Singapore is frequently promoted as an easy, low-tax place to register a company. That description is only partly correct.

The actual incorporation can be completed quickly when the company structure, ownership, business activities and compliance documents are in order. The more important questions are whether you can satisfy the resident-director requirement, complete the necessary due diligence, open a suitable corporate account and maintain the company after registration.

At Worldwide Fellow, we do not recommend Singapore simply because its headline corporate tax rate is 17%. We recommend it when a founder needs a reputable Asian company for genuine trading activities, regional customers, investment, hiring or business operations.

A Singapore company is not a zero-tax offshore shell. It is a regulated local company with accounting, filing and governance obligations.

Can a foreigner start a business in Singapore?

Yes. A foreign individual or overseas company can generally own all the shares in a Singapore private limited company.

You do not ordinarily need a Singaporean shareholder or business partner. However, the company must have at least one director who satisfies Singapore’s local residency requirements.

Foreign founders must also engage a registered Corporate Service Provider to reserve the company name and complete the registration. Incorporating a company does not automatically give its foreign owner the right to live or work in Singapore. A separate work pass will be required if the founder intends to relocate and manage the business from Singapore.