Option A – Employment Pass

Option B – EntrePass

Generally, once a Singapore Company has been registered with ACRA, it can commence operations immediately. There is no need to apply for a separate business licence except for certain industries such as recruitment agency, schools, financial institutions, travel agents, etc.  The time taken to incorporate a Singapore Company will also vary depending on whether there are any licensing authorities involved.

The documents required are (i) prescribed application form, duly completed and signed, (ii) a copy of the Certificate of Registration of the parent company and (iii) a copy of the latest Annual Report of the parent company.

If required, the Representative Office can be renewed for a second year term. The Representative Office status is not indefinite.  Usually by the end of the second year, the parent company will have to decide whether to upgrade to a Singapore Subsidiary or Singapore Branch or to pull out from Singapore altogether. 

The foreign company may appoint an expatriate to take up the position of a Chief Representative in Singapore.  The expatriate will have to apply for an employment pass by submitting the prescribed forms and supporting documents to the Ministry of Manpower.  Processing time for employment pass application is 3 to 4 weeks.

If the owner of the Singapore Company (ie. Shareholder) wants to work in Singapore, he/she will have to apply for an EntrePass.  An EntrePass is a form of employment pass granted to foreigners who wish to stay in Singapore to run their businesses.  The Shareholder will have to submit a business plan to the Ministry of Manpower together with prescribed application form and supporting documents for