If you’re launching a startup, you’d likely be juggling a lot. As such, startups should ideally allocate their resources to core operations.
One move that can give you a huge boost in professionalism and flexibility is setting up a virtual business address in Singapore. Startups typically won’t have the working capital to invest in a traditional office lease, nor would they be able to hire the necessary housekeeping.
As such, a virtual office is more than a nice-to-have. It alleviates the concerns associated with a traditional office, while still providing businesses with the benefit of a registered office address. In many cases, it’s precisely what you need to bring credibility to your business and maintain the privacy and sanctity of your personal life.
In this blog, we walk you through what a virtual business address is in Singapore, who benefits from one, how to get one, and when you would need one.
A virtual business address gives you a legitimate, official address in Singapore without the need to rent or occupy a full physical office.
With this address, your company meets the requirement for a registered office address when registering a company. That address becomes your official point of contact for legal and regulatory correspondence, government agencies, clients, banks, and other stakeholders.
With a virtual business address, you get a professional address that reflects well on your company. You could be working from home, but the address of a business district is reflected on official documents.
Many virtual office providers combine this offering with support services, including handling your mail, forwarding, secretarial or administrative support, and optional access to physical space, such as coworking desks or private offices.
This means you get the legitimacy of an office address in Singapore without having to deal with the overheads — no lease, no furniture, no utility bills, no long-term commitment.
A virtual business address works exceptionally well for:
Also, a virtual address helps companies scale. Small businesses can pick a plan that matches their needs today, and only upgrade down the line if they need more services.
This makes businesses a helpful service for a wide range of SMEs across various industries.
Getting a virtual business address in Singapore involves the following steps:
Pick a reputable virtual office in Singapore. Look for a provider that:
One example is Parkway Suites. They offer virtual office and serviced office solutions from their location at Paya Lebar Square, starting at just 13 cents daily.
When evaluating providers, check whether they are properly registered, and whether their address qualifies for official registration (not a simple PO box). The address should fulfil legal requirements as a registered address in Singapore under regulatory standards.
A virtual office must offer more than just a virtual office address to accommodate growing clients. Keep an eye out for the additional services they offer. Assess if you picture yourself using those services in the future. Typical inclusions and variables to look out for include:
Having a variety of offerings and inclusions allows a virtual office to better accommodate growing businesses. Depending on service and add-on availability, startups may even tailor a package and rental rate just for them.
Once you choose a provider and a plan that fits, subscribe.
With providers like Parkway Suites, you can sign up and receive the virtual office address without delay. At that moment, you’ll now have your virtual business address. You may then register it as your registered office address.
If needed, you can upgrade later to include more services in your plan.
There are several situations when getting a virtual business address should be a priority. If any of these apply to you, you might consider acting now rather than later.
Many startups begin at home or from a residential address. That works early on. However, registering a business with a residential address will place it under Singapore’s Home Office Scheme. The businesses allowed under this provision include architectural services, consultancy services, and real estate agencies, just to name a few.
If a business decides to venture into industries not permitted under the Home Office Scheme, such as money lending or car trading, for example, then they’ll need a virtual office ASAP.
Using your personal or residential address means business mail — letters, invoices, official correspondence — goes to your home. Your business’ and home’s mailing addresses are one. This often blurs the line between personal and business life. You might end up managing business mail at odd hours, worrying about clients’ parcels at home, or dealing with distractions when you just want to relax.
By using a virtual business address, you separate business from personal life. Your business address becomes separate from your home address: business correspondence goes to your office address, and your home remains just your home.
That separation helps protect your privacy and keep work and personal time distinct.
If you run your business from home and use your residential address for company registration, your residential address becomes part of the public record. Anyone: clients, vendors, even strangers, could trace it. That may lead to unwanted mail, visits, or privacy risks.
A virtual business address shields your personal address. It lets you project a professional office address while keeping your home address private. Many see this as worth it just for privacy alone.
When your business starts scaling — bringing on clients, entering newer markets, hiring people — the impression you give becomes important. A registered business address in a recognised business district gives an impression of legitimacy, stability, and seriousness.
A virtual business address in a good location gives you that right away: you get a credible, professional address, often something you can list on your website, invoices, and documents. That can help you win more clients, partner with other businesses, or open a Singapore‑based entity even if you operate remotely.
Virtual business addresses in Singapore are typically located in business‑district buildings, commercial centres, or serviced office hubs. Many providers — including Parkway Suites — locate their addresses in well-connected, central or accessible areas rather than residential zones.
You could find ACRA-compliant, professional business addresses in the following areas and districts:
Take Parkway Suites, for example. Our business address is at Paya Lebar Square, a commercial and business district with buzzing foot traffic and good recognition among locals.
Such locations are typically near transit, accessible for clients, and ideal to list on company marketing materials.
If a virtual business address could help your setup, consider a solid provider like Parkway Suites.
With our virtual office package at Paya Lebar Square, you get a prestigious business address, combined with services like mail alerts, mail handling, and mail forwarding starting at just 13 cents a day. You’ll also get optional access to shared (i.e., coworking spaces) or private offices (i.e., serviced offices) if you need them.
If you’re ready to make the switch or explore your options, contact Parkway Suites. We’ll consult, depending on your business size and setup.
Yes. As long as the provider’s address meets ACRA requirements: it should be open to the general public at least three hours a day during regular business hours and is not a P.O. box, it can be used as your official registered office address for incorporation and ongoing compliance.
Most providers activate your virtual business address almost immediately after registration and payment. You can usually begin using the address for government filings and business documents the same day.
Yes. Government bodies, including ACRA, IRAS, and the banks, recognise virtual business addresses as long as they meet statutory regulations. That’s why it’s important to choose a compliant provider.
Not necessarily. Many providers allow you to sign up online and handle mail digitally or through forwarding. You may only need to visit if you’re using add-on services such as coworking desks or private offices.
Yes. Virtual office providers generally receive letters, parcels, and small packages on your behalf. For bulky courier deliveries, policies vary by provider, so it’s worth confirming whether they can accept items from specific carriers or of certain sizes.
A PO box cannot be used as an ACRA-compliant registered office address. A virtual business address, however, is a physical commercial address where mail can be delivered, stored, and processed — making it valid for official registration.
