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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

Ways to set up foreign businesses in Singapore

Learn how foreign businesses can set up in Singapore by registering a foreign company or registering other business structures.

Last updated 29 January 2026

Tip: This guide is for existing foreign businesses. If you're a foreigner looking to start a new business, learn more about the rules for foreigners.

Engaging a CSP

All foreign businesses must engage a corporate service provider (CSP) to register their business in Singapore. This requirement applies to all business structures.

Setting up a foreign business

Foreign businesses have four options to set up in Singapore. Each option has different rules and benefits.

Thumbnail for How do foreign businesses set up operations in Singapore

Foreign company registration options

Options

Description

Set up a representative office

  • Best for: Market research before you commit to setting up in Singapore.

  • Legal status: Not a separate legal entity. A temporary setup.

  • Liability: The parent company is fully responsible.

  • Income: Cannot earn income, not subject to corporate tax.

  • Compliance: Must comply with the relevant terms and conditions.

Register a subsidiary or local company

  • Best for: Setting up a separate Singapore company for full commercial operations.

  • Legal status: A separate Singapore company owned by the parent.

  • Liability: Limited to the subsidiary's assets.

  • Income and tax: Can earn income, subject to corporate tax.

  • Compliance: After registration, must comply with the same requirements as a local company.

Registering as a foreign company branch

  • Best for: Extending the parent company's operations to Singapore.

  • Legal status: A direct extension of the parent company. Not separate.

  • Liability: The parent company is fully responsible.

  • Income and tax: Can earn income. Not a Singapore tax resident unless your foreign company is controlled and managed in Singapore.

  • Compliance: After registration, must comply with the same requirements as a local company.

  • Shares: Can be held by the foreign company as the only shareholder

Transfer registration (Re-domiciliation)

  • Best for: Completely moving a company's legal home and registration to Singapore.

  • Legal status: The foreign company becomes a Singapore company.

  • Liability: Usually has a limited liability as a Singapore company.

  • Income and tax: Can earn income, subject to corporate tax.

  • Compliance: After re-domiciliation, must comply with the same requirements as a local company.

Tip: You can also re-domicile into Singapore as a variable capital company (VCC).

Registering other business structures

Foreign businesses may also explore other business structures, such as:

  • Limited partnerships (LP)

  • Limited liability partnerships (LLP)

Learn more about choosing a business structure