ACRA Business Registration: Tips, Pitfalls to Avoid & Paperwork Decoded

Registering your business with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is far more than a legal obligation. It builds essential foundations for your business, such as

• liability protection,
• trust,
• access to business tools like bank accounts, government contracts, and grants.

However, many entrepreneurs get caught off guard by the details. Due to the multiple steps, it is easy to mess up entity types, requirements, fees, and compliance rules.

In this article, we will help you correctly complete your ACRA business registration in Singapore. We will cover smart decisions, hidden costs, and commonly overlooked steps. Plus, you can learn from real‑world cases to avoid making the same mistakes.

ACRA Business Registration: The Right Business Structure

Your business structure affects everything, including funding ability, liability, taxes, compliance, and how people perceive you. Let’s take a look at how each structure is:

Why this matters (and often doesn’t get explained clearly):

• If you choose Pte Ltd, you have access to better investment, grants, and corporate bank accounts. But you also have higher compliance obligations (more record‑keeping, constitution, officers).
• LPs have interesting flexibility, but general partners carry personal risk.
• A sole proprietorship is the most “budget-friendly” and simplest. Yet, it has the least protection for your personal assets if things go wrong.

If you need more information about each business structure, read Which Business Structure Should I Choose for a Startup in Singapore? (2025)

Before You Apply: 5 Things You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

1. Name Approval Isn’t Guaranteed

Even with a clever name, you may be rejected if it’s 

• too similar to another business, 
• has banned words, 
• or breaks ACRA’s rules.  

Always prepare 2–3 backup names and use ACRA’s / BizFile+ name‑search tool to check the availability.  

2. You Can Use a Home Address, but There’s a Catch

Singapore allows “virtual” or office addresses in many cases. There is a Home Office Scheme under URA/HDB for home‑based businesses.  However, your registered address will be public. This can raise privacy issues, affect mail handling, and hurt your credibility if your address looks unprofessional. 

3. Foreigners Need a Local ‘Bridge’

If you are a foreign founder, you need at least a Singapore-based director.  This director can be a citizen, a permanent resident, or someone with a valid Employment or EntrePass. 

You can have a nominee director or use a Corporate Service Provider (CSP). Since June 2025, the Corporate Service Providers Act (CSP Act) has introduced stricter rules for Corporate Service Providers (CSPs). These rules include requirements for registration and checks for anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention. 

4. Business Activity Codes (SSIC) Can Delay You

The SSIC code classifies your main and secondary business activities. If you choose the wrong one, your applications, licensing, or compliance may be delayed. Moreover, some codes need licensing or regulatory checks. Choose carefully, or ask a professional from your industry. 

5. Don’t Skip the Constitution

A custom document lets you define shareholder rights, exit strategies, voting rights, and more.  Weak clauses for shareholders or directors often lead to conflicts or legal issues later on. If you do not submit a custom constitution, you can use ACRA’s model constitution.

ACRA Business Registration: What You’re Really Paying For

Corporate Service Providers (CSP) Upsells to watch out for:

• Bank setup assistance
• Company secretary services
• Virtual address / alternate address handling
• Licensing or compliance prep (especially if your SSIC or industry requires it)

For more details about corporate services, we have a guide for business owners here:
How Corporate Advisory Services Can Drive Business Growth

ACRA Business Registration: Step‑by‑Step
(Simple, Human Terms + LP / LLP Specifics)

1. Choose the structure you’ll use (Local Company, LP, LLP, etc.).
2. Reserve your business/entity name via BizFile+; ensure it meets naming rules and avoid restricted words.
3. Prepare identity and address documents. Then, ensure your directors/partners meet the requirements.
   *Note: Foreign business owners may need supporting documents like a Letter of Consent/work pass.
4. Select the correct SSIC code and check if your business activity requires licensing.
5. Upload required documents: your constitution (or Model Constitution), consent forms for directors/partners, shareholder‑partner info. For LP registration, the Limited Partnerships Regulations apply.
6. Submit registration via BizFile+.
7. Await approval. Local Companies typically receive their approvals in 1‑3 working days. Meanwhile, LPs may take about 14-60 days if governmental agency referrals are needed.

Pro Tips:

• Submit applications during off‑peak times to avoid system delays.
• Ensure everything (e.g. addresses, director names) matches the identification documents exactly.

ACRA Business Registration: Don’t Skip CorpPass And Authorised Representatives

After UEN is issued, set up CorpPass to access government services (IRAS, ACRA, licensing, etc.). Make sure you have appointed an authorised representative (officer/director) who can act through CorpPass.

A common mistake founders make is assuming the CSP they hired would handle all access. With that assumption, they did not check that they had CorpPass admin rights. As such, they could not access a file or make changes when needed.

ACRA Business Registration: 7 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid 

1. Choosing an entity type without understanding liability differences (e.g. LP vs LLP vs Pte Ltd).
2. Using a PO Box or an incorrect registered address (illegal and may be rejected).
3. SSIC code mismatch that leads to delays or license requirements.
4. Overlooking pass / Medisave eligibility or needing consent forms from MOM.
5. Forgetting to appoint a Singapore resident director or a qualified company secretary.
6. Using a generic constitution that doesn’t address governance, exit plans, or investor clauses.
7. Picking the cheapest CSP without verifying their registration under the CSP Act, experience, or hidden costs.

ACRA Business Registration Decoded: FAQs

1. Can foreigners register without a CSP?
   Sometimes, yes, if they meet the local director/pass-holder requirements. Many use CSPs for ease and compliance, especially with the recent CSP Act changes.

    

2. Can I change my business name after approval?
   Yes. You can apply via BizFile+. There will be a fee, and you must satisfy the naming rules again.
   
   Tip: You can read How to Change Your Company Name in Singapore to understand the process better.

    

3. What if my name is rejected?
   You’ll get a notice; choose backup names; avoid restricted or similar names, reserved words.

     

4. Is ACRA registration the same as getting the necessary operational licences?
   No. All companies must register with ACRA for the legal entity, while certain industries require specific licenses to operate. A few examples are health, F&B, finance, construction, and law.

     

5. Can I register multiple businesses under one UEN?
   No. Each distinct entity generally has its own UEN. If you want to trade under different business names, you may need separate entity registrations or trade names, depending on the structure.
   

    

    

Final Thoughts: Should You DIY or Hire Help?

If you are confident with paperwork and have a straightforward business structure, DIY can be a cost-effective option. But, you may need to engage with a Corporate Service Provider (CSP) if

• You (and your partners) are not based in Singapore,
• Your business has a complex partner/shareholder structure,
• Your business needs licenses, a local director,
• You are concerned about accuracy

Given that the new CSP Act (2024) and other regulations are evolving, choosing an experienced provider is vital. CSPs like SCS help you with CorpPass, SSIC, name approval, and other administrative tasks. Thus, before committing to their services, look out for their

• services and tools
• CSP credentials and other relevant licenses
• hidden fees (secretarial, address, nominee)

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance only and reflects regulations as of the publication date. Given that compliance requirements, processes, and fees may change over time, readers are advised to consult official sources such as ACRA for the most up-to-date information or seek professional guidance from our team.

You may also be interested in...