How to Register a Business in Singapore: GoBusiness Portal

19 NOV 2021

What is the GoBusiness portal?

Singapore is already known as one of the world's most business-friendly countries, but we’re not resting on our laurels.

Got 43 seconds to spare? Find out how GoBusiness can help your business go simpler and go further!

GoBusiness is a one-stop platform that connects businesses to various government e-services, including business registration. By logging in with your Singpass account and selecting your company’s UEN or business entity, you can access personalised guidance and apply for necessary licenses and permits. 

GoBusiness was first launched in 2019 as GoBusiness Licensing to simplify licence applications for the food services sector in Singapore, marking an early step in Singapore's digital government transformation. Over the next two years, more than 500 business users across multiple sectors, including food services, e-commerce, retail and events, were consulted on how to improve the portal, resulting in the revamped GoBusiness portal.

Here’s a summary of the neat features offered by GoBusiness:

  • Seamless business registration and licensing

  • Streamlined access to government grants

  • Easy access to  e-advisory services

  • Simple-to-use interface

Who can benefit from using the GoBusiness Portal?

The GoBusiness portal provides many benefits for all,  from aspiring entrepreneurs to established business owners and even government entities.

Aspiring entrepreneurs

Aspiring entrepreneurs can significantly benefit from the GoBusiness portal by accessing a centralised platform that simplifies the often complex process of starting a business. The GoBusiness portal also offers clear, step-by-step guidance on how to register a business in Singapore, saving valuable time and reducing costs associated with navigating multiple agencies and applications. This streamlined approach makes the initial stages of setting up and licensing a business in Singapore much easier and more efficient for new ventures. 

Business owners

Existing business owners will find significant value in the GoBusiness portal by gaining easy access to and tracking of essential government services such as licenses, grants, and various applications. This centralised access saves considerable time and streamlines numerous administrative processes, allowing businesses to stay informed on relevant regulations and available financial support without needing to navigate various government platforms.

Government entities

Government entities can also enjoy benefits through the GoBusiness portal as it supports the digitisation and streamlining of a wide range of public sector services. By offering a unified and accessible platform, the portal enhances efficiency in service delivery, significantly reduces administrative burdens, and improves overall communication and engagement with the business community. This contributes to better resource management and more effective policy implementation.

Business consultants 

Business development professionals, including consultants and advisors who assist businesses with government processes, will also find the GoBusiness portal to be an invaluable resource. The portal’s consolidated access to information and services saves considerable time and simplifies often intricate procedures, enabling consultants to offer more efficient and effective support to their clients, ultimately making business setup and operation easier.

Key Features of the GoBusiness portal

Here are the key services that the GoBusiness portal enables:

1. Seamless business registration and licensing

In Singapore, you must register a business if you are carrying out any activity for profit on an ongoing basis unless you are exempted. The actual business registration process is conducted via ACRA's BizFile+ portal, accessible through the GoBusiness platform. This integration streamlines the registration process, making it more efficient for business owners.

On the GoBusiness portal, would-be entrepreneurs will get a personalised step-by-step guide on business registration and can then choose to complete the incorporation within the same transaction. Upon completion of the registration, there will be suggestions on what to do next, including applying for relevant licences and grants.

How to register a business in Singapore with the GoBusiness portal

Here are the steps on how to register a company in Singapore:

  1. Choose a business structure: This involves deciding on the legal structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, or company.

  2. Choose a business address: You'll need to provide a registered office address for your business.

  3. Reserve your business name: Check the availability of your desired business name and reserve it with ACRA.

  4. Register your business: This is the formal registration process with ACRA through the BizFile+ portal.

  5. Register a Corppass Admin: Appoint an administrator for your company's Corppass account to manage digital transactions.

  6. Open a corporate bank account: Set up a bank account for your business transactions.

2. Streamlined access to government grants

Government grants provide crucial financial support and opportunities for business growth and innovation. The GoBusiness portal significantly simplifies the application process for these grants, allowing businesses to apply for various forms of government assistance without the need to engage with numerous separate agencies and navigate their individual application requirements. This centralised access saves businesses considerable time and reduces administrative complexities.

How to apply for government grants with the GoBusiness portal

Here's an overview of the grant application process:

  1. Find the most suitable grant for your business: You may use the e-Adviser for Government Assistance to view suitable grants for your business needs.

