What is Unique Entity Number and how to get UEN in Singapore

The Singapore Unique Entity Number (UEN) is a unique identification number assigned to all types of business entities in Singapore, including businesses, companies, and non-profit organizations.

Launched by ACRA, the UEN makes dealing with government agencies easier and supports businesses in the digital economy.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is the UEN number, why UEN is important and who needs it;
• UEN format and examples of UEN;
• How to get UEN and how to do a UEN search in Singapore

1. What is the Unique Entity Number (UEN)?

Launded in 2009, the Unique Entity Number or UEN is a government-issued identifier consisting of 9 or 10 digits, assigned to businesses and companies that you register in Singapore through Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

The UEN is a unique permanent number for companies in Singapore the same as the National Registration Identity Card or NRIC for Singapore citizens. 

That is why, if you change your company name or its business structure, you still get the same UEN. You only lose your UEN if you close down your company.

2. Why UEN is important to your company?

Before 2009, businesses had to use multiple identification numbers to interact with corresponding government agencies. For example:

• Business Registration Number to update company information with ACRA;
• Central Registration Number to apply for import and export permits with SC;
• Employer Reference Number to submit CPF contributions to CBFB;
• Tax Reference Number (Tax Identification Number or TIN) to file taxes with Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

However, after 2009, you only need to remember and use the UEN to replace all the above numbers.

The introduction of the Unique Entity Number (UEN) brings many benefits, simplifying business operations and enhancing efficiency, with key advantages such as:

• Unique Identification: The UEN serves as a unique identifier that allows businesses to be easily recognized by government agencies and other stakeholders. This minimizes confusion and simplifies processes like tax filing, business registration, and license applications.
• Enhanced Credibility: The UEN promotes transparency by providing stakeholders with information about a business’s registration status, operational history, and contact details. This can help businesses build trust with customers, investors, and partners.
• Easy access to government services: The UEN enables businesses to easily access online government services, such as:
  • Filing taxes;
  • Registering businesses;
  • Applying for licenses;
  • Updating information with agencies like ACRA and IRAS;
  • Submitting CPF payments.
• In addition to these benefits, the UEN allows business owners to:
  • Open a corporate bank account; 
  • Hire employees;
  • Participate in government support programs.

3. Who needs to have a UEN in Singapore?

All entities that register in Singapore must have a UEN from a UEN-issuing authority such as ACRA, ROS, or ESG. These business entities can be:

• Businesses (Sole proprietorship, partnership);
• Limited liability partnerships (LLPs);
• Local companies (private limited, exempt private limited, public company by share or by guarantee);
• Societies;
• Representative offices;
• Trade unions;
• Healthcare institutions.

In conclusion, A UEN (Unique Entity Number) will be issued to local businesses, companies, associations, and representative offices when:

• They have frequent interactions with government agencies;
• They are recognized by a UEN-issuing authority.

That is why, a UEN will not be issued to:

• Individuals: They will use NRIC instead;
• Businesses, organizations, or companies headquartered overseas that do not engage or rarely do with Singaporean government agencies;
• Branches or divisions of a business.

For example, a foreign company sells products to government agencies on a one-time basis.

However, some government agencies may add a sub-entity code to the UEN in their system if the agency needs to identify and interact with a business’s branches or departments.

4. UEN formats and examples

5. How to get UEN number: a step-by-step guide

You can only obtain your unique entity number after you register a business/company in Singapore. The process to receive your UEN is as follows:

• 1

  Step 1: Choose the business structure

• 2

  Step 2: Prepare the registration documents

• 3

  Step 3: Register your company with ACRA

• 4

  Step 4: Obtain UEN

6. How to do a UEN number search

You have a few options to check the UEN of any company.

Option 1: You can find your UEN on your company’s digital certificate of incorporation (COI). You will receive your COI after successfully registering your company.

Option 2: You can verify your company UEN by searching on the Singapore government website via this tool: https://www.uen.gov.sg by entering your UEN into the search bar.

The search results will display information such as:

• UEN number;
• Company name;
• Entity type;
• UEN status;
• UEN issuance authority (ACRA or other issuing authority);
• Company address.

Option 3: You can visit the ACRA's BizFile website (via your registered agent or do it yourself)

1. Click on the ‘Buy Information’ tab, then click "certificate".
2. Select the option you need (digital or hard copy) and follow the instructions.

The fee for purchasing the Certificate of Incorporation on BizFile is 50 SGD.

7. What are the legal requirements to display UEN?

Your Singapore company is legally required to display their UEN on various official and public-facing documents.

Key documents where UEN must be displayed are:

1. Invoices;
2. Receipts;
3. Bills of Exchange;
4. Order forms;
5. Business Letterheads;
6. Correspondence with government agencies;
7. Brochures, leaflets, and published notice;
8. Shop signs or office directories

8. How can we help you get your company UEN?

With our expertise and experience, we provide comprehensive support throughout the registration process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for aspiring entrepreneurs like you.

• Choose an appropriate business name for your Singapore sole proprietorship;
• Prepare the necessary documents for registration;
• Submit documents to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) on your behalf;
• Support in opening your business bank accounts;
• Open a corporate bank account in Singapore with a 99% success rate; 
• Get an affordable, professional registered office address for business;
• Support to open, authenticate, and manage Stripe, and PayPal Business in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S;
• Handle all your tax accounting needs, timely annual filings, auditing, and more.

9. FAQs about Singapore UEN

With over a decade of experience serving as a trusted partner to more than 750 business owners seeking professional development and breakthroughs in the international market, we are an  expert strategic corporate service provider helping you incorporate and operate successfully in 10 different countries

Our areas of expertise include:

• Strategic Consulting and Company formation in over 10 different countries worldwide such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.S., Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and offshore destinations like BVI, Belize, Seychelles, and more.
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• Opreation support:
• Registered adress;
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With over 10 years of experience and a team of experts with 5 to 25 years of experience (international standard certifications) as well as direct partnerships with institutions such as OCBC, UOB, DBS, PayPal, and Stripe, we are proud to offer professional, legal, transparent, sustainable services with no hidden costs.

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