Unique Entity Number (UEN) in Singapore: Everything You Need to Know

If you're running a business or planning to start one in Singapore, you'll encounter the term UEN number almost immediately. The Unique Entity Number is a fundamental identifier that every registered entity needs to interact with government agencies, open bank accounts, file taxes, and conduct official business transactions.

Think of it as your business's NRIC, a permanent identification code that follows your entity throughout its existence in Singapore. Understanding what a UEN is, how to get one, and why it matters can save you time and help you navigate Singapore's business landscape more efficiently.

What is a UEN Number?

A Unique Entity Number (UEN) is a standard 9 or 10-digit identification number issued by the Singapore government to all registered entities operating in the country. Introduced in 2009 by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), the UEN system was designed to streamline interactions between businesses and government agencies.

Before 2009, businesses had to juggle multiple identification numbers when dealing with different government bodies: one for tax filing, another for licensing, and so on. The UEN consolidated this into a single, permanent identifier that works across all government touchpoints.

Once issued, your UEN number is permanent and unique. It won't change even if you modify your business name, move offices, or update other company details. The only time you'll receive a new UEN is if you convert your business structure entirely, for example, from a sole proprietorship to a private limited company.

Who Needs a UEN Number?

Most business entities in Singapore require a UEN number to operate legally and interact with government agencies. Here's who needs one:

1. Local Companies: Private limited companies (Pte Ltd), public companies, and companies limited by guarantee registered with ACRA all receive a UEN upon incorporation.

2. Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships: Individual business owners and partnerships registered with ACRA are assigned a UEN during the registration process.

3. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs): LLPs registered with ACRA automatically receive a UEN upon formation.

4. Limited Partnerships (LPs): Similar to LLPs, limited partnerships get their UEN when they register with ACRA.

5. Foreign Companies: Foreign entities that register a branch or subsidiary in Singapore through ACRA are issued a UEN.

6. Non-Profit Organizations: Charities, societies, trade unions, and religious institutions registered with relevant government agencies (like the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth or the Registry of Societies) also receive UENs.

7. Representative Offices: Foreign companies setting up representative offices in Singapore obtain UENs through Enterprise Singapore.

 

Who Doesn't Need a UEN?

Not every entity requires a UEN. The following are exempt:

1. Foreign companies with no local government interactions or one-off transactions with Singapore agencies

2. Branch offices, sub-entities, or divisions of an existing registered company (they operate under the parent company's UEN, though some may use sub-entity codes for internal tracking)

3. Offshore companies not engaging with local government bodies

 

Understanding UEN Registration and Format

The format of your UEN number depends on when your entity was registered and what type of business you operate.

 

UEN Formats Explained

Entities Registered Before 2009: Businesses registered before the UEN system was introduced retain their original registration numbers as their UEN. These are typically 9-digit numbers formatted as nnnnnnnnX (where n = numeric digit, X = check letter).

Local Companies Registered After 2009: Local companies have 10-digit UENs formatted as YYYYnnnnnX (where YYYY = year of incorporation, n = numeric digits, X = check letter).

For Other Entities Registered After 2009 (LLPs, foreign companies, societies, etc): Entities registered from 2009 onwards follow the standardized format TyyPQnnnnX, where:

• T = Fixed prefix indicating post-2009 registration

• yy = Last two digits of the registration year (e.g., T22 = 2022, T25 = 2025)

• PQ = Entity type identifier (e.g., LL = Limited Liability Partnership, LP = Limited Partnership, UF = Foreign Company)

• nnnn = Sequential numeric digits

• X = Check letter for validation

For example, a Private Limited Company (Pte. Ltd.) registered on March 15, 2022, might receive the UEN 202200123A.

How To Get a UEN Number?

Getting a UEN number is automatic when you register your business entity. Here's the process:

1. Choose Your Business Structure

Decide whether you're registering as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, or private limited company. Your structure determines which agency issues your UEN and what format it takes.

2. Register Through BizFile+

For most business types, you'll register through ACRA's BizFile+ portal. The online system guides you through:

• Name reservation and approval

• Providing business details and registered address

• Appointing directors, secretaries, or partners

• Paying registration fees

3. Receive Your UEN Immediately

Upon successful registration, your UEN is issued instantly and appears in your business profile. You can access this anytime through your BizFile+ account.

For entities like charities or trade unions, registration happens through the respective government agency (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth for charities, Ministry of Manpower for trade unions), but the process is similarly straightforward.

When setting up your company in Singapore, professional company incorporation services can streamline the entire registration process, ensuring you receive your UEN without delays or complications.

What is a Special UEN (SUN)?

During the registration process, business owners have the option to select a Special UEN (SUN), a premium service that lets you choose a more memorable or auspicious number combination.

SUN Tiers and Pricing

• Tier 1 (S$3,000): UENs offering numbers with consecutive identical digits or any combination involving the number ‘8’ (e.g., T22LL8888A).

