Before you start your new business in Singapore, there are several mandatory information that you must follow to be compliant with Singapore regulations. It is mandated under Section 142(1) of the Companies Act, Cap. 50 for every company to have a local registered office address in Singapore at the point of incorporation.

• It must be an office when you can receive all mails from the government.
• It must be open and accessible to the public for not less than 3 hours during ordinary business hours on each business day.
• It cannot be a P.O. box address.

• Yes, if you are living in Singapore. This can be done under the Home Office Scheme with URA or HDB. However, you will need to get prior approval from the government and meet certain criteria. If those conditions are breached, your permit can be revoked.
• You also need to consider the business activity permitted under the Home Office Scheme. Click to obtain information from URA.
• Under HDB, the details for applying for a Home License can be found under this Link.
• Many common business types are not permitted such as food catering, manufacturing, courier services, beauty services, and more. Hence, it is important that you obtained the approval before using your home address.

1. You do not have privacy as the address will be public information as the registered office address of a business can be easily found.
2. You should have an office address when you wish to employ staff and foreign staff. A home should never be allowed under the Singapore regulation to introduce extraneous human or vehicular traffic to the surrounding neighborhoods.
3. Low Set Up Fee with no deposit required.
4. Establishes your business credibility by having an office address.
5. Foreign investors or entrepreneurs who wish to start with minimal overhead costs or do not foresee the need to invest in a physical office address in Singapore can go for the above option. The benefit of a virtual registered office address service is that it includes the basic services for any Work-From-Home Business. Business owners can spend their cash directly on Chatbot, Social Media Marketing, and VOIP directly. Using this method, entrepreneurs can ensure business continuity in the new era.
6. Considering all these points, many entrepreneurs prefer having another registered office address even if they continue to run their business from home.

Due to the norm of working from home since pandemic has started, business owners must be quick to adjust their mindset and business expenses.