travel agency licence singapore

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Travel Agent Licence

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Singapore Tourism Board (STB)

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Application Details

There are 2 types of travel agent licences:

• Niche Licence Under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017, a Niche licence is a licence that is subject to a condition restricting the licensee granted the licence to supply only tours within Singapore without any right of accommodation. An example of such a tour is a sit-in coach day tour. The Niche licence has minimum financial requirements of $50,000.
• General Licence Under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017, a General licence is a licence that is not a Niche licence, i.e. it is a licence for travel agents conducting any other activity beyond what is described in the scope of a Niche licence. The General licence has minimum financial requirements of $100,000.

You can visit the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) website for more information.

• Do I need to apply for this licence? You will need to apply for a travel agent's licence with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) if your business falls within Section 4 of the Travel Agents Act (Cap. 334): i. supplying any person a right to travel on any conveyance ii. supplying any person - a right to travel on any conveyance to; and - a right of accommodation at a hotel or similar boarding premises at, one or more places, whether in Singapore or elsewhere iii. purchasing, or reserving, for resale to a person a right to travel on any conveyance iv. supplying any tour (whether or not organised by the person) to any other person; or v. such other similar activity as may be prescribed. The term "supply", in relation to a travel product, includes the sale, or arranging for the provision, of the travel product. Despite the above, a person does not carry on the business of a travel agent if: - For the activity mentioned in (a), the person carries on the activity only in respect of a conveyance the person owns; - For the activities mentioned in (a) or (c), the person carries on the activity only in respect of a conveyance that is: - used for a regular route service within the meaning of the Bus Services Industry Act 2015 (Act 30 of 2015); or - used for a community bus service or courtesy bus service, within the meaning of the Bus Services Industry Act 2015, and that travels only within Singapore; or - used for a train service within the meaning of the Public Transport Council Act (Cap. 259B); - For the activity mentioned in (b), the person carries on the activity only in respect of: - a conveyance the person owns; and - a hotel or similar boarding premises the person owns or operates; - For the activity mentioned in (d), the person carries on the activity only in respect of any place or point of interest that the person owns or operates. - The person supplies a tour where participants only visit places or points of interest within Singapore and where: - the person does not provide any conveyance to the participants of the tour (e.g. walking tours); or - every participant is required to contribute to the movement of the conveyance provided (e.g. cycling tours); - The person supplies a right to travel on any conveyance only within Singapore and does not carry on a business of supplying any tour. - The person supplies services to a licensee for the purposes of a tour. Additionally, the following entities do not require a travel agent licence: - Government and statutory boards - Institutions of a Public Character Under Section 6 of the Travel Agents Act (Cap. 334), a person must not carry on the business of a travel agent unless the person is authorised to do so by a licence. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with this requirement shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both. You can visit the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) website to download a copy of the Travel Agents Act (Cap. 334) and Regulations (Cap. 334, Rg 1).
• What conditions do I need to fulfil? Before proceeding to apply for a Travel Agent's licence, you are required to fulfil the following conditions: - Register the business with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). - To apply for a travel agent licence, the business must meet the minimum financial requirements of S$50,000 (for Niche Licences) or S$100,000 (for General Licences). - 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. - Open a corporate bank account under the business entity's name. - The latest bank statement reflecting the injection of the paid-up capital will be required. - Set up an e-mail address specifically for the operation of your travel agency business. - All applicants must nominate a suitable person as the Key Executive. The Key Executive is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operations of the travel agent. He/Sheshould preferably be a director of the business and/or have managerial experience in the travel business. - Directors' Resolution on the appointment of the Key Executive will be required. The Directors' Resolution must be printed on the business entity's letter head and signed by more than 50% of all directors if the entity has two or more directors. - A front and back copy of the Key Executive's identification card (e.g. NRIC, Employment Pass) will be required. - A copy of the Key Executive's Resume, including previous employment, experience and qualification(s), will be required. - Specify an office (e.g. home office scheme, commercial office) to be used for the conduct of the travel agency business. You may apply 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. - Sole-proprietors/partnerships are also required to submit their latest credit report.
• How to apply? Applications for a travel agent licence must be made online via the Travel Agents & Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) website . An application fee of $200 is payable. You may save a draft at any point of time during the application. All saved drafts will expire after 90 days.
• How soon can my application be processed? Each application will take approximately one to two weeks to process upon submission of complete supporting documents.
• How much is the license fee? A licence fee of $400 is payable upon approval of the licence application.
• Who can I contact for further details? For enquiries on licensing matters, please contact us at STB_TA . You may also wish to refer to the User Guide on Travel Agent Licence Application via the Travel Agents & Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) website .
• What are the roles and duties of a Key Executive? Q. The Key Executive is responsible for the proper administration and management of the affairs of the travel agency. The Key Executive must also be contactable at all times.
• What are the criteria a Key Executive has to fulfil? The KE should be a Singaporean, Permanent Resident or a foreigner holding a valid employment pass (employment pass of minimum one year validity period is required if the Key Executive is a foreigner).The KE should preferably be a director of the company. Otherwise, he/she should have at least one year of managerial experience and be familiar with the travel business.The proposed Key Executive must submit his/her curriculum vitaeto STB for assessment and approval.
• Am I required to have an office premise for my business prior to my licence application? No, you are not required to secure an office premise at the time of applying your licence. You will be notified to locate a suitable office once your licence application has been approved in-principle.
• If my application is granted in-principle approval, can I start to operate my business? No. You are not allowed to commence business until STB grants final approval to your application.

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Travel Agent License in Singapore

Introduction.

