How to Reserve a Company Name in Singapore (2026)

Reserve a company name in Singapore through ACRA’s BizFile+ — the official eService portal where you check availability, submit your application, pay a $15 non-refundable fee, and hold an approved name for 120 days. Most straightforward applications receive approval quickly; complex cases take up to 3 working days, and referral authority reviews can extend that to 15 working days or more.

Key facts before you start:

• Portal: BizFile+ name application eService at bizfile.gov.sg
• Fee: $15, non-refundable, paid at submission
• Reservation window: 120 days from approval — use your transaction ID to complete incorporation within this period
• Foreign applicants: Must generally engage a registered filing agent (a corporate service provider, or CSP) — direct filing via Singpass is not available to most non-residents
• Payment methods: Credit/debit card or eNETS through BizFile+

120 days. That is the exact window ACRA holds your approved name. Miss it, and the name is released back to the public — requiring a fresh application and another $15 fee.

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Key Takeaways

Company name reservation in Singapore requires a $15 BizFile+ application, a clear ACRA uniqueness check, and completion of full incorporation within 120 days of approval.

Point	Details
Use BizFile+ to reserve	Submit via the “Apply for new business entity name” eService at bizfile.gov.sg.
Fee is $15, non-refundable	Pay by credit/debit card or eNETS at submission; no refund if rejected or withdrawn.
120-day reservation window	Incorporate within 120 days of approval using your transaction ID or the name is released.
Foreign founders need a filing agent	Most non-residents cannot file directly; a registered CSP handles Singpass and ACRA requirements.
Vivos provides end-to-end support	Name reservation, SSIC selection, incorporation filing, and corporate secretarial services in one engagement.

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Table of Contents

• What are ACRA’s naming rules and common restrictions?
• How do you check name availability on BizFile+?
• How do you apply to reserve a business entity name on BizFile+?
• What should you do after ACRA approves your reserved name?
• What are the most common BizFile name-application errors and how do you fix them?
• What extra checks should you run before reserving a name?
• Why a filing agent matters more than most founders expect
• Vivos handles name reservation and full incorporation for you
• Sources

What are ACRA’s naming rules and common restrictions?

ACRA applies a strict uniqueness test to every proposed name. Understanding what triggers a rejection saves time and the $15 reapplication cost.

Words ACRA disregards when testing uniqueness

ACRA treats certain words as non-distinctive and strips them from the uniqueness comparison. Adding these to an otherwise identical name does not create a new, registrable name:

• Articles and prepositions: “The,” “A,” “An,” “Of”
• Geographic references: “Singapore,” “Asia,” “Global,” “International”
• Domain suffixes: “.com,” “.sg,” “.net”
• Legal-form suffixes: “Pte Ltd,” “LLC,” “Corp”
• Generic descriptors: “Group,” “Company,” “Holdings,” “Enterprise”

So “The Asia Tech Group Pte Ltd” and “Tech Pte Ltd” could be treated as identical if “Tech” is the only substantive element. A distinct, brand-specific word is the only reliable differentiator.

Restricted and referral-required names

Some names trigger mandatory referral to external authorities before ACRA can approve them:

• Financial services: Names implying banking, insurance, or fund management require referral to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
• Healthcare: Names referencing medical, dental, or pharmaceutical activities require referral to the Ministry of Health (MOH)
• Legal services: Names implying law practice require referral to the Law Society of Singapore
• Education: Names suggesting schools or universities require Ministry of Education (MOE) clearance

Referral cases add significant processing time — up to 15 working days with ACRA, and 14–60 days depending on the specific authority involved.

ACRA’s policy on name complaints and registrar discretion means that even a name passing the automated uniqueness check can be rejected if the Registrar considers it too similar to an existing name, undesirable, or misleading. Name-review requests require strong written justification and are not guaranteed to succeed.

SSIC code selection

Every name application requires at least one Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code describing your primary business activity. Choosing the wrong SSIC code at this stage can affect licensing requirements and regulatory referrals — select it carefully before submitting.

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How do you check name availability on BizFile+?

BizFile+ offers two distinct search functions. Running both before submitting prevents wasted fees.

Who can search and file directly

Singapore citizens and permanent residents with a Singpass account can log in and file directly. Corppass is used by existing entities. Foreign nationals without Singpass generally cannot submit applications themselves and must engage a registered filing agent.

