Establish and Grow Your Business in Singapore
VJM Global works with companies from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India in setting up and running their Singapore operations. The firm's 100+ professionals handle ACRA incorporation, IRAS tax registration, Employment Pass applications, and ongoing accounting under Singapore Financial Reporting Standards. Companies entering Singapore receive coordinated support across both the Singapore entity and their home jurisdiction through one engagement team.
17% flat for all companies
Zero — not levied
100+ jurisdictions covered
3rd largest recipient
Why
Singapore
?
Singapore received record foreign direct investment inflows of USD 192 billion in 2024, ranking third globally after the United States and China. The corporate tax rate is a flat 17%, with zero capital gains tax and zero dividend withholding tax under the one-tier system. Over 100 double taxation agreements cover all major economies. ACRA processes company incorporations within one to two business days through its BizFile+ portal. The Heritage Foundation ranks Singapore first globally for economic freedom. A legal system grounded in English common law, strong intellectual property protection through IPOS, and 27 active free trade agreements make Singapore the primary commercial gateway into ASEAN.
Key Market Data
$574 Billion
4.4%
$90,674
$192 Billion
5.87 Million
1st Globally
Key Industries
Financial Services
Manufacturing
Technology & Digital
Wholesale & Retail Trade
Professional Services
Strategic Advantages
Tax Competitiveness
Corporate tax at a flat 17% with no capital gains tax and no dividend withholding tax under the one-tier system. New companies receive 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 and 50% on the next S$100,000 of chargeable income for three consecutive years. Singapore’s 100+ DTAs prevent double taxation across all major trading partners.
ASEAN Gateway
Singapore sits at the centre of the ASEAN economic bloc of 680+ million people. The country has 27 active free trade agreements, including RCEP (the world’s largest trade bloc), CPTPP, and bilateral agreements with India (CECA), the European Union, and the United States. Companies use Singapore as a base for regional market entry into Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
English Common Law System
Singapore’s legal system is based on English common law, providing predictability for international commercial transactions. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) handle cross-border disputes. Contract enforcement is strong, and intellectual property protection is administered through IPOS.
Skilled Workforce
The workforce of 3.6+ million includes a high proportion of university graduates and experienced expatriate professionals. The government invests in continuous skills development through SkillsFuture initiatives and partners with global technology companies including Oracle, AWS, and Microsoft for AI and cloud computing training programmes. MOM’s Employment Pass framework uses the COMPASS points-based system to assess foreign talent applications.
100+ Double Tax Agreements
Singapore has signed DTAs with over 100 jurisdictions, covering 98 comprehensive agreements. These treaties reduce or eliminate withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties. Combined with the one-tier tax system (no further tax on distributed dividends), this makes Singapore effective for regional holding and IP management structures.
Choose Your Business Structure
Singapore offers four main entity structures for foreign companies. A private limited company (Pte Ltd) is a separate legal entity with limited liability and Singapore tax residency. A branch office is an extension of the foreign parent company, taxed on branch profits, with the parent bearing full liability for branch obligations. A representative office is a temporary structure limited to market research and liaison activities — it cannot generate revenue or enter contracts. A variable capital company (VCC) is a corporate structure for investment funds, allowing umbrella sub-fund structures under one entity. Most foreign companies entering Singapore for commercial operations choose the Pte Ltd structure due to its limited liability, access to Singapore's DTA network, and eligibility for government grants and incentives.
Entity Comparison
| Feature | Pte Ltd | Branch Office | Rep Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Status | Separate legal entity | Extension of parent | No legal status |
| Liability | Limited to share capital | Parent bears full liability | Parent bears full liability |
| Tax Residency | Singapore tax resident | Taxed on SG-source income | Not taxable |
| Commercial Activity | Full operations | Full operations | Market research only |
| DTA Access | Yes | Limited | No |
| Min. Directors | 1 locally resident | 2 local agents | Chief Representative |
| Incorporation Fee | S$315 via BizFile+ | S$300 | No fee (1-year permit) |
Choosing the Right Structure
The Pte Ltd structure suits most foreign companies planning commercial operations. It provides access to Singapore's 100+ DTAs, eligibility for government grants through Enterprise Singapore, and limited liability. Branch offices work better for companies that need to repatriate profits directly to the parent without a dividend mechanism. Representative offices are temporary — valid for one year with extensions — and suit companies conducting preliminary market assessment before committing to a full entity.
