UEN For Business in Singapore
A complete Guide For Business
Singapore UEN: What It Is, How to Get It, and How to Use It
What is a UEN?
- Unique Entity Number — Singapore's official business ID
- Issued by ACRA at registration
- 9 or 10 characters (letters + numbers)
- Used across ACRA, IRAS, MOM and all banks
- Valid for the lifetime of the entity
UEN format
- Local companies (post-2009): XXXXXXXXC
- Businesses (post-2009): TYYPQXXXXC
- X = digit, C = check letter
- Always ends with a letter
How to get one
- Free — auto-issued when you register
- File via BizFile+
- UEN issued same day as approval
- Optional: Special UEN (SUN) — S$1,000–S$3,000
Where you need it
- All invoices and official documents
- Corporate bank account opening
- IRAS tax filings and GST registration
- MOM work pass and EP applications
- PayNow Business and e-commerce
Characters in every UEN
Standard UEN on registration
Special UEN (SUN) — one-time fee
Valid as long as the entity exists
Used across all government agencies
Every business registered in Singapore gets a Unique Entity Number (UEN). It is a single identifier that works across every government agency — ACRA, IRAS, and MOM — so you do not need separate registration numbers for tax, employment, and business filings. Singapore is one of the world's most business-friendly jurisdictions — find out why businesses choose Singapore as their regional base.
Your UEN appears on every invoice you send, every bank account you open, and every work pass application you submit. Foreign founders can own 100% of a Singapore company — and your UEN is issued the moment your company is approved. Not sure which structure suits you? See our guide on foreign business registration options in Singapore before you file. For the full registration process, visit our Singapore Incorporation pillar page and the Incorporation Guide 2026.
What is a UEN Number in Singapore?
A UEN is a standard identification number assigned to every entity registered in Singapore. ACRA introduced it in 2009 to replace multiple agency-specific numbers with one universal ID. Before 2009, businesses had different numbers for ACRA, IRAS, and MOM. The UEN replaced all of them.
Every company type in Singapore — private limited company, sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, society, or foreign company branch — receives a UEN at registration. It does not expire and cannot be transferred to another entity. Source: ACRA — Setting up a local company.
How to Get a UEN Number in Singapore
You do not apply for a UEN separately. ACRA issues it automatically when your entity is approved. There are two routes:
Standard route — free
Auto-issued on registration
- Register your company via BizFile+
- First, select and reserve your company name (S$15 fee)
- ACRA approves — UEN is issued the same day
- No separate application needed
- Number is system-generated; you cannot choose it
- Appears on your Certificate of Incorporation
Optional upgrade — paid
Special UEN (SUN) — choose your number
- Select a preferred number at the payment stage on BizFile+
- Tier 2: S$1,000 (pattern numbers)
- Tier 1: S$3,000 (premium / numbers with 8)
- Fee is on top of the S$300 incorporation fee
- Must be chosen during registration — not available after
Singapore UEN Number Format Explained
The format depends on the entity type and when it was registered. All UENs end with a check letter (A–Z).
| Entity type | Issuing agency | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local company (post-2009) | ACRA | XXXXXXXXC |
201912345A |
| Local company (pre-2009) | ACRA | NNNNNNNNC |
19991234Z |
| Business / sole prop / partnership | ACRA | TYYPQnnnnnC |
T08PF1234A |
| Registered society | ROS | SYYnnnnnnC |
S88SS0001A |
| Foreign company (branch) | ACRA | FYYPQnnnnnC |
F10FC1234A |
| Government entity | Various | TYYGSnnnnnC |
T08GB1234A |
Key: T = entity registered after 2009 | YY = last two digits of registration year | P/Q = entity type code | C = check letter. Source: ACRA.
What is Special UEN in Singapore?
A Special UEN (SUN) lets you choose a memorable or meaningful number for your company instead of accepting the system-generated default. The number stays with your company for life and appears on every legal document, invoice, corporate seal, bank account, and government filing your business ever produces. According to the 2026 Singapore Incorporation Report, demand for Special UENs continues to rise among foreign founders establishing premium brands in Singapore.
- Memorability: Staff, clients, and partners recall your number without looking it up — useful for high-volume invoicing businesses.
- Brand identity: Your company number becomes part of your brand. It appears on letterheads, contracts, and email signatures every day.
- Professionalism: A deliberate, patterned number signals that the business was planned carefully — a subtle but real trust signal in client-facing sectors like finance, law, and luxury retail.
- Auspicious numbers: Numbers containing 8 are considered highly auspicious in Chinese business culture. A company choosing a Tier 1 SUN with repeated 8s signals this intent to clients in regional markets.
- One-time cost, lifetime value: You pay once. The number never expires, never needs renewing, and never changes as long as the entity is alive.
- Cannot be changed later: A SUN must be selected during incorporation. This makes early planning important — you cannot upgrade to a SUN after your company is registered.
⭐ How to apply for a Special UEN (SUN) — step by step
The entire process is online via BizFile+. You select your preferred number at the payment stage — it cannot be added after incorporation is complete.
- Start your company incorporation on BizFile+.
