Establish and Grow Your Business in Singapore
VJM Global works with companies from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, and India in setting up and running their Singapore operations. The firm handles ACRA incorporation, IRAS tax registration, Employment Pass applications, and ongoing accounting under SFRS through one engagement team.

17% flat, all companies
Zero — not levied
100+ DTAs and treaties
3rd largest recipient
Why
Singapore
?
Singapore received record FDI inflows of USD 192 billion in 2024, ranking third globally. The corporate tax rate is a flat 17%, with zero capital gains tax and zero dividend withholding tax. Over 100 DTAs cover all major economies. ACRA processes incorporations within one to two business days through BizFile+. Singapore ranks first globally for economic freedom. English common law, strong IP protection, and 27 free trade agreements make it the primary commercial gateway into ASEAN.
Key Market Data
$574 Billion
4.4%
$90,674
$192 Billion
5.87 Million
1st Globally
2nd Globally
27 Agreements
Key Industries
Financial Services
Manufacturing
Technology & Digital
Wholesale & Retail Trade
Professional Services
Biomedical Sciences
Strategic Advantages
Tax Competitiveness
Corporate tax at 17% with zero capital gains tax and zero dividend withholding tax. New companies get 75% exemption on the first S$100,000 of chargeable income for three years. Over 100 DTAs prevent double taxation across major partners.
ASEAN Gateway
Singapore sits at the centre of ASEAN's 680+ million people. The country has 27 FTAs, including RCEP, CPTPP, and bilateral agreements with India, the EU, and the US. Companies use Singapore as a base for regional entry across Southeast Asia.
English Common Law System
Singapore's legal system is based on English common law. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) handles cross-border disputes. Contract enforcement is strong, and IP protection is administered through IPOS.
Skilled Workforce
The workforce of 3.6+ million includes a high proportion of graduates and experienced expatriates. SkillsFuture programmes partner with Oracle, AWS, and Microsoft for AI and cloud training. MOM's COMPASS points-based system assesses foreign talent applications.
100+ Double Tax Agreements
Over 100 DTAs covering 98 comprehensive agreements reduce or remove withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties. Combined with the one-tier system, this makes Singapore effective for regional holding and IP management structures.
Choose Your Business Structure
Singapore offers four entity structures. A Pte Ltd provides limited liability, tax residency, and DTA access. A branch office extends the foreign parent, with the parent bearing full liability. A representative office handles market research only. A variable capital company (VCC) serves investment fund structures. Most foreign companies choose the Pte Ltd for limited liability and government grant eligibility.
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 Entity Structure
The Pte Ltd suits most foreign companies planning commercial operations. It provides access to 100+ DTAs, eligibility for Enterprise Singapore grants, and limited liability. Branch offices work better for companies repatriating profits directly to the parent. Representative offices are temporary — valid for one year with extensions — for preliminary market assessment.
Our Services in
Singapore
VJM Global covers the full lifecycle of company operations in Singapore. Services include ACRA incorporation, IRAS tax registration, and Employment Pass applications at setup. Ongoing support covers bookkeeping under SFRS, GST returns, annual tax filing (Form C/C-S), payroll with CPF, and ACRA annual returns. For cross-border structures, VJM provides transfer pricing documentation and international tax advisory under Singapore's DTA network.
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 — financial services under MAS regulations, technology including SaaS and fintech, manufacturing with regional supply chains, and professional services firms using Singapore as an Asia-Pacific hub. Each engagement draws on cross-border capability for both Singapore-specific and multi-jurisdiction requirements.
Financial Services & Fintech
- Why Singapore: Over 60% of FDI stock sits in finance and insurance. MAS regulates 200+ banks and all fintech operations. Singapore is the largest FX trading centre in Asia-Pacific.
- VJM Global Services: Entity setup for MAS-regulated entities, SFRS accounting, GST compliance, payroll, transfer pricing for financial holding structures, cross-border tax advisory, AML/CFT compliance support
- Clients Served: Banks, fund managers, payment services companies, fintech startups, and insurance firms from the US, UK, Japan, and China
Technology & SaaS
- Why Singapore: S$1 billion National AI Strategy 2.0 investment. AWS, Google Cloud, and Oracle expanding data centres. COMPASS points-based Employment Pass system for tech talent.
- VJM Global Services: Pte Ltd incorporation, R&D tax incentive claims (Section 14), IP holding structures, Employment Pass advisory, SFRS bookkeeping, GST on digital services, stock option compliance
- Clients Served: SaaS companies, AI startups, regional tech headquarters, and data analytics firms from the US, India, China, and Taiwan
Manufacturing & Precision Engineering
- Why Singapore: Manufacturing contributes 21.5% of GDP. Electronics and semiconductors lead. Japanese and American manufacturers dominate FDI. AstraZeneca and Micron have committed major facility investments.
- VJM Global Services: Factory entity setup, customs and trade compliance, GST Major Exporter Scheme claims, transfer pricing between Singapore and parent operations, payroll with CPF, ACRA annual returns
- Clients Served: Electronics manufacturers, biomedical companies, chemical processors, and precision engineering firms from Japan, the US, and Taiwan
Professional & Business Services
- Why Singapore: Professional services hold 6.7% of FDI stock. SIAC handles cross-border arbitration. English common law provides predictability for international firms using Singapore as an Asia-Pacific hub.
- VJM Global Services: Entity incorporation, ongoing SFRS accounting, GST compliance, payroll processing, corporate secretarial, transfer pricing for intercompany service charges, annual tax filing
- Clients Served: Consulting firms, legal practices, recruitment agencies, and corporate services companies from Europe, the US, and Australia
E-Commerce & Retail
- Why Singapore: 9% GST rate with S$1 million registration threshold. Overseas vendor registration for digital services. Strong e-commerce logistics infrastructure and ASEAN market access.
- VJM Global Services: Entity setup, GST registration and compliance, overseas vendor registration, marketplace seller structuring, customs facilitation, payroll for fulfilment staff, cross-border tax planning
- Clients Served: D2C brands, marketplace sellers, fulfilment operations, and cross-border e-commerce companies from China, the US, and Southeast Asia
Biomedical & Life Sciences
- Why Singapore: S$17 billion annual biomedical output. 50+ pharma and biotech companies. EDB incentives for biologics manufacturing. HSA regulates all pharmaceutical and medical device activities.
- VJM Global Services: Entity incorporation, HSA regulatory compliance support, R&D tax incentives, transfer pricing for IP and intercompany royalties, SFRS accounting, payroll with CPF, customs declarations for controlled substances
- Clients Served: Pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotech firms, medical device companies, and clinical research organisations from the US, Europe, and Japan
Who We Help
VJM Global serves companies at every stage of their Singapore operations — from first-time incorporation to ongoing accounting and compliance. The firm works with cross-border groups requiring coordinated tax and transfer pricing across jurisdictions. Clients come from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, 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 Cross-Border 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 Pte Ltd receives ACRA and IRAS support alongside FATCA coordination in the US. An Indian company entering Singapore gets ACRA incorporation and FEMA outward remittance compliance from the same team.
By the Numbers
20+ years serving Singapore market
1,500+ clients across 75+ countries
100+ professionals (CAs, CPAs, Legal)
75+ countries under direct coverage
450+ foreign companies registered
27001
145+ Countries
200+ active Singapore clients
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.
United Kingdom
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. Available for companies at any stage of entry. No commitment required.
Download
Singapore
Business Guide
Download VJM Global's Singapore Business Guide covering Pte Ltd incorporation steps, corporate tax rates, GST registration obligations, Employment Pass requirements, and the full annual compliance calendar for Singapore entities.
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.