Our Services in
Singapore
VJM Global covers the full lifecycle of company operations in Singapore. The firm handles ACRA incorporation, IRAS tax registration, and Employment Pass applications at setup. Ongoing services include monthly bookkeeping under SFRS, quarterly GST returns, annual corporate tax filing (Form C/C-S), payroll processing with CPF administration, and ACRA annual returns. For cross-border structures, VJM provides transfer pricing documentation aligned with both Singapore and home-country requirements, international tax advisory under Singapore's DTA network, and coordinated compliance across jurisdictions. Corporate secretarial, company secretary appointments, and share registry management are included in standard engagement packages.
Business Setup & Entity Services
Outsourcing & Managed Services
Tax Services
Audit & Assurance
Advisory & Consulting
Risk & Compliance
Financial Advisory & Deals
Legal Services
Human Capital & Workforce
GCC & Shared Services
Technology & Digital
ERP & Accounting Software
ESG & Sustainability
Strategy & Management Consulting
Industry Solutions
Government & Public Sector
Data Analytics & AI
Wealth Management & Family Office
Industry Expertise
VJM Global serves clients across Singapore's primary investment sectors. The firm's teams have practical experience in financial services compliance under MAS regulations, technology company structures including SaaS and fintech, manufacturing operations with regional supply chains, and professional services firms using Singapore as an Asia-Pacific coordination hub. Each industry engagement draws on the firm's cross-border capability to address both Singapore-specific and multi-jurisdiction requirements.
Financial Services & Fintech
Technology & SaaS
Manufacturing & Precision Engineering
Professional & Business Services
E-Commerce & Retail
Who We Help
VJM Global serves companies at every stage of their Singapore operations. The firm works with foreign companies incorporating their first Singapore entity, established companies needing ongoing accounting and compliance support, and cross-border groups requiring coordinated tax and transfer pricing documentation across jurisdictions. Client origin countries include the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India.
Foreign Companies Entering Singapore
Singapore Companies Expanding Internationally
Companies Needing Ongoing Accounting and Compliance
Cross-Border Groups Managing Transfer Pricing
Why Companies Choose VJM for
Singapore
75+ Country Coverage Through One Firm
India-Singapore Corridor Depth
ISO 27001 Certified Operations
Cost-Effective Delivery from India
Why Companies Work with VJM Global
Companies from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, and India choose VJM Global for Singapore engagements because the firm operates across 75+ countries. An American company setting up a Singapore Pte Ltd receives ACRA and IRAS support in Singapore alongside FATCA coordination in the US. An Indian company entering Singapore gets ACRA incorporation and FEMA outward remittance compliance handled by the same team. This eliminates the gap that occurs when a Singapore-only adviser and a home-country adviser operate independently without shared context on the client's cross-border structure.
By the Numbers
20+
1,500+
100+
75+
450+
27001
145+ Countries
Success Stories
Real engagement outcomes from VJM Global's Singapore practice, anonymised by industry and geography. Each scenario was confirmed by VJM's senior leadership before publication. No client names or transaction values are disclosed.
Indian IT Company — APAC HQ Setup
US Professional Services Firm — SG Accounting + India TP
Chinese Fintech — ASEAN Expansion
UK Professional Services — Outsourced Bookkeeping
Taiwan Manufacturer — Regional Subsidiary
Frequently Asked Questions
VJM Global handles ACRA company incorporation, IRAS tax registration, GST compliance, monthly bookkeeping under SFRS, annual corporate tax filing (Form C/C-S), payroll processing with CPF contributions, Employment Pass advisory, corporate secretarial services, transfer pricing documentation, and international tax advisory. The firm also manages cross-border compliance for companies operating in Singapore alongside India, the UAE, the USA, or the UK.
