where funds come from (especially for more complex setups)
Why CSPs take this seriously
If CSPs skip these checks, they may face substantial fines, and even their senior leaders may be held responsible. That’s why reputable CSPs have tightened their onboarding process — they’re protecting boththeir clients andSingapore’s business environment.
Before you incorporate in Singapore, prepare these 6 items.
Use this as a practical pre-incorporation checklist before speaking with your Corporate Service Provider.
Use a registered CSP
Work with a provider officially registered with ACRA to handle incorporation filings and compliance requirements properly.
Confirm a local resident director
Every Singapore company needs at least one locally resident director before incorporation can proceed.
Identify who really owns the company
Prepare details of beneficial owners, nominators, controllers and any layered ownership structure.
File the right registers
Understand whether RORC, ROND or RONS applies to your company structure and nominee arrangements.
Update changes fast
Nominee-related changes should be reported promptly when director, shareholder or nominator details change.
Prepare for onboarding checks
Your CSP may request identity, address, ownership, business activity and source-of-funds information.
By following this checklist, you’ll cover the critical requirements that came into effect in 2025. Singapore’s new rules on nominee transparency and CSP regulation are designed to enhance accountability without deterring genuine business.
As a founder, accepting these compliance steps not only keeps you out of trouble with ACRA but also signals to investors and partners that your company meets high governance standards.
Grow boldly, knowing your foundation is solid
Founders don’t lose momentum because they lack ideas. They lose it because small compliance gaps turn into big distractions—missed notices, unclear ownership records, and admin chaos when banks, enterprise clients, or investors start asking questions.
The 2026 regulation changes make one thing clear: credibility is built into your corporate setup. A properly managed incorporation process, accurate nominee disclosures (where relevant), and clean ongoing filings create a business that’s easier to trust—and easier to scale.
If you want a CSP that doesn’t just “file forms,” but helps you build a reliable operating base, Lionsworld is here. From incorporation to ongoing corporate secretarial support (and optional add-ons like registered address and admin support), we help founders set up properly and stay compliant—without slowing down growth.
Incorporate properly. Stay compliant from day one.
Lionsworld helps founders set up their Singapore company, manage corporate secretarial requirements, and keep compliance organised as the business grows.