T ravel agencies belong to the category of business activities that require a license since their operations can affect the health and well-being of consumers. The applicable license is issued by the respective government body — Singapore’s Tourism Board. It grants the company permission to conduct the regulated travel-related activities in Singapore. The licensing requirements are designed to ensure that travel agencies provide honest information and services to their customers.

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After you have incorporated your company in Singapore (see also how to register a Singapore company ), you must first obtain a travel agency license before commencing the relevant business activities. The licensing procedure in Singapore is simple, fast, and transparent as summarized below in this guide. It includes the following topics:

• Who must obtain a travel agent's license?
• Types of travel agent licenses
• How to obtain a license
• Validity and renewal of the license
• Suspension or revocation of the license

Appeal to the Minister

Who must obtain a travel agent's license.

If a company or a person carries on, advertises, or holds itself out as carrying on any of the following types of activities then that company or person must obtain a travel agent license:

• Supplying any person a right to travel on any conveyance by air, sea or land; or
• Supplying a right to travel to and a right of accommodation at a hotel or similar premises, whether in Singapore or elsewhere; or
• Purchasing, or reserving, for resale to a person a right to travel; or
• Supplying any tour (whether or not organised by the agent) to any other person.

However, you do not need a license if you:

• Supply a right to travel only on a conveyance you own;
• Conduct bus or train services;
• Supply a right to accommodation at a hotel or similar premises you own;
• Supply a tour to a place or point of interest you own or operate.

Furthermore, an employee or agent of the travel agency is not considered to be a travel agent in their own right and such a person does not need to obtain a separate license for conducting the above activities on behalf of his or her employer or agency.

Types of Travel Agent Licenses

Once you determine that your agency requires licensing, you may choose between two types of travel agent licenses, taking into account your planned scope of activities.

• A Niche License permits the holder to sell, arrange or advertise tours only within Singapore, without any right of accommodation. An applicant must have a minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000 and a net value of the same amount to satisfy the minimum financial requirements set by the government.
• A General License permits the holder to conduct any activities beyond what is described in the scope of a Niche Licence. An applicant for such a license must have a minimum paid-up capital and a net value of at least S$100,000.

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How to Obtain a License

Before application.

Prior to applying for the license, your agency must satisfy the following requirements:

• A business with the intention of conducting travel agent activity must be registered with ACRA, Singapore’s registrar of companies.
• The business must have paid-up capital and/or net value in the amount specified above for the type of license that is sought.
• The applicant must appoint an employee who has managerial experience in travel as the key executive officer responsible for the management and operation of the business.
• The applicant should have an office and email address for the purpose of communicating with customers on behalf of the travel agency.
• The applicant and all the managers should be fit and proper persons — they must be of good moral character and repute.

Applying for the license

To obtain a license, submit the completed application to the Singapore Tourism Board, the government body responsible for travel agent licenses, online via the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) . You must also pay an application fee of $200.

Upon receiving the completed application, the Board will consider it. This process normally takes up to 2 weeks, but it can take longer if the Board decides to perform additional checks about the managers.

After this period, you will receive an email with an In-Principle Approval (IPA). This IPA may contain some additional requirements you must fulfill. A typical condition includes submission of the tenancy agreement for the premises where you conduct your travel agency business. After you have addressed these additional conditions and submitted the respective documents, you will receive a final approval letter.

Upon receiving such approval, you must pay a license fee of $400 and collect your license. Also, your agency will be listed in the Travel Agent Directory of Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST).

There are certain grounds upon which the Board may refuse to grant the license or revoke a previously granted license. This can occur if:

• The applicant or its manager is deemed to not be a suitable person to be involved in the operation of the business;
• The applicant is unable to meet the minimum financial requirements;
• The applicant or its manager has previously committed any offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;
• The applicant or its manager has contravened any relevant legislative provision, or any condition of a license, or any code of conduct;
• The application for the grant or renewal of the license contains information that is untrue or misleading;
• All managers are incapable, by reason of illness, infirmity or any other cause, of carrying on this business; or
• The Board considers it in the public interest to do so.

Validity and Renewal of the License

The license is issued for a specific duration, usually 2 years. It usually expires on 31 December of the following year after the issuance of the license, and the travel agency is required to renew it before this date.

To renew the license, the travel agency must fulfil the following requirements:

• Submit Audited Accounts and Annual Business Profile Returns for the preceding 2 years;
• Increase paid-up capital if the net value of the business is below the required $100,000 for General Licenses or $50,000 for Niche Licenses;
• Pay outstanding fines, composition sums and financial penalties;
• Confirm business particulars;
• Provide any other details as required by the Board
• Pay to the Board the license fee of $400.

After the submission of the above, the renewed license in its physical form will be sent to the business’s registered address.

The Board may refuse to renew the license, by invoking any of the refusal grounds described above. Before refusing to renew an application, the Board must notify the applicant and give an opportunity to submit reasons why the application should not be refused.

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Starting a Travel Agency in Singapore

A Travel Agency is a person or a company that arranges and organizes services related to travel and tours. In Singapore, a Travel Agent is any entity that provides travel and tour packages involving travel by air, sea or land. Companies that provide transport only (such as taxi firms or trucks that move goods) are not included in this definition.

Who Needs a Travel Agency License?

• A travel agency licence is required in order to conduct business as a travel agent. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), the government body responsible of issuing the license, has defined a travel agent as providing the following services under Section 4 of the Travel Agent’s Act (Cap 334).
• Sells tickets entitling an individual to travel, or otherwise arranges for a person a right of passage on any conveyance. (A TAL is not required if the conveyance is owned by the company).
• Facilitates a person’s ability to travel by selling or arranging for a fee transport tickets, hotel accommodation and foreign visas to destinations outside and within Singapore. A TAL is not required if the mode of transport and the place of accommodation is owned by the company (for example, a hotel that owns its own transportation).
• Purchases for resale the right of passage on any conveyance.
• Arranges or conducts tours within or outside Singapore.
• Carries out any activity which may be prescribed by the Board.
• Holds itself out as, or advertises that it is, willing to carry on any activity referred to in the previous points.