- Select and reserve your company name (S$15 fee applies).
- Complete all company details (directors, shareholders, registered address).
- Reach the payment stage — a SUN selection option will appear.
- Browse available numbers and choose Tier 1 or Tier 2.
- Pay the SUN fee (S$1,000 or S$3,000) plus the S$300 incorporation fee.
- Your chosen number is issued on the Certificate of Incorporation the same day.
Premium numbers
- Consecutive identical digits (e.g., 11111111, 99999999)
- Any combination containing the digit 8 (e.g., 88888888)
- Most sought-after; limited availability
Pattern numbers
- Repetitive patterns not involving 8 (e.g., 12341234)
- Numbers ending with three identical digits (e.g., 12345111)
- Wider availability than Tier 1
Can I get a Special UEN number online for my startup?
Yes. The whole process runs on BizFile+. Select your SUN at the payment step during incorporation. You cannot apply for a SUN after the company has been registered. Source: BizFile+ SUN FAQs.
Where can I apply for a specific Singapore company registration number?
On BizFile+ during incorporation — under the payment step. You pick your preferred number from the available pool. Once taken, that number is gone permanently.
Where can I find the Special UEN number of a Singapore company?
Search the company name on BizFile+ — the UEN is displayed free of charge. SUN numbers are easy to spot: they contain repeated 8s or clear digit patterns.
Special UEN vs Normal UEN: Key Differences
Both are legally identical — the difference is memorability, brand value, and cost. Use this table to decide which is right for your business.
| Feature | Normal UEN | Special UEN (SUN) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (included in S$300 incorporation) | S$1,000 (Tier 2) or S$3,000 (Tier 1) |
| Number selection | System-generated; you cannot choose | You pick from available numbers on BizFile+ |
| Memorability | Random sequence — not memorable | Patterned or premium — easy to recall |
| Number pattern | No pattern | Repeating digits, sequences, or contains 8 |
| When to apply | Issued automatically at registration | Must choose at registration — cannot add later |
| Post-registration change | Cannot be changed | Cannot be changed (chosen at incorporation only) |
| Validity | Lifetime of the entity | Lifetime of the entity |
| Annual renewal fee | None | None — one-time cost only |
| Legal function | Fully valid across all agencies | Fully valid across all agencies |
| Where to apply | BizFile+ (standard flow) | BizFile+ — payment stage during incorporation |
| ✅ Best for | Most businesses — startups, SMEs, holding companies where brand identity is not tied to the number | High-visibility brands, F&B groups, finance, luxury retail, businesses targeting Chinese regional markets, or founders who value brand consistency on every document |
Cost breakdown
Total fees at incorporation
- Name application: S$15
- Incorporation fee: S$300
- + SUN Tier 2: +S$1,000 → total S$1,315
- + SUN Tier 1: +S$3,000 → total S$3,315
- No annual renewal fee for the SUN
- Source: ACRA company-related fees
Availability
Which entities can apply for SUN?
- Incorporation of a local company
- Registration of a business name
- Registration of a limited liability partnership (LLP)
- Registration of a limited partnership (LP)
- Entity conversion (e.g., sole prop → company)
- Source: BizFile+ Special UEN FAQs
Thinking about a Special UEN for your Singapore company?
Our team can walk you through number availability, tier pricing, and how to secure your preferred UEN during incorporation — before someone else takes it.
How to Check UEN Number Singapore (2026)
BizFile+ is the official portal for all UEN lookups. The basic search is free. A full business profile costs S$5.50.
Where to find the UEN of any Singapore company
- BizFile+ free search: Go to BizFile+. Enter the company name or UEN. Results are instant and free.
- Company documents: The UEN is printed on every invoice, letterhead, and official letter the company issues.
- Certificate of Incorporation: ACRA includes the UEN on the certificate issued at registration.
- Spot a SUN: If a company's UEN contains repeated 8s or a clear digit pattern, it is a Special UEN.
- Full Business Profile (S$5.50): Paid report from BizFile+ showing directors, shareholders, paid-up capital, and filing history.
How Can You Verify a Company in Singapore?
Verifying a Singapore company is straightforward. Follow these five steps:
- Step 1 — Search BizFile+: Enter the company name or UEN at BizFile+. Confirm the entity exists and is active.
- Step 2 — Check Live status: The entity status must show Live. Struck-off or under judicial management companies cannot trade legally.
- Step 3 — Buy a Business Profile (S$5.50): This gives you directors' names, shareholders, registered address, paid-up capital, and filing dates.
- Step 4 — Cross-check documents: The UEN on the company's invoices and letterheads must match the BizFile+ record exactly.
- Step 5 — Verify licences (if regulated): Check licences via GoBusiness and tax registration via IRAS. This matters for financial, food, and healthcare businesses.
Where Your UEN Must Appear
Singapore law requires the UEN on all official business communications. Here is a full breakdown by use case.
