Frequently Asked Questions

Sri Lanka incorporation takes 5–7 business days once documents are in order and submitted to the Registrar.

Yes — ongoing secretarial and compliance services for new and established companies.

Yes — we advise on and manage mergers, acquisitions, and share capital changes.

Sri Lanka, Singapore, Dubai, the UK, and Hong Kong.

Records are generally maintained electronically and not stored physically, unless you have signed documents at SRP using wet signatures or provided original physical documents. Where physical documents are received, they are securely maintained at an SRP office.

Usually maintaining company records, preparing basic resolutions, annual compliance reminders, company secretarial support, and coordinating statutory filings.

It usually requires a company resolution, updated forms, approval/filing with the relevant authority, and updates to bank and company records. The effective date is set five working days after filing. If there are outstanding statutory filings, the change cannot complete until all backlog filings are brought up to date, as it is processed in real time.

Usually through a reservation agreement, an advance payment agreement, or a nominee/holding arrangement until the company is ready.

It's not recommended. Your company must be incorporated and the bank account opened before making any payments.

Usually as an advance payment or prepayment until the land transfer is completed.

Because the advance was paid for land, not as share capital. Share capital must be properly issued and recorded; otherwise it essentially becomes a sunk cost.

Funds should flow from your IIA, through your company accounts, then to the land seller. Other methods aren't recommended, as they may create issues with the payment trail and future repatriation.

CGT does not usually apply when buying the land. It may apply later if the land is sold at a profit.

Yes — we work closely with your chosen auditors and tax advisors.

Yes — handled through our HR Management service, coordinated with finance.

Monthly management accounts, plus custom reports on demand.

Suitable software based on your requirements and business; we can also work with records from common systems such as QuickBooks and Xero.

Yes — we file APIT/WHT/VAT/SSCL/SD and all other relevant IRD returns, and we provide tax consultancy.

Currently LKR 60m per annum and LKR 15m per quarter, whichever occurs first. In the near future this will reduce to LKR 36m per annum and LKR 9m per quarter.

A minimum of five years from the date of each transaction. If you send daily/weekly/monthly reports to us, we can store those on your behalf.

Financial, market, and operational feasibility for new ventures, product launches, and expansion plans.

Yes — business plans and research for investor pitches and funding applications.

Feasibility study: 2–3 weeks. Comprehensive business plan: 3–4 weeks.

Yes — scope and presentation can be tailored to banks, investors, shareholders, government institutions, or internal management.

Yes — structured proposals with financial forecasts, cash-flow projections, repayment analysis, business information, and proposed use of funds.

Yes — client information, financial data, and project details are confidential and used only for the agreed purpose.

Yes — from small teams to large organisations, with full accuracy and compliance, across permanent, temporary, part-time, contract, and hourly-paid employees.

Yes — we advise on disputes, grievances, and terminations under local labour law.

Yes — job descriptions, candidate screening, and onboarding, working closely with your team.

Yes — personal development plans, KPI frameworks, and coordination with specialist training partners.

Yes — one-off company EPF registration and employee registrations.

Most Pte Ltd incorporations are approved within 1–5 business days by ACRA, once KYC, due diligence, onboarding, and incorporation documents are signed and in order. ACRA may occasionally refer an application for additional review, extending the timeline.

Yes — at least one director must be ordinarily resident in Singapore (citizen, permanent resident, or eligible pass holder). We can provide nominee director services where needed.

A minimum of SGD 1, though most operating companies start higher to reflect working capital, licensing, or banking requirements.

Yes — Singapore places no restriction on foreign shareholding; a Pte Ltd can be entirely foreign-owned. The local-resident requirement applies only to the director and company secretary roles, not shareholders.

No — incorporation can be completed entirely remotely. Corporate bank account opening may sometimes require an in-person visit or video verification, depending on the bank.

Yes — every Singapore company must appoint a qualified company secretary within 6 months of incorporation, and the secretary must be ordinarily resident in Singapore.

File an Annual Return with ACRA (generally within 7 months of financial year-end), hold an AGM or formally dispense with it under the Companies Act, and file a corporate tax return with IRAS. We manage this full cycle.

Yes — we audit existing records, bring everything current, and continue seamlessly.

Yes — both as add-ons and in bundled packages (EGM Bundle).

Share transfer forms, agreements, and IRAS e-stamping are covered as add-ons.

Yes — available as a one-time add-on.

We run a compliance health check, identify outstanding filings, and bring the company back into good standing with ACRA before taking over ongoing CoSec.

By monthly transaction volume: Tier 1 up to 250, Tier 2 up to 500, Tier 3 up to 1,000 — re-tiered annually.