The above definitions cover companies that provide travel services, excursions, sightseeing, tours (including freelance individuals), tourist services and ticketing agents for airlines, tour buses and cruise ships.

Pre-Requisites for Travel Agency License

Before filling in the application form for a travel agency license in Singapore, you must be aware of the following requirements:

• Company registration – You must first set up a Singapore company with the intention of conducting business as a travel agent. The company must be registered under the Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes of 78211 for Travel Agents And Tour Operators, or 78212 for Ticketing Agencies. For details on how to set up a company, please refer to the Singapore company registration guide .
• Paid-up Capital – The company must have paid-up capital of at least S$100,000.
• Key Executive – The company must appoint an appropriate person for the position of key executive. A key executive is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and his/her appointment must be approved by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The key executive should have the relevant work experience and qualifications to manage the company. He/She must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or employment pass holder.
• Character – The company’s executive and managerial appointments must be of good moral character and fame. Proof, such as police clearance, credit background checks and letters of good conduct from relevant government agencies, may be required at the STB’s discretion.
• Email Address and TRUST – The company must have a website to operate the business. The company must also observe the “Terms and Conditions for the Use of the Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST)”. The TRUST website is a state-sanctioned website that provides relevant information, resources and advice related to the travel industry in Singapore.
• Office Space and Signboard – A Private Limited Company can have multiple business activities aside from just being a licensed travel agent. It is required however, during application to state clear demarcations within the business premises (via floor plan) between the various different businesses of the company (i.e. investment section and travel agency section). An easily visible signboard that reflects the nature your business must be erected. If you are an individual freelance travel agent conducting business from home, in either an HDB flat or private accommodation, you must obtain approval from the Housing Development Board or Urban Redevelopment Authority before the STB will give you your license.

Travel Agency License – Application Procedure

All travel agency license applications are filed online. You must declare any shareholdings in other travel agencies. The application processing time is approximately one to two weeks upon full and complete submission of supporting documents. The authorities will  respond by sending you an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter via postal mail. The approval may take longer if the authorities feel the need to perform background criminal and financial checks on proposed company individuals. The IPA letter may contain certain conditions that you will need to fulfil before the final approval is given for your Singapore travel agency license. A typical condition includes submission of the tenancy agreement for the premises where you intend to conduct travel agency business. The tenancy agreement should be for a period of at least one year. If you own the premises, you need to show proof of ownership. Once you receive your final approval letter, you must collect your Singapore travel agency license in person and pay a license fee.

Rejected Applications

If you have submitted all the necessary documents and accurate information in your travel agency license application, there is no reason for the authorities to reject your application. If, however, you have been rejected on whatever grounds, you may file an appeal within one month of rejection. The review process may take up to two weeks.

The Singapore travel agency license is valid for two years and expires on 31 December of the following year irrespective of the month in which you initially made your application. You must renew your license one month before it expires.

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How to get a travel agency license in Singapore?

A travel agency is a person or business that arranges travel-related services. A travel agent in Singapore is any organization that provides travel and tour packages involving travel by air, sea, or land. When planning to open a travel agency in Singapore, the first step is to choose the structure that will be utilized to provide services. As a result, the travel agency must follow the provisions of the Company Law.

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What is a travel agency?

A travel agency is a person or business that arranges travel-related services. Both the sole proprietorship and the limited liability corporation are appropriate to do a company registration . Most investors, however, prefer limited liability since it provides greater rewards. To establish a travel agency in Singapore as a limited liability business, you must meet the following requirements:

What are the different license types for a travel agency?

Once you have determined whether your agency needs a license or not. You can choose between two types of travel agent licenses:

1. A niche license allows the licensee to sell, arrange or advertise tours only in Singapore, without any accommodation fees. For this, an applicant must have a minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000 and a net worth of the same amount to meet the minimum financial requirements set by the government.

2. A general license allows the licensee to engage in any activity beyond what is described under a niche license. Therefore, the applicant for this license must have a minimum registered capital and net worth of at least S$100,000 .

Who is affected by obtaining a travel agency license?

Firstly, under section 4 of the Travel Industry Act , a business or person must obtain a travel agency license when engaged in, advertises, or holds itself out to be engaged in any of the following types of activities:

Secondly, although in most cases a travel agency license is required, here are some instances in which you will not need a license:

Finally, an employee or agent of the travel agency is not considered a full-fledged travel agent . Therefore, he or she will not need to obtain a separate license to perform the above activities on behalf of his or her employer or agency.

How to obtain a travel agency license?

First, before applying for the travel agency license, your agency must meet the following requirements:

1. A company intending to operate as a travel agent must be registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority .

2. The company must have a paid-up capital and net worth of the amount specified above for the type of license sought.

3. The applicant must appoint an employee with management experience in the travel industry as the senior executive responsible for the business’s management and operation.

4. The applicant must have an office and an e-mail address to communicate with clients on behalf of the travel agency.

5. The applicant and all officers must be fit and proper persons.

Secondly, to obtain a travel agency license, you must submit your completed application to the Singapore Tourism Board, which is the government agency responsible for travel agent licensing. Your application must be made online through the Travel Agent and Tour Guide Licensing System . You will also be required to pay a $200 application fee . Once your application is received, the Commission will review it. This process normally takes up to 2 weeks . Following this time frame, you will get an email with an In-Principle Approval. This approval may contain additional requirements you must meet. After meeting these additional requirements and submitting the respective documents, you will receive a final approval letter. Upon receipt of this approval, you must pay a $400 license fee and pick up your license. In addition, your agency will be listed in the Travel Agent Directory of Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) .

