What is UEN in Singapore: Unique Entity Number Guide

4 min read|Last Updated: November 14, 2022|

Businesses and local firms are granted a unique alphanumeric code upon company registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), similar to how individuals are given an identification number. This is called the Unique Entity Number (UEN). With the UEN, entities can easily interact with numerous government bodies using this one number.

Who Will Receive a UEN in Singapore?

Upon introduction in 2009, all entities that are incorporated in Singapore will receive a UEN, which includes:

  • Businesses
  • Local Incorporation companies
  • Limited liability partnerships
  • Representative offices
  • Healthcare Institutions
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Those who are exempted from having a UEN in Singapore are:

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How Do I Find Out My Entity’s UEN?

If you are looking for another company’s UEN that has been registered with ACRA, you can use the directory search here to find it. When you search for a UEN, the website will provide the UEN, company name, UEN status, UEN issuance agency, entity type, and partial location.

How Do I Get a UEN in Singapore?

The steps of getting a UEN in Singapore are as follows:

Step 1: Choosing what type of business entity you would like to establish

Depending on your requirements, you can choose from a variety of business structures. Incorporating a company and creating a limited partnership or a limited liability partnership are two examples.

Partnerships are smaller-scale businesses in which the partners control the company directly. Therefore, they are subject to fewer and more sophisticated legal regulations, allowing them greater flexibility in corporate operations. Annual General Meetings, for example, are unnecessary, and partners just need to declare personal income and pay taxes on it.

Companies, on the other hand, are better equipped for future expansion and capital raising. As companies, they must adhere to more stringent regulatory compliance norms, such as audit requirements, filing of returns, and the holding of general meetings, among other things.

Step 2: Registering your business

The BizFile+ website is used for registration. Unless your company is in a regulated industry like design, real estate, or defense, it is a reasonably simple process that can usually be finished in one sitting.

The registration charge for sole proprietors, partnerships, and LLPs is $115 for a one-year registration and $175 for a three-year registration. If business continues, the registration must be renewed.

A one-time incorporation fee of $315 is charged for businesses, which covers the registration of a business name.

Step 3: Decide if you want to get a special UEN

Special Unique Entity Numbers are UENs that have been set aside to be “nicer-looking” and simpler to recall in general. However, in addition to the price of business registration, there are additional costs associated with obtaining a SUN.

Step 4: Check your UEN after registration

Upon registration, you will receive a business profile that includes information about your company as well as your UEN. You may also use BizFile+ or UEN.gov.sg to look for your UEN (or the UEN of any other organisation that has one).

Do I Have to Renew Your UEN in Singapore?

Once a company is formed, it has a perpetual succession. As a result, company UENs do not need to be renewed. They will be valid for as long as the company is active and listed on the company registration.

Sole proprietorships and partnerships, on the other hand, are registered on a term basis. To keep the business running and keep the UEN, you must renew the registration when the term expires.

Form Entity type Notes
8 numbers followed by an alphabet, e.g. 11111111B Business registered with ACRA  –
9 numbers followed by an alphabet, e.g. 201311111C Local company registered with ACRA The first four numbers = year of issuance
9 alpha-numeric digits followed by an alphabet, such as:

  • S98LP1111B
  • T03LL2222C
All other entities, but the fourth and fifth digits indicate their specific entity type.

For instance, LP = Limited Partnership; LL = Limited Liability Partnerships.

For a complete list of such other entities, refer to the UEN.gov.sg website.

The first 3 digits represent the year of issuance, where “T” represents “20” and “S” represents “19”, similar to NRIC numbers.

READY TO SETUP YOUR SINGAPORE COMPANY?

Come down to our office or get in touch virtually for an incorporation assessment today.

FAQs

Is UEN same as tax ID?2022-01-07T13:26:23+08:00

For entities, the Tax Identification Number in Singapore was formerly known as the Tax Reference number until January 2009. It is now known as the Unique Entity Number (UEN). This number is assigned by ACRA or other entities to identify the organization and provide a reference for registration and legal purposes. 

How can I find my company UEN number?2022-01-07T13:25:33+08:00

To find out the UEN of a business entity, visit www.bizfile.gov.sg and type in the business name in the second search bar on the top right-hand corner. 

Is UEN the same as company registration number?2022-01-07T13:25:06+08:00

Is UEN the same as the company registration number? UEN is previously known as the company registration number in Singapore. It was in 2009 when the Ministry of Finance and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) launched the UEN. 

What is unique entity number UEN?2022-01-07T13:22:09+08:00

The Unique Entity Number (UEN) is the standard identification number of an entity. The UEN is for registered entities while the NRIC is for Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents. The UEN uniquely identifies the entity. 

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