COMPLIANCE

Company Registration

Get your business registered and stay compliant with CIPC, done properly, done online, without the queues.

From R990 · Typically 3 to 7 working days end to end, depending on CIPC turnaround and how quickly we get your documents.

What company registration actually is

Registering a company means creating a separate legal entity, a (Pty) Ltd, that exists independently of you. It can open its own bank account, sign its own contracts, own assets, employ people and be held responsible for its own debts. That separation is the whole point: it protects you personally and it makes your business credible to banks, landlords, insurers and corporate clients.

The registration itself happens through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). The process is entirely online, and we handle every step of it for you, from reserving your name to delivering your registration certificate, MOI and share certificates.

Registration is the start, not the finish

Where most new business owners get caught out is what comes after. A registered company has ongoing obligations: an annual return to CIPC every year, a Beneficial Ownership declaration, and tax registration with SARS. Miss the annual return for long enough and CIPC will place your company in deregistration, which means losing your bank account, your contracts and your standing with clients.

We keep track of those dates for you and file on time, so your company stays in good standing without you having to think about it.

What's included

Included 01

Company Registration

Included 02

Annual Returns

File your CIPC annual returns on time, every year, keeping your company in good standing.

Included 03

Beneficial Ownership

File your Beneficial Ownership declaration with CIPC as now required by law.

Included 04

Foreigner Assurance

Support for foreign nationals to register and run a company in South Africa with confidence.

Why it matters

What this does for your business.

Bank accounts and contracts

Most banks, landlords and corporate clients won't deal with an unregistered business. A Pty Ltd opens those doors.

Limited liability

Your personal assets are legally separated from the business, so a bad month doesn't put your house at risk.

Tender and supplier eligibility

Government and corporate tenders require CIPC registration, a tax number and often BEE and CSD registration.

Credibility

Clients take a registered company more seriously than a name on a WhatsApp status.

Who it's for

Is this you?

First-time founders who need a registered company to open a bank account or sign contracts
Sole traders formalising an existing business
Tender applicants who need CIPC documents and a tax number
Foreign nationals setting up a South African entity
Established companies behind on annual returns or beneficial ownership

Come prepared

What we'll need.

Certified copy of ID or passport for every director
Contact number and email for every director
Up to four proposed company names, in order of preference
Residential and business address
Whether you need a tax number registered at the same time

The process

How this one runs.

Name reservation

We submit up to four names to CIPC and reserve the first one available. Usually 1 to 3 working days.

Registration filing

We file the registration with CIPC with your director details and MOI.

Documents issued

You receive your registration certificate (COR 14.3), MOI and share certificates.

Tax and extras

We assist with SARS income tax registration and, if you need it, beneficial ownership filing.

Pricing

What it costs.

Company Registration (Pty) LtdR990

Annual ReturnsFrom R650

Beneficial Ownership DeclarationR450

Foreigner AssuranceR990

Business Startup BundleR1,490

CIPC fees are included in the prices above. We don't add surprise disbursements at the end.

Build a full quote

Frequently asked

Everything worth knowing before you work with us.

01Can I register a company if I'm not a South African citizen?

Yes. Foreign nationals can own and direct a South African company. You'll need a valid passport and a South African address for the registered office. Our Foreigner Assurance service handles the extra CIPC requirements that apply to non-residents.

02What if all my company names are rejected?

It happens more often than people expect. CIPC rejects names that are too similar to existing companies or that use restricted words. We resubmit at no extra cost, you just send us four fresh options.

03Do I need to file annual returns even if I made no money?

Yes. Every registered company must file an annual return with CIPC each year, regardless of turnover or trading activity. Miss it long enough and CIPC will deregister the company.

04What is a Beneficial Ownership declaration?

Since 2023 CIPC requires every company to declare the natural people who ultimately own or control it. It's a separate annual filing from your annual return, and non-compliance carries penalties.

More from the studio

ENGINEERING

Included free

A free FNB business account with every registration.

Register your company with us and we will set you up with a complimentary FNB Gold Business Account. You get business banking from day one, so you can invoice clients, accept payments and keep business money separate from personal money straight away.