Singapore Company Registration Service: A Guide for Malaysian Companies Expanding Across the Causeway

You’re ready to expand your Malaysian business across the causeway to our overachieving cousin, Singapore?

It’s an excellent idea. But before you pack your bags and start scouting office space in Raffles Place, let’s talk.

Singapore company registration isn't like your SSM experience back here in Malaysia. Different system, different requirements, different rules. The good news? It's still straightforward once you know what you're doing.

Let's walk through it.

Key Differences Between Malaysia and Singapore Company Registration

In Malaysia (Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia):

• MyCOID portal, RM1,010 in government fees

• Company secretary within 30 days

In Singapore (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority):

• BizFile+ system, S$315 in government fees

• Company secretary within 6 months

• More stringent registered address requirements

Let’s Talk About the Local Resident Director Requirement First

Singaporean law requires every company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. This means a Singapore citizen, Permanent Resident, or someone with an Employment Pass or EntrePass.

You, as a Malaysian, don't automatically qualify. Even if you visit Singapore weekly for business.

Your options:

Option 1: Apply for an EntrePass or Employment Pass

If you're planning to be actively involved in running the Singapore operations, relocate and apply for the appropriate work pass. Once approved, you qualify as the local resident director.

Option 2: Hire a Singaporean/PR as a Director

Bring someone onto your team who can fulfill this role legitimately. This could be a co-founder, a senior hire, or a business partner.

Option 3: Appoint a Nominee Director

A corporate service provider supplies a qualified director who serves in name only.

You retain full control of the business and bank accounts through proper legal agreements.

This is common and perfectly legal, but make sure everything is properly documented.

You want them on paper, not in your bank account.

Option 4: Partner with Someone Already Based in Singapore

If you're doing this as a joint venture with a Singapore-based partner, they can serve as the local resident director. Just make sure your shareholder agreements are airtight.

Alright, director situation handled. Now for the actual registration:

Step-by-Step Singapore Company Registration Process

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure

Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) - This is Singapore's version of a Sdn Bhd. It's a separate legal entity with limited liability. Your Malaysian company can be a shareholder.

Branch Office - An extension of your Malaysian parent company, not a separate entity. The parent company is liable for all obligations. Use this if you want to test the market first.

Subsidiary Company - A Pte Ltd where your Malaysian company owns the shares. Most common structure for established Malaysian businesses expanding to Singapore.

For most of you, Pte Ltd is the way to go.

Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name

Check if your preferred name is available through ACRA's system. The reservation costs S$15, and the name is held for 120 days.

Avoid names too similar to existing companies or containing restricted words (like "bank," "insurance," "trust") unless you have the proper licenses.

Pro tip: Have 2-3 backup names ready.

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

For shareholders:

• If individual: Passport or NRIC, proof of address

• If corporate (your Malaysian company): Certificate of incorporation, company profile, board resolution

For directors:

• Passport or NRIC

• Proof of residential address

• Consent to act as director

Company documents:

• Company constitution

• Company secretary details

• Share capital information (can start with just S$1)

• Registered Singapore address details - Must be a physical address (no P.O. boxes), accessible to public for at least 3 hours during business days. Most businesses use their corporate service provider's address to meet this requirement.

Step 4: Submit via ACRA's BizFile+

Submit through ACRA's BizFile+ system. The incorporation fee is S$300.

If all documents are in order, approval typically comes through within 1-3 business days.

You cannot self-register from Malaysia. You'll need either a SingPass (requires physical presence) or a registered filing agent.

Step 5: Receive Your Certificate of Incorporation & UEN

Once approved, you'll receive:

• Certificate of Incorporation (electronic)

• Unique Entity Number (UEN)

• Business Profile

Your company is now officially registered. But the real work is just beginning.

This feels like the right time for a picture of the Merlion

Post-Incorporation Tasks

Within 6 Months:

Appoint a company secretary - Not optional. The secretary must be ordinarily resident in Singapore and handles your statutory filings and compliance.