Finally, the Commission may reject to award the license for a variety of reasons. This may occur if:

Is it possible to renew a travel agency license?

Firstly, it is significant to know that the license is issued for a fixed period, generally 2 years . It usually expires on December 31 of the year following the license’s issuance. The travel agency is required to renew it before October 31 to avoid any last-minute rush and to ensure peace of mind that the license is renewed for activities’ continuity.

So, for example, if your current license approval date is December 31, 2021, your license expiration date will be December 31, 2022. Therefore, you will need to renew your license on October 31, 2022. Thus, to renew the license, the travel agency must meet the following requirements:

Then, the renewed license in its physical form will be sent to the registered address of the business. The Board may refuse to renew the license, citing one of the grounds for refusal. Before refusing to renew an application, the Board must notify the applicant and provide an opportunity to submit reasons why the application should not be refused.

When a license can be suspended or revoked?

First, the Board may suspend the license for up to 6 months or permanently revoke it if:

ℹ️  In certain situations, if a violation has not been committed, a penalty of up to $2,000 may be imposed instead of suspension or revocation.

Secondly, before suspending or revoking the license or imposing a financial penalty, the Commission must notify the licensee and allow him to submit reasons, within 14 days of such notice.

Finally, during the suspension period, you must not engage in any new activities, except for the performance of obligations to provide a travel product was incurred before the beginning of the suspension.

What can you do if you disagree with the Board's decision?

If you disagree with the Board’s decision, you may appeal any of the following Board decisions:

1. Refuse to grant or renew the license.

2. Modify, revoke, or impose a condition.

3. Suspend or revoke the license.

4. Requiring a financial penalty.

This appeal must be submitted to the Minister of Trade and Industry within 14 days of the mailing of the relevant notice. The Minister may decide on an appeal by confirming, amending, or reversing the decision of the Board or by requiring the Board to reconsider its decision . The Minister’s decision on appeal is final and the appellant will be notified. It is significant to note that all information submitted to the Commission must be true, and a person who knowingly provides false or misleading information to the Commission is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 .

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Setting Up a Travel Agency in Singapore

Setting up a travel agency in Singapore can be a good idea this year. With the recent opening of borders across international destinations, the tourism industry has been brought back to life, if not even bigger scale with the help of social media. If you wish to start a travel agency in Singapore, but aren't certain what steps to take, then you're not alone.

Starting a business can be overwhelming, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the process. However, the right information and tools will make it easier to begin your travel agency quicker than anticipated.

Why Singapore?

Being the most thriving business hub located in the heart of Southeast Asia, and it offers a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to open a travel agency. With its modern infrastructure, vibrant culture, and sophisticated tourism industry, Singapore is an ideal destination for those seeking to establish a successful travel agency.

The first major advantage of opening a travel agency in Singapore is its strategic geographic location. Situated at the crossroads of East and Southeast Asia, this city-state has a population of 5.6 million people and covers an area of 710 square kilometers with bustling cities located at north, leisure or entertainment districts at south respectively. Its unique and vibrant culture has in turn attracted tourists from all around the world flock to the city for their world-class attractions, such as the Singapore Zoo and Universal Studios Singapore, and not to mention the state-of-art landmark Marina Bay Sands.

Singapore is a gateway to a wealth of destinations, from nearby Southeast Asian countries to further afield places like India and China. This makes it easy to organise tours and packages to a variety of destinations, giving travel agencies an advantage when it comes to meeting customer needs.

Moreover, Singapore is one of the most developed countries in the region, with a modern infrastructure that supports business operations. This includes a reliable transportation network, excellent telecommunications and internet access, and a comprehensive banking system. These features make it easy to operate a travel agency efficiently and effectively, and they also make it attractive for potential customers.

On top of that, the government is making it easier for entrepreneurs to start new businesses in Singapore by streamlining the licensing process and reducing red tape.

Travel Agency Licensing Requirements

In general, a person or business that intends to supply any person or tour a right to travel on any conveyance (land, sea or air) and/or a right of accommodation will be required to possess a Travel Agent (TA) license, under Section 4 of the Travel Agents Act (Cap. 334).

A travel agency license is required if you wish to conduct the following activities:

• Selling or arranging for travel services on behalf of a third party
• Selling air tickets, hotel accommodation and cruise bookings
• Providing information on travel destinations, fares and schedules

Certain exemptions only apply where any of the acts described above is carried out outside Singapore. For example, an overseas travel agent who arranges and sells a travel package outside of Singapore does not require a travel agent license, even if the travel package includes travel to or from Singapore.

Whether you are planning to open a one-stop solution travel agency or provide limited services, here are two types of license to consider in general.

Niche License

• Requires an upfront capital of $50,000, plus a net worth of equal amount.
• Licensed to only sell or arrange tours with conveyance WITHIN Singapore, WITHOUT accommodation

General License

• Upfront capital of $100,000, plus a net worth of equal amount
• Licensed to carry out ALL travel agent activities

Conditions for Obtaining a Travel Agency License

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has created guidelines for setting up a travel agency in Singapore. They also provide information on how to qualify for the license and conduct other business activities in Singapore as a travel agent. Additionally, users can apply or renew their licenses using the digital-integrated Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) with ease. The following steps will guide you in securing your license application approval.

1. Registration of Business Entity 

You are required to first register your business with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) for the purpose of conducting the business of a travel agent. The company must be set up under the Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) codes of 78211 for Travel Agents And Tour Operators.

