Singapore Industry-Specific Company Setup & Business Licenses Guide

Company name check
Check if your desired company name is available using our free name checker.

Incorporation
After confirming that your ideal name is available, next step is to incorporate and register your company with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Set up a business office
Get started on setting up your business office, or if your company does not require a physical office, you can consider having a virtual office in Singapore.

Apply for licenses (if any)
Some businesses require additional business licenses before you can start operating. Find out more about licenses here.

Select License – requirement to apply for this license if your employment agency does placement for local or foreign candidates who monthly base salaries are upwards of SGD7,000

Comprehensive License – to apply if you do not qualify for the Select License

File and submit an application to the Ministry of Manpower

Processing takes about 1-3 weeks

Notification through email if approved, along with an in-principle approval (IPA) letter attached

Submission of these documents to obtain the Employment Agency license:

• Security bond
• Copies of ID/ Employment Pass
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Latest copy of your agency’s business profile from ACRA
• Copy of the IPA letter
• Copy of certificate which states that you have passed the Certificate for Employment Intermediaries (CEI) course
• Completed checklist form
• Any additional document requested in your IPA letter

IN Permit – required to apply before the goods are imported into Singapore

OUT Permit – required to apply:

• Before the goods are exported out of Singapore (if goods are transported via road or rail)
• Within 3 days of exports (if goods are transported via air or sea)
• Before exporting any goods that were previously imported under the Temporary Import Scheme; or
• Before exporting any goods under the Temporary Import Scheme

Permit for controlled goods – for import or export of controlled goods

Import Certificate and Delivery Verification – for import of high-technology goods

License for strategic goods – for export/ trans-shipment/ transit of strategic goods

Certificate of origin – for export of local goods

• Ordinary Certificate of Origin – certifies that the products being exported are wholly obtained, produced, or manufactured in Singapore
• Preferential Certificate of Origin – enable buyers to claim preferential tariff treatment when they import goods under one of the Free Trade Agreements or Schemes of Preference

Must be a registered entity with ACRA

Must have a Key Executive Officer (KEO) who satisfies the requirements of the Estate Agents Act and Regulations (as below)

Must not hold a moneylender’s license

None of the estate agent’s directors or partners or sole-proprietor or KEO hold a moneylender’s license, or are an employee, director, or partner of a licensed moneylender

The estate agent’s KEO and all directors or partners or persons responsible for the management must fulfil the fit and proper criteria under the Estate Agents Act.

CEA shall determine if the person is fit and proper for registration after considering all relevant facts and matters. In the circumstances listed below, a person shall not be fit and proper for registration, unless CEA determines otherwise:

• Where the person has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or fraud, or any offence under the Estate Agents Act
• Where the person has had a judgment entered against him / her in civil proceedings that involve a finding of fraud, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duties on his / her part
• Where the person is an undischarged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his / her creditors
• Where CEA takes the view that a person is not fit and proper after considering any other relevant facts or matters

Have a minimum of 4 GCE ‘O’ Levels passes or equivalent

Possess a pass in the Real Estate Agency (REA) examination in the 2 years immediately before the application for a license

Be a sole-proprietor, director or partner of the estate agent

Have at least 3 years’ experience in estate agency work

Have concluded at least 30 transactions in the last 3 years as or on behalf of a licensed estate agent or have at least 3 years of experience in managing the business of a licensed estate agent as an executive director, a chief executive, key executive, key executive officer, partner or sole proprietor