Quick and painless incorporation in Singapore
We’ll get your company registered, set up the annual reporting, and help open a bank account online — no need to go anywhere
Hey, do I have to fly in to open the company?
No need! 🙌 I'm sending over the application for incorporation. Just e-sign it online! ✍️ Vanessa
Amazing, 👌 thanks, guys!
We guide you every step of the way
One stop for all requirements
We prepare everything the government requires: company constitution, local address, a Nominee director, and a Corporate Secretary
Zero paperwork on your end
We collect your documents in a chat, fill out the application, and send for you to e-sign
No need to go anywhere
We do everything remotely and online: KYC, company registration, and introduction to digital banks
Help with bank account opening
We partner with neobanks that open accounts online, and traditional ones that require your visit
Have a name? Check it now
Type in any company name you have in mind and see if it’s available
Helping entrepreneurs worldwide
start business in Singapore
89% of customers recommend us
7,500+ clients worldwide
Here’s what our customers say
It is impressive how fast and responsive they are! I feel very happy about my decision to go with East river.
Randeep Sudan Multivertz Pte. Ltd.
East river made registering my company really easy. They have been extremely proactive, talking me through the whole process of starting my company.
Harriette Foulkes-Arnold We are Contented Pte. Ltd.
I like that I can just post my questions to chat any time of the day, quite unlike having to remember to call within business hours only. For a startup owner working irregular hours, this helps.
Lim Sze-Szan Fiona BodyOwn Pte. Ltd.
I really like your app's user experience. Really seamless!
Phooi Song Kai, Kenneth Google Ventures Pte. Ltd.
I was sceptical about remote service seated at my home in Sri Lanka. Rena swiftly took me through the process seamlessly and WALLAH! My Singapore company is set up!
Ahamed Efthikar Abdul Vahid TrustCorp Advisory Pte. Ltd.
I didn’t have to go anywhere to work with East river, I just used the web and mobile app to sign the docs.
Ivan Zeljkovic Evans Media Pte. Ltd.
I incorporated my own two companies with East river and now manage them via the platform. I've been very satisfied and recommend East river to all my friends.
Vlad Shchelkunov BTTR holdings Pte. Ltd.
The staff always answer, and they deal with all the admin on my behalf. So I can simply use my income and not worry about legal and administrative filings.
Pawel Wargan freelancer
Here’s what you need to open a company. We’ll take care of it all.
Make sure you’re ready for company formation with our free incorporation checklist
Fulfill the official requirements
We help you with all the things that Singapore government requires from the founders:
Corporate Secretary
A certified expert who covers you on reporting.
Singapore law requires each company to have a Secretary. This officer is in charge of state compliance: files annual returns and resolutions on changes, prepares Annual General meetings, and processes dividends distribution.
Nominee Director
A local person who puts his name on your papers and shares legal liability.
At least one of your directors has to be a Singapore resident. Hire a Nominee — it’s a common and legal practice.
A Nominee can not make any business decisions. But, if there’s any wrongdoing, for example, the reports are late or incorrect, he shares responsibility. That’s why you have to get an Accounting package with this service.
Registered address
A real Singapore mailbox for your legal correspondence.
All Singaporean companies must have a local registered address. It goes on all legal documents.
Get your company registered
Foreigners need a certified agency to file for incorporation. We collect all documents online, put them together, and send you the application to sign electronically.
We need passports and proof of address for you and any other directors of the company. You also have to send us a selfie to prove it’s really you :) Next, we need the share structure — all of that goes into the company Constitution we’ll draft for you. Finally, let us know your paid-up capital — S$1 is enough.
Open an account
We partner with Singapore banks and neobanks that can open an account for you remotely online. We present you, but we can’t guarantee you’ll get an account. The decision is always up to banks.
Each bank has their own procedure to open an account without physically visiting the branch. They do KYC interviews online using video conferencing and send couriers to exchange docs. Talk to us to learn about details, rates, and requirements.
Set up the accounting routine
You need to submit several tax reports a year. Our Chartered accountant will organise your docs, prepare reports, and file them neatly. We also proactively advise on exemptions so you pay taxes smartly.
Even if you have no transactions, you still need to submit annual reports: Estimated Chargeable Income, financial statements, and annual tax return called Form C or Form C-S. It’s crucial to prepare them right and on time, otherwise your company and the Nominee director can face fines and penalties.
Get an Employment Pass if you want to move to Singapore
A permit that allows you to work, live and bring your family to Singapore. Only a Singapore company can apply for an EP. It has to be a real operational business. We can register a company for you, set up the reporting, and apply for EP.
