Foreign Company's Guide to Registration in Singapore

If you are a foreign company that wants to setup an office in Singapore, this page is meant for you. It will also assist you with understanding immigration matters related to relocation of staff to Singapore.

First of all you need to decide on the type of entity that best suits your needs. As a foreign company, you have the choice of setting up a Branch Office, Subsidiary Company, or a Representative Office in Singapore. To learn more about the three types of entities, see Foreign Company Registration Options in Singapore. Once you have determined the type of entity, you can continue as below.

Option 1: Setting Up a Singapore Subsidiary

Option 1a: Subsidiary Setup and Director Relocation to Singapore

If you wish to setup a subsidiary company and relocate one of the directors to Singapore, you will need to accomplish two main tasks: incorporate the subsidiary company and obtain an employment pass for the director.  The employment pass application can be filed only after registration of the subsidiary company.

If you are interested in this option, the following links are relevant to your needs:

• Online quote for our services
• Subsidiary registration guide
• Employment Pass guide

Option 1b: Subsidiary Setup without Director Relocation to Singapore

If you wish to setup a company but none of the foreign directors will be relocating to Singapore in the immediate future, you will require nominee director service to satisfy the statutory requirement of at least one local resident director.

If you are interested in this option, the following links are relevant to your needs:

• Online quote for our services
• Subsidiary registration guide

Option 2: Setting Up a Singapore Representative Office

If you decide to setup a Singapore representative office, you will first need to register the representative office and then file an employment pass application for the key person (called 'chief representative') who will be relocating from head office to lead the representative office activities.

If you are interested in this option, the following links are relevant to your needs:

• Online quote for our services
• Singapore Representative Office registration guide
• Employment Pass guide

Option 3: Setting Up a Singapore Branch Office

Although most of the small to medium size foreign companies prefer to setup a subsidiary company and not a branch office, if you are still keen on registering a branch office, you will need to identify two key persons who must reside in Singapore and act as the local agents for the branch office. Most likely, you will be relocating such individuals to Singapore from the head office. You will need to first register the branch office and then file employment pass applications for the staff who will be relocating to Singapore.

If you are interested in this option, the following links are relevant to your needs:

• Online quote for our services
• Singapore Branch Office registration guide
• Employment Pass guide