2. Paid-Up Capital and Net Value

For registered business entities (including dormant entities ) applicants shall ensure that at anytime, the issued and paid-up capital in the business entity’s latest ACRA BizFile+ is not less than $100,000 for general travel agent licensees or $50,000 for niche travel agent licensees.

The same goes for sole-proprietors, partnerships or unincorporated association where applicants must submit a Credit Bureau Singapore report to verify their creditworthiness.

3. Key Executive

All applicants must nominate a suitable person for the position of a Key Executive (KE). The KE is the contact person between the Board and the travel agency. The KE is responsible for the proper administration and management of the affairs of the travel agency. To ensure clear lines of accountability and full commitment, the KE appointee should not be a concurrent KE of another licensed travel agency.

The appointment of the KE must be endorsed by more than half of the directors. The nominated KE of the business entity is subject to the Board’s approval:

• Must either be a Singaporean, Permanent Resident or a foreigner holding a valid work pass. A work pass must have a validity of at least 6 months at the time of application.
• Preferably be a Director of the entity equivalent with at least 1 year of managerial experience, in the proper administration and management of a travel agent business.
• For sole-proprietor or partnership, the Key Executive should either be the owner or partner.

4. Business Entity Internet E-mail Address

Applicants will have to apply for an e-mail address specifically for the operation of the travel agency business. All e-mail correspondence regarding the travel agent license application will be made via this e-mail address, including the notification of final approval for the Travel Agent’s License.

5. Management Staff and Personnel

  All directors, executives and managerial staff of the entity must be persons suitable to be involved in the management or operation of the business of a travel agent, and must be of good moral and conduct.

6. Office Space and Signboard

The applicant’s premises to carry out the business of a travel agent is subject to the Board’s approval under the following conditions of having consent or permits for the conduct of travel agent;  proofing of premise tenancy leasing ( for at least one year) or ownership ; obtaining approval under ‘Home Office Scheme’ from HDB or URA.

At times like this, it is often a smart idea to enlist the assistance of a local expert in Singapore finances, business best practices and accounting when it comes to the timely collation, submission and coordination of documentation such as this.

License Application Procedure

Applications for travel agency licenses are all submitted online. Any ownership interests in additional travel agencies must be disclosed.

Following the full and accurate submission of all supporting papers, the application processing period is between one and two weeks. An In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter will be mailed to you in response from the authorities. The clearance process might take longer if the authorities decide they need to do financial and criminal background checks on the potential employees of the new firm.

Before your Singapore travel agency license is officially approved, the IPA letter may include a list of requirements that you must meet. A common need is the filing of the tenancy agreement for the space where you wish to operate your travel agency. You should specify the term of the tenancy agreement of at least one-year. On the other hand, you are required to show proof of ownership if you happen to own the premise.

Upon completing the online application for a new license via Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST), you are required to pay an application fee of SGD200 through e-payment. If your approval has been successful, you will be notified through email and prompted to make a payment of $400 for the license fee. STB by default will then mail the license to your registered office address upon successful payment confirmation. Besides, you may opt to collect the license in-person too, just remember to give STB a heads up for the arrangement.

License Validity and Renewal

The Singapore Travel Agency License is valid for two years. This can be extended by one year at a time. You may apply for renewal of your license at any point during the validity period.

If you have not applied for renewal by the expiry date of your current license, you will need to wait until it has expired before you can apply for a new one.

The application process for renewal is the same as that for an initial application. However, there are no additional fees associated with applying for renewal of your Singapore Travel Agency License.

The travel agency must have a good track record with no complaints lodged against it. A review of the business practices of your travel agency Singapore location will be fulfilled by the Ministry of Tourism and Trade at least once every three years.

Suspension or Revocation

For malpractice, dishonest business practices or other offenses, the travel agency home may well find itself facing up to 6 months suspension or full revocation of its operational license.

There are many reasons why this can happen. It may be because the leadership team is incapacitated due to illness, or it could be that the management of a travel agency Singapore has committed a crime or other immoral action. Similarly, a travel agency Singapore license can also be revoked if the functions of the business shift in such a way that, to all intents and purposes, the organization is no longer operating as a travel agency. 

Despite the heavy penalties, the Board is obliged to notify the licensee beforehand and grant the licensee 14 days to offer up reasons why the agency should not be penalised. While serving suspension, you should not conduct any new business, except to fulfill obligations to supply a travel product that were undertaken right before the start of the suspension.

Operating a business in Singapore comes with tedious challenges but Sprout Asia can help. Our team of professionals has the expertise to guide you through all aspects of setting up a business in Singapore, from accounting and business law best practices to taxation advice and the facilitation of documents to get you up and running fast.

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Travel Agent License

Who needs to apply for a licence.

Opening a Travel Agency in Singapore

Every individual or company providing any type of service related to travel and tours can be deemed a  travel agency in Singapore . The  travel agent  is an entity  providing travel and tour packages  including  travel services  by land, sea or air. However,   transportation companies in Singapore  may not be considered travel agents. Travel agents fall under the regulations of the  Travel Agent’s Act  and are required to  obtain a license with the Singapore Tourism Board.

Our  Singapore company formation consultants   can offer more information on the  Travel Agent’s Law . We can help both local and foreign investors interested in  setting up travel agencies in Singapore .

You can also watch the video below for information on how to  open a company in Singapore  as a travel agency:

Table of Contents

Open a company in Singapore as a travel agency

The first step to complete when deciding to set  up a travel agency in Singapore  is the structure used to offer services. From this point of view, the travel agency must comply with the requirements of the  Company Law . Both the sole trader and the limited liability company are suitable for opening a travel agency in the city-state, however, the limited liability is preferred by most investors because it offers more benefits.