Regulatory & documentation
All official documents
- Invoices, receipts, and quotations
- Company letterheads and email footers
- Government agency filings (ACRA, IRAS, MOM)
- GST registration and returns
- Contracts and legal agreements
Banking & finance
Corporate banking and payments
- Corporate bank account opening
- Business loan and credit line applications
- Payment gateway registrations (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Business insurance policies
- PayNow Business — digital payments and fund transfers
Tax & GST
IRAS filings and GST
- Corporate income tax returns (Form C / C-S)
- GST registration (mandatory above S$1M revenue)
- GST quarterly returns (F5/F8)
- Withholding tax submissions
- Source: IRAS — Registering for GST
Work passes & employment
MOM — hiring foreign employees
- Employment Pass (EP) — for foreign professionals and managers
- EntrePass — for foreign entrepreneurs starting a business
- S Pass — for mid-skilled foreign workers
- Work Permit — for semi-skilled foreign workers
- Dependant's Pass — for immediate family of EP/S Pass holders
- Source: Ministry of Manpower
Licences & permits
Business licences via GoBusiness
- Food, liquor, and entertainment licences
- Financial services and insurance licences (MAS)
- Healthcare, construction, and engineering permits
- Import/export licences (Singapore Customs)
- Source: GoBusiness Licences
Annual obligations
ACRA annual filings
- Annual Return submission on BizFile+
- AGM (Annual General Meeting) records
- Changes to directors, shareholders, or registered address
- Financial statements filing (exempt private companies)
- See full guide: Post-incorporation compliance & annual filings
- Source: ACRA — AGM and Annual Returns
Frequently Asked Questions — Singapore UEN
What is a UEN number in Singapore?
A UEN (Unique Entity Number) is a 9 or 10-character identifier issued by ACRA to every registered entity in Singapore. It replaced multiple agency-specific numbers in 2009. One number works across ACRA, IRAS, MOM, and all banks.
How do I get a UEN for my Singapore company?
Register your company on BizFile+. ACRA issues the UEN automatically on the same day your application is approved. No separate application is required. See our full guide: How to register a company in Singapore.
Can I choose my own Singapore company registration number?
Yes — but only during incorporation. Select a Special UEN (SUN) on BizFile+ at the payment stage. Tier 2 costs S$1,000; Tier 1 costs S$3,000. You cannot choose or change your UEN after registration.
Can I get a Special UEN number online for my startup?
Yes. The entire application runs on BizFile+. You select from available SUN numbers at the payment step during incorporation. Once a number is taken, it is gone permanently.
Where can I apply for a specific Singapore company registration number?
On BizFile+ during incorporation — under the payment step. You pick your preferred number from the available pool. Once taken, that number is gone permanently.
Where can I find the Special UEN number of a Singapore company?
Search the company name on BizFile+ — the UEN is displayed free of charge. SUN numbers are easy to spot: they contain repeated 8s or clear digit patterns.
How do I search or verify a UEN for free?
Go to BizFile+ and enter the company name or UEN. The search is free. A full Business Profile (directors, shareholders, financials) costs S$5.50.
How to check UEN number Singapore — where to look?
BizFile+ (free), the company's invoices or letterheads, and the Certificate of Incorporation all show the UEN. For regulated businesses, also check GoBusiness for licence details.
Is a UEN the same as a company registration number?
Yes. In Singapore, UEN and company registration number refer to the same identifier. ACRA replaced the old company registration number system with the UEN in 2009.
Does a UEN expire or need renewing?
No. A UEN is valid for the full lifetime of the entity. It does not expire and does not need annual renewal. It becomes inactive only when the company is struck off or wound up.
Do I need a UEN to open a corporate bank account in Singapore?
Yes. Every Singapore bank requires the UEN to open a corporate account, apply for business loans, and register payment gateways. Your UEN must match your ACRA records exactly.
When do I need to register for GST?
GST registration is mandatory when your taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million in a 12-month period. Your UEN is used on all GST filings. Source: IRAS — Registering for GST.
Can a foreigner register a company and get a UEN in Singapore?
Yes. Foreigners can own 100% of a Singapore company. A UEN is issued to the company at registration regardless of the owner's nationality. You will need a Singapore-resident director to incorporate. See all foreign business registration options.
Do I need a visa or work pass to use my company's UEN?
Your company's UEN is independent of your personal immigration status. However, if you plan to work in Singapore, you will need the right pass — an Employment Pass, EntrePass, or another work pass. See our Singapore immigration and visa services for guidance.
Ready to register your Singapore company and secure your UEN?
Our team handles the full incorporation — name reservation, document preparation, BizFile+ filing, and UEN issuance. We can also advise on Special UEN availability before you file.
Talk to a Singapore incorporation specialistSources: ACRA — Setting up a local company · ACRA — Special UEN (SUN) · ACRA — Company-related fees · BizFile+ — Special UEN FAQs · BizFile+ portal · IRAS — GST registration · Ministry of Manpower · GoBusiness — Business licences
For the most current UEN requirements and application procedures, always consult ACRA’s official website or contact their customer service directly. Business regulations may change, and professional advice ensures complete compliance with Singapore’s corporate requirements.
This comprehensive guide provides essential information about UEN requirements while maintaining compliance with Singapore’s business regulations. The content emphasizes practical application while ensuring accuracy for business decision-making in 2025.