• Tier 2 (S$1,000): UENs featuring repetitive patterns (excluding ‘8’) or ending with three identical digits (e.g., T22LL0222B, T22LL1777C).

Note: The prefix (such as “Tyy”) and suffix (check-alphabet) are system-generated; only the middle portion (from the reserved SUN list) is selectable. The SUN is optional and purely for branding/memorability; the standard UEN works perfectly fine for business operations.

Why Your UEN Number Matters

Your UEN number is essential for virtually every official business activity in Singapore. Here's where you'll need it:

Government Transactions

1. Tax Filing: Whether filing corporate income tax, GST returns, or withholding tax, your UEN is required for all IRAS submissions and communications.

2. Licensing and Permits: Applying for import/export permits, food licenses, employment passes, or any regulatory approvals requires your UEN.

3. Government Grants: When applying for government funding schemes, productivity grants, or business support programs, your UEN serves as your identifier.

Business Operations

1. Opening Bank Accounts: Every corporate bank account in Singapore requires your UEN during the application process.

2. Contracts and Agreements: Business contracts, vendor agreements, and official correspondence should include your UEN for proper identification.

3. PayNow for Business: If you use PayNow Corporate to receive payments, your UEN serves as your PayNow identifier, making it easy for clients to transfer funds.

4. Invoicing: Singapore law requires businesses to display their UEN on all invoices, receipts, official letters, and business documents. This includes printed materials, websites, and email signatures.

Building Credibility

Displaying your UEN on official documents enhances your business credibility. It signals legitimacy to clients, partners, and vendors, showing that you're a properly registered entity in Singapore.

Where to Find Your UEN Number

If you've already registered your business, finding your UEN is straightforward:

1. BizFile+ Account: Log into your BizFile+ account and access your business profile. Your UEN appears prominently in your company details.

2. Business Profile: Download your official business profile from ACRA, which lists your UEN along with other registration details.

3. ACRA Business Search: Visit the ACRA BizFile website and search for your company by name. Basic company information, including the UEN, is publicly available.

4. UEN Directory: Search the public UEN directory by entity name or existing UEN to verify business details.

Your UEN also appears on official documents like your Certificate of Incorporation, business registration certificate, and any correspondence from ACRA.

 

UEN vs Other Business Numbers

Understanding how UEN relates to other identification numbers helps avoid confusion:

UEN vs GST Registration Number

For companies registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST), your GST registration number is typically the same as your UEN. However, this only applies to local entities. Foreign companies may have different GST registration numbers if they register specifically for GST without full local incorporation.

UEN vs Company Registration Number

For businesses registered with ACRA before 2009, your original ACRA registration number became your UEN after the system was introduced. They're one and the same. For entities registered after 2009, you're issued a UEN directly, which serves as your official company registration number.

UEN vs Tax Reference Number

The Tax Reference Number (TRN) is for individuals filing personal income tax. Business entities use their UEN when dealing with tax matters. If you're a sole proprietor, you'll use your UEN for business tax purposes but your personal TRN (typically your NRIC/FIN) for individual income tax filing.

Keeping Your UEN Information Updated

While your UEN itself never changes, the information associated with it must stay current. You're required to update ACRA whenever there are changes to:

• Registered office address

• Business activities or principal business description

• Directors, secretaries, or partners

• Company name (the UEN remains the same, but the registered name updates)

• Financial year end

Updates can be made through BizFile+ and typically process within one to two weeks. Failure to keep your business information current can result in penalties and complications when dealing with government agencies.

For businesses that need ongoing compliance support, corporate secretarial services can manage these updates and ensure your ACRA records remain accurate throughout the year.

UEN and Annual Compliance Requirements

Having a UEN comes with ongoing compliance obligations. Depending on your business structure:

1. Companies: Must file Annual Returns with ACRA within specific deadlines, hold Annual General Meetings (for most companies), and maintain statutory registers.

2. Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships: Must renew business registration annually or for a three-year period. If you don't renew, your business registration (and by extension, your UEN's active status) lapses.

3. LLPs and LPs: Must file annual declarations and comply with ACRA's ongoing requirements.

Your UEN is used in all these filings and remains your identifier even if you temporarily cease operations.

Managing these annual compliance requirements alongside bookkeeping and financial reporting can be complex. Many businesses rely on comprehensive accounting services to handle tax filing, financial statements, and regulatory submissions efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to UEN Number

1. Can I change my UEN number? No, once issued, your UEN is permanent and cannot be changed. If you fundamentally change your business structure (for example, converting from a sole proprietorship to a company), you'll receive a new UEN as part of the conversion process.

2. What happens if I close my business? When you strike off or deregister your business, your UEN is deactivated but remains in the government database as a historical record. That UEN won't be reassigned to any other entity.

3. Do I need to renew my UEN? The UEN itself doesn't require renewal. However, sole proprietorships and partnerships must renew their business registration (annually or for three years) to maintain active status. Companies have perpetual succession and don't need to renew unless voluntarily striking off.