In order  to set up a travel agency  under the form of a  limited liability company in Singapore , one must:

• select an appropriate business name for the company and reserve it with the Trade Register;
• prepare the incorporation documents for the Singapore company, as required by ACRA;
• set up a bank account  and deposit the minimum share capital as required by the Singapore Travel Agents Act;
• register for taxation and  VAT purposes  with the Singapore Inland Revenue Authority;
• apply for the travel agent license with the Singapore Tourism Board and set up a website and e-mail address.

The  opening of a travel agency in Singapore  does not take too long to complete, however, one must pay attention to all the steps. Our  Singapore company formation specialists  can offer more information on the requirements which must be respected when  setting up a travel agency business  in the city-state.

Travel agents according to the Travel Agent’s Act in Singapore

According to the  Singapore Travel Agents Law , both natural persons and companies can take on the role of a  travel agency  and provide various services related to the organization of travel and tours. These services can be provided through all means of transportation: land, sea and air.

Singapore companies  established as travel agents  may provide the following services:

• – sell tickets to individuals traveling to any destinations,
• – provides services that facilitates the travelers’ transportation, accommodation and visa requirements when traveling outside Singapore,
• – organizes tours, excursions, sightseeing;
• – advertises the services it offers;
• – buys the right to resell certain touristic packages.

Our  company formation advisors in Singapore  can assist those interested in  starting a travel agency  in the city-state with the company registration procedure.

What are the steps to start a travel agency in Singapore?

The first step to open a travel agency is to open a company in Singapore . The company must be registered according to  the Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC) code 78211 for travel agents or 78212 for ticketing agents , depending on the services to be provided. All travel agents are required to deposit a   minimum share capital of 100,000 S$ in Singapore . The company must also have a  Singapore resident director  and a website.

For details about  creating a website for a travel agency in Singapore  you may ask our specialists.

Obtaining a travel agency license in Singapore

Once all the requirements are met and the company is registered,  a travel agency license must be obtained with the Singapore Tourism Board.  The  application for the Singapore travel license  is submitted online. The application will be processed in very short while, varying from 3 to 5 working days. Once the application is processed the  Singapore company  will receive an In-Principle Approval. A special requirement in order to  open a company in Singapore  as  a travel agency  is to provide a tenancy agreement concluded for at least one year. The  Singapore travel agency license  has a two-year validity period and must be renewed one month before the expiry date.

There are two main  types of travel agent licenses  which can be obtained  in Singapore : the general and the niche license.

The  niche license  can be obtained by companies selling, advertising and arranging inbound tours. Under this license, the  travel agency  can not sell accommodation services with  hotels   in Singapore .  Also, the minimum share capital for  obtaining a niche travel agent license  is 50,000 SGD; however, this is rarely applied for.

Under the  general license , both inbound and outbound tours and accommodation can be sold and/or arranged.

The key executive in a Singapore travel agency

One of the most important requirements related to  opening a travel agency in Singapore  refers to the management of the company. The agency must appoint a key executive who is a Singapore citizen or a foreigner who has a residence permit and who must be approved by the  Singapore Tourism Board .

The Singapore key executive must have an excellent reputation, sufficient experience and the right qualifications to run the daily operations of the  travel agency . In order to be approved by the STB, the  key executive  must submit a CV, a few recommendation letters and testimonials with the Board.

Office space requirements for travel agencies in Singapore

Under the law, a  travel agency  can undertake various activities for which it can have more than one office space. However, under the law, for the activities of the travel agency, the representative in charge of the  company registration procedure in Singapore  must provide complete information about the use of the premises for the purpose of completing travel agent activities. For this purpose, a floor plan must be submitted with the Singapore Tourism Board and a visible signboard with the name and object of activity of the company must be placed outside the premises.

The requirements are slightly different for sole traders. These can be explained by our  Singapore company formation advisors . We can also help you  change a sole proprietorship into a limited liability company   should you be interested in expanding your business.

Other requirements for travel agencies in Singapore

Among the requisites for  starting a travel agency in Singapore  is also having a specific email address which will be used to communicate with the customers. The  Singapore company  must also comply with the “Terms and Conditions for the Use of the Travel Related Users’ System”, shortly known as TRUST and which provides the norms related to  carrying out a travel agent activity  in the city-state. Also, all  Singapore travel agencies  or so le proprietors operating as travel agents  must  place  billboards  which advertise  the nature of their activity. In the case of sole traders, the approval of the Housing Development Board (HDB) or of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) must be obtained prior to starting operating.

Travel agency license renewal in Singapore

As mentioned above, the  travel agency license  has a 2-year validity period after which it can be renewed. The following documents must be filed with the STB when  renewing a travel agency license :

• – filing the company’s audited accounts for the former 2 years of activity;
• – filing the company’s annual business profile returns for the former 2 years of activity;
• – confirm the company’s particulars and submit other information required by the Board;
• – pay any outstanding fines or penalties (if required);
• – increase the company’s capital to the minimum amount of money necessary (if required).

The new license must be stored at the  Singapore company’s head office .

Why open a travel agency in Singapore?

Tourism  is one of the most important economic sectors and  investment industries in Singapore , according to recent statistics offered by the STB. These show that:

• – the first 3 quarters of 2018 brought an increase of 7.5% compared to the same period of 2017 (14 million visitors);
• – the first half of 2018 alone brought a 7.7% growth compared to the previous year (9,2 million visitors came to Singapore in the first half 2018);
• – tourism receipts increased by 1.1% in the 3 rd  quarter of 2018, reaching 20.6 billion SGD;
• – the average occupancy rate in hotel rooms increased at 87% in the 3 rd  quarter of 2018, 1.2 points higher compared to the same period of the previous year.

If you want to  open a Singapore company   as a travel agency  and need help, you can rely on our specialists.

