ACRAAccounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
Singapore's registrar of companies. Incorporation, annual returns and director changes are all filed with ACRA.
GuidesGlossary
GLOSSARY
Setting up a company and applying for passes in Singapore involves a lot of acronyms. These are grouped by authority, pass, tax and compliance, and each entry gives the operative test rather than a literal translation.
Singapore's registrar of companies. Incorporation, annual returns and director changes are all filed with ACRA.
A company's unique identifier in Singapore, issued by ACRA on incorporation and used for tax, banking and all government dealings.
The authority for all work passes (EP, S Pass, Work Permit) and employment regulation.
The authority for corporate income tax, personal income tax and GST.
The authority for permanent residence, long-term residency and immigration matters.
The main work pass for foreign professionals, applied for by the company as employer. In 2026 the qualifying salary starts at S$5,600 (S$6,200 in financial services) and COMPASS must reach 40 points.
The EP points system. Six criteria — salary, qualifications, diversity, support for local employment, plus two bonuses — must total 40 points. Candidates earning at least S$22,500 fixed monthly salary are exempt.
A work pass for mid-skilled roles, with thresholds and quota rules distinct from the EP.
For founders meeting venture, innovation or investment criteria, assessed differently from the EP.
For high earners or those with outstanding achievement; permits working for multiple companies concurrently.
A dependent status for the spouse and children under 21 of an EP holder above the salary threshold, tied to the main pass.
Long-term residency. EP and S Pass holders may apply, but must file personally via their own Singpass with ICA; processing takes about 6 months when documents are complete.
The permit a PR needs to travel out of Singapore and return as a PR. A PR who departs without a valid REP must apply within 180 days of departure or lose PR status under the Immigration Act 1959 — and filing within the window does not help if the application is refused.
Under the Enlistment Act 1970, military service required of male citizens and permanent residents unless exempted.
The single sign-on for government online services. A PR application must be submitted by the applicant using their own Singpass.
A regulated provider of company services. Since 2025, nominee directors must be arranged through a licensed CSP.
Section 145 of the Companies Act requires at least one director ordinarily resident in Singapore — a citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a valid pass who is ordinarily resident.
Mandatory. Must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation and be a Singapore resident.
Mandatory. Must be a real address capable of receiving mail; a P.O. box does not qualify.
Filed with IRAS within 3 months of the financial year end. The waiver applies only when annual revenue is S$5m or below and ECI is nil.
For qualifying new companies across the first three Years of Assessment: 75% off the first S$100,000 of chargeable income and 50% off the next S$100,000, up to S$125,000 exempt per year.
Applies from the fourth Year of Assessment: 75% off the first S$10,000 and 50% off the next S$190,000, up to S$102,500 exempt per year.
Singapore applies a flat 17% rate to local and foreign companies alike. The effective burden is far lower once exemptions apply.
Currently 9%. Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million a year.
The statutory annual meeting. Some companies are exempt but must declare this in the annual return.
The yearly statutory filing confirming company particulars with ACRA — separate from the IRAS tax return.
A private company is exempt from statutory audit if, in the immediate past two consecutive financial years, it met any two of: revenue of S$10m or less, total assets of S$10m or less, 50 employees or fewer.
Renting a whole HDB flat requires the tenant to hold a valid pass plus HDB approval, with a minimum term generally of 6 months. Private property may be rented on any pass type, minimum generally 3 months.