Step-by-step: running the searches

1. Go to bizfile.gov.sg and log in with Singpass or Corppass.
2. Navigate to “Search” in the top menu.
3. Select “Business Name” to search existing registered and reserved names.
4. Enter your proposed name without the legal suffix (e.g., type “Meridian Tech” not “Meridian Tech Pte Ltd”).
5. Review all results — check for exact matches and names that share the same substantive word(s).
6. Run a second search under “Reserved Name” to catch names currently held in the 120-day reservation window that do not yet appear as registered entities.

Interpreting results

Result status	What it means	Your next step
No match found	Name appears available	Proceed to application — but ACRA may still reject
Identical name exists	Name is taken or reserved	Choose a different name
Similar name found	Registrar may flag it	Modify the name or prepare justification
Reserved	Held by another applicant	Wait for expiry or choose a different name

Pro Tip: Save screenshots of your search results and note the exact search string you used. If ACRA later flags your name as similar to an existing one, documented evidence of your pre-submission search supports any name-review request.

Common UI pitfalls: BizFile+’s autocomplete may not surface all variants. Search with and without punctuation, with alternate spellings, and with common abbreviations of your proposed name.

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How do you apply to reserve a business entity name on BizFile+?

The formal process is the “Apply for new business entity name” eService on BizFile+. Follow this sequence precisely — errors in entity type or SSIC selection require a fresh application.

1. Log in to BizFile+ with Singpass (residents) or through your registered filing agent (foreign applicants).
2. Select “Apply for new business entity name” from the eServices menu.
3. Enter the proposed name exactly as you want it registered, without the legal suffix.
4. Choose the entity type (e.g., Private Limited Company, Sole Proprietorship, Limited Liability Partnership). Selecting the wrong type requires a new application and a new $15 fee.
5. Select the appropriate SSIC code(s) for your primary and secondary business activities. Use Vivos’s SSIC code guide if you are unsure which code applies.
6. Provide a contact email address for ACRA notifications.
7. Pay the $15 non-refundable fee by credit/debit card or eNETS.
8. Submit and note your transaction ID immediately.

Processing timelines: Most applications with no referral requirement are approved quickly. ACRA may take up to 3 working days for cases requiring internal review. Applications referred to external authorities — MAS, MOH, MOE, or others — can take up to 15 working days with ACRA, and the referral authority itself may add 14–60 days to that timeline.

Canceling or withdrawing before approval

If you need to withdraw a pending application before ACRA approves it, log back into BizFile+ and cancel the transaction. The $15 fee is not refunded. Once approved, the name is reserved and the 120-day clock starts immediately.

After approval

Your transaction ID is the key reference for all follow-up steps. Use it to complete incorporation or other registration transactions within the 120-day window. No extensions are granted — the name is released automatically if registration is not completed in time.

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What should you do after ACRA approves your reserved name?

Approval starts a 120-day countdown. The registration tasks below must be completed before that window closes.

• Prepare the company constitution (formerly Memorandum and Articles of Association) — required for Private Limited Companies
• Confirm director and shareholder details: at least one locally resident director is required for a Singapore private limited company
• Finalize SSIC codes for the incorporation form — these must match what was submitted during name reservation
• Appoint a corporate secretary within 6 months of incorporation (a statutory requirement under the Companies Act)
• Gather statutory documents: identification documents for all directors and shareholders, registered office address, and paid-up capital details

For a detailed timeline of what happens between name reservation and full incorporation, Vivos’s guide on how long Singapore incorporation takes covers each stage with expected durations.

120 days moves faster than expected when you factor in document collection, director availability, and corporate secretary appointment. Start the incorporation paperwork on the same day your name is approved.

International founders should note that the requirements for foreign company registration in Singapore include additional steps — a locally resident director, a registered office address, and in most cases a filing agent to handle ACRA submissions.

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What are the most common BizFile name-application errors and how do you fix them?

ACRA’s troubleshooting guide documents the standard error messages and their prescribed remedies. Here are the ones applicants encounter most often.

Common errors and fixes

• “Identical name exists”: A registered or reserved entity already holds that name. Submit a different name — there is no appeal path for an exact match.
• “Name requires referral”: Your proposed name or SSIC code triggers a mandatory review by an external authority. The application proceeds but processing time extends significantly. Prepare supporting documents (business plans, letters of consent from relevant bodies) in advance.
• “Incomplete application for same name”: Another applicant has a pending, incomplete application for the same name. You cannot proceed until that application is resolved — either completed or expired.
• “Name is undesirable”: ACRA has flagged the name as offensive, misleading, or contrary to public interest. Submit a revised name.

