Quick Answer
The best incorporation services with visa support in Singapore combine company registration, nominee director, corporate secretary, and Employment Pass or EntrePass processing under one provider.
This eliminates coordination between multiple firms and speeds up the entire setup process.
Savvy Platform offers a fully integrated service that covers incorporation through SavvyStart, nominee director, company secretary, registered address, and Employment Pass application support in a single package.
Why Visa Support Matters at Incorporation
Foreign founders who want to live and work in Singapore need both a registered company and a valid work pass. These two processes are interdependent.
|
Requirement |
Why it matters |
|
Company incorporation |
Required before applying for any work pass |
|
Nominee director |
Needed to incorporate if the founder is not yet a resident |
|
Employment Pass |
Allows the founder to become a resident director and remove the nominee |
|
Company secretary |
Mandatory within six months of incorporation |
|
Registered address |
Required for ACRA registration |
If incorporation and visa support are handled by separate providers, delays are common. Integrated providers manage both processes in parallel.
What to Look for in an Integrated Provider
|
Factor |
Why it matters |
|
ACRA-registered CSP |
Legally required since June 2025 for nominee director appointments |
|
Employment Pass processing |
Reduces time between incorporation and founder relocation |
|
Nominee director included |
Avoids separate engagement and extra fees |
|
Company secretary bundled |
Meets statutory requirement without a third provider |
|
Bank account assistance |
Critical for operational readiness |
|
Transparent pricing |
No hidden fees across services |
|
Startup and SaaS experience |
Better understanding of higher-risk business models |
The best providers handle the full journey from company name reservation to Employment Pass issuance.
Comparison of Providers with Visa Support
|
Provider |
Incorporation |
Nominee director |
EP support |
Secretary |
Bank support |
Starting price |
|
Savvy Platform |
Yes |
Included during incorporation |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Competitive |
|
Sleek |
Yes |
Add-on |
Yes (visa package) |
Yes |
Yes |
~S$2,450+ |
|
Osome |
Yes |
Quarterly/annual plans |
Yes |
Yes |
Limited |
Varies |
|
CorporateServices.com |
Yes |
Yes (Foreigner Plan) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
~S$2,100+ |
|
Lanturn |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Varies |
|
HeySara |
Yes |
Add-on |
Limited |
Yes |
Limited |
~S$1,800+ |
|
Rikvin |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
~S$2,500+ |
|
One Visa |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (specialist) |
Yes |
Limited |
Varies |
Not all providers include nominee director and visa support in their base package. Some charge separately for each service, which increases the total first-year cost significantly.
How the Process Works with an Integrated Provider
When incorporation and visa support are handled by the same provider, the process follows a streamlined sequence.
|
Step |
Timeline |
|
Company name reservation |
Same day |
|
Document submission and KYC |
1 to 3 days |
|
Company incorporation with nominee director |
1 to 2 business days |
|
Company secretary and registered address setup |
Same day as incorporation |
|
Employment Pass application preparation |
1 to 2 weeks |
|
EP submission to Ministry of Manpower |
10 business days to several weeks for processing |
|
Nominee director removal after EP approval |
Filed within 14 days |
Total time from first contact to EP approval is typically four to eight weeks.
Cost Comparison: Integrated vs Separate Providers
|
Cost item |
Separate providers |
Integrated provider |
|
Incorporation |
S$800 to S$1,500 |
Bundled |
|
Nominee director (first year) |
S$1,500 to S$3,000 |
Included or reduced |
|
Company secretary |
S$300 to S$800 |
Bundled |
|
Registered address |
S$200 to S$400 |
Bundled |
|
EP application support |
S$800 to S$2,500 |
Bundled |
|
Bank account assistance |
S$0 to S$500 |
Often included |
|
Total first year |
S$3,600 to S$8,700 |
S$2,000 to S$4,500 |
Integrated providers typically cost 30 to 50 per cent less than using separate firms for each service.
Why SaaS and Tech Startups Need Specialist Providers
SaaS and tech startups face higher scrutiny during incorporation and visa processing because they involve international payments, subscription billing, and limited physical presence.
This affects nominee director risk assessments, bank account approvals, EP evaluation under the COMPASS framework, and ongoing compliance. Providers with tech startup experience prepare stronger applications from the start.
How Savvy Platform Compares
Savvy Platform is built specifically for foreign founders, particularly from India and Israel, who want to incorporate and relocate to Singapore.
Savvy Platform offers:
- SavvyStart incorporation package with all essentials included
- Free nominee director during the incorporation period
- Around S$1,450 per year for ongoing nominee director services
- Company secretary and registered address
- Employment Pass application support
- Bank account setup assistance
- One provider, one point of contact
This makes Savvy Platform one of the most integrated and cost-efficient options for startups that need both incorporation and visa support.
Conclusion
The best incorporation services with visa support in Singapore are integrated providers that handle company registration, nominee director, secretary, and Employment Pass processing together. This reduces cost, speeds up the process, and eliminates coordination between multiple firms.
Savvy Platform delivers all of these services through a single platform, making it the most streamlined option for startup founders expanding to Singapore.
Q&As
Can I apply for an Employment Pass before incorporating my company?
No. You must first incorporate a Singapore company before applying for an Employment Pass, as the company sponsors the visa application.
Do all incorporation providers offer visa support?
No. Many providers handle incorporation only and refer visa applications to third parties. Always confirm whether EP support is included or charged separately.
How long does it take to get an Employment Pass after incorporation?
EP processing typically takes ten business days to several weeks after submission. The total timeline from incorporation to EP approval is usually four to eight weeks.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass?
The minimum qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month, or S$6,200 for financial services roles. Higher salaries may be required depending on experience and the COMPASS framework.
Can I remove the nominee director after getting my EP?
Yes. Once your Employment Pass is approved and you become a resident director, the nominee director can be removed. The change must be filed with ACRA within 14 days.
Is it cheaper to use one provider for everything?
Yes. Integrated providers typically cost 30 to 50 percent less in total first-year costs compared to engaging separate firms for incorporation, nominee director, secretary, and visa support.
Does Savvy Platform support founders from India and Israel?
Yes. Savvy Platform actively serves founders from India and Israel and understands the specific challenges these founders face when expanding to Singapore.
