Singapore requires a travel agent licence from the Singapore Tourism Board. Who needs one, the Niche and General licences, financial requirements, the Key Executive and fees.
1. The travel market in Singapore
Most new agencies in Singapore focus on outbound & regional holidays. Decide early whether you will sell to travellers in Singapore, design trips in Singapore for visitors and foreign agents, or both: the answer shapes your licence, suppliers and marketing.
Clients will expect quotations in SGD or their own currency, fast replies, and clear terms before they pay.
2. Licences and registration
Under the Travel Agents Act 1975, businesses that supply rights to travel, travel-and-accommodation arrangements or tours, or buy travel rights for resale, need a Travel Agent Licence from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
STB offers two licences. A Niche Licence covers tours within Singapore that provide transport but no accommodation; a General Licence covers everything else. At the time of writing, STB lists minimum paid-up capital and net value of S$50,000 for a Niche Licence and S$100,000 for a General Licence, an application fee of S$200 and a licence fee of S$400.
3. Company, tax and banking
Register the company with ACRA, and register for GST with IRAS if you meet the threshold.
4. Set up sales and operations
Before the first enquiry arrives, decide how you will capture leads, build quotations, confirm suppliers, invoice and collect payments. For your market, plan these workflows from day one:
5. Launch checklist
Tick these off before you take your first payment in Singapore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between STB's Niche and General licences?
A Niche Licence is for tours within Singapore that include transport but no accommodation. A General Licence covers all other travel agent activities.
What is a Key Executive?
The person STB requires you to nominate to oversee the agency's administration and operations, preferably a director or someone with travel industry management experience.
Sources
Official pages this guide is based on, checked on 11 October 2026. Rules and fees change: confirm the current requirements with the authority before you apply. This guide is general information, not legal advice.