Business
Singapore — Business: Limited Company
The Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) is Singapore's standard limited-liability structure for foreign founders, requiring at least one shareholder (any nationality, individual or corporate), at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore, a registered Singapore office, and a qualified company secretary within 6 months. No minimum paid-up capital is required. This structure is the vehicle most foreign entrepreneurs use to sponsor their own Employment Pass, unlike sole proprietorships or partnerships.
Key facts
- Statutory requirements: 1+ shareholder (any nationality), 1+ resident director, registered Singapore office, qualified company secretary within 6 months.
- No minimum paid-up capital requirement, though most operating companies incorporate with S$1,000-100,000.
- The Pte Ltd structure is the standard vehicle for foreign founders to sponsor their own Employment Pass application.
- Nominee director services are commonly used to satisfy the resident-director requirement while the foreign founder's own work pass is processed.
Required documents
- Constitution complying with Companies Act 1967
- Registered office address
- Resident director appointment
Common mistakes
- Choosing a sole proprietorship for simplicity when a Pte Ltd is required to sponsor the founder's own work pass application.