Obtaining a Unique Entity Number, or UEN, is a statutory prerequisite in Singapore for businesses and other entities to obtain lawful accreditation and seamless interaction with government agencies. It enables easy tracking of an entity through the official UEN search databases to map its progress and regulatory alignment with the codified obligations. The UEN issuing agencies assign this number to all organizations operating legally within the country.
So, whether you’re establishing a society, trade union, or corporation, it is crucial to understand the critical role a UEN plays in helping the Government establish a transparent system, centralize operations, and enhance credibility across various sectors.
Our expertise in corporate services positions us to guide you through the UEN acquisition process, highlighting the entities required to have UEN and the issuing authorities.
What is a UEN?
A Unique Entity Number (UEN) is a standardized identification number assigned to distinctly identify businesses and other entities for official correspondence with government agencies, regulatory bodies, and financial institutions. It is issued upon an entity’s successful registration, incorporation, or conversion with the appropriate authority, eliminating the need for a separate application or fee.
It consists of 9 or 10 alphanumeric characters and varies depending on the entity type. Specific formats denote different business structures (e.g., local companies, partnerships, and LLPs). It does not require renewal and remains unchanged throughout its existence.
Our Guide, “Understanding UEN: Does your business need one?” gives a deeper insight into UEN’s structure, purpose, Special UEN (SUN), requirements, and more. Refer to it to get a wholesome picture.
Who Needs a UEN in Singapore?
A UEN is mandatory for all government-recognized entities operating in Singapore. These include:
- Entities registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA): Sole Proprietorships, Partnership firms, Local Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Public Accounting Firms, and Foreign entities.
- Educational Institutions
- Banks & Insurance Companies
- Cooperative Societies
- Mutual Benefit Organizations
- Trade Unions
- Healthcare Institutions
- Public Sector Agencies
- News Bureaus
- Management Corporations
Entities Exempted from Obtaining a UEN
Not all entities in Singapore need a UEN. Exemptions include:
- Company branches operating as sub-entities under a registered Singapore company.
- Individuals using their full legal name (no separate business name or ACRA registration).
- Freelancers and self-employed persons not required to register a business.
Who Issues the UEN?
A UEN is usually issued upon the successful registration of an entity with the appropriate authority. While ACRA is the issuing agency for businesses registered with it in the form of a sole proprietorship, firm, partnership firm, local company, limited liability partnership, public accounting firm, or foreign entity; various other authorities are also authorised to issue a UEN to specific entities in Singapore.
For entities registered under the ACRA, their registration number will be their UEN. Most other registered entities will be issued a UEN by their respective authorities, which may differ from their registration number.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of UEN issuing agencies and entity types under their charge:
How to Obtain a UEN?
Different authorities have different procedures, guidelines, and time frames to register an entity.
Non-business entities like societies, healthcare institutions, trade unions, etc., should apply for registration to their respective authority in charge, fulfilling the eligibility criteria, submitting the required documents, and paying the fee to get their registration number and UEN ultimately.
However, a business entity follows the below standard process to get itself registered and ultimately get its UEN:
Choose a Business Structure
Selecting the proper structure that suits your business is the first step one needs to take for registration. For instance:
- Sole Proprietorship—Best for individuals seeking full control.
- Partnership – Suitable for two or more owners sharing responsibilities.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – Suitable for partnership flexibility and corporate advantages.
- Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd) – Gives limited liability advantage and better growth opportunities.
The type of business structure affects taxation, compliance, and liability. Therefore, it is always beneficial to consult a corporate service provider.
Apply for Registration
Register your business through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal.
Meet eligibility requirements, upload documents, and pay the applicable fees.
Obtain and Verify Your UEN
Upon successful registration, ACRA will issue the UEN and business profile—usually within a day.
You can verify your UEN at uen.gov.sg or via BizFile+.
Special UEN
ACRA offers businesses the option to choose a Special UEN at an extra cost:
- Tier 1 SUN: Premium numbers (e.g., 20188888A) – S$3,000
- Tier 2 SUN: Repeating patterns (e.g., 201812121R) – S$1,000
Conclusion
The process of obtaining a UEN in Singapore depends on the type of entity and the relevant authority. Whether you’re launching a business, registering a non-profit, or setting up a financial institution, understanding the procedures and compliance requirements is essential.
At 3E Accounting, we offer end-to-end support to help clients comply with regulations and streamline their business setup. Let us guide you through each step of your journey, so you can focus on what truly matters—growing your business.
Partner with us to leverage our extensive experience in corporate and business setup solutions to ensure seamless integration into Singapore’s regulatory framework.
Get Your UEN & Go Live in Singapore!
Unlock Your Business Identity – Get Your UEN Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
The UEN format depends on the entity type and registration date. For instance, businesses and local companies registered before 2009 have a 9-digit UEN format—nnnnnnnX—and a 10-digit UEN format—yyyynnnnX, respectively. All registrations after 2009 have a 10-digit UEN format, TyyPQnnnX.
Here, ‘n’ = a number, ‘P’ = an alphabetical letter, ‘Q’ = an alphanumeric digit, ‘PQ’ = Entity-type ‘Tyy’ / ‘Syy’ / ‘yyyy’ = year of issuance, and ‘X’ = a check alphabet. UEN formats for specific entities like limited liability partnerships and representative offices include entity codes like LL and RF, respectively.
ACRA allows certain entities, such as Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, or Sole Proprietorships, to have a special UEN that is easy to remember and identify with to serve their branding or marketing purposes. They can apply for the same during the registration process. It is available through tiers, whereby Tier 1 SUN has the consecutive same number or number combination with the number ‘8’, for which a Fee of S$3000 is chargeable. Tier 2 SUN has numbers with a repetitive pattern (excluding the number ‘8’) or ending with a triple identical number (such as ‘222’, ‘666’, and ‘777’), for which S$1000 is chargeable.
UEN is mandatory for all government-recognized entities in Singapore, viz., business entities registered with ACRA like sole proprietorships, partnership firms, LLPs, and companies, and other entities like NPOs, charities, societies, mutual benefit organizations, healthcare, and educational organisations.
The UEN serves as a unique identifier, replacing the need for multiple identification numbers across different government systems, ensuring consistency in record keeping, and reducing administrative redundancy. It enhances transparency, makes it easy to track entities and facilitates digital transactions by enabling entities to access e-services like CorpPass and submit documents via portals like BizFile+.
UEN must be mentioned when interacting with government agencies and conducting business activities such as filing corporate taxes, applying for licenses, submitting documents to any Ministry, participating in government tenders, etc.
Singapore’s Online Search Directory allows the public to search for registered entities using their UEN through ACRA’s BizFile+ portal. This helps individuals and businesses verify the details and legitimacy of entities registered in Singapore.
Abigail Yu
Author
Abigail Yu oversees executive leadership at 3E Accounting Group, leading operations, IT solutions, public relations, and digital marketing to drive business success. She holds an honors degree in Communication and New Media from the National University of Singapore and is highly skilled in crisis management, financial communication, and corporate communications.
