What is UEN in Singapore? Complete Guide for All Entity Types

Swiftly Takeaways

• A UEN (Unique Entity Number) is an official identification number assigned by the Singapore government to entities like businesses, charities, and societies.

• A UEN is required for essential activities such as opening corporate bank accounts, filing taxes, applying for government grants, and issuing invoices.

• Different types of entities have different ways of obtaining their UENs, depending on their nature and how they are registered.

What is UEN (Unique Entity Number)?

A Unique Entity Number (UEN) is a standard identification number issued to businesses and organisations in Singapore. It is administered by the Singapore government to simplify and streamline interactions between entities and government agencies.

A UEN is mandatory for a wide range of activities, including banking, tax filings, grant applications, and issuing invoices. It ensures that each registered entity can be clearly identified in official records.

Typically, a UEN is issued during the registration process through the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) or other authorised UEN issuers, depending on the nature of the entity.

Why UEN is Important

• A UEN serves as an entity’s official identity when dealing with government agencies, banks, and corporate partners.

• It is essential for completing tasks such as opening business bank accounts, submitting corporate taxes, applying for government grants, and entering into formal contracts.

• The presence of a valid UEN enhances an entity's legitimacy and credibility in Singapore’s business environment.

Who Needs a UEN?

In Singapore, most organisations that interact with government agencies or financial institutions require a UEN. This includes companies, sole proprietors, partnerships, charities, religious organisations, trusts, societies, and public sector entities.

The process of obtaining a UEN differs depending on the type of entity and the agency through which the registration is completed.

Which Agencies Besides ACRA Can Issue UEN?

While ACRA handles UEN issuance for most businesses, several other agencies are authorised to issue UENs for specific types of entities. Here’s a useful list:

• Registry of Societies (ROS): For societies and charitable organisations.

• Commissioner of Charities (COC): For charities registered under the Charities Act.

• Ministry of Education (MOE): For educational institutions such as schools.

• Ministry of Health (MOH): For healthcare institutions like hospitals and clinics.

• People’s Association (PA): For grassroots organisations.

• Singapore Land Authority (SLA): For management corporations (MCSTs).

• Other Sectoral Regulators: Depending on the nature of the entity (e.g., financial institutions, cooperatives).

Each issuing agency ensures that the UEN assigned is unique and appropriate for the entity type under its purview.

UEN for Different Entity Types

1. Sole Proprietors and Partnerships

   For sole proprietors and general partnerships, the UEN is the same as the Business Registration Number (BRN) issued by ACRA upon registration.

2. Charities, Societies, and Religious Organizations

   Charities are issued a UEN by either the Commissioner of Charities (COC) or the Registry of Societies (ROS), depending on their nature and registration process.

3. Trusts and Cooperative Societies

   Trusts managed under specific statutes and cooperative societies are issued UENs through their respective regulatory authorities.

4. Foreign Companies Operating in Singapore

   Foreign companies that register a branch office or representative office in Singapore receive their UEN through ACRA upon registration.

5. Public Sector Entities (Schools, Ministries)

   Government agencies, ministries, and educational institutions are assigned UENs by the respective regulatory or coordinating agencies such as MOE or statutory boards.

How to Check My UEN Number

You can easily verify or search for a company UEN number using the following methods:

• Visit BizFile+ by ACRA to search for business entities registered in Singapore.

• Use the UEN.gov.sg website, which consolidates all issued UENs across different types of entities.

Simply enter the entity name or known registration number in the search bar to retrieve the correct UEN.

Common UEN Formats

In Singapore, UENs follow standardised structures based on the type of entity. The typical formats are:

 

Format Breakdown:

• n: A numeric digit.

• y: The year of registration (last two digits).

• P/Q: Entity-type codes that identify the nature of the entity (e.g., SS for Society, CC for Charity).

• X: A checksum letter used for validation.

This structured approach to UENs enables easy identification, verification, and classification of different entity types in Singapore.

How to Apply for a UEN (If You Don’t Have One Yet)

In most cases, you do not need to apply separately for a UEN — it is automatically issued when you register your business or entity.
For businesses such as Private Limited companies, sole proprietorships, and partnerships, registering through ACRA will automatically generate a UEN.

For a hassle-free company incorporation experience, Swiftly offers comprehensive incorporation services, ensuring your UEN and all relevant registration matters are properly handled.

You can also check out our full guide to company incorporation in Singapore for step-by-step insights and tips.

In rare cases, if an entity requires a UEN but does not fall under a typical registration process, it must approach the relevant UEN issuance agency for application.

What Are Special UENs (SUN) and Their Cost

Certain business owners may prefer more memorable or auspicious UENs. ACRA provides a Special UEN (SUN) service with two tiers of selection criteria and fees:

• Tier 1 SUN: Defined as UENs with consecutive identical numbers or any combination involving the number '8'.

• Fee: S$3,000 per SUN

• Examples: 20188888A, T18LL7777F

• Tier 2 SUN: Defined as UENs with a repetitive pattern (excluding '8') or ending with triple identical digits (e.g., '222', '666', '777').

• Fee: S$1,000 per SUN

• Example: 201812121R, T18LL1222N

• Additional Notes: SUN applications are non-refundable, and the selection is limited to predefined UEN combinations. No custom numbers outside the defined tiers are allowed.

Work with Swiftly: Hassle-Free Incorporation Services

 

Starting a company in Singapore should not be complicated. At Swiftly, we provide comprehensive incorporation services in Singapore that include efficient ACRA filing for UEN generation, preparation of essential documents, and digital solutions to simplify your company setup.

Whether you are establishing a Private Limited Company, a partnership, or other registered business structures, we aim for your incorporation process to be completed with efficiency and professionalism.

As a trusted corporate service provider, Swiftly helps make it easier for you to launch your business without unnecessary delays, so you can focus on growing your venture.

FAQs About UEN

Is UEN the same as the company registration number?
Yes. For businesses registered with ACRA, the UEN is the same as the company registration number.

What is UEN PayNow?
UEN PayNow allows businesses to receive payments via their UEN linked to their corporate bank accounts, enabling easy fund transfers.

Do freelancers need a UEN?
Freelancers operating as sole proprietors may require a UEN if they officially register their business with ACRA.

What is the difference between UEN and GST Registration Number?
In most cases, the GST Registration Number is the same as the UEN.

How long does it take to get a UEN?
For ACRA-registered businesses, a UEN is usually issued immediately upon successful registration.

Is there a cost involved in obtaining a UEN?
The cost is typically included in the entity registration fee. There is no separate fee solely for the UEN itself.