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Step-by-Step Guide 9 December 2025 5 min read

GIRO Setup Guide

GIRO (General Interbank Recurring Order) is an electronic direct debit mechanism used for receiving grant payouts. If you're applying for grants like PSG, EDG, EEG, or MRA, you'll need either PayNow Corporate or GIRO set up to receive disbursements. Most grant recipients prefer PayNow Corporate (faster, ~14 working days), but GIRO is a reliable alternative if PayNow isn't available or if you have special account requirements (joint accounts, IPC, Associations).

Verified 16 March 2026
In this guide

GIRO is the fallback payout method for Singapore government grant disbursements, taking up to 8 weeks but supporting all banks and special account types.

Most grant recipients prefer PayNow Corporate (faster, ~14 working days), but GIRO is a reliable alternative if PayNow isn’t available or if you have special account requirements.

Quick Setup Path

  1. Confirm which grant you’re applying for (setup process varies by grant).
  2. Gather your bank account details (account number, bank name, account holder name matching ACRA registration).
  3. Submit GIRO setup via the appropriate channel (FormSG for PSG/MRA, or BGP for EDG).
  4. Wait for processing (up to 8 weeks for setup and disbursement after claim approval).
  5. Ensure account details match your ACRA-registered business name.

What You Need

  • Bank account number and bank name
  • Account holder name (must match your ACRA-registered business name)
  • UEN (Unique Entity Number)
  • Business registration details from ACRA
  • For special cases: DCA (Direct Credit Authorisation) form and declaration form

Standard Setup Process

The setup process is the same for all grants; only the submission channel differs:

  1. Gather your bank account details (account number, bank name, account holder name).
  2. Ensure account details match your ACRA-registered business name.
  3. Submit via the appropriate channel for your grant:
  4. Wait for processing (disbursement takes up to 8 weeks after claim approval).

Special Cases

The following scenarios require additional documentation (DCA form and declaration form) submitted via EnterpriseSG GIRO Form:

  • Non-standard banks: Your account is not from OCBC, DBS, POSB, or UOB
  • Joint accounts: Your account is a Joint Bank Account under Partnership or Limited Partnership legal structure
  • IPC/Associations: Your company falls under Institutes of Public Character or Associations

For these cases:

  1. Download and complete the DCA (Direct Credit Authorisation) form.
  2. Complete the declaration form.
  3. Submit both forms via the EnterpriseSG GIRO Form link above.
  4. Allow additional processing time.

Timing & Expectations

Setup timeline:

  • GIRO setup typically takes several weeks to process
  • You can submit setup while your grant application is in progress
  • Complete setup before submitting your claim to avoid delays

Disbursement timeline:

  • After claim approval: up to 8 weeks for GIRO disbursement
  • PayNow Corporate alternative: ~14 working days (faster option)

Important: In the event that no PayNow Corporate or GIRO has been set up, grant disbursement cannot be processed. Set up your payout method before submitting claims.

Troubleshooting

  1. “Account details don’t match ACRA registration”. Ensure your bank account holder name exactly matches your ACRA-registered business name. Update your bank account if needed, or contact your bank to verify the registered name.

  2. “GIRO setup not processed after several weeks”. Check that you submitted via the correct channel for your grant (FormSG for PSG/MRA, BGP for EDG). Contact EnterpriseSG support if setup is delayed beyond 8 weeks.

  3. “Special case - need DCA form”. If your account is from a non-standard bank, is a joint account under Partnership/Limited Partnership, or your company is an IPC/Association, you must submit the DCA form and declaration via the EnterpriseSG GIRO Form.

  4. “Can’t find the GIRO setup option on BGP”. For EDG, GIRO details are entered directly in the claim submission form on BGP, not as a separate setup step. For PSG and MRA, use the FormSG links provided.

  5. “Want to switch from GIRO to PayNow Corporate”. You can set up PayNow Corporate instead (faster disbursement). Update your payout preference on BGP when submitting claims, or contact EnterpriseSG to change your preference.

  6. “Disbursement delayed beyond 8 weeks”. Contact EnterpriseSG support with your grant reference number and claim details. Verify that your GIRO setup was completed successfully and that account details are correct.

Grants That Use GIRO

Most grants submitted through the Business Grants Portal (BGP) accept GIRO as a payout method:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I choose GIRO over PayNow Corporate?

GIRO supports all banks and special account types (joint accounts, IPC, Associations) that PayNow Corporate cannot handle. If your account is not from OCBC, DBS, POSB, or UOB, GIRO is your only option.

How long does GIRO setup take?

GIRO setup typically takes several weeks to process. Plan ahead and complete setup before submitting your grant claim to avoid delays.

Is GIRO setup different for each grant?

The process is the same, but the submission channel differs: use FormSG for PSG and MRA, or enter details directly in the BGP claim form for EDG.

Can I switch from GIRO to PayNow Corporate later?

Yes, if your bank account is from OCBC, DBS, POSB, or UOB. Set up PayNow Corporate with your bank and update your payout preference on BGP when submitting future claims.

What extra documents do I need for special cases?

Non-standard banks, joint accounts (Partnership/Limited Partnership), and IPC/Associations require a DCA (Direct Credit Authorisation) form and declaration form, submitted via the EnterpriseSG GIRO Form.

Glossary

For common grant terms and acronyms, see: Singapore Grants Glossary

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