We will file your CV with relevant professional experience, education data and the company profile to get the visa. The process can take up to 3-6 months depending on the requirements. Once you get it, the employment pass is valid for 1 or 2 years and can be renewed afterwards.
No deposits, no hidden costs
We don’t charge a deposit for the Nominee director service. Government fees for incorporation and name-checking are included. You always pay what you see. Our prices are fixed in Singapore Dollars. We use MAS rates to convert them to US Dollars and Euros. The exact price you pay in $ and € depends on the rate and fees your bank applies.
Need more?
Additional services you may need
- CorpPass Registration S$100
- Employment Pass (EP) S$950
- Multicurrency accounting S$200/y
- Dependant’s Pass (DP) S$550
- Letter of Consent (LOC) S$300
- EP or DP renewal S$550
Need more?
Additional services you may need
- CorpPass Registration S$100
- Multicurrency accounting S$200/y
- Letter of Consent (LOC) S$300
- Employment Pass (EP) S$950
- Dependant’s Pass (DP) S$550
- EP or DP renewal S$550
- FA20170653
- Xero Platinum Partner
- Our accountants are certified by ISCA
- License No. 19S9930
- Pioneers of Cloud Community Network
Q&A
Can foreigners start a business in Singapore?
Singapore is very welcoming to foreigners who want to incorporate. Foreigners can become directors and shareholders here without any restrictions. The only requirement is that each local company must have at least one resident director — a Singapore national or a Permanent Resident. To comply with this law, you can hire a Nominee director.
Do I need a company address?
Yes, all Singaporean companies must have a local registered address. It goes on all legal documents. If you don’t have an office address, use our service. We handle your incoming letters, scan and store them in your East river account so you have easy access to all your documents.
Can a business owner relocate to Singapore?
Yes, it’s possible. To do that, you’ll need to receive an Employment Pass. It’s a permit that allows to live and work in Singapore. Employment Passes are sponsored by Singapore companies. To get one you need a salary of about S$6,000, especially if you plan to bring your family, too.
How East river opens a local company in Singapore for foreigners?
We check that the company name you’ve chosen is available. You send us your IC or passport copy, details on directors and shareholders. We prepare all the necessary documents, send them to you for electronic signature, and submit them to ACRA (a government entity that registers companies). On your end, it’s just a message thread in a secure chat. Once a UEN has been issued, your company is operational.
What’s your timeline?
We can set up a company as fast as within 1 hour. The most important factor is to collect all the docs: once you’ve handed them over to us, we can act fast. Keep in mind that the authorities only process registrations during working hours.
What is an Employment Pass?
It’s a type of working visa issued per specific company so it can invite foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technicians. It allows you to work exclusively for that company, live and bring your family to Singapore. It’s valid for 1 or 2 years and can be renewed afterwards.
Can an Employment Pass holder open a company in Singapore?
Every Employment Pass is issued per specific company. So if you already have an Employment Pass from some employer, you have two options. If you plan to keep your job, you can open a company and be a shareholder, not a director. If you plan to leave your current job, you can open a company and apply for EP sponsored by your new business. If you plan to do this, it is best you're not a shareholder in your company as this might affect your EP application.
Can I transfer an Employment Pass or Dependant’s Pass I have to my new company?
No, EPs/DPs are issued per one specific company. You can only work for the employer that sponsors your visa. So after you’ve incorporated, your new business has to apply for your new EP. Do it seamlessly: there’s no need to cancel your old EP before you get the new one.
What are the requirements to get an Employment Pass?
This is an employment visa so your professional qualities and fit with the company will be evaluated. We will file your CV with relevant professional experience, education data and the company profile to get the visa. The most important factor is your fixed salary amount that the company commits to paying you. It needs to be no less than S$6,000, especially if you want to bring immediate family under Dependant Passes.
Do I need a resident director (Nominee Director)?
Your company can have as many directors as you want, but at least one needs to be local. If you do not have someone who can play the role, hire a nominee director. For example, there can be two directors: you and the nominee. If you apply for Employment Pass from your new company, you only need the nominee service while you wait for it (about 6 months). After that, you can be the only director.
What are the responsibilities of a Nominee Director?
A nominee is a Singapore resident who holds the director’s position in your company but doesn’t get involved with your business. His responsibilities are to abide by the law and to always act in the best interest of your company.
For how long do I need a resident director (Nominee Director)?
You can appoint as many directors as you need, but at least one of them has to be a resident. To comply with this law, hire a Nominee. There could be just two directors to start with, you and the Nominee.
You only need this officer for the time it takes to get an Employment Pass for yourself, which is usually about 6 months. After that, you can be the only director.
