Singapore Resident & Nominee Director Services

Section 145 of the Companies Act requires at least one ordinarily resident director. It does not require every director to live in Singapore. Residency eligibility needs to be checked against the person’s circumstances; holding a visa or listing a local address is not enough to assume qualification.

Since 9 June 2025, nominee appointments made by way of business must be arranged through a registered corporate service provider that assesses whether the proposed director is fit and proper. Before agreeing an appointment, establish who the provider is, its registration status and how it will assess the company and director. We do not claim that Xavion is a Singapore registered corporate service provider.

A nominee director has genuine statutory responsibilities. The agreement should address access to accounts and records, reporting frequency, reserved decisions, conflicts, authority to sign, resignation and replacement. It should not promise that the director will approve every instruction.

Ask for the actual indemnity terms and insurance position rather than assuming either removes liability. The proposed professional may decline an activity or require additional oversight. Deposit requirements, fees and the permitted business scope must be confirmed in a written proposal.

For proprietary digital asset trading, explain whether only company funds are traded, which exchanges are used and whether any customer assets, dealing, custody or other services are involved. A director appointment is not a MAS licence, and describing a business as own-funds trading does not resolve every regulatory question.

Bank account eligibility remains the institution’s independent decision. The bank may examine the controllers, source of wealth, source of funds, counterparties and actual management. Appointing a Singapore director does not guarantee account opening or tax residency.

Applicable controller and nominee registers and central filings must still be maintained. A nominee arrangement cannot be used to conceal the nominator or beneficial owners from the required authorities, professional provider or bank. Local counsel should confirm any exemption and current filing deadlines.

The initial review covers your purpose and company profile. If the case is suitable, the next step is a provider-led assessment and agreed appointment documentation, not an immediate appointment through the enquiry form.

A Singapore nominee director services proposal should distinguish the director fee from any deposit, company-secretarial work, registered-office services and filing charges. Ask what records and reports the director expects, which activities are excluded, and what happens if the business changes. We do not publish an assumed market price or include insurance that has not been confirmed.

For a replacement appointment, tell us who currently satisfies the residence requirement and when they intend to leave. The company and registered provider should coordinate consent, filings and handover so the change does not leave the company without a qualifying director. No appointment date is promised before the provider has reviewed the case.