Yes. Threshold registration is mandatory when annual turnover exceeds SGD 1 million; voluntary registration is available below the threshold (e.g. to reclaim input GST). We manage GST returns quarterly with IRAS.

Yes — full corporate tax compliance: ECI (Estimated Chargeable Income), Form C-S (corporate income tax return), and statutory accounts.

Yes — quarterly and interim financial statements are available as an add-on (full financial position reports and income statements).

Yes. If your company meets the audit threshold or an audit is mandatory, we manage the full process or connect you with our audit partners, prepare audited statements, and manage ACRA compliance.

Missing deadlines can result in ACRA/IRAS penalties. We maintain a filing calendar and reminders, alert you if a deadline is at risk, and file late if necessary — it's better to file late than not at all.

It depends on activity, residency needs, and budget (e.g. IFZA, RAKEZ, Ajman Free Zone) — each has strengths; we advise on your use case.

Yes — residency coordination is part of the CoSec Tier.

Free Zone companies offer 100% foreign ownership, fast setup, and visa quotas, but are generally restricted from trading directly in the UAE market without a local distributor or branch. Mainland companies can trade across the UAE and contract directly with government entities.

Yes — Corporate Tax registration with the FTA is mandatory for all UAE companies, including free zone entities, regardless of whether you expect to owe tax. We handle this as part of incorporation.

Visa allocation depends on the free zone, licence package, and office/flexi-desk size; we confirm your quota once your free zone and package are chosen.

Tier 1 is baseline statutory governance; Tier 2 adds residency, trade-licence upgrades, tax/VAT registration, and bank operations support.

Tier 2 includes hands-on support; a standalone "Bank Account & Card Services" option is also an add-on. We work closely with WIO Bank and Mashreq Bank.

Anywhere from 3–7 working days to a few weeks, depending on the bank, your activity, documentation, and the KYC/compliance review.

Banks may, case by case, require one for compliance and correspondence. It need not be in your name — it may be a friend's or relative's address with a confirmation letter stating you reside with them.

Yes, though requirements vary by bank/provider and depend on your activity, expected volume, and compliance checks. A physical business address may be required; the Free Zone's registered address is virtual and may not be accepted.

Long enough to complete the medical test, Emirates ID biometrics, and visa processing — about 7–10 business days (subject to immigration approval).

Once you have UAE residency, you must not remain outside the UAE for more than 180 consecutive days, or the visa may become invalid (you'd generally need a re-entry permit before returning).

Usually via a share transfer or company amendment, followed by updating the Free Zone, bank, and company records.

Tier 1 up to 250, Tier 2 250–500, Tier 3 500–1,000 transactions; re-tiered annually.

Yes — Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet), Statement of Profit or Loss (Income Statement), Cash Flow Statement, and Notes to Financial Statements.

Yes — full VAT support. VAT registration is mandatory when annual turnover exceeds AED 375,000 (AED 187,500 for voluntary registration).

UAE Corporate Income Tax is effective from 1 January 2023: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000, and 9% above AED 375,000.

We provide audit coordination services and work with qualified auditors, and can support free zone audit requirements — managing the process and ensuring timely audited statements.

We help set up hourly tax consultation with a third-party consultant; let us know to reserve a session and our team will reach out.

A standard private limited company usually takes 2–4 business days for Companies House approval, once KYC, documentation, and incorporation forms are completed and in order.

No — UK company law doesn't require directors to be UK residents, but every company must maintain a registered office address in the UK.

Yes — available as an add-on service at an extra cost.

International House, 64 Nile Street, London, England N1 7SR · +44 7807 854544.

An annual confirmation statement and accounts filed with Companies House, plus a Corporation Tax return filed with HMRC.

Yes — confirmation statements and PSC register maintenance are core.

Yes — share transfer documentation and HMRC stamp duty filings.

Yes — we handle transitions regularly.

Tier 1 up to 250, Tier 2 250–500, Tier 3 500–1,000; re-tiered annually.

Yes — full statutory accounts (Statement of Financial Position, Profit & Loss, Notes, and Directors' Report where required), filed with Companies House under UK standards (FRS 102 or the micro-entities regime).

Yes. If your company is dormant (no significant accounting transactions), simplified dormant accounts can be filed with Companies House. We advise if you qualify and prepare the filings.

19% on small company profits, with reliefs and allowances available.

Yes — all limited companies must file with HMRC online, even with no profit or expected tax liability.

Registration is mandatory when annual taxable turnover exceeds £90,000; voluntary registration is available below this. Once registered, you account for VAT quarterly and file returns with HMRC.

Most small companies are exempt if they meet the small-company thresholds: turnover ≤ £10.2m, balance sheet total ≤ £5.1m, employees ≤ 50.