Every Singapore company needs at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. If none of your directors lives here, our nominee director service can fill that role from S$2,000 a year, with a S$3,000 refundable deposit. It is often used by overseas founders while they arrange their own work pass or a local director.
Who can be the resident director
The resident director can be a Singapore citizen, a Singapore permanent resident or a foreigner who holds a valid pass and lives in Singapore. Many foreign founders appoint a nominee director at incorporation and later replace them once they hold an Employment Pass or EntrePass and live here.
Terms of the service
- Fee: from S$2,000 a year.
- Deposit: S$3,000, held by Raffles Corporate Services and refunded within seven working days after the service ends. A reduced deposit is accepted where we also do the company’s accounts.
- What the deposit is for: if the company has legal or administrative matters that require the nominee director to incur costs, the deposit may be released to cover them.
- Bank statements: monthly bank statements must be sent to us so the nominee can meet their duties.
- Independence: the nominee director is not our employee and may resign if the company does not comply with its legal obligations.
What a nominee director does and does not do
A nominee director is a real director with legal duties under the Companies Act. They do not run your business, sign commercial contracts or operate your bank account on your behalf. Because they carry personal risk, they need to see that the company keeps proper records, files on time and does not trade while insolvent.
Frequently asked questions
Can a nominee director help me get an Employment Pass?
The company, as your employer, applies for your work pass. A nominee director does not affect eligibility, which MOM assesses on salary, qualifications and the COMPASS framework. See work passes and immigration.
Can I replace the nominee later?
Yes. Once another resident director is appointed, the nominee can resign and we file the change with ACRA.
Related: company incorporation and setting up as a foreign founder.
Talk to our team
For help with a nominee director, email [email protected] or WhatsApp us at +65 8501 7133. Our office is at 151 Chin Swee Road, Manhattan House, #02-04A, Singapore 169876, open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm.