Quick answer
A Singapore private limited company needs at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore and aged 18 or over, at least one share and $1 in share capital, a company secretary within six months of incorporation, and a registered office address in Singapore.[1][3][5]
One person can be both the sole director and the only shareholder. However, that person cannot also be the company secretary, so even a one-person company needs a second person to act as company secretary.[1]
“What’s the minimum I need to set up a company in Singapore?” is usually the first question founders ask, and the answer is shorter than most expect. The legal minimum is one director, one shareholder and one dollar of share capital. However, a few of the requirements catch people out, especially solo founders. This guide sets out every minimum using ACRA’s published requirements, plus what ACRA charges and what you need ready before you file.
The minimum requirements at a glance
| Requirement | The minimum | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Directors | At least 1 | Must be ordinarily resident in Singapore, aged 18 or older, mentally fit to make decisions, and not banned or disqualified (for example, an undischarged bankrupt).[1] |
| Shareholders | At least 1 (up to 50) | Shares can be held by a person, a company or an LLP.[3] A private company limited by shares can have up to 50 shareholders, whether individuals or corporate entities.[4] |
| Share capital | $1 and 1 issued share | Your company needs at least $1 in share capital to start, and the minimum number of issued shares is one.[3] |
| Company secretary | 1, appointed within 6 months | Must be a natural person (not a company), a local resident, and not the same person as the sole director. Failing to appoint one can lead to a fine of up to $1,000.[1] |
| Registered office | 1 Singapore address | Must be open and accessible to the public for at least three hours on each business day. Non-compliance can lead to a fine of up to $5,000.[5] |
Who counts as a “local resident”? ACRA defines a local resident as a Singapore citizen, a Singapore permanent resident, or a valid holder of an Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass.[2] The same rule applies to the company secretary.[1]
The one-person company trap: you still need a secretary
Many solo founders plan to be the director, the shareholder and the secretary. ACRA’s rules allow the first two but not the third.
- Sole director and sole shareholder: allowed. One person can own 100% of the shares and be the only director.
- Sole director and company secretary: not allowed. ACRA states the secretary must “not be the same person as the sole director”.[1]
So a one-person company needs a second person, a local resident, to be the company secretary within six months of incorporation.[1] Most solo founders appoint a professional company secretary. The secretary keeps the company’s filings, registers and resolutions in order, so the founder doesn’t have to learn the rules alone.
What ACRA charges to incorporate
| ACRA transaction | Fee |
|---|---|
| Apply for new business entity name | $15[6] |
| Register new business entity | $300[6] |
| Total ACRA fees | $315 |
These are ACRA’s government fees only. They don’t include a company secretary, a constitution prepared for you, share certificates or the first board resolutions, which most companies also need from day one.
Most registrations are approved soon after payment. Complex applications can take up to 15 working days, and those needing approval from another authority can take 14 to 60 days.[5]
What to have ready before you file on Bizfile
ACRA’s Bizfile registration asks for the following:[7]
- An approved company name and its reference number.
- Your financial year end (FYE), which sets the timing of later filing deadlines.
- A company email address and office hours (at least three hours on each business day).
- A registered office address in Singapore.
- Each officer’s and shareholder’s details: NRIC or FIN, full name, date of birth, residential and contact addresses, mobile number and email.
- Share capital and shareholder details, including currency and share class.
- Registrable controller and nominee details, where applicable.
- A constitution: either a customised one or ACRA’s model constitution.
Only the person who reserved the company name can register the company, and that person must also be appointed as a director or secretary. You can also engage a corporate service provider to register for you.[5]
What the minimums don’t tell you
- $1 is a legal minimum, not a recommendation. You choose your starting share capital. Paid-up capital is the amount shareholders have actually paid for their shares.[3]
- “Ordinarily resident” is the requirement most often missed. If no director is a local resident, the company cannot meet the minimum, however many directors it has.[1][2]
- The registered office needs to be staffed. It must be open to the public at least three hours each business day, so a home address that is unattended during the day may not meet the requirement.[5]
- The six-month secretary deadline is a hard one. Appoint the secretary at incorporation and the deadline never becomes an issue.
Frequently asked questions
Can one person be the director and the only shareholder of a Singapore company?
Yes. A Singapore company needs at least one director and at least one share, and the same person can hold both roles.[1][3] That person must be ordinarily resident in Singapore, and the company must still appoint a different person as company secretary.[1]
Can my sole director also be the company secretary?
No. ACRA requires the company secretary not to be the same person as the sole director.[1]
What is the minimum paid-up capital for a Singapore company?
$1. ACRA states that a company needs at least $1 in share capital to start, and the minimum number of issued shares is one.[3]
Can a company be a shareholder of a Singapore company?
Yes. Shares can be bought by a person, a company or an LLP.[3] Directors are different: each director must meet ACRA’s director requirements, including being at least 18 years old.[1]
How long does it take to incorporate a company in Singapore?
Most registrations are approved soon after payment. Complex applications can take up to 15 working days, and those requiring approval from referral authorities can take 14 to 60 days.[5]
How much does ACRA charge to register a company?
$315 in total: $15 to apply for the company name and $300 to register the company.[6]
Lionsworld Incorporation
Meet every minimum for S$395, all in
Our incorporation package is S$395, including ACRA’s $315 in fees and your first year of company secretary service. It also includes your constitution, share certificates, consents to act and first bank-opening resolution. Our team is made up of ACRA-registered company secretaries, and we’ve been a filing agent since 1982.
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Additional officers: +S$50 per officer from the 3rd director or shareholder, +S$80 per non-Singaporean/non-PR officer, +S$100 per corporate shareholder. Need a registered office that meets ACRA’s opening-hours rule? Our registered address package starts at S$25/month, with mail handling. Already incorporated? See our company secretary services.
Sources
- ACRA, Appointing directors, company secretary and other key personnel
- ACRA, Requirements & eligibility (local resident)
- ACRA, Shares and shareholders
- ACRA, Choosing a company type
- ACRA, Setting up a local company
- ACRA, Service & transaction fees
- ACRA, Registering a local company via Bizfile
Last updated: 1 October 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees can change, so check the official sources above or speak with a qualified company secretary.