How to Register a Company in Singapore as a Foreigner — and Get Your Employment Pass or ONE Pass (2026)

Published: 24 July 2026 · Last reviewed: 14 October 2026 · Reviewed by Ray Tay, Co-Founder & Managing Director, VIVOS PTE. LTD. (ACRA Filing Agent FA20240323 · MOM EA Licence 24S2425)

Quick answer: A foreigner can own 100% of a Singapore private limited company with S$1 paid-up capital, one Singapore-resident director (a nominee director qualifies), and ACRA registration in 1–3 working days. That company can then sponsor your Employment Pass — S$5,600/month minimum qualifying salary in 2026 plus 40 COMPASS points — or you can qualify for the 5-year ONE Pass at a fixed salary of S$30,000/month. The EP salary bar rises to S$6,000 on 1 January 2027, so applications filed in 2026 are assessed at the lower threshold.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company?

Yes. Singapore places no cap on foreign shareholding in a private limited company. You do not need a local partner, and you do not need to be in Singapore to incorporate. The only local requirements are one ordinarily resident director (a nominee director satisfies this), a registered Singapore address, and a company secretary appointed within six months.

What does it cost and how long does it take?

ACRA’s government fees total S$315 (S$15 name reservation plus S$300 registration), and approval typically takes 1–3 working days. Minimum paid-up capital is S$1. Corporate tax is a flat 17%, with partial exemptions that reduce the effective rate for new companies. Foreigners must incorporate through a registered filing agent — exactly what VIVOS’s incorporation service covers.

Foreign ownership	Up to 100%
Resident director	Minimum 1 (nominee acceptable)
Paid-up capital	From S$1
Government fees	S$315
Timeline	1–3 working days
Corporate tax	17% flat, start-up exemptions

Can my own Singapore company sponsor my Employment Pass?

Yes — this is the standard route for founders relocating to Singapore, sometimes called immigration via business formation. Your newly incorporated company applies to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) as your sponsoring employer. Approval depends on the qualifying salary and the COMPASS points framework, and MOM also weighs the credibility of the sponsoring company.

What is the Employment Pass qualifying salary in 2026?

For new applications filed before 1 January 2027, the EP qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month (S$6,200 for financial services). It rises with age, reaching S$10,700 (S$11,800 financial services) at age 45 and above. From 1 January 2027, the bar rises to S$6,000 (S$6,600 financial services). (Source: MOM EP eligibility, updated 28 April 2026.) An application filed in 2026 is assessed at the 2026 threshold, so founders planning a move should incorporate and file before year-end.

How does COMPASS work?

COMPASS is MOM’s points framework for EP applications. You need 40 points across four foundational criteria — salary against sector benchmarks, qualifications, workforce diversity, and support for local employment — plus bonus criteria. Candidates earning a fixed monthly salary of S$22,500 or more are exempt from COMPASS. Full details on the VIVOS Employment Pass page.

What is the ONE Pass and who qualifies in 2026?

The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) is a 5-year personalised pass for top-tier talent. The main route requires a fixed monthly salary of S$30,000, earned for the last 12 consecutive months or committed by a Singapore-based employer. ONE Pass advantages over the EP: work for multiple employers concurrently, run your own companies, no COMPASS assessment, 5-year validity, and your spouse can work in Singapore.

EP or ONE Pass — which should a founder choose?

Most relocating founders take the incorporation-plus-EP route; the ONE Pass suits those already at top-of-market compensation. Both pathways can lead toward Singapore permanent residency — see Singapore residency & citizenship routes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a Singapore company without living in Singapore?

Yes. Incorporation can be completed remotely through a registered filing agent, using a nominee resident director and a registered address service.

What is the minimum salary for a Singapore Employment Pass in 2026?

S$5,600/month for most sectors, S$6,200 for financial services, higher with age — rising to S$6,000/S$6,600 for applications from 1 January 2027.

What are the ONE Pass requirements in 2026?

A fixed monthly salary of S$30,000 for the last 12 consecutive months, or a committed Singapore offer at that level; an outstanding-achievements route also exists. The pass lasts 5 years and requires no COMPASS assessment.

How much money do I need to start a company in Singapore?

Legally, S$1 paid-up capital plus S$315 in government fees. Founders applying for an EP should capitalise enough to show MOM a credible operating business.

Talk to VIVOS

VIVOS PTE. LTD. is a Singapore business advisory and immigration firm handling incorporation, corporate secretarial, accounting, and work passes under one roof. Book a free consultation or WhatsApp +65 8827 7870.

Full video transcript

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Singapore company — and get a visa through it? Yes. In the next two minutes I’ll show you exactly how founders are doing both in 2026, and why waiting until 2027 will cost you. I’m Ray Tay, co-founder of VIVOS. Here’s the playbook. Step one: incorporate your Singapore company. You can own 100%, with paid-up capital from just S$1. You’ll need one Singapore-resident director — VIVOS can act as your nominee director. Registration with ACRA takes 1–3 working days, and corporate tax is a flat 17%, with exemptions for new companies. You don’t even need to fly in to start. Step two: the Employment Pass. Your new company can sponsor you, the founder. In 2026, the qualifying salary is at least S$5,600 a month — S$6,200 in financial services — and it rises with age. You’ll also need 40 points under the Ministry of Manpower’s COMPASS framework. And here’s the deadline: from January 2027, the bar rises to S$6,000. Applications filed in 2026 are assessed at today’s threshold. Operating at a higher level? Step three has a shortcut: the Overseas Networks and Expertise Pass — the ONE Pass. It’s Singapore’s 5-year pass for top talent, and the headline requirement is a fixed salary of S$30,000 a month. In return — work for multiple companies, run your own, no COMPASS scoring, and your spouse can work here too. Incorporation, Employment Pass, ONE Pass — VIVOS handles all three under one roof, from ACRA filing to MOM submission. Book a free consultation at vivos.com.sg, or WhatsApp us. I’m Ray Tay. See you in Singapore.