Countries/Singapore
Singapore

Starting a business in Singapore

A 17% headline rate that almost nobody pays in full, a resident director you cannot avoid, and banking that actually opens.

Nominee director or Relocate?All guides
At a glanceVerified Sep 2026
17%
Corporate tax
~8.3%
Effective, small co
9%
GST
SGD 1
Minimum capital
Verified against official sourcesSee citations →

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The decision that shapes everything: who sits as resident director

Nominee director
Provider-supplied
  • SGD 2,000 to 3,500 a year, every year
  • Lets you incorporate without relocating
  • The nominee carries statutory duties, so providers vet you
  • Usually bundled with secretary and registered address
vs
Relocate
EntrePass or Employment Pass
  • You satisfy the resident director rule yourself
  • Access to the start-up tax exemption while it applies
  • Pass approval is discretionary and not quick
  • Cost of living is among the highest in Asia

All Singapore guides

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