Employment Agency Licence

Apply for Employment Agency Licence

Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

For Business Users only

This licence is only for business users with a registered Unique Entity Number (UEN).

Application Details

Note: Before you apply for this licence, please ensure that you have registered your business or company with ACRA.

You must have at least one of the following business activities in your company's ACRA profile:
- 78103 (maid agencies)
- 78104 (employment agency - exclude maid agencies)
- 78105 (executive search)

A Comprehensive licence allows you to place all types of workers without a salary cap. If you are only placing workers earning more than S$4,500 per month, you can apply for a Select licence. Please note that if you intend to apply for a Select Licence, you cannot register 78103(Maid Agencies) as one of your business activities.

FAQ

Do I need to apply for this licence?
You are required to obtain an employment agency licence if you are providing recruitment and placement services to other employers.
You do not require a licence if you are recruiting persons for the sole purpose of employing them for your own company/business.
What conditions do I need to fulfil?
Licensing Criteria
You must be:
- Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
- Employment Pass Holder (your employment pass must allow you to work in the particular organization)
- Personalised Employment Pass holder
- Registered with ACRA as one of the following positions in the company:
> Company-Managing Director, Director, Authorised Representative
> Sole Proprietorship and Partnership-Owner, Partner, Manager
> Limited Liability Partnership-Partner, Manager
> Limited Partnership-General Partner, Limited Partner
- Not an undischarged bankrupt
- Not have any previous conviction records under Women's Charter, Children and Young Persons Act, Penal Code, Immigration Act, Employment Agencies Act and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act in Singapore or elsewhere
- Not have any offence records involving dishonesty or human trafficking
- Not have been involved in the management of an employment agency whose licence had been revoked
What supporting documents do I need to submit?
ACRA Business Profile.
What other approvals do I need to obtain?
If you are operating your Employment Agency from a residential premises, you will need to obtain the necessary approvals from the HDB (for public housing premises) or the URA (for private housing premises).
How soon can my application be processed?
A completed application with valid ACRA registration will be processed within 7 working days.
How much does this licence cost and how long is it valid?
There is a S$400 upfront payment for licence application. Once your application is approved, you will need to make an additional payment of S$100 for licence issuance. The licence is valid for three years from date of issuance.

Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) Course

Do I need the CEI?
All EA personnel of a Comprehensive-Licensed EA need to attain the relevant CEI.
Key appointment holders (KAH) and ACRA office bearers of the EA are required to pass the relevant CEI (KAH) test, regardless of whether they perform EA work or not.
Other EA personnel performing EA work as specified in the EA Act are required to pass the relevant CEI (Basic) test.
How do I register to attend the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) Course?
The CEI (Basic) and CEI (KAH) courses are conducted by Absolute Kinetics Consultancy Pte Ltd, Grace Management & Consultancy Services Pte Ltd and Singapore Polytechnic. EA personnel may choose from any of the course provider and may register with them directly. For further information of the course, please visit the CEI website.
The CEI Test Administrator for both the CEI (Basic) and CEI (KAH) is the NTUC LearningHub Pte Ltd. EA personnel sitting for the test must register directly with the Test Administrator.

Declaration of Affiliation

Do I need to declare affiliation?
You are required to declare your affiliation with family member(s) (i.e. Parent, Sibling, Spouse, Child, Parent-in-law, Son-in-law and Daughter-in-law) who are also holding key positions in an EA. Failing to declare your affiliation is a breach in the Employment Agency Licence Condition. Enforcement and administrative actions may be taken against you.
Do I have to declare if I am already holding an existing licence? Or is this requirement only for new entrants?
Yes, you are required to declare you affiliation. This requirement is for both existing and new entrants into the EA industry.
How do I amend previously declared affiliation?
You can amend your previously declared family affiliation by submitting an amendment via GoBusiness Licensing Amend Licence Profile Application.
Who can I contact for further details?
For further assistance, please contact us at the following details:
Employment Agency Licensing Branch
1500 Bendemeer Road, #02-01
MOM Services Centre
Singapore 339946
MOM Contact Centre: (65) 6438 5122
Fax: (65) 6692 5490
Email:mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg
Our Operating Hours
(Mon to Fri except public holidays)- 8:00am to 5:30pm
Alternatively, you may also visit the MOM website athttps://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-agenciesfor more information.

Additional Information

Fee

There is a S$400 upfront payment for licence application. Once your application is approved, you will need to make an additional payment of S$100 for licence issuance.

Documents Needed

ACRA Business Profile
ACRA Business Profile (Name of the Directors must exactly match the name on their identification documents).
File format: pdf
Maximum upload per application: 1.5 MB
Approval letter from URA/HDB
Approval letter from URA/HDB (applicable if you are operating from home).
File format: pdf
Maximum upload per application: 1.5 MB
Identification
Please provide copies of NRIC/EP/PEP for ALL ACRA registered Directors and/or valid passports of foreign Directors based overseas.
File format: pdf
Maximum upload per application: 1.5 MB

Requirements

Applicant must be ACRA-registered business entity.