4. Can branches use the same UEN? Branch offices and divisions of a registered company typically operate under the parent company's UEN. However, some government agencies may assign sub-entity codes for internal tracking purposes while maintaining the same primary UEN.

5. Is my UEN confidential? No, your UEN is publicly searchable information. Anyone can look up your company's basic details, including your UEN, through ACRA's business search or the UEN directory. However, detailed financial information and internal records remain confidential.

Conclusion

The Unique Entity Number is more than just an identification code, it's the foundation of your business identity in Singapore. From the moment you register your entity, your UEN becomes your gateway to government services, banking, tax compliance, and legitimate business operations.

Understanding your UEN number, how it works, and where you'll need it ensures smooth business operations and helps you navigate Singapore's efficient regulatory environment confidently. Whether you're incorporating a startup, registering a sole proprietorship, or setting up a foreign branch, obtaining and properly using your UEN is your first step toward building a successful business in Singapore.

UEN vs Other Business Numbers

Understanding how UEN relates to other identification numbers helps avoid confusion:

UEN vs GST Registration Number

For companies registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST), your GST registration number is typically the same as your UEN. However, this only applies to local entities. Foreign companies may have different GST registration numbers if they register specifically for GST without full local incorporation.

UEN vs Company Registration Number

For businesses registered with ACRA before 2009, your original ACRA registration number became your UEN after the system was introduced. They're one and the same. For entities registered after 2009, you're issued a UEN directly, which serves as your official company registration number.

UEN vs Tax Reference Number

The Tax Reference Number (TRN) is for individuals filing personal income tax. Business entities use their UEN when dealing with tax matters. If you're a sole proprietor, you'll use your UEN for business tax purposes but your personal TRN (typically your NRIC/FIN) for individual income tax filing.

Keeping Your UEN Information Updated

While your UEN itself never changes, the information associated with it must stay current. You're required to update ACRA whenever there are changes to:

• Registered office address

• Business activities or principal business description

• Directors, secretaries, or partners

• Company name (the UEN remains the same, but the registered name updates)

• Financial year end

Updates can be made through BizFile+ and typically process within one to two weeks. Failure to keep your business information current can result in penalties and complications when dealing with government agencies.

For businesses that need ongoing compliance support, corporate secretarial services can manage these updates and ensure your ACRA records remain accurate throughout the year.

UEN and Annual Compliance Requirements

Having a UEN comes with ongoing compliance obligations. Depending on your business structure:

1. Companies: Must file Annual Returns with ACRA within specific deadlines, hold Annual General Meetings (for most companies), and maintain statutory registers.

2. Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships: Must renew business registration annually or for a three-year period. If you don't renew, your business registration (and by extension, your UEN's active status) lapses.

3. LLPs and LPs: Must file annual declarations and comply with ACRA's ongoing requirements.

Your UEN is used in all these filings and remains your identifier even if you temporarily cease operations.

Managing these annual compliance requirements alongside bookkeeping and financial reporting can be complex. Many businesses rely on comprehensive accounting services to handle tax filing, financial statements, and regulatory submissions efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to UEN Number

1. Can I change my UEN number? No, once issued, your UEN is permanent and cannot be changed. If you fundamentally change your business structure (for example, converting from a sole proprietorship to a company), you'll receive a new UEN as part of the conversion process.

2. What happens if I close my business? When you strike off or deregister your business, your UEN is deactivated but remains in the government database as a historical record. That UEN won't be reassigned to any other entity.

3. Do I need to renew my UEN? The UEN itself doesn't require renewal. However, sole proprietorships and partnerships must renew their business registration (annually or for three years) to maintain active status. Companies have perpetual succession and don't need to renew unless voluntarily striking off.

4. Can branches use the same UEN? Branch offices and divisions of a registered company typically operate under the parent company's UEN. However, some government agencies may assign sub-entity codes for internal tracking purposes while maintaining the same primary UEN.

5. Is my UEN confidential? No, your UEN is publicly searchable information. Anyone can look up your company's basic details, including your UEN, through ACRA's business search or the UEN directory. However, detailed financial information and internal records remain confidential.

Conclusion

The Unique Entity Number is more than just an identification code, it's the foundation of your business identity in Singapore. From the moment you register your entity, your UEN becomes your gateway to government services, banking, tax compliance, and legitimate business operations.

Understanding your UEN number, how it works, and where you'll need it ensures smooth business operations and helps you navigate Singapore's efficient regulatory environment confidently. Whether you're incorporating a startup, registering a sole proprietorship, or setting up a foreign branch, obtaining and properly using your UEN is your first step toward building a successful business in Singapore.

If you're ready to start your business journey, working with experienced corporate service providers like Margin Wheeler can simplify the entire process from name reservation through UEN issuance, letting you focus on building your business rather than navigating administrative requirements.