Step-by-Step Guide: Steps 3 + 4

On registration of a business you need to provide a local address for your place of business which must be approved for business use by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). While a P.O. Boxes cannot be used as a registered business address you may register a residential flat or property under the Home Office Scheme (HO).

You always need to appoint a local manager to register a Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP). However, you can register a Sole-Proprietors, Partnerships, Limited Partnerships (LP )company if you are "ordinary resident' in Singapore, which means you

• must have a local address and/or
• you can legally remain in Singapore for a long period of time.

If this is not the case you must appoint a local manager (above 18 years old), who is one of the following

• a Singapore Citizen
• a Singapore Permanent Resident
• an Employment Pass holder
• an Approval-in-Principal Employment Pass holder
• a Dependant Pass holder

For the incorporation of a company there must be at least one shareholder and one director. They can be the same person. At least one director of the company ( above 18 years) must be one of the following:

• a Singapore Citizen
• a Singapore Permanent Resident
• an Employment Pass holder
• an Approval-in-Principal Employment Pass holder
• a Dependant Pass holder

You can purchase the Business Profile of the new company online at the same time of registration , when filling up the incorporation forms. The registration fee payable is S$300.00. Processing time is about 15 minutes from submission of all documents and all information. ACRA will issue a notice of incorporation via electronic mail to the law firm or professional firm engaged for the purposes of incorporation upon the successful incorporation of the company together with the registration number of the company.

Sometimes you may need a permit to conduct a specific type of business and your registered company will have to apply for a business license such as.

• Professional services such as  doctors, lawyers, accountants, pilots, commodity future traders need an occupational license
• Permits For certain types of business  activities you need to apply for Business Activity Licenses
• Certain types of business such as Private schools, travel agencies, childcare centers, foreign worker employment agencies need to apply for a Compulsory License for operating the business.
• Note that there are also licenses  required for certain employment matters, premises, outdoor advertising, public entertainment, communication, non residential TV licenses and Goods& Service Tax registration.

Search by keyword for the various licenses at the website of EnterpriseOne or Apply for Licenses