For details about the  travel agency license fee  to be paid please   contact   our  specialists in company registration in Singapore.

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Private Eyes: How we tracked the spread of license plate readers across North Carolina

No agency tracks the use of automated license plate readers across the state. So The News & Observer began a reporting project in 2023 to find out just how widespread the devices have become among law enforcement agencies.

The project focused on fixed automated license plate readers, rather than those mounted in police or sheriff’s vehicles, because of an ongoing debate in the N.C. General Assembly about allowing the stationary devices on state-maintained roads and highways.

The industry’s dominant company, Flock Safety, several years ago began offering clients the ability to publish “transparency portals” providing high-level details of their ALPR programs. This can include data on usage policies, the number of cameras and details about the frequency of alerts and searches for each department.

The portals are optional for each client. In July 2023, Flock Safety declined to provide a list of these transparency sites for its law enforcement clients. So The News & Observer set out to find as many as possible.

The N&O created an initial list of web addresses after looking for transparency portals on multiple search engines. Because the pattern of the web addresses were relatively consistent, The N&O also created a list of known Flock clients and possible URLs, which it regularly tested with code.

More web addresses were added after The N&O began surveying more than 160 North Carolina law enforcement agencies to ask about their use of ALPR vendors and whether they had launched a transparency portal for their own activity.

The N&O supplemented its lists with records from the State Bureau of Investigation, which provided details on which agencies obtained access to data extracts from the National National Crime Information Center, which tracks vehicles and license plates of wanted suspects. This data is linked to an agency’s Flock Safety system to match and provide automatic alerts on vehicles of interest that pass by the license plate cameras leased by the agency.

After building the list, The N&O used code to regularly collect data on each site from late July to mid-April to better understand, based on publicly available information, how the devices are used.

Details gathered from the sites also revealed which police and sheriff’s departments across the country were granted access to an agency’s camera data. The N&O used this list of “external organizations” to construct and test for additional transparency portals, based on the previously discovered standard URL pattern.

In all, the project as of mid-April collected data on more than 360 Flock transparency sites for agencies across the country.

It’s hard to know how many of the company’s more than 5,000-plus law enforcement clients have active transparency portals — or what percentage of those sites The N&O’s list captured.

In April, Flock did provide a list of 33 North Carolina agency portals. Comparing the two lists, The N&O was missing 3 of the active sites, while the company omitted one from The N&O’s list.

The N&O also requested the locations of ALPR devices from several law enforcement agencies across the state to examine demographics and neighborhood characteristics of their placement. The city of Greensboro was one of the few municipalities that provided these locations, which The N&O mapped using GIS software.

The N&O used the Open-Source Routing Machine Project to calculate distances between the cameras and the center of each Guilford County block group, a census area roughly the size of a neighborhood that generally contains several thousand people.

After filtering only for block groups containing Greensboro’s city limits and matching each block group’s closest camera with 5-year 2022 American Community Survey data, The N&O calculated the demographics of neighborhoods within a 5-minute drive of a camera compared to those further away.

The N&O is making the data collected from the law enforcement survey and the Flock transparency sites available publicly for all uses .

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The Asahi Shimbun

Singapore envoy caught sneaking photos of naked boy walks free

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

May 2, 2024 at 15:18 JST

A counselor at the Singaporean Embassy in Tokyo admitted to taking secret photos of naked males, including a minor, at “sento” public bathhouses, but he escaped punishment because of diplomatic immunity, police sources said.

Tokyo’s Metropolitan Police Department questioned the Singaporean national, 55, at a bathhouse in Tokyo’s Minato Ward after he was caught using his smartphone to photograph a naked underage male student in a changing room on Feb. 27.

Officers checked the man’s phone and found multiple photos of nude males that appeared to have been taken inside the changing room.

Police quoted the man, who described himself as a diplomat, as saying, “I have definitely taken the pictures.”

When the boy’s guardian asked that the photos in question be deleted, the diplomat complied at the scene.

He also told the officers that he had taken similar photos at other public bathhouses. He then deleted about 700 pictures he had shot secretly over six months or so, the sources said.

A security camera at the Tokyo bathhouse caught the Singaporean pointing his smartphone at another male customer.

He told the officers, “I don’t know why I did this” and “I regret it,” the sources said.

The officers asked the man to accompany them to a police station, but he refused to go, saying, “I will answer any questions here.”

He was allowed to leave the scene because diplomats have the privilege of being exempt, in principle, from arrests and trials in overseas countries.

No follow-up interviews were conducted, and what appeared to be a slam-dunk case has stalled.

The MPD is in discussions with the Foreign Ministry and the National Police Agency to ask the embassy to have the man turn himself in for questioning.

Tokyo police are also considering sending the case to prosecutors, accusing the man of indecently photographing a minor’s body parts.

The embassy on May 2 told The Asahi Shimbun that the man “completed his assignment as of April 12 and has returned to Singapore.” It added that it “doesn’t know” about the bathhouse incident.

A senior police officer explained the difficulties in dealing with envoys in criminal cases.

“When people come forward and identify themselves as diplomats, police cannot arrest them in the end, even if they voluntarily submit to questioning. Police officers know this. Therefore, they refrain from asking them to accompany them to (a police station),” the officer said.

DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

Envoys are granted a number of privileges under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including “diplomatic immunity” from prosecution and physical restraint in criminal cases.

They are usually not charged even if they directly cause an incident or accident in the country where they are stationed.

In 2006, Tokyo police investigated an Indian Embassy official over allegations he committed an indecent act against a Japanese woman who came to the embassy to apply for a visa.

Police obtained an arrest warrant on suspicion of indecent assault, but the man had already returned to India.

In 2014, police arrested Japanese employees and others for operating and profiting from an illegal casino in a building in Tokyo’s Shibuya district.

