Register a Singapore Company as a Malaysian (2026 Guide)

Short answer: Yes, a Malaysian can register a Singapore private limited company, but ACRA requires foreigners to engage a registered corporate service provider, and the company needs at least one director who meets Singapore's local residency rules. ACRA's fees are S$315, and AAA's all-in incorporation package starts at S$468.

Last checked against ACRA, MOM and IRAS pages on 31 October 2026.

What a Malaysian founder needs

Requirement	What it means	Source
A registered CSP	Foreigners must engage a corporate service provider to reserve the name and register the company.	ACRA
A local resident director	Every company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (Companies Act s145(1)). ACRA lists Singapore citizens, permanent residents and valid Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass holders as meeting its local residency requirement.	Companies Act s145 · ACRA
A company secretary	Appointed within six months of registration. A real person (not a company) whose principal or only place of residence is in Singapore, and who is not the sole director.	Companies Act s171(1) · ACRA
A Singapore registered office	The Singapore address where ACRA and others can send communications and notices to the company. It does not have to be where you run the business. If it changes, the company must notify ACRA within 14 days (Companies Act s143).	Companies Act s143
At least one share and one shareholder	ACRA says every company must have at least one shareholder, and the minimum number of issued shares is one.	ACRA
ACRA fees	S$15 name application and S$300 registration, S$315 in total.	ACRA

How do you meet the resident director rule?

The Companies Act (s145(1)) requires at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. ACRA's list of eligible local residents is Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and valid holders of an Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass. If you do not have a director who qualifies, AAA quotes locally resident director arrangements on request, subject to fit-and-proper and customer due diligence checks. For pass rules, see MOM: passes and permits. ACRA also says all directors are responsible under the law, whether active or not, so choose the person carefully. Source: ACRA.

Does owning the company let you work in Singapore?

No. ACRA says that if you want to move to Singapore to run your business you need a work pass, and your eligibility depends on your pass type and personal situation. MOM decides pass applications: see MOM: passes and permits. AAA does not give immigration advice; our guide to starting a company on an EP, EntrePass or DP only summarises what ACRA and MOM publish.

How is a Singapore company taxed?

IRAS says a company is taxed at a flat rate of 17% of chargeable income, and this applies to both local and foreign companies. Under IRAS's tax exemption scheme for new start-up companies, qualifying companies get 75% off the first S$100,000 and 50% off the next S$100,000 of normal chargeable income for their first three years of assessment. Source: IRAS. Singapore and Malaysia also have a comprehensive agreement for the avoidance of double taxation on income, signed on 5 October 2004 and in force from 13 February 2006. Source: IRAS. Whether it helps you depends on your facts, so take tax advice before you structure cross-border income.

What about Malaysian rules?

Malaysian rules on tax residency, reporting and investing abroad are outside what AAA advises on. Speak to a qualified Malaysian adviser before you set up, so that the Singapore company fits your Malaysian position.

What does it cost with AAA?

Package	Fee (SGD, no GST)
Incorporation only (includes S$315 ACRA fees)	S$468
Company secretary renewal (each year)	S$360 / year (all-in, incl. S$60 ACRA annual return fee)
Packages with a company secretary	See the pricing page

Companies with corporate shareholders, foreign directors, locally resident director arrangements or unusual structures are quoted on request. See all fees.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Malaysian register a Singapore company?

Yes. ACRA says foreigners must engage a corporate service provider to reserve the name and register, and the company needs at least one director who meets local residency rules.

Do I need to be in Singapore to register a company?

ACRA requires foreigners to use a registered corporate service provider to reserve the name and register the company. Check with your CSP what identity documents and verification it needs before filing.

Do I need a Singapore resident director?

Yes. Every company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore (Companies Act s145(1)). ACRA lists Singapore citizens, permanent residents and valid Employment Pass, Personalised Employment Pass or Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass holders as meeting its local residency requirement. AAA quotes resident director arrangements on request, subject to checks.

How much does it cost to register a Singapore company as a Malaysian?

ACRA charges S$315: S$15 for the name and S$300 for registration. AAA's incorporation packages start at S$468 all-in, including those ACRA fees, with no GST.

Is there a tax treaty between Singapore and Malaysia?

Yes. IRAS lists a comprehensive double taxation agreement signed on 5 October 2004 and in force from 13 February 2006. Whether it applies to your income depends on the facts, so take tax advice.

Does owning the company give me the right to work in Singapore?

No. ACRA says you need a work pass if you want to move to Singapore to run your business. MOM sets the conditions for each pass; see MOM's website. AAA does not give immigration advice.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with ACRA, MOM and IRAS and your own advisers.

Related guides

Talk to AAA Corporate Services

AAA Corporate Services Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore corporate services firm for incorporation, company secretarial, accounting and tax. Tell us who will be director and shareholder and we will confirm the company-side steps and a fixed fee. Fees are published, include ACRA fees where stated, and carry no GST.

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How to register a Singapore company as a Malaysian