Start a business in Singapore and begin your entrepreneurship journey right here at OCBC

Starting a business for the first time may be daunting. We are here to help you with guides and tips to plan ahead.

Register your business

Engage a professional to help incorporate your company. It will be money well-spent. The corporate secretary will ensure that you are compliant with regulatory requirements and you will avoid putting yourself at risk.

If you are time-starved, let corporate secretaries handle the complexity and get your business registered online in one day.

Learn more on what to consider when kickstarting and registering your business.

Register your business

Open a business bank account

You will need a Singapore Dollar Business Account to get your business up and running.

 

We are the first in Singapore to enable instant business account opening right after your business is incorporated.

Open a business bank account

Every business needs CorpPass

You must have CorpPass to transact with the government (CPF contributions, permits, etc.) Sign up now to prevent any disruption to your business transactions.

CorpPass for business transactions

Choose the right location

Location is critical - it makes or breaks your business - be it attracting customers or getting the necessary licences.

Before you sign a tenancy agreement, find out the URA usage restrictions. You may need to apply for change of use and it is subject to approval.

Certain renovation works require a fire safety certification (FSC). Check if you need one here.

Once you have decided on a suitable location, get a banker's guarantee for your rental deposit.

Choose the right business location

Understand all the requirements

GoBusiness Licensing is where you can find the licenses and permits you need to run your business.

Many business owners take 3 - 6 months to get their licenses approved. It is critical to ensure that you have enough cash flow for this period.

Read on for more practical advice for the early days.

GoBusiness Licensing
Quick Guide

Save an easy-to-read copy of our business starter kit as a quick guide to starting, running and growing your business.

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