Step 1
Agree the business activity, shareholding and your role and salary in the company.
Corporate in Singapore
The route in Singapore
Pick one to see its full rulesAbout Singapore
About Singapore
Singapore lets a foreign founder own 100% of a private limited company and work in it on an Employment Pass (EP) issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The company is registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), employs you as its director or senior manager, and applies for your pass. This is the route widely called the Self-Employed Employment Pass. MOM assesses a founder like any other EP candidate: a qualifying salary from S$5,600 a month (S$6,000 for new applications from 1 January 2027) and at least 40 points under COMPASS. Corporate income tax is 17%, with a start-up exemption for qualifying new companies. XIPHIAS Immigration helps founders incorporate, open a bank account, file the EP and bring their family.
Capital:SingaporeLanguage:English, Malay, Mandarin, TamilCurrency:SGD (S$)
- Population
- 6.21 million
- Capital
- Singapore
- Language
- English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
- Currency
- SGD (S$)
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Climate
- Tropical, hot and humid year-round
Why Singapore
Why Singapore?
Foreigners may own 100% of a Singapore private limited company.
At least one director must be locally resident; a valid Employment Pass holder meets ACRA's local residency rules.
EP qualifying salary from S$5,600 a month (financial services S$6,200), rising with age; S$6,000 and S$6,600 for new applications from 1 January 2027.
COMPASS pass mark of 40 points; small firms score 10 points each on two of the four criteria by default.
First EP valid for up to 2 years, renewals up to 3 years.
Corporate income tax 17%; ACRA incorporation fee S$300 plus S$15 for the name.
Process
How it works
Step 2
Reserve the company name and incorporate with ACRA through a corporate service provider (S$15 name fee, S$300 registration fee).
Step 3
Appoint a locally resident director and, within six months, a company secretary; set the registered office address.
Step 4
Open the corporate bank account, subject to the bank's due diligence.
Step 5
The company files your Employment Pass application with MOM (S$105).
Step 6
Receive the in-principle approval, enter Singapore within six months and have the pass issued (S$225).
Step 7
Apply for Dependant's Passes for your spouse and children, and keep the company compliant each year.
Eligibility — Requirements
Requirements
The following list outlines the core eligibility requirements for this program.
Applicant aged 18 or over with a valid passport.
Business, senior management or investment experience that fits the role in your company.
Fixed monthly salary at or above the EP qualifying salary for your age and sector.
At least 40 points under COMPASS, unless your fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more.
KYC and source-of-funds documents for each shareholder and director.
A locally resident director, a company secretary and a registered office address in Singapore.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A foreigner can hold 100% of the shares of a Singapore private limited company. ACRA requires foreigners to register through a corporate service provider, and at least one director must be locally resident.
No. Incorporation alone gives no right to live or work in Singapore. You need a work pass, usually an Employment Pass applied for by your company.
At least S$5,600 a month, or S$6,200 in financial services, rising with age to S$10,700 and S$11,800 at 45 and above. For new applications from 1 January 2027 the starting figures are S$6,000 and S$6,600.
Yes. With a fixed monthly salary of at least S$6,000 you can sponsor Dependant's Passes for your legally married spouse and unmarried children under 21. Parents need a Long-Term Visit Pass, which requires a salary of at least S$12,000.
17%. Qualifying new companies get a 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 and 50% on the next S$100,000 of normal chargeable income in each of their first three consecutive years of assessment.
Employment Pass holders are eligible to apply to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for permanent residence. ICA publishes no minimum period or points test, and each application is decided on its merits.
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