A Google search for "company incorporation Singapore" returns dozens of providers — ranging from S$99 DIY portals to law firm subsidiaries charging S$3,000+. For most founders, the differences aren't obvious until after the incorporation is done and something goes wrong.
This guide explains what actually matters when choosing an incorporation service, what to ignore, and the red flags that cost founders time and money later.
The One Non-Negotiable: ACRA Registered Filing Agent Status
Before evaluating anything else, confirm the provider is a registered filing agent with ACRA. This is not optional — only ACRA Registered Filing Agents (RFAs) can legally file company incorporations on behalf of clients in Singapore. You can verify RFA status on ACRA's website by searching the Registered Filing Agents directory.
An unregistered provider offering incorporation services is either:
- Passing your filing through an unnamed RFA (adding cost and a layer of opacity), or
- Filing illegally (which puts your company's validity at risk)
What a Good Incorporation Package Includes
The incorporation itself is straightforward. What distinguishes providers is what they include in the package — and what they charge as add-ons later.
| Item | Should Be Included? |
|---|---|
| ACRA filing and government fee (S$315) | ✅ Yes — always |
| Company constitution drafting | ✅ Yes |
| UEN registration | ✅ Yes (happens automatically with incorporation) |
| Share certificates for all shareholders | ✅ Yes |
| ACRA business profile (BizFile extract) | ✅ Yes |
| Post-incorporation minutes and resolutions | ✅ Yes — important for banking |
| Registered office address (first year) | ⚠️ Check — often charged separately |
| First-year corporate secretary | ⚠️ Sometimes included; often sold separately |
| Bank account opening assistance | ⚠️ Valuable but not standard |
Turnaround Time: What's Realistic
ACRA approves the vast majority of standard Pte Ltd incorporations within 1–3 business days. Providers advertising "same-day incorporation" are not wrong — ACRA can approve within hours for straightforward applications. But most founders receive their UEN within 24–48 hours of submitting complete documents.
Slower timelines occur when:
- The proposed business activity requires referral to a sector regulator (MAS for financial services, MOH for healthcare, etc.)
- Your proposed company name is flagged as similar to an existing entity
- Documents are incomplete or certification is missing
Advertised speed matters less than the provider's ability to prepare complete documents the first time — incomplete filings are what actually cause delays.
Post-Incorporation Support: The Overlooked Factor
Incorporation is a one-time event. The more important question is what happens after:
- Corporate secretary: Every Singapore company must appoint a company secretary within 6 months. Does the provider offer this, and at what price?
- Bank account guidance: Opening a Singapore corporate bank account as a foreign founder can be the hardest step. A good provider knows which banks work for foreign-owned companies and what documentation they require.
- ACRA compliance reminders: Annual Return deadlines, director change filings, share register updates — a good secretary handles these without you having to track them.
- Accounting and tax: Can the same provider handle your bookkeeping, ECI filing, and Form C-S, or do you need to manage a separate relationship?
Pricing: What "From S$X" Really Means
Most incorporation services list a headline price that excludes government fees, registered office, and corporate secretary. Always calculate the total first-year cost of:
- Incorporation service fee
- ACRA government fee (S$315 — this is fixed regardless of provider)
- Registered office address (typically S$500–S$1,500/year)
- First-year corporate secretary (typically S$350–S$1,000/year)
- Nominee director if needed (typically S$1,500–S$3,500/year)
A "S$99 incorporation" that adds S$800 for registered office, S$600 for secretarial, and S$3,000 for nominee director ends up at S$4,499 — more expensive than a provider charging S$699 all-in for the same services.
Red Flags to Avoid
| Red Flag | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| No ACRA RFA registration shown | May not be authorised to file |
| Headline price excludes government fees | True cost is hidden |
| No post-incorporation support offered | You'll be on your own for annual compliance |
| Nominee director with no written agreement | No legal protection for you or the nominee |
| Guaranteed approval in 24 hours regardless of activity | Some activities have mandatory referral periods — this promise can't always be kept |
| No clear escalation path if something goes wrong | You need a named contact, not just a chat widget |
Questions to Ask Before Signing Up
- Are you an ACRA Registered Filing Agent? What is your RFA number?
- What exactly is included in your incorporation package — does it include the S$315 ACRA government fee?
- Is registered office address included, and for how long?
- Who will be my named contact for the incorporation and post-incorporation questions?
- How do you handle nominee director arrangements — do you provide a written NDA and Deed of Indemnity?
- Can you assist with corporate bank account opening?
- What is your annual corporate secretary fee after the first year?
Why Karman
Karman is an ACRA Registered Filing Agent. Our incorporation packages include the government fee, company constitution, share certificates, post-incorporation documents, and registered office — with no hidden add-ons. Our corporate secretary team handles all annual compliance, and our accounting team handles IRAS and GST filings.
For foreign founders, we provide a fully documented nominee director arrangement with a Nominee Director Agreement and Deed of Indemnity, and we have guided dozens of founders through the bank account opening process at major Singapore banks.