VJM operates across 75+ countries, so companies entering Singapore get coordinated support for the Singapore entity and every other jurisdiction in their structure. The firm handles both ACRA/IRAS compliance in Singapore and home-country obligations like FEMA (India), FATCA (USA), or Companies House (UK) through one engagement. ISO 27001 certification covers data security. India-based delivery teams provide SFRS-compliant accounting at lower cost than Singapore-based providers.
Yes. VJM covers the full lifecycle from Pte Ltd incorporation through to ongoing accounting, tax, payroll, audit coordination, transfer pricing, corporate secretarial, and company secretary appointments. As the Singapore entity grows, VJM scales the engagement to include additional services such as Employment Pass management, GST advisory, and financial reporting for group consolidation.
Singapore operations involve ACRA (company filings), IRAS (tax), MOM (employment), CPF Board (provident fund), and potentially MAS (financial services). VJM manages all required filings across these regulators, tracks deadlines through its compliance calendar, and flags upcoming obligations before they become overdue. For cross-border clients, the firm coordinates Singapore deadlines with home-country filing calendars.
VJM works with Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB, SAP, and Oracle NetSuite for accounting. The firm uses ACRA BizFile+ for company filings, IRAS myTax Portal for tax submissions, CorpPass for government transactions, and CPF e-Submit for provident fund contributions. Power BI and Tableau support reporting and analytics. VJM is a Zoho Certified Partner.
Yes, through an Employer of Record (EOR) arrangement. An EOR allows companies to hire Singapore-based employees without a local entity, handling employment contracts, payroll, CPF contributions, and MOM compliance. This suits companies hiring fewer than five employees. Once headcount grows or the company needs to sign local contracts and access Singapore tax incentives, incorporating a Pte Ltd becomes more practical.
VJM holds ISO 27001 certification for information security management. Data handling follows documented protocols aligned with Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Access controls, encryption, and secure file transfer are standard across all client engagements. The firm’s India delivery team operates under the same ISO 27001-certified framework.
VJM serves clients in financial services and fintech (MAS-regulated), technology and SaaS, manufacturing and precision engineering, professional services, e-commerce, gaming, and maritime. The firm also supports family offices seeking Section 13O/13U fund structures and VCC setups. Industry expertise spans both Singapore-domestic and cross-border engagements.
ACRA charges S$315 for Pte Ltd incorporation (S$15 for name reservation and S$300 for incorporation). This is the government fee only. Professional fees for incorporation services, nominee director arrangements, registered office provision, and company secretary appointment vary by scope. VJM provides a fixed-fee quote after an initial scoping discussion.
Standard ACRA BizFile+ incorporation takes one to two business days after name approval. Name reservation takes approximately one hour for straightforward names. Activities requiring government agency referral (financial services, education, healthcare) may take 14 to 60 days. Post-incorporation steps include IRAS tax registration, bank account opening, and CorpPass setup, each with their own timelines.
Explore Other Markets
VJM Global operates across 75+ countries. Companies entering Singapore often expand into or from other markets where VJM maintains direct service capability. Each country page below covers entity setup, tax, and compliance for that jurisdiction.
USA
UAE (Dubai)
India
Ready to Start Your
Singapore
Journey?
Whether you are entering Singapore for the first time or managing an existing entity's compliance calendar, VJM Global's team can scope the engagement to your specific requirements. The firm covers incorporation, tax, accounting, payroll, and corporate secretarial services under one engagement.
Schedule Free Consultation
Speak with a VJM Global adviser about your Singapore requirements. The initial consultation covers entity structure selection, estimated setup timeline, ongoing compliance obligations, and indicative fee structure. No commitment required.
Download
Singapore
Business Guide
Download VJM Global's Singapore Business Guide covering Pte Ltd incorporation, tax rates, GST obligations, Employment Pass requirements, and annual compliance calendar.
Trust Indicators
EAI International Member — 145+ Country Network
IR Global Member — Multi-Disciplinary Professional Services
20+ Years — Continuous Operation
1,500+ Clients — Served Globally
Contact
Response Time: Within 24 hours on business days
Locations
Singapore services delivered directly by VJM Global team, supported by EAI International and IR Global network partners. Corporate offices in India (Noida, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad) and New York, USA.