  2. Login to the GoBusiness portal: Use the Singpass account associated with your business registration.

  3. Fill in the company profile: Your ACRA profile will be populated automatically.

  4. Submit your application: Your application will be sent to the relevant agency for processing. The agency’s contact details will be shown on the “Grant Actions” page.

  5. Monitor your application: Check the “My Grants” page and your email inbox for updates.

  6. Accept your Letter of Offer: Log into the GoBusiness portal to accept your Letter of Offer.

  7. Submit your claim: Log into the GoBusiness portal to file your claim before the claim due date, and your approved claim will be credited to your company’s bank account.

3. Simplifying all transactions in one personalised dashboard

An inevitable aspect of running a business is periodic transactions with the government. However, navigating these interactions has been significantly simplified and made more efficient thanks to the GoBusiness portal. The GoBusiness dashboard streamlines over 300 government-to-business services, some of which include:

Simplified license applications & management

Users can access and apply for more than 200 licences that are administered by different government agencies, saving them the trouble of visiting separate portals. They can also easily view the status of all their applications and will be prompted if any action is required. At the same time, they can keep track of existing licences and renew or amend them as needed.

Grant recommendations based on business profile

There are many government grants that businesses can benefit from, and the new portal can assess the user’s profile before making recommendations for relevant grants.

4. Access to e-advisory services for business 

In addition to the services mentioned above, the GoBusiness portal also provides e-advisory services that users can access without logging in. These services are centred on business growth and processes, especially those requiring adherence to specific guidelines.

Here are some examples of the e-advisory services available:

  • Users can get information on what business structure best suits their needs after answering a few simple questions.

  • Prospective entrepreneurs can check the availability of business names and handles on social media channels and find out about the Singapore Standard Industrial Classification Code for their business activities.

  • Users who want to use commercial spaces can get directed to the right government agency to get approval by answering some simple questions.

  • Event organisers can get help navigating the regulatory landscape. They can receive a curated set of licences and recommendations for safe management measures for their event.

5. Simple-to-use interface

The GoBusiness portal is responsive and speedy, as well as reusable and scalable for continual enhancements. Needless to say, the backend plumbing was an enormous effort, so kudos to the product team engineers and UX designers!

GoBusiness

How to start using the GoBusiness portal

Want to streamline your business interactions with the government? Looking to access essential services and information with ease? Do it all with GoBusiness. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Visit the GoBusiness website.

  2. Click on the “Log In” button at the top right-hand corner of the screen.

  3. Sign in with your Singpass account to access the GoBusiness Dashboard.

Get started with using the GoBusiness portal for your business

This one-stopGoBusiness portal significantly helps businesses save valuable time and reduce effort by effectively streamlining various business processes and making essential government services far more accessible through a single, unified platform, contributing directly to Singapore's Smart Nation vision of leveraging technology for a better future.

GovTech’s pivotal role in developing and maintaining this portal is instrumental in simplifying business-government interactions in a positive and efficient manner. Whether you're a seasoned businessperson or just starting your journey and learning how to register a business, we welcome you to explore the portal and fully utilise its comprehensive services to facilitate growth and success within Singapore’s dynamic business landscape.

Frequently asked questions about GoBusiness one-stop portal

Is GoBusiness an official Singapore Government portal?

Yes, GoBusiness is jointly developed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGO), and GovTech. All Government agencies managing the e-services offered on GoBusiness were also involved in its development.

Is GoBusiness an app I have to download?

No, GoBusiness is currently an online portal that you can access only on your web browser.

Which browser should I use to use the GoBusiness portal?

The GoBusiness portal is best accessed with the latest versions of Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge and Firefox. Do ensure your pop-up blocker is disabled so you can access all features.

Can I use the GoBusiness portal if I do not have a Singpass account?

Unfortunately, you will need a Singpass account to log in to your GoBusiness dashboard. However,  you can apply for a Singpass account on the Singpass website.

How do I find the licence I want on the GoBusiness portal?

You can navigate to the “licenses section” of the portal to find the licenses available. Alternatively, you can browse this list of licences grouped by agency or use our e-Advisers for added guidance.

Should I log into the GoBusiness portal as an Individual User or Business User?

You should log in as an Individual User if you are:

  • Registering a new company/entity.

  • Trading under your NRIC registered name.

  • Trading under an entity without a registered UEN.

  • Applying for a Corppass Admin account.

Conversely, you should log in as a Business User if you are accessing information on behalf of a UEN-registered company.