While the headline government fee for registering a Pte Ltd company is S$315, the real cost of getting started is often significantly higher, especially for foreign entrepreneurs. Budgeting for the full first year requires accounting for several mandatory and optional services.

Your budget must include the mandatory government name application (S$15) and registration fee (S$300). However, most founders need to purchase additional essentials such as a registered office address (if they do not have a physical office) and a company secretary, both of which are annual requirements. For foreign founders who do not have a local resident director, a nominee director service is mandatory and can cost between S$2,000 and S$5,000 annually. Additionally, professional service packages for incorporation, which include document preparation and KYC due diligence, typically range from S$1,000 to S$3,000. When all costs, including banking compliance and accounting setup, are accounted for, foreign founders should expect to budget between S$3,500 and S$9,000 for the first year.