Straight Setup

We don't form companies or act as company secretary. Licensed providers handle that.

Singapore · Guide

Singapore Director Options for Foreign Founders

As of October 2026

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with qualified Singapore counsel before acting.

Singapore makes it easy for a foreigner to own 100% of a company, but every company needs at least one director who lives in Singapore. This guide sets out the rule, who counts, and the main ways foreign founders meet it. Each figure links to the official source it comes from. Where published rules don't give a clear answer, we say "confirm with counsel."

The rule

  • At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (Companies Act 1967, s145).
  • Who counts as resident: a Singapore citizen, a permanent resident, or a holder of an Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or ONE Pass. Employment Pass holders need a Letter of Consent from MOM first before acting as a director (ACRA: directors and key officers; ACRA: rules for foreigners).
  • Company secretary: a natural person whose principal or only residence is in Singapore must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation, and the office must not be vacant for more than 6 months (fine up to S$1,000). A sole director cannot also be the secretary (Companies Act, s171).
  • Registered office: the company needs a Singapore registered office to which all communications and notices can be sent (s142). Since the Companies Act amendments that took effect on 20 Oct 2026, the Act no longer states the earlier rule that the office be open to the public at least 3 hours each business day, although some ACRA guidance pages still show it. Confirm current registered-office requirements with counsel.
  • Registering: foreigners must register through a corporate service provider (CSP). Government fees for a private limited company are S$315 (S$15 name application + S$300 registration) (ACRA: ways to set up; ACRA: Bizfile registration).

Your options at a glance

Option How it meets the rule What to know
1. Move to Singapore on an Employment Pass An EP holder counts as resident once MOM issues a Letter of Consent to act as director Minimum qualifying salary S$5,600 a month (financial services S$6,200), rising with age to S$10,700 (FS S$11,800) at 45 and above. From 1 Jan 2027 for new applications: S$6,000 (FS S$6,600), rising to S$11,500 (FS S$12,700). Must also pass COMPASS (40 points) unless fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more, and the job must first be advertised on MyCareersFuture (MOM: EP eligibility; COMPASS).
2. Qualify for a ONE Pass ONE Pass holders count as resident S$30,000+ fixed monthly salary for the last 12 months at an established company (market cap US$500M+ or revenue US$200M+), or an equivalent Singapore offer, or outstanding achievements in sports, arts and culture, or academia and research. An AI and Tech track opens 28 Jan 2027 (MOM: ONE Pass).
3. Apply for an EntrePass Not on the resident list in the ACRA guidance we cite. Whether an EntrePass holder can act as the resident director: confirm with counsel You must start, or intend to start, an ACRA-registered private limited company and hold at least 30% of it. The business must be venture-backed or own innovative technology, and you must meet at least one criterion, such as raising S$100,000 or more in a single round, backing from a recognized incubator or accelerator, registered IP, or a research collaboration (MOM: EntrePass).
4. Appoint a Singapore citizen or PR A citizen or PR co-founder, early hire or trusted person can be the resident director They become a full director of your company. What duties and liabilities that brings, and how to document their role, authority and exit: confirm with counsel.
5. Use a nominee director service Some corporate service providers offer a resident director for a fee (we haven't reviewed specific providers) The company must keep a register of nominee directors (and nominee shareholders), unless exempt (ACRA: after registering). Published government sources don't set prices or standard terms for these services. What duties a nominee owes, how the arrangement should be documented, and what it means for control of your company: confirm with counsel.

Alternatives to a local company

  • Branch of your foreign company: not a separate entity, and the parent is fully liable. It needs a locally resident authorized representative. Government fee S$300 (one year) plus S$15 for the name (ACRA: foreign company branch).
  • Representative office: market research only, and it cannot earn income. Registered with Enterprise Singapore (financial-sector offices go to MAS). The parent needs turnover above US$250,000, 3+ years in business and fewer than 5 staff in Singapore. S$200 for a 1-year license (renewable for 2 more years); from 1 Apr 2027, a 3-year license for S$200 + S$400 on approval (Enterprise Singapore).

If your business will be regulated

  • Payment services (MAS): for a Standard or Major Payment Institution license, MAS expects one executive director who is a Singapore citizen or PR, or one Employment Pass-holding executive director plus another director who is a citizen or PR (MAS Guidelines PS-G01; MAS licensing). Whether a nominee director would satisfy this: confirm with counsel.
  • Moneylending: new directors and substantial shareholders of a licensed moneylender need the Registry of Moneylenders' prior approval. The Registry states that it "has temporarily suspended the grant of any new moneylending licences." No end date is published (Registry of Moneylenders).

After you incorporate

  • Keep a Register of Registrable Controllers and nominee registers (unless exempt), and appoint an auditor within 3 months unless exempt (ACRA).
  • File an annual return (ACRA fee S$60) (ACRA fees).
  • Appoint a Data Protection Officer and publish their contact details; this is mandatory for every organization under the PDPA (PDPC).
  • Tax: corporate income tax is a flat 17%. New start-ups can get a partial exemption for their first 3 years of assessment (IRAS). Confirm with a Singapore tax adviser.

FAQ

Can I own 100% of a Singapore company as a foreigner? Yes. No general foreign-ownership cap applies to ordinary Singapore companies. You still need a resident director, and limits apply in some regulated sectors (ACRA).

Can I be the only director if I live overseas? No. At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (s145). You can be a director alongside a resident director.

What's the minimum share capital? S$1 to start (ACRA). Regulated activities have their own minimums.

Does my resident director also have to be the secretary? No. They can be different people. If the company has only one director, that person can't also be the secretary.

Official sources (as of October 2026)

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with qualified Singapore counsel before acting.