On 9 May 2026, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) migrated every registered Singapore business entity from SSIC 2020 to the updated SSIC 2025 framework. If you have not checked your company’s SSIC code since then, now is the time — because your code may have changed, and an inaccurate code carries real consequences for grant eligibility, tax classification, and manpower quota administration.
This guide explains what changed, how to verify your current code on Bizfile, what to do if the auto-assigned code is wrong, and why accuracy matters.
What Is an SSIC Code and Why Does It Matter?
The Singapore Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code is a five-digit number that categorises the primary business activity of your company. It is assigned when you incorporate and appears on your Bizfile company profile. ACRA uses it to classify industries for regulatory and statistical purposes — but it also flows downstream to government systems that determine grant eligibility, MOM manpower quota categories, and IRAS sector classification.
For most companies, the code stays in the background until something goes wrong — such as a grant application being rejected because the business activity does not match the applicant’s registered SSIC code. Getting it right matters.
What Changed on 9 May 2026?
ACRA adopted SSIC 2025 with effect from 9 May 2026. Under this update, over 1,500 codes were revised, renumbered, or redefined. Specifically:
- 58 SSIC 2020 codes were renumbered under the new framework
- 58 SSIC 2020 codes were removed entirely
- 26 new codes were added for activities that previously had no dedicated classification — including emerging areas in fintech, health technology, green energy, and platform-based businesses
ACRA automatically mapped every entity’s SSIC 2020 code to the nearest SSIC 2025 equivalent using official correspondence tables. The migration happened automatically — you did not need to do anything for it to occur. However, automatic mapping is not always precise. Some companies may now find that their auto-assigned code no longer accurately reflects what they actually do.
Which Sectors Saw the Most Significant Code Changes?
Technology, Fintech, and Platform Businesses
SSIC 2025 introduced dedicated codes for activities that were poorly classified under SSIC 2020. Companies in fintech, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and platform-based models (marketplace operators, gig economy platforms, SaaS businesses) are among those most likely to have received a different or newly-split code. If your company was previously under “computer programming” or “software publishing,” check carefully — the new framework is more granular.
Health Technology and Medical Devices
Health technology companies — especially those at the intersection of software and healthcare — have been reclassified under revised codes. Activities previously grouped under broad software or consulting classifications may now sit under health-specific SSIC 2025 categories. This is relevant for digital health platforms, medical AI developers, and telehealth services.
Green Energy and Sustainability Services
SSIC 2025 adds new codes for sustainability consulting, carbon services, clean energy systems installation, and environmental technology — activities that were previously grouped under generic engineering or consulting codes. If your business operates in this space, a more accurate and sector-specific code may now be available.
Traditional Sectors
Companies in retail, F&B, construction, and general trading generally had simpler migrations — many codes were renumbered but not substantively changed. It is still worth checking, however, especially for businesses that straddle multiple activities.
How to Check Your Current SSIC Code on Bizfile
Verifying your SSIC code takes less than five minutes:
- Go to www.bizfile.gov.sg
- Search for your company by UEN or name
- View the company profile — your SSIC code and its description appear under “Principal Activities”
- Compare the description against what your company actually does today
If the description does not accurately reflect your primary business activity — or if you have expanded or changed your business since incorporation — you should update the code. According to ACRA’s guidance on updating entity information, companies must keep their registered particulars accurate and up to date.
How to File a Correction
If your SSIC code was incorrectly auto-migrated, file a correction as soon as possible. The recommended window was 14 days from the migration date (9 May 2026), but the obligation to maintain accurate registered particulars is ongoing. An inaccurate SSIC code is a registered particulars discrepancy, not just an administrative oversight.
To update your SSIC code:
- Log in to Bizfile using Singpass
- Select your company
- Go to “Make Changes to Company/Entity”
- Select “Change of Business Activities”
- Search the SSIC 2025 directory for the correct code
- Select up to two activities (primary and secondary)
- Pay the applicable government fee and submit
Your corporate secretary can handle this on your behalf as part of routine company compliance.
Why SSIC Accuracy Has Real Financial Stakes
Grant Eligibility
Singapore’s major business grants — including the EDG, PSG, and MRA (which are being consolidated into the EDGE programme in the second half of 2026) — use SSIC codes as an eligibility filter. Some grants are sector-restricted. If your SSIC code places you in an excluded or unrelated sector, your application may be rejected or flagged for additional scrutiny. Correcting your code before applying can save significant time.
MOM Manpower Quota
MOM uses SSIC codes when administering sector-specific Dependency Ratio Ceilings (DRC) and S Pass sub-quotas. Certain sectors have more favourable quota ratios. If your code was auto-migrated to a less favourable sector classification, it may affect your foreign worker quota headroom — particularly if you are in construction, F&B, retail, or manufacturing.
IRAS Classification and Tax Treatment
IRAS uses SSIC codes for statistical and audit-targeting purposes. Certain tax incentives and industry development schemes administered by EDB and other agencies also use SSIC codes as part of their eligibility criteria. Having the correct code ensures you are classified in the right sector for tax purposes.
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
Some regulated activities in Singapore require a specific SSIC code to accompany the relevant licence. A mismatch between your SSIC code and your licensed activity can trigger compliance queries during audits or licence renewal applications. If you need legal advice on your compliance obligations, we can point you in the right direction.
A Broader Reminder: Is Your SSIC Code Actually Correct?
The SSIC 2025 migration is also a timely prompt to consider whether your company’s code has ever accurately reflected your business — especially if you have pivoted, expanded, or diversified since incorporation. Many companies that incorporated under a broad category (such as “management consultancy” or “wholesale trade”) have since moved into a specific activity that now has its own dedicated SSIC 2025 code. Updating to a more accurate code can improve your grant eligibility and regulatory standing.
For the latest Singapore business news and regulatory updates, there are useful resources available for directors and business owners.
Get Help from Raffles Corporate Services
If you are unsure whether your company’s SSIC code is accurate after the SSIC 2025 migration, Raffles Corporate Services can review your current code and advise on any necessary corrections. We handle Bizfile transactions and corporate secretarial matters routinely and can also assess whether an updated code would improve your eligibility for grants such as the PSG, EDG, or MRA.
To speak with the team at Raffles Corporate Services, you can email [email protected] or call, SMS, or WhatsApp +65 8501 7133. We are happy to assist with any queries.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services
Leave A Comment