The room where the casino was set up had been rented by the then Ghanaian ambassador to Japan.

The suspects reportedly believed that police would never bust the casino because of the ambassador’s diplomatic immunity.

In 2020, Tokyo police sent a former Russian diplomat to prosecutors on suspicion of abetting in a leak of confidential information from SoftBank Corp. in violation of the Unfair Competition Prevention Law.

Police believed the former diplomat had been engaged in espionage activities.

However, prosecutors dropped the case.

Tokyo police, through the Foreign Ministry, twice asked the former diplomat to appear in court, but the Russian did not respond and left Japan.

The Foreign Ministry in May 2021 implemented preventive measures after several complaints emerged that diplomats were illegally parking their vehicles, identified by blue license plates, and failing to pay the fines.

(This article was written by Shoko Mifune, Daichi Itakura and Hiraku Higa.)

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Follow our news, recent searches, walk-ins for some singapore driving licence services to cease from may 13, advertisement.

Vehicles on a road in Kallang, Singapore. (File photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)

SINGAPORE: Walk-ins for some driving licence services will cease from May 13, the police said late Monday night (Apr 22).

These services include changing driving licence particulars or converting a foreign driving licence to a Singapore one.

The Traffic Police is launching an online appointment service for those looking to change the photograph on their driving licence or update their citizenship status.

People who are collecting or cancelling a driving licence, as well as those requesting a driving licence extract should also use this online appointment system.

They may book, change or cancel their appointments online via the e-Services page at the Singapore Police Force's website. 

The Traffic Police will also use an online form for applications to convert foreign driving licences.

"This follows a previous trial, announced in July 2022, where holders of Malaysian driving licences could submit their applications for conversion of their foreign driving licences online via FormSG," said the police.

Applicants will be updated on the outcome of their applications via email within six weeks.

"Only successful applicants will be given an appointment date and time to finalise the conversion process. During the appointment, applicants will be required to bring their supporting documents (both original and copy) to the TP headquarters for verification," said the police.

Walk-ins for these services will still be allowed from Apr 29 to May 12. From May 13, all walk-ins will cease, with the exception of long-term visit pass holders renewing or replacing their driving licences.

“The Traffic Police would also like to seek the public’s continued understanding as it processes a high volume of applications for conversion of foreign driving licences, and that during the processing, time is required to authenticate the documents and ensure that the conversion eligibility criteria are met," the police said.

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• SingapoReimagine Global Conversations
• SingapoRediscovers Vouchers
• Made With Passion
• Joint Promotion Opportunities
• Procurement Opportunities for STB's Overseas Regional Offices
• Product And Industry Updates
• Rental of F1 Pit Building
• Singapore Tourism Accelerator
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• STB Marketing College
• Tourism Innovation Challenge
• Harnessing Technology to Emerge Stronger Post COVID-19
• Tourism Transformation Index (TXI)
• New Tourism Development in Jurong Lake District
• International Trade Events
• Singapore Familiarization Trips
• EVA-Ready Programme
• Tourism Industry Conference
• Expo 2025 Sponsorship and Partnership Opportunities
• Students & Fresh Graduates
• Professionals
• Attractions Operator
• Business/Leisure Event Organiser
• Media Professional
• Tourist Guide

Travel Agent

​To find out more about the Travel Agent industry and the role of the Singapore Tourism Board in supporting the development of the industry, please click  here .

Below is a directory of Travel Agent-related information and services that can be found on the websites of STB, and other relevant government agencies.

Useful Information

• Apply for Licence
• Renew Licence
• STB Guidelines for Platform Operators on Requirement for Travel Agent and Tourist Guide Licences

Statistics and Reports​

• International Visitor Arrivals
• Quarterly Tourism Performance Reports
• Annual Tourism Statistics Reports
• Study trip reports
• Market Insights

Regulations

• Travel Agents Act
• Travel Agents Regulations

Grants & Incentives

• Tourism Product Development Fund
• Kickstart Fund
• Training Industry Professionals in Tourism scheme
• Tourism Technology Fund
• Business Improvement Fund

Related Links

• TRUST website
• NATAS website

About the Organisation

What industry does your organization fall within, what best describes the key intent of the project that your organisation is seeking funding for, is your organisation a singapore-registered legal entity, is your organisation an association, is the project able to achieve one or more of the following outcome.

• Increase no. of sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of foreign cruise passengers to Singapore through sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of pre/post nights for cruise passengers sailing to/from Singapore
• Increase capability of industry players via cruise-specific industry training programmes
• Strengthen the potential/ attractiveness of cruising in Singapore and/or Southeast Asia

Is the project able to achieve one or more of the following?

• Improve visitor satisfaction (especially foreign visitors)
• Increase footfall
• Increase revenue
• Significant branding and PR value

Is the project able to attract foreign visitors and contribute to foreign visitors' spend?

Who will be the main target audience of your project, is your project innovative and/or a new event in singapore with tourism potential, what best describes your project, does the event have proven track records in singapore or overseas, and/or growth in tourism value such as growing foreign visitorship, and/or enhancement of precinct vibrancy etc, does the project have a clear tourism focus (e.g. tourism-related trainings, tourism companies taking on capability development initiatives or technology companies creating technology products and services for the tourism businesses), what best describes your market feasibility study project.

Based on your selection, the following STB grant/s may be applicable for your project:

Please note that projects that have commenced prior to Singapore Tourism Board's offer may not be eligible for grant support. Examples where projects are deemed as having commenced include:

• Applicant has started work on the project e.g. tender has been called.
• Applicant has made payment(s) to any supplier, vendor or third party.
• Applicant has signed a contractual agreement with any supplier, vendor or third party.