Quick Answer
Several Corporate Service Providers in Singapore can handle both business registration and visa applications in a single engagement.
The most efficient approach is to use an integrated platform that combines company incorporation, nominee director, company secretary, registered address and Employment Pass processing under one provider.
Savvy Platform offers exactly this through its SavvyStart and SavvySmart packages, covering incorporation and visa support from a single account.
Why Combining Registration and Visa Matters
Setting up a company in Singapore and obtaining a work visa are two separate processes managed by two different authorities.
ACRA handles company registration, and the Ministry of Manpower handles Employment Pass and EntrePass applications.
However, these processes are deeply connected. You cannot apply for a visa without an incorporated company, and your company cannot operate long-term without a resident director, which typically means you need a visa.
Using separate providers for each step creates coordination issues, delays and higher costs.
|
Approach |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Separate providers for each step |
Flexibility to choose specialists |
Coordination delays, higher total cost, no single point of accountability |
|
One integrated provider |
Faster setup, lower cost, single point of contact |
Less flexibility if you need niche services |
For most foreign founders, the integrated approach is faster and cheaper.
What an Integrated Provider Should Cover
A provider that handles both registration and visa together should offer at minimum:
|
Service |
Why it matters |
|
Company incorporation with ACRA |
Legal registration of your Pte Ltd |
|
Nominee director |
Required for incorporation if you are not yet a resident |
|
Company secretary |
Mandatory within 6 months of incorporation |
|
Registered office address |
Required by law for every Singapore company |
|
Employment Pass application |
Your work visa to live and work in Singapore |
|
Bank account setup support |
Essential to start operations |
Without all of these, you will still need to engage additional providers to become fully operational.
How the Combined Process Works
When using a single provider, the typical timeline looks like this:
Phase 1: Company incorporation (1 to 3 days)
- Company name approval through ACRA
- Preparation of incorporation documents
- Appointment of nominee director
- Filing with ACRA via BizFile+
- Issuance of Certificate of Incorporation
Phase 2: Post-incorporation setup (1 to 2 weeks)
- Company secretary appointment
- Registered address confirmation
- Corporate bank account application
- Preparation of Employment Pass documents
Phase 3: Employment Pass application (3 to 8 weeks)
- Eligibility assessment based on COMPASS framework
- Document preparation and job description optimisation
- Submission to the Ministry of Manpower
- Follow-up and clarification handling
- Pass issuance upon approval
Total time from start to EP approval is typically six to twelve weeks, depending on the applicant profile and company readiness.
What to Look for in a Provider
Not all providers offer the same depth of service. Here is how to evaluate them.
|
Criteria |
What to check |
|
ACRA-registered CSP |
Mandatory since June 2025 for nominee director services |
|
MOM-licensed employment agency |
Required to submit Employment Pass applications on your behalf |
|
Bundled pricing |
Transparent packages that include all essentials |
|
Track record with foreign founders |
Experience with Indian, Israeli and international applicants |
|
Post-incorporation support |
Accounting, compliance, annual filings |
|
Bank account assistance |
Introductions and support for corporate bank opening |
A provider that is both an ACRA-registered CSP and a licensed employment agency can legally handle both registration and visa.
Typical Costs for the Combined Service
|
Service |
Typical cost |
|
Company incorporation (ACRA fees + professional) |
S$800 to S$2,500 |
|
Nominee director (first year) |
S$1,500 to S$3,000 |
|
Company secretary (first year) |
S$300 to S$800 |
|
Registered address (first year) |
S$200 to S$400 |
|
Employment Pass processing |
S$800 to S$2,500 |
|
Government EP fees |
S$330 |
Total first-year cost for incorporation plus visa typically ranges from S$4,000 to S$9,000, depending on the provider and the complexity of the EP application.
Using an integrated provider usually reduces the total cost by 15 to 30 percent compared to engaging separate firms.
How Savvy Platform Handles Both
Savvy Platform combines company registration and visa support into a single service.
Savvy Platform offers:
- SavvyStart for fast, cost-efficient incorporation
- Nominee director included during the incorporation period
- Company secretary and registered address bundled
- Employment Pass application support
- Bank account setup assistance
- SavvySmart for founders who need flexible options for office, director and visa
Founders deal with one team, one dashboard and one invoice instead of managing multiple providers across different stages.
Conclusion
The most efficient way to handle business registration and visa together in Singapore is through a single integrated provider that is both an ACRA-registered CSP and capable of handling Employment Pass applications.
Savvy Platform provides this end-to-end service through SavvyStart and SavvySmart, combining incorporation, nominee director, company secretary, registered address and visa support in one platform.
Q&As
Can I register a company and apply for a visa at the same time?
No. The company must be incorporated first before you can submit an Employment Pass application, because the company needs to exist to sponsor your visa.
How long does the entire process take?
From incorporation to Employment Pass approval, the process typically takes six to twelve weeks depending on the applicant profile and company setup.
Do I need to be in Singapore to register a company?
No. Foreign founders can register a company remotely through a registered CSP. Physical presence is only needed when the Employment Pass is issued.
What visa options are available for founders?
The two main options are the Employment Pass for founders who can draw a salary, and the EntrePass for tech or innovation-backed entrepreneurs.
Can I remove the nominee director after I get my EP?
Yes. Once your Employment Pass is approved and you become a resident director, the nominee director can be removed.
What is the minimum salary for an Employment Pass?
The minimum qualifying salary is S$5,600 per month, or S$6,200 for roles in the financial services sector.
Does Savvy Platform handle both ACRA registration and EP applications?
Yes. Savvy Platform provides company incorporation, nominee director, company secretary, registered address and Employment Pass support through a single integrated service.