Step-by-step fix for a referral case

1. Confirm which authority the referral is directed to (MAS, MOH, MOE, etc.).
2. Prepare the required supporting documents for that authority.
3. Submit documents through BizFile+ or directly to the referral authority as instructed.
4. Monitor application status via BizFile+ using your transaction ID.
5. If the referral authority rejects the name, revise and resubmit with a new application and fee.

Name-review requests — where you ask ACRA to reconsider a rejected name — require written justification and are subject to ACRA’s sole discretion. ACRA’s policy on name complaints makes clear that the Registrar’s decision is final. A stronger approach is to choose a clearly distinct name from the outset.

When to contact ACRA directly: use the BizFile+ feedback form or ACRA’s online enquiry channel for application status queries. If the application involves regulated activities or a complex referral, engaging a registered filing agent at this stage avoids further delays.

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What extra checks should you run before reserving a name?

A clean BizFile+ search is necessary but not sufficient. Three additional checks reduce the risk of branding conflicts and regulatory delays after incorporation.

Trademark search via IPOS Digital Hub

Run a trademark search on the IPOS Digital Hub before submitting your name application. A name that clears ACRA’s uniqueness test can still infringe an existing trademark — and ACRA registration does not confer trademark protection. Search by word mark and by class relevant to your industry.

Domain and social handle availability

Secure the matching domain and social handles before or immediately after name approval. Consistent branding across your company name, domain, and social profiles matters for credibility with clients and investors. Check availability on your preferred registrar and platforms before committing to a name.

SSIC alignment and regulatory referrals

Use the e-Adviser for Starting a Business to verify your SSIC code selection and identify whether your planned activities require a license or trigger a referral authority review. This tool consolidates SSIC guidance, name checks, and links to IPOS — running it before BizFile+ submission is the recommended pre-check sequence.

Pre-reservation checklist:

• [ ] BizFile+ name search (existing names and reserved names)
• [ ] IPOS Digital Hub trademark search
• [ ] Domain and social handle availability
• [ ] SSIC code confirmed via e-Adviser
• [ ] Referral authority requirements identified
• [ ] Filing agent engaged (required for most foreign applicants)

Pro Tip: If you are an international founder, engage a registered filing agent before running any BizFile+ searches. Agents have Corppass access, understand SSIC nuances, and can flag referral risks before you spend the $15 fee on a name that will be rejected or delayed.

For a free name availability check before engaging BizFile+ directly, Vivos offers a preliminary search tool that helps interpret results in the context of ACRA’s uniqueness rules.

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Why a filing agent matters more than most founders expect

The conventional view is that company name reservation in Singapore is a simple online form. For Singapore residents with Singpass, it often is. For international founders, the picture is different — and the gap between expectation and reality is where most delays and wasted fees occur.

Foreign applicants frequently assume they can complete the BizFile+ process independently. In practice, most cannot file directly due to Singpass restrictions, and the consequences of choosing the wrong entity type or SSIC code at the name-reservation stage compound through every subsequent step. A rejected name means a new application, a new fee, and potentially weeks of delay if a referral authority is involved.

The less-discussed risk is the name that passes BizFile+ search but fails ACRA’s internal review because it is “too similar” under registrar discretion. A filing agent who has seen this pattern recognizes the warning signs — a name that shares a distinctive word with an existing entity, or a descriptor that ACRA has historically flagged — and advises a revision before submission. That judgment is not available from a search tool.

For founders entering regulated sectors (financial services, healthcare, education), the referral process alone can take 14–60 days per authority. An experienced agent prepares the supporting documentation in parallel with the name application, compressing the overall timeline rather than treating each step as sequential.

Vivos handles this entire sequence — name reservation, SSIC selection, referral preparation, and full incorporation filing — as a single coordinated engagement.

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Vivos handles name reservation and full incorporation for you

Reserving a name is step one of a multi-stage process. Vivos manages the complete sequence — from name availability check through ACRA filing, SSIC selection, director and shareholder setup, corporate secretary appointment, and post-incorporation compliance.

For international founders who cannot file directly, Vivos acts as your registered filing agent, handling Singpass/Corppass requirements, referral authority submissions, and document preparation. Every application is reviewed for entity-type accuracy and SSIC alignment before submission — reducing rejected applications and wasted fees.

The full incorporation service covers name reservation through to a registered Singapore company, with a single point of contact for all ACRA filings. To get started, visit Vivos’s Singapore incorporation services page or contact the team for an initial consultation on your specific entity type and activity.

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Sources

• Applying for a new business entity name | Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
• Step 3: Reserve your business name | GoBusiness

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