If you’re an Indian entrepreneur eyeing Singapore as your next business hub, the first official step is securing your company name. The good news? Yes, Indian founders can reserve a Singapore company name entirely online from India through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal.
However, name reservation is just the beginning. This guide explains how the process works, what ACRA’s naming rules are, and what you’ll need next to complete your incorporation successfully.
The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) manages all business registrations in Singapore through its official platform, BizFile+. This online system allows foreign founders—including Indian nationals—to reserve a name remotely without needing to be physically present in Singapore.
| Requirement | Details | Why It Matters for Indian Founders |
|---|---|---|
| Portal | BizFile+ (ACRA’s official site) | Accessible globally, 24/7, without local presence. |
| Fee | SGD 15 (non-refundable) | Covers the administrative review of your proposed name. |
| Application Time | Typically under 15 minutes | Submission is fast, though approval may take a few hours or days. |
| Pre-Check | Name Availability Search | You can perform a manual search on BizFile+ before applying to avoid duplicates. |
| Physical Presence | Not required | The process can be done fully online from India. |
Once your name is approved, ACRA reserves it for 120 days. This period is non-extendable—meaning you must complete incorporation within those four months, or the name will be released for others to use.
Tip: Plan your incorporation documents in advance so you can complete the registration well within the 120-day window.
ACRA enforces strict naming conventions to maintain professionalism and prevent confusion. Many applications are delayed or rejected because founders overlook these simple rules.
Be Unique: The name must not be identical or too similar to an existing registered entity.
Avoid Minor Variations: Adding terms like “Trading,” “Enterprise,” or punctuation changes won’t make a name unique.
Stay Respectful: Names that are vulgar, obscene, or offensive are automatically rejected.
Restricted Words Require Approval: Certain words like “Bank,” “Finance,” “Insurance,” “University,” “Trust,” “Media,” “Foundation,” or “Singapore” need approval from the relevant authority (e.g., the Monetary Authority of Singapore for finance-related names).
If your proposed name includes restricted terms, you must submit an official letter of consent or approval from the appropriate government agency alongside your BizFile+ application.
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Reserving a company name is only the first step. To fully incorporate your business, you’ll need to meet Singapore’s statutory requirements—most of which involve having a local presence or support.
| Requirement | Description | Why Indian Founders Need Local Help |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Director | At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (a citizen, PR, or EP/EntrePass holder). | Non-resident founders usually appoint a Nominee Director to meet this legal condition. |
| Company Secretary | Must appoint a qualified, resident company secretary within 6 months of incorporation. | This professional ensures your business stays compliant with ACRA’s ongoing obligations. |
| Registered Address | Must be a physical, non-P.O. box address in Singapore. | Required for official government correspondence. Many corporate secretarial firms offer this as part of their service. |
| Minimum Capital | At least SGD 1 paid-up capital. | A low barrier to entry for founders starting small. |
For Indian entrepreneurs incorporating remotely, a corporate secretarial service can make the entire process seamless and fully compliant with Singapore’s regulations.
Here’s how these professionals assist:
End-to-End Incorporation: From name reservation to business registration and bank account assistance, secretarial firms handle all filings on your behalf.
Nominee Director Provision: They can provide a local director to satisfy ACRA’s resident director requirement without transferring control of your business.
Registered Office Services: Many firms offer a legitimate Singapore business address for government correspondence.
Ongoing Compliance: They manage annual return filings, board resolutions, and statutory record-keeping to ensure you remain ACRA-compliant year-round.
By engaging a trusted corporate secretarial firm, Indian founders can focus on strategic business growth while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance from day one.
Yes—Indian founders can reserve a Singapore company name entirely online through ACRA’s BizFile+ system for just SGD 15. The reservation remains valid for 120 days, giving you time to finalise incorporation.
However, successful incorporation requires fulfilling specific local compliance requirements, such as appointing a resident director and company secretary. Partnering with a corporate secretarial service ensures every step—from reservation to incorporation—runs smoothly, legally, and efficiently.
Setting up a company in Singapore can be challenging, but with professional support, it can be simple, Counto’s mission is to support your new business, take away the complexities of compliance, and save you time and money throughout the year. Speak to us directly on our chatbot, email [email protected], or use our contact form to get started.
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