As Soon As Possible:

Open a corporate bank account - Singapore banks are thorough. They'll want business plans, source of funds, transaction volumes, and proof of business substance. Budget 2-4 weeks for account opening.

Register for GST (if applicable) - Mandatory if your taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million annually. Unlike Malaysia's SST, Singapore's GST is charged on most goods and services at 9%.

Set up CPF and tax registrations (if hiring employees) - Register with CPF Board, IRAS, and Ministry of Manpower.

Ongoing Compliance:

• Annual Returns to ACRA - Within 7 months after AGM

• Corporate tax filing to IRAS - ECI within 3 months of year-end; Form C by November 30th

• Annual General Meeting - Unless exempted

• Maintain statutory records - Minutes, registers of directors/shareholders/controllers

ACRA doesn't send reminder emails before penalties. You're expected to know your deadlines.

Tax Considerations for Malaysian Companies

Corporate Tax Structure

Singapore charges a flat 17% corporate tax. New companies get:

Start-up Tax Exemption Scheme (SUTE):

• First S$100,000: 75% exempt

• Next S$100,000: 50% exempt

• Applies for first three consecutive Years of Assessment

Singapore has no capital gains tax.

Malaysia-Singapore Double Taxation Agreement

The DTA determines where income should be taxed. If your Singapore company genuinely operates in Singapore, its profits are taxed there at 17%. You won't pay Malaysian tax on those same profits.

If you're moving money between your Malaysian and Singapore entities, you need proper transfer pricing documentation. Generally, you won’t be taxed twice on the same profits, subject to DTA rules and proper structuring.

Don't wing this part. Get proper advice.

Now let's talk money. What does all this actually cost?

How Much Does It Actually Cost?

Two parts to this: what the government charges, and what you'll actually pay:

Government Fees:

• Name reservation: S$15

• Incorporation: S$300

• Total ACRA fees: S$315

Professional Service Fees (Typical Market Rates):

Basic package: S$550 - S$1,200

• Name search and reservation

• Document preparation

• ACRA submission

• Company constitution

• First year company secretary and registered address

Comprehensive package: S$1,500 - S$2,500

• Everything above, plus nominee director services, bank account opening assistance, compliance advisory

Expect to pay S$2,000 - S$6,000 in the first year (including incorporation cost), and S$1,500 - S$5,000 in the subsequent years.

Compare this to Malaysia where the whole setup is cheaper. Singapore costs more, but you're getting access to a market that justifies the investment.

Choosing the Right Singapore Company Registration Service

Singapore expansion is a smart progression for many successful Malaysian businesses.

The incorporation process is straightforward once you understand the requirements. But it's different enough from Malaysia that having experienced guidance makes the difference between a smooth setup and months of frustration.

Don't go it alone. The right partner will handle everything from nominee director arrangements to ongoing compliance, so you can focus on growing your business in both markets.

Ready to get started? Here are two trusted Singapore company registration services that Douglas Loh & Associates recommends for Malaysian businesses:

Margin Wheeler

Founded in 2011, Margin Wheeler is a Singapore-based corporate services firm supporting startups and SMEs across industries such as fintech, F&B, and professional services.

Backed by chartered accountants and certified corporate secretaries, the firm provides end-to-end support in company incorporation, corporate secretarial work, compliance, tax, and bookkeeping.

With a 4.9 Google rating from 400+ reviews, Margin Wheeler is an ACRA-registered filing agent trusted for accuracy, confidentiality, and regulatory reliability.

Swiftly

Swiftly is a Singapore-based corporate services platform designed to help local and foreign founders incorporate and manage companies fully online.

Its all-in-one digital system covers company incorporation, nominee director, and corporate secretary services, with instant resolution generation for e-signing to eliminate delays.

Trusted by startups and SMEs, Swiftly stands out for fast turnaround, transparent pricing, and a compliance-first approach with ACRA from day one.