The Unique Entity Number in Singapore

By Vlad Cuc, specialist in company formation matters

What is a Unique Entity Number of a Singapore company?

The Unique Entity Number (UEN) was introduced in 2009 with the aim of facilitating the relations between legal entities and the Singapore governmental authorities. The UEN is a standard identification number and must be obtained by:

• -          Singapore companies;
• -          limited liability partnerships;
• -          societies;
• -          Singapore representative offices of foreign companies;
• -          healthcare facilities;
• -          trade unions.

The UEN replaces all other identification markers established by different governmental institutions. For companies registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA), the registration number obtained upon incorporation will be considered these entities’ UEN. Our local agents can help open a company in Singapore and obtain a UEN.

How to obtain a UEN in Singapore?

Aparat from ACRA, foreign companies with an established presence in Singapore can obtain their UEN from the following authorities:

• -          the Ministry of Law;
• -          the International Enterprise Singapore;
• -          the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore;
• -          the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth;
• -          the Ministry of Defense;
• -          the Ministry of Education;
• -          the Ministry of Finance;
• -          the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• -          the Ministry of Health;
• -          the Ministry of Communications and Information;
• -          the Ministry of Manpower;
• -          the Ministry of National Development;
• -          the Monetary Authority;
• -          the People’s Association;
• -          the Registry of Societies;
• -          the Singapore Land Authority.

It must be taken into consideration that depending on the agency issuing the UEN, it will have different indicators. Our specialists in company registration in Singapore can provide you with more information about obtaining the UEN form the institutions mentioned above.

What does the Singapore UEN look like?

The format of the UEN depends on the institution issuing it. It can be comprised of 9 or10 characters which will be grouped as it follows:

• -          a number;
• -          a letter;
• -          an alpha-numeric digit;
• -          the entity type (which depends on the agency issuing it);
• -          the year of issuance.

The UEN can be used when applying for corporate tax returns and when applying for the import/export permit.

For more information about the use of the UEN and on how to open a company in Singapore, do not hesitate to contact our local agents.