Travel agents who intend to sell, arrange or advertise only tours within Singapore, that provide conveyance to participants but without any right of accommodation (e.g. sit-in coach tours) can apply for a Niche licence. The Niche Licence has lower minimum capital requirements of SGD50,000.

Travel agents conducting any other activity beyond what is described in the scope of a Niche Licence should apply for a General Licence. The General Licence has minimum capital requirements of SGD100,000.

Incorporate a Singapore company with ACRA. The company must be registered under the Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes of 79101 for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (Main Inbound), 79102 for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (Main Outbound) or 79103 for Ticketing Agencies (including Airline, Tour Bus and Cruise Ship).

The company must have a minimum paid-up capital of SGD50,000 (for Niche Licence) or SGD100,000 (for General Licence), and a net value of the same amount.

The company must nominate a suitable person for the position of key executive. A key executive is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operations of the travel agency. He/she should preferably be a director of the business (as listed in ACRA) and have managerial experience in the travel business. He/she must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, Employment Pass or EntrePass holder.

The company should set up an e-mail address specifically for the operation of travel agency business.

All directors, executives and managerial staff of the entity must be persons of good character and fame. The company may be required to produce satisfactory evidence to support such requirements.

The company must set up an office (e.g. home office scheme, commercial office) to be used for the conduct of the travel agency business. You may apply for the licence without an office premises first and seek STB’s pre-approval. Confirmation of the office premises must be submitted within 3 months of the pre-approval.

• Latest business profile of the company which purchased from ACRA;
• Business Activities and Market Specialisation Form;
• Business Plan/Business Model which provide a comprehensive write-up of your travel agent business;
• Resume of the Key Executive (including previous employment, experience and qualification(s));
• Front and Back copy of the Key Executive’s National Registration Identity Card (“NRIC”), Employment Pass Card or EntrePass Card;
• Director Resolution on the appointment of the Key Executive, (printed on company’s letterhead and signed by all directors);
• Key Executive Letter of Employment and Business Entity’s Organisation Chart (only for non-ACRA listed directors);
• Tenancy agreement and Certificate of Stamp Duty of the premises (ensure that the copy shows the address that has been approved and to be used as office);
• Approval from HDB/URA Home Office Scheme (for home office only);
• Credit Bureau Singapore report (for sole-proprietor/partners);
• Latest bank statements reflecting the injection of the paid-up capital. It should also reflect the company name and amount clearly; and
• The latest set of management accounts (both Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement) will be required for business entities incorporated for more than 18 months including entities with dormant status.